

Search with Candour
Candour
Every Monday, Jack Chambers-Ward has in-depth conversations with SEO experts from around the world.
Covering topics from attribution in GA4 to networking tips for introverts and everything in between.
Search With Candour is the perfect way to kickstart your working week!
https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast
Covering topics from attribution in GA4 to networking tips for introverts and everything in between.
Search With Candour is the perfect way to kickstart your working week!
https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 • 53min
MUVERA and the future of backlinks | Egor Golovin from Serpzilla
Egor Golovin, Chief Commercial Officer at Serpzilla and a link-building expert, dives into the transformative impact of Google's MUVERA on SEO. He discusses the shift from sheer link volume to the critical importance of contextual relevance and trust. Egor highlights how AI-generated content can still thrive if it offers value. He emphasizes the rising significance of brand mentions and nofollow links as trust signals. Finally, he offers insights on refining backlink strategies and advises running relevance audits to align with the evolving digital landscape.

Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 6min
Exploring Social Health & Career Growth | The SEO Mindset & Search with Candour Live from Brighton
Join us LIVE from Brighton as the teams from @SEOMindsetPodcast and Search with Candour come together for an engaging and informative podcast.In this special episode, the trio of hosts explore the importance of intentional social connections for career progression, and practical tips on maintaining good social health.The episode also features insights from the audience, real-life stories, and a detailed analysis of Google's take on 'social health.’Don't miss out on expert advice, heartfelt stories, and actionable tips designed to enhance your personal and professional growth in the SEO world!Headline sponsor - SISTRIXSISTRIX is the all-in-one SEO toolbox for those who want to succeed on Google, Amazon and Facebook. With SISTRIX's market-leading tools, you can optimise your website according to the latest Google guidelines, track competitors on Amazon and easily generate and perform research across TikTok, Instagram and YouTube.Food sponsor - MajesticMajestic maps the web to bring you the Link Intelligence data you need to dominate your market. Established in 2004, Majestic is dedicated to serving worldwide backlink data and analysis.Drinks sponsor - Good Signals and WhitworthGood Signals help brands that deserve to do better online – do just that. They use what makes your business unique and interesting to help you grow online in new and exciting ways – connecting your brand with the people who matter most to you.Whitworth SEO specialise in authentic SEO without the jargon. Just proper SEO consultancy, no fluff and purely focused on delivering return on investment from your organic channel.00:00 Introduction and Welcome01:21 The SEO Mindset Podcast Origins02:33 Introducing Search with Candour03:45 SISTRIX: How does Google define social health?04:40 Sponsor Acknowledgements12:10 Exploring Social Health and Loneliness17:01 Maintaining Work-Life Synergy27:51 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome37:09 Choosing Your Influential Five37:36 Using the 5-3-1 Model39:27 Quality Time and Presence40:13 Balancing Social Health and Solitude42:44 Tips for Social Health42:58 Overcoming Fear and Trying New Things54:49 Navigating Social Interactions and Remote Work01:00:03 Q&A and Personal Stories01:04:51 Closing Remarks and Thank Yous

Oct 20, 2025 • 1h 1min
Build your brand or get left behind | Yordan Dimitrov | Search with Candour
Jack Chambers-Ward dives into the evolving world of SEO, AI, and branding with guest Yordan Dimitrov, SEO Manager at Reflect Digital. They discuss the importance of brand consistency, the role of LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT in shaping user experiences, and the pivotal strategies for maintaining visibility and relevance in an ever-changing digital landscape. If you're curious about how AI is impacting SEO or want tips on optimising your brand’s digital presence, this episode is packed with valuable insights and recommendations.Don't miss out on Yordan's upcoming talk at Brighton SEO and the exciting discussions around these crucial topics!Follow Yordan:Reflect Digital: https://www.reflectdigital.co.uk/ Website: https://yordandim.com/BioLink: https://yordan.bio.link/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dimitrovy/ Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/yordan-dimitrov.com BrightonSEO talk: https://brightonseo.com/talks/forget-seo-vs-ai-build-a-brand-people-trust-or-get-left-behind 00:00 Embracing AI: The Younger Generation's Journey01:14 Introduction to the Podcast01:29 Interview with Yordan Dimitrov01:41 The Importance of Brand in SEO02:20 Upcoming Brighton SEO Event04:15 SEO Strategies and User Behaviour06:17 The Role of Brand and Visibility10:05 Impact of AI on SEO Metrics13:49 User-Generated Content and Reviews22:21 Personalisation and AI in Search25:14 The Future of Search and AI31:06 Meta's AI Integration and User Consent32:01 The Shift in Digital Marketing Metrics33:04 The Impact of LLMs on User Conversion34:32 E-commerce Strategies for Better User Experience37:44 The Importance of Consistent Branding38:39 Personalisation and Localisation in Marketing45:55 The Role of User-Generated Content51:31 Adapting SEO Strategies for AI and LLMs54:17 Tool and Content Recommendations59:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Oct 17, 2025 • 42min
BrightonSEO October 2025 recommendations | Mark Williams-Cook | Search with Candour
Get ready for valuable insights from the upcoming Brighton SEO conference! Discover the importance of human connection in digital PR and dive into AI's impact on SEO strategies. Learn about using vector embeddings for better content analysis and why building a trusted brand is essential in an AI-driven world. Explore new perspectives on attribution models and hear recommendations on making content machine-readable. Tune in for expert commentary on navigating the evolving landscape of digital marketing!

