Podcasts about candour

Host: Jack Chambers-Ward (he/him)Vince Nero, BuzzStream's Director of Content Marketing, joins Search with Candour to discuss whether paying for digital PR is the same as buying links.Vince shares research on link marketplaces, noting many sites have zero organic traffic and only a tiny fraction qualify as high-quality. With some top-tier paid placements averaging thousands of dollars per link, often rivalling or exceeding monthly digital PR retainers.Vince and Jack also discuss relevancy vs authority, referral traffic and business impact, the growing value of brand mentions for AI visibility, and how creating owned, original assets and proprietary data can drive long-term coverage.Follow VinceBuzzstreamBuzzstream podcastFollow Vince on LinkedInVince's previous episodeVince's recommendations:Actionable tip: Create unique content for digital PR pitches and host that content on your website.Recommended tool: XofuSomething fun: Mina the Hollower and Widow's BayChapters00:00 Highlight reel01:12 Introduction04:47 Welcome Vince Nero05:38 Digital PR vs link buying08:48 Link marketplaces data12:47 Quality metrics relevancy17:13 Google risks penalties21:45 Cost value comparison32:02 Digital PR long-term wins36:07 The importance of owned assets44:00 AI mentions new value46:51 Linked vs unlinked mentions48:25 When links don't matter49:46 Big brand campaign metrics50:45 AI as a status signal52:55 Non-AI agency debate54:15 Trusting Google guidance55:17 Search relations vs Google Corp01:01:00 guidelines vs case studies01:03:01 Recommendations: Actionable tip01:04:24 Recommendations: Tool/software01:05:37 Recommendations: Something fun01:15:28 Where to find Vince01:16:28 Episode wrap up and next guests

Chris Green joins Search with Candour to share his study on whether answering Google's “People Also Ask” (PAA) questions correlates with higher organic rankings.

Jack Chambers-Ward gives a recap of his experience at HiveMCR 2026 including all of the talks, panels and events over the two-day event hosted by Charlie Whitworth.The event included live music, stand up comedy and talks from Jono Alderson, Dawn Anderson, Alex Moss, Sophie Brannon and many more.Sponsored by Trendos - the AI search visibility tool.With Trendos, you can see who's buying ads in your AI search results.Trendos now tracks ChatGPT sponsored placements and is the first tool to reveal which competitors are paying to appear in the AI answers your customers see every day. Use code CANDOUR to get a 5% discount on any paid plan. Try Trendos.com ChatGPT AdRadar nowChapters00:00:00 - Introduction00:02:19 - Trendos ad00:05:08 - Thursday at HiveMCR00:05:52 - Nikki Halliwell's talk00:06:35 - Jess Atkinson's talk00:07:09 - Manchester SEO All-stars panel00:08:10 - Token Honey00:09:21 - Friday at HiveMCR00:09:41 - Alex Moss's talk00:11:05 - Sophie Brannon's talk00:12:20 - Dawn Anderson's talk00:13:49 - Jono Alderson's talk00:16:19 - AI Search panel - Ben McKay, Nick Handley, Itamar Blauer and Gus Pelogia00:17:21 - Itamar Blauer's talk00:18:22 - Areej AbuAli's talk00:20:16 - Brand and digital PR panel - Lisa Paasche, Harry Clarkson-Bennett, Jono Alderson, Shannon McGuirk and Ashley Liddell00:21:20 - Gus Pelogia's talk00:22:22 - Ashley Liddell's talk00:23:40 - Gianluca Fiorelli's talk00:24:19 - Steve Paine's talk00:25:14 - Wrap up panel - Charlie Whitworth, Dawn Anderson, Luke Cope and Ned Poulter00:27:02 - Live comedy by Katie Lingo00:27:40 - Live comedy by Rich Wilson00:29:06 - Live comedy by Jeff Innocent00:29:49 - Wrap up and outro

Adam Gent returns to Search with Candour to discuss how Google's indexing works and why large websites should monitor it closely.Adam explains that statuses like “URL unknown to Google” can mean Google has deprioritised and effectively forgotten pages, and that Search Console may misreport or fail to alert when pages are actively de-indexed. He describes a “130-day rule” for indexing, where low page quality can affect the status of existing pages.They also cover index bloat on large websites, the importance of long-term indexing, and practical steps like segmenting sitemaps by site sectioning or seasonality.Follow AdamIndexing InsightFollow Adam on LinkedInFollow Adam on BlueskyAdam at SearchNorwichXLChapters00:00 Highlight reel of Adam Gent01:40 Introduction04:57 Why index monitoring matters08:11 Search Console blind spots10:29 URL unknown to Google13:13 Why Adam built Indexing Insight14:04 The 130-day rule for indexing15:28 What page quality means21:36 Site sections and patterns29:37 Index bloat on big sites32:20 Cleaning up for AI visibility33:51 Indexing ratios that matter36:44 Is indexing getting harder37:33 Short-term vs long-term indexing40:50 Demand-led recovery44:29 Indexing misconceptions explained48:39 Sitemaps for seasonality52:11 Reducing Search Console noise55:44 Recommendations01:03:15 Wrap up

