This episode is available on Spotify and Apple PodcastsIn this episode of the Contrarian Marketing podcast, hosts Kevin and Eli debate whether Google's new search experience powered by generative AI (SGE) will actually launch publicly soon or remain stuck in beta.They discuss the motivation behind SGE, predictions for how it could launch, and whether AI hype in search will fade."I think the whole point of s g is they need to get Wall Street and the media off their backs.""Putting it behind a paid wall is exactly like saying, guess what? We also have an LLM, but you have to go to, like, gemini.google.com to check it out."Main Discussion Points- SGE is already live in small ways, like product recommendations in Google Shopping- Google needs to launch SGE, even in a limited capacity, to show they are innovating in AI- SGE may be useful for certain verticals and listicle-style queries- But LLMs can frustrate users by removing choice from search- Google search has declined in quality and become too commercialized- Voice search assistants still have lots of room for improvement with AI- Both hosts believe Google search needs to improve, but disagree on whether SGE specifically will help This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrarianmarketingpodcast.com

In this episode of the Contrarian Marketing Podcast, hosts Eli and Kevin discuss how to bring the beloved Trader Joe's shopping experience online. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrarianmarketingpodcast.com

The hosts make predictions for 2024, discussing topics like the economy, AI advancements, politics, and the tech industry. They talk about Trump's potential election, changes in SEO with Google's new search engine, and how new AI technologies may disrupt companies. They also mention hardware and AI voice assistants gaining traction, TikTok facing government restrictions, and the potential economic rebound. The launch of powerful AI assistants, traditional media struggling while creators gain prominence, and skepticism towards new voice devices are also discussed.

This episode is available on Spotify and Apple PodcastsIn this episode of the Contrarian Marketing podcast, hosts Eli and Kevin have an in-depth discussion about marketing agencies - the good, the bad, and the ugly.They talk about their personal experiences working with agencies, red flags to watch out for when evaluating an agency, and green flags that indicate a great agency partner. They also discuss the pros and cons of building your own agency versus remaining a solo consultant.Main discussion points:* Common issues with agencies - poor deliverables, lack of actionable recommendations, expanding contracts when scope changes, long delays before providing value (00:10:28 - 00:12:13)* Signs of a good agency - not requiring payment upfront before doing work, access to account manager, polished materials (00:20:28 - 00:22:17)* The exit strategy - Building an agency as an asset that can eventually be acquired so the founders can "exit" versus remaining a solo consultant (00:18:43 - 00:20:05)* Wanting to hire the person, not just the agency - Evaluating if the people you meet initially are the ones who will actually be working on your account (00:29:46 - 00:31:44) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrarianmarketingpodcast.com

