Voices of Search // A Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Podcast

Google's AI search results threaten organic traffic. Donna Donahue, SEO leader at Antylia Scientific, forecasts the evolution of zero-click environments over the next year. She emphasizes the critical importance of structured data accuracy despite Google's claims it's not a ranking signal, and explains how brands can leverage AI overviews for increased brand recognition while developing strategies to counter declining click-through rates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

E-E-A-T signals in AI search have become increasingly messy and unclear. Donna Donahue from Antylia Scientific shares how her quasi-YMYL company navigates Google's shifting expertise requirements. She explains why scientific oversight of all content is essential for maintaining authority in pharmaceutical and lab research industries, while noting the pendulum swing from E-E-A-T obsession toward a renewed focus on relevancy and topic uniqueness.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI overviews are reshaping SEO strategy. Donna Donahue from Antylia Scientific examines the trend of optimizing content specifically for AI-generated search results. She discusses how snippets have become the new "zero-click playground," the recent addition of links within AI overviews, and strategies for creating content that both satisfies information needs while encouraging click-throughs to websites.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will page speed matter in AI search? Donna Donahue from Antylia Scientific examines the evolving relationship between page speed and AI-driven search results. She argues that while technical performance remains important for crawlers, content quality will continue to be the dominant ranking factor. Donahue also highlights the irony that Google's own tracking tools often contribute to page speed issues while simultaneously penalizing sites for slow performance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Demonstrating SEO ROI remains a persistent challenge for search professionals. Donna Donahue, SEO Manager at Antylia Scientific, shares her approach to cross-functional collaboration through effective listening and stakeholder education. She reveals how developing comprehensive content briefs creates pathways to success, transforming reluctant stakeholders into willing participants while explaining how incorporating direct customer feedback from sales and trade show teams strengthens content strategy beyond traditional keyword research.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Google's helpful content updates require a strategic response. Zak Ali, from Finder, shares his approach to realigning organizations around search priorities. He advocates for starting fresh by understanding how real users interact with search, putting customer needs at the center of strategy, and balancing technical SEO fundamentals with human-centered content development that reflects authentic user behavior.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Long-form guides or interactive calculators? Zak Ali from Finder weighs in on resource allocation for personal finance sites. Interactive calculators emerge as the clear winner, offering users immediate value through manipulable interfaces rather than passive reading experiences. Ali emphasizes that calculators better match user intent, allow for personalization, and can still incorporate supporting content while avoiding the pitfalls of creating extensive guides that users typically scan rather than read thoroughly.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI search is transforming the personal finance vertical. Zak Ali from Finder explains how the landscape will shift in the next 18 months, with major finance apps achieving product parity while smaller publishers specialize in niche areas. He predicts AI search will become the default experience within 12-18 months once Google solves ad monetization, creating significant challenges for unprepared publishers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will financial literacy content outperform comparison pages in 2025? Zak Ali from Finder weighs in on the future of content strategy for financial services websites. He predicts LLMs will handle most text-based financial education while comparison pages will maintain their value, and shares tactics for optimizing title tags and thumbnails to improve impression-to-click rates when competing with AI-generated answers.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Financial SEO requires specialized knowledge in a highly competitive space. Zak Ali, US General Manager at Finder, shares how smaller publishers can compete against dominant players in the financial sector. He explains how AI search creates opportunities for content diversification beyond Google, why focusing on user-centric experiences drives higher quality leads, and how SEO professionals should evolve into growth managers who build brand entities across multiple channels.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will AI diminish the value of localized content? Sebastien Edgar of SEOSeb & Previsible examines why localization remains crucial despite AI advancements. He explains how properly localized content demonstrates market understanding, creates uniqueness, and can increase purchase likelihood by up to 40%. Edgar also highlights the significant opportunity gap between English-dominated web content and the small percentage of native English speakers worldwide.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will search engines eventually eliminate hreflang tags? Sebastien Edgar of SEOSeb & Previsible examines the future of international SEO signals. Despite advancements in machine learning, Edgar argues that hreflang tags provide essential efficiency for search engines identifying equivalent content across markets. The discussion compares hreflang implementation to schema markup, noting how both structured data formats continue to be valuable despite AI improvements.