AI was supposed to save us time.So why do so many of us feel more overwhelmed than ever?We use AI to answer questions, speed up workflows, and handle the tasks we find dull or time-consuming. Is it actually increasing our efficiency, or just quietly reshaping our ability to think, connect, and build skills.This week, we have such a treat for you.Last week was brightonSEO, and we teamed up with our buddy Jack and the Search With Candour podcast to do our usual LIVE podcast the night before the conference kicked off.The beauty of a LIVE podcast is that the conversation was recorded, meaning if you couldn't attend you don't miss out, this episode features the full live conversation plus the Q&A session with the audience, so you get the complete experience from wherever you're listening.

In this eighth live collaboration between SEO Mindset and Search with Candour, the hosts discuss the “efficiency paradox” and why AI can increase overwhelm rather than make life easier.Jack Chambers-Ward, Sarah McDowell and Tazmin Suleman debate the pressure to use AI, environmental and job concerns, hallucinations and misuse for legal/medical advice, de-skilling, declining human interaction, and the value of friction and curiosity.Audience Q&A covers practical uses (timestamps, concise messages, event planning), handling forced AI adoption with boundaries, and a discussion of physical books and focus.SponsorsSponsored by SISTRIXSponsored by MajesticFollow The SEO Mindset Podcasthttps://theseomindset.co.uk/ Follow Search with CandourWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8c8k5Yy8FltVNsIsP1iUCSXDfE5cq2pMFollow on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4AILSpWLI74daOhECb8Hm0 Chapters00:00 Live Show Kickoff01:23 Meet the hosts02:48 Sponsors and SISTRIX Data07:33 Majestic Books and Q&A09:35 Efficiency Paradox Setup11:00 AI Overwhelm and Pressure17:48 Expectations vs Reality21:52 Hallucinations and Misuse26:00 Deskilling and Bad Bread31:14 Maps Memory and Connection37:34 Productivity as Self Worth37:55 Rest As Productivity38:35 Efficiency Versus Quality40:50 AI Replacing Coworkers42:36 Friction Builds Skills47:56 Embrace Failure And Process50:13 Life Beyond Work55:46 Audience Q And A Uses01:01:07 Forced AI And Boundaries01:11:50 Profit Motives And Reliance01:16:02 Books Comeback And Focus01:22:57 Wrap Up And Thanks

Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook are back in the Candour studio to discuss if People Also Ask questions improve rankings and Google's recent crackdown on self-promotional listicles.Sponsored by TrendosNo demo required. No paywall. Free plan available.Check your brand's AI visibility now → Trendos.comThey discuss a Chris Green study using AlsoAsked API, SERP scraping, and OpenAI to score whether top-20 ranking pages fully/partially answer related People Also Ask questions, finding a strong correlation in the top five positions, strongest for commercial/transactional queries and weaker for informational/navigational.The conversation shifts to geographic personalisation in search and AlsoAsked's city-based selector, plus upcoming talks referencing regional question differences. They then cover major traffic losses seen around late January for sites relying on self-promotional “best X” listicles and programmatic comparison pages, noting some core product pages survived while other pages were suppressed.Chris Green's AlsoAsked study:https://alsoasked.com/insights/paa-ranking-correlation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9dfEjlmZx0 Time stamps00:00 Introduction01:18 Back in the studio with Mark02:48 PAA study setup06:03 Methodology and scoring08:10 Why commercial queries win11:58 Regional PAA insights16:40 Sponsor: Trendos20:39 Listicle crackdown begins23:37 Self promo listicles26:15 Traffic drop fallout28:57 Honesty beats hype31:25 Gemini warning cards34:17 No awards strategy37:37 Fan out award signals41:56 Wrap up and upcoming events

Jasmine Granton joins Search with Candour to discuss the mental health crisis in SEO and digital marketing. Jasmine's experience as both a digital PR professional and a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor means she's especially qualified to discuss this topic.They explore how always-on culture, Slack urgency, KPIs, AI-driven expectations, and perfectionism keep marketers in fight-or-flight, reducing creativity and productivity.Jasmine shares practical techniques, including setting boundaries, “closing loops” at the end of the day, tracking energy and feelings, and building a “wins” folder to counter negativity bias and boost self-compassion.Time stamps01:14 Introduction03:00 Welcome Jasmine Granton05:09 Why marketing feels harder07:44 Perfectionism and self-worth12:24 Spotting burnout early15:08 Journaling and closing loops21:37 ‘Always on' culture27:10 Psychological safety at work30:30 Learning from failure32:30 Control circles and change34:17 Building downtime into work35:56 Creative focus time at work37:17 Building self-compassion38:22 Closing failure loops40:32 Celebrating your wins48:21 Track your feelings49:55 Safety checks55:22 Recommendations01:04:00 Where to find Jasmine01:05:26 Episode wrap-up