This episode is available on Spotify and Apple PodcastsBacklinks have always been a hot topic in the world of SEO. They play a crucial role in improving a website's search engine ranking and overall visibility. But when it comes to backlinks, not all links are created equal. In this blog post, we're going to dive into a LinkedIn poll that raises an interesting question: Which would you prefer - a deep link on The New York Times website or a front page link on Reddit for 24 hours? Let's explore the insights and varying perspectives on the value of these two backlinks.New York Times or Reddit?According to the LinkedIn poll, the majority of respondents favored a deep link on The New York Times website over a front page link on Reddit. The preference for The New York Times link is primarily based on its perceived value from an SEO perspective. The New York Times is a highly authoritative and reputable website, and a backlink from such a site can significantly boost a website's credibility and search engine rankings.The Business Value of a Reddit Front Page LinkHowever, when we consider the broader business objectives, the front page link on Reddit may hold more value. While Reddit may not have the same level of authority as The New York Times, it has a massive user base and can potentially reach hundreds of thousands of people within 24 hours. This kind of exposure can lead to direct engagement, retargeting opportunities, and potential conversions.Perspectives on Backlink ValueThe differing perspectives on the value of these backlinks highlight the distinction between SEO considerations and broader business objectives. From an SEO standpoint, The New York Times link is seen as more valuable due to its influence on search engine rankings. On the other hand, the front page link on Reddit offers the potential for direct business impact through increased visibility and engagement.Real-World ExamplesTo further illustrate the potential impact of backlinks, let's take a look at a couple of real-world examples. Hoppin, a company worth $7.7 billion two years ago, recently sold its assets to Ring Central for a significantly lower price of $15,000,000.01. This sale raises concerns about the company's declining value and whether Ring Central may have overpaid for the assets. It highlights the potential difference between a link that Google sees as valuable and a link that generates direct business impact.Similarly, Overstock recently purchased the brand assets of Bed Bath & Beyond, which had filed for bankruptcy. The purchase included a domain with 43,000 unique backlinks, estimated to have a value of almost $15 million. This acquisition not only provided Overstock with valuable backlinks but also led to a significant increase in their stock price. It shows how backlinks can play a role in enhancing a brand's overall value and market position.The Importance of Backlinks in SEOEli, one of the voices in the LinkedIn poll, believes that backlinks have not mattered in the same way for many years. He suggests that contextual power is more important than domain authority when it comes to backlinks. To have an impact, the article that links to a website should be topically relevant. This aligns with the idea that backlinks that drive traffic and are more likely to be clicked will have higher quality and, therefore, be more valuable.While backlinks may have lost some of their importance over time, they can still make a significant difference for a website's rankings. AI algorithms, like those used by Google, play a role in how websites are ranked based on backlinks. Manipulating backlinks has become more complex due to AI and the intricacies of search engine algorithms. However, building good backlinks remains an essential part of any comprehensive SEO strategy.ConclusionBacklinks continue to be a crucial component of SEO strategies. While their significance may have evolved over time, backlinks still have the potential to positively impact a website's visibility and authority. The relevance and quality of backlinks are considered more important than their sheer quantity. Building a strong backlink profile requires producing backlink-worthy content and establishing a strong brand presence.Although the debate over the value of backlinks from high-profile sites like The New York Times versus highly trafficked platforms like Reddit continues, it ultimately depends on the goals and objectives of each website and its business. SEO considerations and broader business objectives may influence preferences and strategies when it comes to backlinks. By understanding the nuances and varying perspectives, you can make informed decisions on how to leverage backlinks effectively for your website's success. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrarianmarketingpodcast.com

This episode is available on Spotify and Apple PodcastsIn this episode of the Contrarian Marketing Podcast, hosts Kevin and Eli have an energetic discussion covering a range of marketing and business topics. They provide commentary on recent rebranding efforts by Overstock and Buy.com, analyze the dramatic rise and fall of the virtual events platform Hopin, and share thoughts on best practices for hiring and interviewing. The conversation pivots to the prevalence of advertising in sports, with a debate around embracing advertising opportunities versus preserving commercial-free spaces. Listeners can expect a free-flowing and insightful dialogue on current events and trends in marketing.Main Discussion Points:- Overstock's acquisition of Bed Bath & Beyond and the botched domain migration that redirected Overstock.com to BedBathAndBeyond.com (00:07 - 00:11)- Hopin's meteoric growth during the pandemic to a $7.6 billion valuation, followed by its recent demise and pivot under new ownership (00:17 - 00:22) - Observations on unhealthy hiring and interviewing practices like ghosting candidates (00:22 - 00:30)- The prevalence of advertising in European sports compared to the US, and whether there should be limits (00:30 - 00:34) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.contrarianmarketingpodcast.com

Contrarian Marketing Podcast hosts Kevin and Eli have an in-depth conversation with Alan Weiss, author of over 60 books on consulting. They discuss Alan's background, approach to consulting, learning, and more. Topics include becoming a successful consultant, specializing vs generalizing, what makes a great consultant, writing books, technology and AI.

In this podcast, the hosts discuss Twitter's controversial rebranding as 'X' under Elon Musk, and whether this will impact its user base. They also explore the launch of Meta's texting app Threads as a potential rival to Twitter. The podcast addresses concerns about a potential recession and its impact on marketing budgets. The hosts also discuss Google's new Search Experience called SGE and preview their upcoming interview with consultant Alan Weiss.

On the Contrarian Marketing Podcast, hosts Kevin and Eli discuss Google's remote work policies, the impact of return-to-office on employees, the future of AI-generated content, and the challenges faced by affiliates in the SEO landscape. They touch on topics such as the increase in Bay Area traffic due to the crackdown on hybrid work, the potential for silent layoffs, the disadvantage faced by remote workers in terms of career growth, and skepticism towards VR/AR taking over the office.

The podcast discusses the return to office and hybrid work, including the potential for silent layoffs. They also explore the limitations of remote work, the controversy surrounding Google's search generative experience, and Google's use of AI to summarize internet content. Additionally, they discuss the value of affiliates and question the future of Reddit.