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Sebastein discusses Game plan for launching in five new international markets with limited resourcesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Global SEO is increasingly fragmented across platforms and user behaviors. Sebastien Edgar, founder of SEOSeb and Previsible, explains how search diversification is forcing SEOs beyond their traditional comfort zones. He advocates for an omnichannel approach that leverages content across multiple platforms, urges SEOs to take ownership of the full conversion funnel, and emphasizes the growing importance of CRO alongside traditional search strategy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Multilingual content generation with AI requires human oversight. Sebastien Edgar, SEO expert from SEOSeb & Previsible, examines the limitations of fully automated translation systems. He discusses the narrowing gap between AI and human translation quality, the persistent problem of hallucinations in AI-generated content, and why manual review remains essential despite rapid technological advancement.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Global SEO requires unique market-specific approaches. Sebastien Edgar, SEO consultant at SEOSeb and expert at Previsible, shares his international expansion strategies. Edgar demonstrates how to balance global consistency with local market nuances, leverage hreflang tags to transfer authority between markets, and adapt imagery and content to reflect cultural preferences while avoiding stereotypes.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The SEO industry is undergoing a seismic shift — from rising M&A activity to the growing dominance of AI in search. In this episode, Jordan Koene, SEO strategist and advisor at Previsible, is joined by Jim Boykin, founder of Internet Marketing Ninjas, to unpack their recent merger and what it means for the future of search.Jim shares insights from over two decades at the forefront of SEO, including how link building has evolved, what makes a “trusted” link today, and why AI isn't replacing SEO, it's redefining it. Discover how LLMs like ChatGPT and Google's AI Overviews are reshaping visibility, why brand mentions matter more than ever, and how SEOs must adapt to stay competitive.Whether you're an in-house marketer, agency pro, or SEO enthusiast, this episode offers a roadmap for thriving in a rapidly transforming search landscape.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Brand visibility faces new challenges in AI-driven search environments. Jason Lax, SEO Director at SAP, shares practical approaches for maintaining visibility when traditional search results aren't visible to users. He recommends leveraging alternative platforms like shopping and maps while conducting deeper research on brand perception across different buyer journeys. Lax also emphasizes the importance of understanding how content appears differently in AI platforms versus traditional search and developing new measurement frameworks for tracking performance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traditional search vs. emerging AI platforms: which deserves focus? Jason Lax from SAP makes the case for prioritizing emerging technologies over legacy search, comparing it to becoming a mechanic for electric vehicles rather than gasoline cars. He positions Google's AI experience as a hybrid solution while explaining why investing in newer platforms offers greater potential for innovation and future-proofing SEO strategies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Consumer behavior is rapidly evolving with AI tools. Jason Lax from SAP examines how search patterns are shifting from traditional queries to more efficient AI-assisted interactions. He explores the "search less, do more" paradigm where users leverage new technologies to increase productivity, while also addressing the implications of zero-click search results and how technology reciprocally shapes user behavior.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Should you separate traditional and AI search teams? Jason Lax from SAP weighs in on this emerging organizational question facing SEO departments. He suggests that while temporary separation might help teams develop specialized AI skills, the significant overlap in fundamentals means these functions will inevitably merge back together. Lax compares this to the relationship between content and technical SEO, emphasizing that while resources may be divided, the teams must work in lockstep rather than as isolated units.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Structured data's role in search continues to evolve rapidly. Jason Lax from SAP examines whether structured metadata will become more critical as search engines advance or diminish in importance. He explains how both Google and Bing recently reinforced structured data's significance, highlighting its contribution to crawling efficiency and precision while serving as a foundation for more refined communication between systems.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In a screenless search future, SEO strategies must adapt. Jason Lax, Technical SEO Expert at SAP, shares enterprise-level approaches for navigating rapid search evolution beyond traditional websites. He discusses how to mobilize strategic changes within large organizations, leverage observational insights to anticipate consumer behavior shifts, and prepare for AI-driven experiences that bypass traditional search entirely.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is optimizing for AI summarization a legitimate SEO strategy? Tyler Einberger from Momentic weighs in on the evolving landscape of content creation for AI consumption. He distinguishes between valuable approaches like leveraging original data and proprietary insights versus less effective tactics like mass-producing consensus content or simply replicating competitors' strategies. Einberger emphasizes that content built on expertise and unique perspectives represents a sustainable long-term approach while content created merely to game AI systems will likely fail.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, Tyler Einberger of Momentic examines the misleading nature of the Google-OpenAI competition. He reveals how Google maintains distribution advantage through AI mode integration while explaining that ChatGPT isn't primarily a search product despite its capabilities. Tyler shares technical insights about how ChatGPT uses both Bing's index and Google Search for scheduled tasks, and discusses significant crawling slowdowns and indexation issues affecting major websites.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The AI vs. traditional search optimization debate isn't as binary as it seems. Tyler Einberger from Momentic explains why fundamental SEO principles work effectively across both environments. He discusses prioritizing technical implementations like server-side rendering for LLM visibility, addressing measurement challenges in AI search environments, and adapting strategies based on how different platforms crawl and index content.