Episode 100: Perspective, Candour, and Strategic Leadership — Rachel Canham, Rentokil Initial In the 100th episode of Lessons I Learned in Law, Rachel Canham, Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Rentokil Initial, reflects on what it actually takes to operate as a strategic leader at executive level — across a legal function of around 70 lawyers spanning 90 countries. Rachel stepped into her first "top seat" role after a career that took her from private practice through senior in-house roles, and the shift required more than technical excellence. It required a change in mindset and responsibility that she's still refining. Three lessons shape the conversation:Perspective. Shaped by personal adversity, Rachel explains why the best lawyers in a crisis aren't the ones who panic, but the ones who can zoom out and make balanced decisions when the stakes are highest. Calm, objective, clear-headed — and aware that most things are less catastrophic than they first appear.Candour. Rachel makes the case that candour is one of the most underrated qualities at senior leadership level — but only works if you've done the groundwork. Building trust, credibility, and human connection first is what earns you the right to be honest later, even when the message isn't well received.Strategic leadership. Rachel pushes back on the familiar "business partner" framing for in-house lawyers. Her view: lawyers shouldn't be partnering from the sidelines. They should be embedded in decision-making, contributing beyond legal advice, and taking an active role in delivering strategy.Rachel was recorded the same day she addressed the haggis at our Charity General Counsel Burns Supper — in a style I'm unlikely to forget. Genuinely grateful she agreed to be the 100th guest.About the guest Rachel Canham is Group General Counsel and Company Secretary at Rentokil Initial, the FTSE-listed pest control and hygiene services business. She leads a global legal function of around 70 lawyers across 90 countries and sits on the company's executive team.Guest recommendation Song: Belter — Gerry CinnamonResources mentioned Register your interest in The Lodge, Heriot Brown's in-house legal community: https://bit.ly/TheLodgebyHBGive us a Follow! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/ Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/4 YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/About the show Lessons I Learned in Law is the podcast from Heriot Brown, the specialist in-house legal recruitment firm. Host Scott Brown sits down with senior in-house lawyers to hear how they got where they are, what they wish they'd known, and what they're still trying to figure out. This episode is produced in partnership with Wordsmith — the legal AI platform built for in-house teams. Find more at heriotbrown.com.00:00 Opening insight – The courage to be candid 01:13 Scott introduces Rachel Canham, GC Rentokil Initial 04:48 Stepping into the GC role & executive leadership 10:06 Lesson 1 – Perspective shapes better judgment 17:07 Lesson 2 – The power of candour in leadership 24:50 Lesson 3 – From business partner to strategic leader 30:18 Building commercial thinking & executive presence 33:38 Hot or Not – AI, legal leadership & career positioning 43:36 Personal brand, visibility & standing out as a lawyer 44:54 Walk-on so

Annie-Mai Hodge, founder of Girl Power Marketing and creator of the Social Tea newsletter, makes her triumphant return to Search with Candour to discuss how to do SEO for social media.Annie-Mai explains practical keyword research for social using tools such as TikTok Creator Search Insights and AlsoAsked, and existing SEO tools, then consolidating ideas into a simple spreadsheet and testing performance via platform analytics.They cover everything from captions, on-screen text, audio, and profiles without keyword stuffing; how to choose channels and formats by researching native results, spotting content gaps, and repurposing across platforms; and why posting time matters less than you may think.Follow Annie-Mai:

Company culture is ignored too often as a focused activity of HR. And it's rare to find someone who has a system for intentionally shaping culture. Nadia Uberoi, Head of People at Garner Health, is that person. She argues that shaping culture is one of, if not the most important activity we do in HR. In this episode, we break down:

Alison Moss joins Search with Candour to discuss how to prioritise technical SEO fixes and get development tickets actioned.Together, they cover common pitfalls like lack of buy-in and unclear requirements, emphasising translating SEO needs into business outcomes and developer-friendly acceptance criteria, using ticket templates, and providing references.Alison explains prioritising by impact versus effort, helping teams order “high priority” items, and acknowledging SEO competes with other business priorities while building relationships with product and dev teams and supporting testing.Links

High Commissioner Riaz Hamidullah, in address on 56th Independence Day of Bangladesh, termed Dhaka-New Delhi ties as ‘unique, multi-dimensional', with ‘common developmental aspiration'.  