Oct 13, 2025 • 1h 9min
Zero click SEO: What do we do now? | Pablo López
Pablo López, a Senior SEO consultant at Dept Agency with diverse expertise, dives into the world of zero-click search and AI-driven search engines. He discusses how traditional SEO strategies must evolve as AI modes become prevalent. Pablo highlights the importance of user trust in AI-generated answers and the need for brands to adapt their content strategies to maintain direct traffic. He emphasizes cross-channel integration and audience understanding for successful SEO in this new landscape. His insights are essential for anyone navigating the changing dynamics of search.

Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 10min
Measure Your Website's Performance for AI Search | Manuel Madeddu
In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Manuel Madeddu to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to web performance.They delve into the significance of connecting various elements such as SEO, user experience, and sustainability for optimal web performance.Manuel shares his insights on adapting to the evolving search landscape, the critical metrics to monitor, and the significance of bridging the gap between different departments.Follow ManuelLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/manuel-madeddu/Carpet Joe: www.carpetjoe.com00:00 Introduction to AI and SEO00:57 Welcome to Search With Candour02:30 Guest Introduction: Manuel Madeddu04:54 The Importance of a Holistic Approach07:23 Web Performance and Sustainability14:03 The Evolution of Search and SEO35:58 Balancing UX, Design, and SEO41:58 The Importance of Accessibility in Web Development44:15 Real-World Examples of Accessibility Challenges47:50 The Role of Legislation in Accessibility48:25 Colorblindness and User Experience51:06 Recommendations and Final Thoughts54:48 Tools and Software for Web Performance55:59 Entertainment Recommendations: Movies, Games, and Anime01:08:15 Upcoming Events and Personal Updates

Sep 29, 2025 • 43min
Personas for AI keyword research | Google breaks rank trackers | Search with Candour with Mark Williams-Cook
Join hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook in this week's episode of Search with Candour as they discuss recent Google SERP changes and the impact of AI on keyword research.Discover why the SEO community is buzzing about Google changing the num100 parameter and how these modifications affect impressions and rank tracking.Additionally, the dynamic duo share conference experiences, and tease upcoming speaking engagements.Links:Search ‘n’ Stuff conference: https://searchnstuff.co.uk/conferences/search-n-stuff-antalya-conference-2025/International Search Summit: https://events.transperfectdigital.com/international-search-summit/Personas for AI search: https://searchengineland.com/seo-personas-ai-search-461343Google search drops num100 parameter: https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-drops-100-results-parameter-40097.htmlJack’s brightonSEO talk: https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/the-future-of-content-with-zero-clicksSponsor Jack’s charity MMA fight: https://justgiving.com/page/jack-chambers-wardTimestamps:00:00 Introduction00:44 Conference Highlights and AI Keyword Research01:58 Personalisation in AI Search07:30 Upcoming Conferences and Events12:56 Google's Search Parameter Changes21:55 Impact of Bot Traffic on Google Search Console Data24:13 Rise of New Crawlers and Tools25:34 Google's JavaScript Requirement Update27:33 AI Mode and the Future of Search35:10 Transparency and Data Limitations40:20 Upcoming Events and Conferences

Sep 22, 2025 • 1h 3min
The challenges of enterprise SEO with Jojo Furnival
Dive into the complexities of enterprise SEO as experts explore the unique challenges of large-scale websites. Discover the crucial role of interdepartmental communication and resource allocation. Highlights include the balance between automation and the human touch, and strategies for effective prioritization amid legacy tech. Jojo shares actionable insights and useful tools like a free enterprise SEO course and a rendering Chrome extension, all aimed at aligning SEO with broader business objectives.

6 snips
Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 18min
How UX affects SEO | Search with Candour podcast with Ian Ferguson
In this discussion, Ian Ferguson, a freelance SEO consultant and writer of the SEO TLDR newsletter, dives into the integration of UX and SEO. He highlights the need for SEO to be considered during initial web design to enhance user experience. The conversation covers AI's transformative effect on content creation, practical UX improvement strategies, and effective e-commerce tactics. Ian also shares insights on managing client expectations and adapting to the evolving digital landscape, emphasizing a user-centric approach for better online presence.

Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 3min
How to build brand authority with digital PR | Matt Cayless | Search with Candour
Welcome to another episode of Search With Candour!This week, Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Matt Cayless to discuss brand authority and digital PR.Whether you’re an SEO pro, a digital marketer, or a brand builder, this episode is packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and expert advice on how to build lasting brand authority in 2025 and beyond.🔑 Key Talking Points:What is brand authority and why does it matter?The evolving role of digital PR in SEOMeasuring brand authority: what really moves the needle?The impact of AI, LLMs, and changing search behaviorsBuilding trust, credibility, and visibility in your nicheThe future of link building and branded mentionsAttribution challenges in the age of GA4 and zero-click searchesActionable tips for getting started with digital PR and audience researchRecommended tools, resources, and where to find Matt online⏰ Timestamps:00:00 – Introduction: Why brand authority matters01:14 – What is brand authority?05:45 – The evolution of SEO and digital PR13:15 – How to measure brand authority18:45 – The power of branded mentions and quality signals25:00 – Digital PR vs. traditional link building32:00 – The impact of AI, LLMs, and changing search habits40:00 – Attribution, analytics, and the “zero-click” world48:00 – Building authority in your niche: practical steps55:00 – Audience research and the importance of showing up58:00 – Recommendations1:03:00 – Where to find Matt Hali and Bubblegum Search👇 Enjoyed the episode?Follow us/subscribe on for more expert interviews and actionable SEO insights!Drop your questions and thoughts in the comments – we love hearing from you.