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Zero-click searches are evolving rapidly with AI and LLMs. Tyler Einberger from Momentic explains how this trend is already impacting SEO measurement and visibility. He discusses the growing challenges of data attribution when users stay within search platforms, the importance of triangulating analytics to demonstrate SEO value, and why properly accounting for direct traffic is becoming critical for accurate organic performance assessment.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is clickstream data the future of search intelligence? Tyler Einberger from Momentic challenges this assumption, arguing that clickstream's 10-30% accuracy margin limits its precision for detailed analysis. He advocates for combining clickstream with first-party data to understand market direction while using server logs to measure performance, emphasizing how user agent data reveals critical insights about website access patterns and crawl efficiency opportunities.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SEO faces disruption from generative AI and LLMs as search alternatives. Tyler Einberger, Co-founder and Head of Growth at Momentic, shares clickstream data revealing ChatGPT users are 2.3 times more likely to click through to external websites than Google users. The report examines changing user behavior across platforms, highlights the measurement challenges of app-based traffic, and demonstrates how Google's defensive product strategy aims to maintain its dominant market position against rapidly growing AI competitors.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When resources are limited, SEO teams face tough investment choices. Martha van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, advocates prioritizing comprehensive data cleanup before AI content expansion. She explains that websites often contain irrelevant content that dilutes authority, making cleanup essential for establishing a baseline before strategic expansion. Martha recommends following cleanup with targeted investment in high-quality, knowledge-rich content that serves both generative AI and human users effectively.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In the GenAI era, search is "behind" according to industry experts. Martha van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, explains why most SEOs remain too tactical rather than strategic in their approach to AI-driven search. She advocates for cross-functional collaboration, executive education about zero-click searches, and structured data implementation to bridge the gap between traditional SEO metrics and the new search landscape.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

LLMs fail because they're prediction machines, not fact machines. Michelle Robbins, Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Intelligence at LinkedIn, explains why AI models produce inconsistent responses and require critical evaluation. She advocates treating LLMs as thought partners rather than absolute authorities, emphasizing the critical importance of AI alignment to prevent harmful outputs and ensure optimal human outcomes as we progress toward artificial general intelligence.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is AI-generated schema markup at scale effective? Martha Van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, explains why automated schema generation falls short of understanding business nuances and human search intent. She argues that while AI can create basic drafts, it cannot properly define the complex relationships needed for a complete knowledge graph, requiring human expertise to craft meaningful schema that truly represents business data models.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The AI race is transforming search engine strategies. Michelle Robbins, Manager of Strategic Initiatives and Intelligence at LinkedIn, shares insights from her decade of tracking AI's evolution in search. She examines Google's cautious approach to AI integration, the challenges of monetizing AI-driven search experiences, and why companies must diversify beyond search engines to build sustainable audience acquisition strategies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Structured data's role in AI is rapidly evolving. Martha Van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, examines how structured data will become a critical data feed for large language models beyond traditional SEO applications. She explains why data with context is essential for reducing hallucinations in AI models, and predicts that frameworks and protocols will become increasingly important for organizing information that feeds into generative systems.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Structured data may soon become mandatory for AI search rankings. Martha Van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, shares her expert perspective on why search engines will likely require structured data implementation by 2025. She explains how computational costs will drive this requirement and predicts companies will need to adapt their technical SEO strategies to maintain visibility in AI-generated results.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Structured data is critical for AI-powered search success. Martha Van Berkel, CEO of Schema App, explains how to optimize content for generative AI environments. She details how schema markup creates a knowledge graph that enables AI inferencing, explores the Model Context Protocol (MCP) as a universal framework for LLMs, and demonstrates why unique, expert content with proper semantic connections outperforms generic material.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