Somewhere along the way, women were sold a lie: competition is the price of ambition. Be faster. Be louder. Be better. And if someone else wins? You must lose. In this episode of This Is Woman's Work, Nicole Kalil sits down with Ruchika T. Malhotra—founder and CEO of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm, and author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success—to dismantle the zero-sum mindset and replace it with something far more powerful: collaboration, abundance, and shared success. Ruchika, a former business journalist and contributor to Harvard Business Review (including co-author of one of HBR's most-read articles, Stop Telling Women They Have Impostor Syndrome), brings research, global perspective, and real-world strategy to challenge how we think about workplace competition, women in leadership, and ambition. Together, they unpack: Why competition in real life rewards conformity—not excellence The difference between comparison (human) and competition (optional) How social media fuels constant, low-grade competitive anxiety What “uncompeting” looks like in promotions, leadership, and career growth How to turn envy into data instead of self-destruction Why competing with other women isn't strategy—it's conditioning Bottom line: Uncompeting isn't about lowering ambition. It's about rejecting scarcity, defining success on your own terms, and building long-game leadership rooted in integrity—not insecurity. Thank you to our sponsors! Shopify has everything all in one place, making your life easier and your business operations smoother. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at shopify.com/tiww  Connect with Ruchika: Website: https://www.ruchika.co/ Book: www.uncompetebook.com LI: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchikatm IG: https://www.instagram.com/rtulshyan/ Related Podcast Episodes 137 / Ampliship (Mean Girls Part 2) with Caroline Adams Miller 206 / A Better Way to Define Success with Stella Grizont How To Get What You Want with Jenny Wood | 293 Share the Love: If you found this episode insightful, please share it with a friend, tag us on social media, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

Jack Chambers Ward is joined by Jessica Bettis, Candour's Director of Strategy, to discuss what makes a strong collaboration between SEO specialists and client partnership/account management.Jack and Jessica discuss their experience of working with clients together, and Jessica explains how client partners define success, translate work into business impact, manage resources and expectations, and nurture trust through onboarding and ongoing check-ins.Follow Jessica:Website: https://withcandour.co.uk/about/team/jessica-bettis LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-bettis/ Jessica's recommendations:Spend 5–10 minutes aligning before key meetings or responding to feedback.Maintain a dedicated, shared digital space for client context and information.Wuthering Heights (2026)00:00 Welcome, Jessica Bettis01:25 Important client partner traits03:12 How to build respect and trust with your clients05:18 Commercial context matters10:20 Building client trust11:48 Matching teams to clients16:59 The behind-the-scenes value24:57 Skills and training balance30:21 Onboarding and roadmap34:28 How to prevent client churn37:10 Resource management39:52 The joy of surprise rebrands46:29 Upskilling and training clients49:56 Team collaboration magic52:29 Recommendation: Actionable tip 55:31 Recommendation: Tool/software58:59 Recommendation: Wuthering Heights (2026)01:04:10 Where to follow Jessica

When a system falters, who finds the courage to speak the truth?Maya, a young first-time mother, Jo, an overwhelmed trainee GP on rotation, and Kate, a fiercely principled hospital chaplain find their lives unexpectedly intertwined following a birth that doesn't go to plan.Part of the Secrets and Lies season, Al Smith's drama pulls back the curtain on a labour ward under intense pressure, exploring what happens when real lives fall between the cracks of an overstretched healthcare system. It explores responsibility, courage, silence and the fragile trust that holds patients and professionals together.KATE......Christine Bottomley JO.....Anneika Rose MAYA.....Sade Malone SUE.....Jenny Platt BEN.....Darren Kuppan JOHN....Graeme Hawley RAY.....James QuinnWritten by Al Smith Directed by Nadia Molinari Sound Design and Technical Production by Sharon Hughes Production Co-ordinator - Ben Hollands Technical Producer - Kelly Young Casting Manager - Alex Curran Medical Advisors - Fran Bennett and Joe LeeA BBC Studios Production for BBC Radio 4.

Jack Chambers Ward welcomes SEO consultant and Designmodo SEO Manager Bengü Sarıca Dinçer to discuss what marketers should track in GA4 as search shifts across AI summaries, social platforms, newsletters, communities, and private sharing.Bengü argues classic metrics like rankings and organic sessions are incomplete and recommends focusing on influence signals such as assisted conversions, branded search growth, returning users, engagement, and what she calls “content eco,” plus a move toward probabilistic attribution.Time stamps00:00 Show Intro and Guest Tease02:04 Meet Bengü Sarıca Dinçer04:58 Why Metrics Must Change07:52 Assisted Conversions Explained10:23 Branded Search and Recall14:10 Digital Archaeology for Visibility17:16 Tracking AI Search Traffic24:18 Measuring Informational Content28:50 Dark Social and Private Sharing33:10 Every Platform Is Search34:24 Beyond Google Mindset36:43 GA4 As Question Tool37:32 Metrics Mislead Warning40:56 Email Social SEO Mix43:43 Audience Nurture Flywheel45:27 GA4 Hidden Features47:43 Map Discovery Paths50:31 Clarity Heatmaps Wins54:36 Sims And Web Analogy59:20 Where To Follow Outro01:01:48 Episode Wrap Next Week

