Search with Candour

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

In this discussion, Krešimir Ćorluka, co-founder of Canonical Agency and organizer of Zagreb SEO Summit, sheds light on the crucial interplay between branding and SEO. He warns against the dangers of hasty rebranding, which can harm customer relationships. The conversation dives into the transformative role of AI in digital marketing, emphasizing content quality and trust. Krešimir also advocates for deeper connections with target audiences, underscoring the need for brands to adapt their strategies thoughtfully in this evolving landscape.

Seb Atkinson, SEO consultant and owner of Atkinson Smith Digital, shares his journey from agency work to entrepreneurship. He uncovers the intricacies of keyword clustering and its alignment with business objectives to boost conversions. The conversation highlights strategies for effective client communication and the vital role of stakeholder collaboration. Seb also discusses tackling SEO challenges in multinational contexts and the importance of accurate forecasting in driving revenue. Tune in for actionable insights to transform your SEO strategies!

Join Alex Galinos, an international digital marketing expert and SEO head at Hoppa, as he shares transformative insights on aligning SEO strategies with business growth. He emphasizes moving beyond mere traffic metrics to a revenue-driven focus that enhances conversions. The conversation dives into the integration of business intelligence with SEO, actionable tips for optimizing e-commerce pages, and the role of AI in shaping future strategies. Alex also offers valuable tools and examples to illustrate how SEO can effectively drive bottom-line results.

Are you getting the most out of your organic shopping feed?Join host Jack Chambers Ward as he sits down with returning guest Alex Wright, a managing partner for SEO at Dentsu, to uncover the untapped potential of organic shopping feeds in the ecommerce landscape.Learn about the importance of optimising your feeds, the pitfalls to avoid, and the bright future of agentic search in 2025.Follow Alex:Website: https://alex-wright.co.uk/Dentsu: https://www.dentsu.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-wright-marketing/Resources:https://blog.google/products/shopping/google-shopping-ai-mode-virtual-try-on-update/https://blog.google/products/shopping/shopping-graph-explained/https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/15182106https://github.com/google-marketing-solutions/feedxhttps://business.google.com/uk/merchant-center/manufacturer-center/https://ipullrank.com/how-ai-mode-workshttps://withcandour.co.uk/blog/stoicism-and-seo-for-headless-cms-with-alex-wright00:00 Introduction02:07 Upcoming Guests and Events05:47 Sponsored by Fatjoe07:34 Interview with Alex Wright Begins09:27 Importance of Organic Shopping Feeds17:48 Setting Up and Optimising Shopping Feeds33:10 Common Mistakes and Best Practices37:05 Importance of Team Communication in Digital Marketing37:34 Utilising Supplemental Feeds for Enhanced Control39:45 Introduction to Manufacturer Center42:00 Exploring New Shopping Features and AI Integration43:54 Challenges and Considerations with Agentic Search50:09 Impact of Dynamic Pricing and Data Quality52:34 Future of Search and E-commerce Strategies58:10 Real-World Accessibility and Multimodal Search01:04:58 Recommendations and Final Thoughts