SEO professionals face a rapidly evolving landscape with AI integration. Dale Bertrand, President of Fire&Spark, shares strategic insights for maintaining relevance in modern search. He emphasizes staying laser-focused on understanding customer search behaviors across platforms, monitoring how users interact with AI systems, and tracking which pages receive traffic from AI referrals rather than being distracted by industry speculation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The future of SEO requires exploration amid AI integration. Dale Bertrand, President of Fire&Spark, shares how SEO professionals must upgrade their skill sets to adapt to rapidly changing search technology. He emphasizes the importance of experimentation, both with new technologies and in redefining SEO's value within marketing organizations, while acknowledging that traditional SEO approaches will no longer suffice in this evolving landscape.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Traditional SEO signals vs. LLM optimization presents a false choice. Dale Bertrand of Fire&Spark explains why relevance remains the fundamental target regardless of platform. He argues that search engines and AI platforms are technologically converging, making relevance to customer conversations the priority rather than optimizing for specific algorithms or platforms.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is transforming content creation roles and requirements. Dale Bertrand, President of Fire&Spark, explains how AI tools are democratizing content production by removing technical barriers to entry. He argues that future content creators will be defined by their vision and novel ideas rather than technical skills, positioning creative thinkers to thrive in an AI-augmented landscape.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will AI search optimization overtake traditional SEO? Dale Bertrand, President of Fire&Spark, challenges this notion with a customer-first approach to content strategy. He argues that successful SEO requires building genuine audience communities rather than simply creating "useful" content without search engine considerations. Bertrand emphasizes that SEO professionals must embrace the end of "golden days" shortcuts and commit to the real work of audience building, customer understanding, and authentic marketing.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In AI search, traditional SEO tactics are no longer sufficient. Dale Bertrand, President of Fire&Spark, explains how SEO professionals must shift from technical optimization to marketing fundamentals. He advocates for understanding customer behavior through direct conversations rather than relying solely on analytics, developing interactive tools that force website visits, and training AI agents to handle technical SEO tasks while humans focus on strategy and communication. Show NotesConnect With: Dale Bertrand: Website // LinkedInThe Voices of Search Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterBenjamin Shapiro: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When SEO budgets are tight, resource allocation becomes critical. Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO, shares insights on balancing investments between AI content tools and human editorial resources. She emphasizes the importance of prioritizing technical SEO fundamentals before content quality upgrades, highlighting how even luxury brands can fail when basic technical elements like robots.txt configurations are overlooked. Pruett recommends establishing a solid technical foundation first, as content improvements deliver minimal value when pages aren't properly indexed.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI search evolution demands new tracking and research tools. Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO, predicts increased AI adaptation and specialized tools emerging through year-end. She advocates for LLM webmaster tools and more nuanced keyword research capabilities, with Bing potentially gaining competitive advantage by being first to market with these features.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is using AI to generate meta descriptions at scale effective? Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO, weighs in on this emerging practice. She recommends providing keywords and references when using AI for meta description generation rather than using generic prompts. Both Pruett and host Tyson Stockton agree this represents a low-risk entry point for organizations hesitant about implementing AI in their content creation workflow.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Enterprise SEO leaders face mounting pressure to develop AI search strategies. Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO, shares her approach for navigating this evolving landscape. She recommends starting with immediate data collection through tools like Scrunch AI to establish baseline performance, then adopting a deliberately reactive stance while the AI search ecosystem matures before building more comprehensive strategies.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Schema markup is gaining importance for search visibility. Jade Pruett, founder of Hello SEO, explains why structured data provides critical advantages in an AI-driven search landscape. She discusses how schema creates efficiency for large language models and serves as a controllable optimization technique that SEOs can implement to improve content interpretation and performance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

AI is transforming SEO—for better or worse. Jade Pruett, CEO of Hello SEO, shares her optimistic perspective on navigating this evolution. She explains how AI search is creating new opportunities for smaller businesses to compete against established brands, why schema markup is making a comeback, and how diversifying optimization strategies across multiple LLMs can drive measurable results.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Is backlinking still relevant in AI search? Travis Tallent from Brainlabs discusses the evolving role of link building in modern SEO. He explains why brand mentions may become more valuable than traditional backlinks as AI technology improves at understanding context and sentiment. Tallent advocates for digital PR strategies that focus on meaningful brand references rather than simply accumulating links. Show NotesConnect With: Travis Tallent: Website // LinkedInThe Voices of Search Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterBenjamin Shapiro: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Winning executive buy-in as a new SEO director is challenging. Travis Tallent, SEO expert from Brainlabs, shares his strategic approach for the critical first 90 days. He recommends diagnosing problems through CRO testing for quick wins, focusing on systems rather than individual silos, and creating a clear roadmap with specific timelines for audits, reporting, and results that align with business objectives. Show NotesConnect With: Travis Tallent: Website // LinkedInThe Voices of Search Podcast: Email // LinkedIn // TwitterBenjamin Shapiro: Website // LinkedIn // TwitterSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.