Is it a good idea to use AI? We explore this very topic with Jack in this week's episode of the podcast.We discuss why it seems to be like marmite, people either love it or hate it, and our own thoughts and experiences on the topic.We also share if and how we're using AI in our day to day.About Jack:Jack is an SEO Specialist with 5 years of experience, and a podcast host and producer with more than 10 years of experience. Alongside Search with Candour, he also hosts, edits & produces the popular movie podcast Sequelisers, all about fixing bad film sequels. He's also a published writer with previous work including the 300+ page graphic novel D-Day: Storming Fortress Europe (published by Osprey in 2020 and British Showcase Vol. 1 (published Markosia Enterprises in 2013).Where to find Jack:Jack's Facebook page@jlwchambers on InstagramJack's WebsiteJack on YouTubeJack Chambers-Ward on LinkedInAbout 'The SEO Mindset' PodcastBuild your inner confidence and thrive.The SEO Mindset is a weekly podcast that will give you actionable tips, guidance and advice to help you not only build your inner confidence but to also thrive in your career.Each week we will cover topics specific to careers in the SEO industry but also broader topics too including professional and personal development.Your hosts are Life Coach Tazmin Suleman and SEO Manager Sarah McDowell, who between them have over 20 years of experience working in the industry.Get in touchWe'd love to hear from you. We have many ways that you can reach out to us to say hello, ask a question, or suggest a topic for us to discuss on a future episode.Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Send us an emailCheck out Tazmin's Website Check out Sarah's Website Click here to download your copy of our free 'Growth versus Fixed Mindset' ebook.Click here to sign up for our newsletter to receive news and updates from the podcast eg latest episodes, events, competitions etc. We will never spam and you can unsubscribe at anytime.Subscribe and never miss an episode: Listen to The SEO Mindset PodcastCheck out all episodes: The SEO Mindset Podcast websiteResources used for episodeAlphabet earnings, Q4 2025: CEO's remarksGoogle's AI Overviews have 2B monthly usersAI Mode Hits 75M Users52% U.S. adults use AI large language models like ChatGPTChatGPT Statistics in Companies [January 2026]LLM Usage StatisticsAge of AI ModelsCopyright 2026 Sarah & TazminMentioned in this episode:Support the podcast today!Are you enjoying what Sarah and Tazmin are doing fancy supporting the podcast? Well it just so happens, you can… For the same price of a Starbucks, Costa or your favourite coffee shop drink, you can give us a one off tip or a monthly donation. Why not also help us share the podcast? Share us with your friends, colleagues, family, anyone who would benefits from our podcast.Captivate Tips/MembershipsFree Consultation Call with TazminInterested in personal growth or career development? Book a free consultation call with Tazmin, by visiting her website:Contact Tazmin

Jack Chambers Ward hosts Search with Candour with guest Dena Warren, SEO Lead at Techquity, to discuss how e-commerce brands can prepare for AI search and LLMs.They cover how the importance of consistent product data across on-site content, feeds, and maximising structured data (product, FAQ, reviews).Dena highlights using user-generated content, avoiding duplicate manufacturer copy, and ensuring key content is visible in HTML rather than hidden behind JavaScript interactions, feed optimisation using OpenAI's product feed spec, and, of course, scepticism about LLMs.txt.Follow Dena:Techquity: https://www.techquity.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dena-warren-b44106139/Dena's recommendations:Ahrefs unlinked mentions: https://ahrefs.com/content-explorerAlsoAsked: https://alsoasked.com/Kelewele recipe: https://www.africanbites.com/kelewele-or-alocospicy-fried-plantains/Resources:https://developers.openai.com/commercehttps://productfeed.cloud/Time stamps00:00 Introduction01:39 Meet Dena Warren02:39 Why Clients Ask Now04:38 Avoiding AI Snake Oil06:52 Product Data And Schema10:18 Personalised Comparison Prompts12:13 2026 Ecommerce Essentials15:56 JavaScript And Crawlability17:33 Cloudflare Bots Panic20:54 Feed Specs For AI24:10 Agentic Commerce Readiness26:44 No Separate AI Subsites30:59 Multimodal Images And Video34:06 Shopping In Context35:08 3D And Video Demos36:05 Machine Readable Packaging37:29 SEO Shiny Object Traps38:02 llms.txt Scepticism42:22 Agentic Commerce Reality46:16 Agent Ready Checkout49:43 Small Brands Can Win53:52 Recommendations58:27 Episode Wrap up

Have you ever heard the phrase "healthy competition?" Competing is often viewed as a positive: we are told that it motivates us, drives innovation, and helps us excel. But what if this approach were mistaken, and competition actually causes more harm than good? In this panel discussion, author Ruchika T. Malhotra will be joined by Ijeoma Oluo, Ekin Yasin, and La'Kita Williams to explore the central ideas of her new book, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success. Author Ruchika Malhotra offers a different framework for success than what we are used to. Uncompete argues that competition leads to exhaustion, anxiety, burnout, and an isolating lack of community. It encourages a scarcity mindset and keeps us from reaching our true potential. Instead, Malhotra argues, we should be investigating this cultural norm and even rewriting it into ways that are likely unfamiliar, such as by tapping into benign envy or finding joy in other people's victories. Drawing on interviews as well as Malhotra's own experiences working with corporations as an inclusion strategist, Uncompete promotes a culture of collaboration and mutuality. The book offers that this approach leads not only to a happier workplace, but one more likely to succeed. Likewise, it can also lead to happier and healthier lives even outside of work. Malhotra subverts the dominant, dog-eat-dog paradigm and makes a radical argument: there is room for everyone at the table and everyone can succeed. Ruchika T. Malhotra is the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm that has worked with some of the world's biggest organizations. She is a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review and was a founding editor of The Establishment, a women-funded-and-led media website, has written for The New York Times, Forbes.com, TIME, Bloomberg, Wall Street Journal, Quartz, The Seattle Times, and more. She was an adjunct faculty in Communications at University of Washington and Seattle University and is the author of INCLUSION ON PURPOSE: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, MIT Press' top selling book of 2022. Ijeoma Oluo is a Seattle-based writer, speaker, and internet yeller. She is the author of the #1 New York Times bestselling first book, So You Want To Talk About Race, Mediocre, and Be a Revolution. Her work on race and gender has been published in the New York Times, the Washington Post, and NBC News; and she has been featured on The Daily Show and NPR's All Things Considered. Named on the TIME 100 Next list and The Root 100, she's been awarded the Harvard Humanist of the Year Award, the American Humanist Association's Feminist Humanist Award, Gender Justice League's Media Justice Award, and the Equal Opportunity Institute's Aubrey Davis Visionary Leadership Award. Dr. Ekin Yasin is a professor, researcher, and program leader with expertise in communication, emerging technologies, and leadership development. As Director of the Communication Leadership graduate program at the University of Washington, her work explores how technology transforms identity, storytelling, influence, and global communication. She collaborates with universities around the world on program development, AI-integrated curriculum design, and responsive education models that meet the needs of a shifting global landscape. La'Kita Williams is the Founder and Principal Strategist of CoCreate Work, a future-focused coaching and consulting company specializing in executive coaching and organizational development. She holds a Master's in Social Work and is a Certified Professional Coach (CPC). La'Kita developed the 5 Components of Inclusive Culture, a step-by-step framework to help organizations, small businesses, and emerging companies build responsive workplaces that put humans first. La'Kita teaches graduate courses in the Department of Communication Leadership at the University of Washington, including Resilient and Inclusive Leadership for The Future of Work. She has been quoted in the New York Times, written for Harvard Business Review and MSNBC Know your Value, and has appeared on numerous podcasts to discuss leadership and the future of work.

Join Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook for a special episode of Search With Candour, where they recap the top SEO conferences of 2025 and share their most anticipated events for 2026.From Brighton SEO to the SEO Brein Meetup, they discuss the highlights, unique features, and what makes each conference a must-attend. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into the upcoming SearchNorwich XL…Don't miss out on insights, networking tips, and the banter you've come to expect from Search with Candour!Best SEO conferences of 2025:https://brightonseo.com/https://croatiaseosummit.com/https://hub.seofomo.co/events/https://tech-seo-summit.com/https://searchnstuff.co.uk/search-n-stuff-antalya-conference-2026/SEO conferences to look forward to in 2026:https://www.womenintechseo.com/conference/london/https://www.seobrein.nl/meetuphttps://hive-mcr.co.uk/https://searchnstuff.co.uk/search-n-stuff-london-conference-2026/Coming soon... https://searchnorwich.org/00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:20 Conference Highlights and Reflections01:57 The Importance of Networking04:30 Top Conferences of 202504:48 Brighton SEO08:50 Zagreb SEO Summit15:13 SEO FOMO Meetups19:46 Tech SEO Summit23:55 Search and Stuff Antalya26:46 The Importance of Preparation for Conferences27:23 Navigating Language Barriers at International Conferences28:07 The Value of Speaker-Audience Interaction29:35 Upcoming Conferences in 202630:18 WTSFest London33:50 SEO Brien Meetups35:39 Hive MCR39:33 Search and Stuff London41:43 SearchNorwich XL49:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward welcomes Nicole Lee to discuss the significance of long tail keywords in SEO and content marketing.Jack and Nicole delve into how these keywords become even more crucial in the age of AI, focusing on creating personalised, bottom-of-funnel content.The episode also covers Nicole's strategies for programmatic SEO, the challenges of setting client expectations, and the importance of high-intent content.Follow NicoleWebsite: https://nicoleleemf.com/ Daydream: https://www.withdaydream.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelee-marketer/ RecommendationsCorner Maps: https://get.corner.inc/Opal: https://www.opal.so/ Graphite AEO tools: https://graphite.io/five-percent/aeo-toolsThinking in Bets: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35957157-thinking-in-bets Timestamps00:00 Introduction to Long Tail Keywords01:20 Welcome to Search with Candour01:36 Meet Nicole Lee08:16 The Importance of Long Tail Keywords in SEO15:55 Balancing Informational and Transactional Content29:42 Programmatic SEO Strategies36:11 Setting Client Expectations for Leads37:24 High-Value Conversions and Client Examples38:28 User Behaviour and Educated Consumers39:57 Specialised Content and High-Intent Articles43:50 The Art of SEO and Product Marketing49:08 Nicole's Recommendations55:58 Staying Curious and Recommended Tools01:05:19 Upcoming Guests and Future Content

In the final episode of Search with Candour for 2025, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Greg Heilers to delve into the evolving landscape of digital PR. They discuss the current state and future of HARO (Help A Reporter Out), the impact of AI and LLMs on SEO and PR, and the growing influence of brand mentions in the age of global SEO.Greg also shares insights about the challenges and opportunities in the industry, particularly in the Chinese market. Join us for an engaging discussion on how to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of digital PR and SEO.Follow GregJollySEO: https://jollyseo.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheilers/ Jolly SEO's TL;DR: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL3o9O1rRBcLKq-hSgerIS8i47HWdOAiiWebsite: https://gregheilers.com/Greg's recommendationshttps://featured.com/https://www.airtable.com/ https://youtu.be/ETlOSBR92Fs?si=Syh4xBbQScA2UXYh 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks01:14 The Evolution of HARO and Digital PR04:09 The Role of AI and LLMs in SEO and PR07:15 Challenges and Strategies in Link Building12:38 Globalisation and Language Barriers in SEO18:18 Future Trends and Industry Insights37:36 SEO Relevancy and Authority38:52 Pitch Twisting and Reactive PR39:50 GEO Relevancy and Brand Mentions46:23 Client Communication and Expertise Sharing54:07 Weird and Wild Link Building Requests58:55 Actionable Recommendations and Tools01:02:55 Exploring Chinese Culture and Final Thoughts

In this episode, Jack Chambers-Ward interviews Ade Holder, frontman of Phinius Gage and owner of 427 Marketing. They explore how punk values can influence business practices, the challenges of maintaining authenticity, and the importance of constructive capitalism. Ade shares insights from his experience in marketing and as a musician, highlighting the intersection between creativity and analytical thinking. Tune in for discussions on music, SEO, client relations, and actionable tips for blending personal passions with professional life.Follow AdeWebsite: https://www.427marketing.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-holder-3a010914/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/adeholder.bsky.socialPhinius Gage: https://phiniusgage.bandcamp.com/track/masquerade RecommendationsRank Caddy - https://rankcaddy.io/The Ritual by Adam Nevill - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10239382-the-ritualMalevolence - https://mlvltd.com/00:00 Balancing Punk Rock Ethics with Marketing00:55 Introduction01:25 Meet Ade Holder: Punk Rock Legend and Marketing Expert03:07 The Intersection of Punk Rock and Business Ethics03:28 Ade Holder's Journey: From Punk Rock to Marketing04:46 Authenticity and Business: A Personal Journey07:25 Navigating Client Choices and Ethical Dilemmas18:21 The Creative and Analytical Balance in SEO37:32 The Role of Ethics in Modern SEO43:00 Honouring SEO Pioneers43:20 The Importance of Testing Hypotheses44:10 Client Collaboration and Experimentation45:28 SEO Testing and Real-World Results47:01 Navigating SEO Challenges48:06 Understanding Client Issues50:59 Technical SEO Insights54:05 The Gap Between Cutting-Edge and Basic SEO57:43 The Importance of Authenticity in Networking01:01:12 Balancing Band Life and Business01:04:18 Recommendations

In this episode of Search with Candour, Ben Goodey, founder of Spicy Margarita, joins Jack to discuss how to create revenue-driven SEO strategies.The discussion explores how effective audience research impacts conversion rates, differentiating between top-of-funnel and bottom-of-funnel content, and the evolving role of SEO in the age of AI.Ben shares his insights on creating revenue-driving strategies and the importance of client communication in achieving long-term success.Follow Ben:Spicy Margarita: https://www.spicymargarita.co/How the f*ck: https://www.thefxck.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjamingoodey/Resources:https://marketingcyborg.com/p/the-lema-framework-how-anyone-canhttps://withcandour.co.uk/podcast/how-to-create-content-that-stands-out-with-lily-ugbajahttps://seo.thefxck.com/interviews/product-positioning-april-dunford/https://seotesting.com/https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/221251872-when-the-cranes-fly-south00:00 How to make money from SEO00:56 Introduction02:04 Welcome, Ben Goodey02:51 The Importance of Revenue-Driven SEO09:39 Understanding Audience and Customer Research13:10 The Role of Content in Building Trust17:06 Leveraging Customer Insights for Effective SEO29:39 Competitor Analysis and SEO Strategy35:48 SERP Insights and Competitor Awareness37:15 The Importance of Tracking Conversions41:29 Integrating SEO with Broader Marketing Strategies51:13 The Impact of AI on SEO Strategies58:33 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Ruchika T. Malhotra: Uncompete Ruchika T. Malhotra is the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm that has worked with some of the world's biggest organizations. She's been recognized multiple times by Thinkers50 and co-wrote one of Harvard Business Review's top 100 most-read articles in history: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome. She is the author of Inclusion on Purpose, MIT Press's top-selling book of 2022 and now her newest book, Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success (Amazon, Bookshop)*. A lot of people think about work as a competition for resources. But what if, by inviting others to the table, you created more for everyone? In this conversation, Ruchika and I explore the opportunity for all of us to uncompete. Key Points Many of us are so socialized to compete that we don't realize the benefits of collective collaboration. Reach out to someone who inspires you. Praising someone for something awesome about them, without an accompanying ask, is so rare. Display genuine curiosity. Don't confuse “nice” small talk for depth. Ask bigger questions that get to the heart of who people are. As you build trust, talk numbers. In the professional context, real relationships of trust demand this kind of transparency. Take regular stock of relationships. Take people at their word and also watch how their actions line up – or don't. Invite others to the table. The bigger your circle, the more you create for everybody. Resources Mentioned Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success by Ruchika T. Malhotra (Amazon, Bookshop)* Interview Notes Download my interview notes in PDF format (free membership required). Related Episodes End Imposter Syndrome in Your Organization, with Jodi-Ann Burey (episode 556) How to Create Inclusive Hiring Practices, with Ruchika Tulshyan (episode 589) Doing Better Than Zero-Sum Thinking, with Renée Mauborgne (episode 641) Discover More Activate your free membership for full access to the entire library of interviews since 2011, searchable by topic. To accelerate your learning, uncover more inside Coaching for Leaders Plus.

In this week's episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Leah Hart to explore the future of sustainable marketing in 2025.They delve into the importance of both environmentally and personally sustainable practices. Topics include the pitfalls of greenwashing, the energy costs of AI tools like ChatGPT, and effective ways to avoid burnout and maintain personal well-being in the industry. Follow Leah:Website: https://www.fourfront.us/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hartleahc/Recommendationshttps://www.thriftbooks.com/w/algorithms-to-live-by-what-computers-can-teach-us-about-solving-human-problems_brian-christian_tom--griffiths/10740830/item/25388624/ https://ground.news/https://www.fourfront.us/blog/sustainable-digital-marketing/00:00 Introduction04:43 Welcome Leah Hart07:08 Defining Sustainable Marketing08:01 Challenges and Strategies in Sustainable Marketing08:39 AI and Sustainability in Marketing12:24 Identifying Genuine Sustainable Practices22:06 Balancing Sustainability and Performance23:35 Hybrid Work Models and Sustainability27:12 Measuring Success in Sustainable Campaigns29:35 The Role of AI in Sustainable Marketing39:44 Personal Sustainability and Career Longevity42:52 Balancing Work and Personal Life44:00 Implementing Quitting Time and AI Tools45:24 Building Team Relationships and Communication49:52 Understanding Team Dynamics and Personality Types58:04 Advice for New Marketers01:05:50 Personal Habits for Reducing Stress01:10:17 Recommendations and Conclusion

Around the NHL with TSN's Mike Johnson and the story of Ryan Dinwiddie coming to the Redblacks from TSN's Dave Naylor.

When we have repeat guests back on the pod, it's because we love them, their work, and the message that they're not only sending out into the world but embodying themselves. And we think all of this can be said a million times over for today's guest and her brand new book (out today!).   As we think about this conversation, which we can't wait for you to listen to, there were those mic drop moments, but there were also those contemplative moments where we were not only deep in conversation, but we really felt the power of this notion of uncompeting. We can't wait for you to feel this too, as you listen to our conversation with Ruchika Malholtra about her new book Uncompete and why we should all be redefining success together.   What to listen for:  What led Ruchika to coin this new term – uncompete – and what it really means, including various nuances that are important to understand Which parts of uncompeting were the hardest for each of us to integrate – liberating our bodies, redefining success, accepting joy, among them The power of community and radical generosity, as we shift our understanding of power from "power over" to emphasize "power to" What's been bringing each of us joy lately!  About our guest:   Ruchika T. Malhotra is the founder of Candour, a global inclusion strategy firm that has worked with some of the world's biggest organizations, and author of Uncompete: Rejecting Competition to Unlock Success. A former business journalist, she is now a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, Forbes, Bloomberg, The Seattle Times, and more.   She has held adjunct faculty positions in communications at the University of Washington and Seattle University and is the author of Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work, MIT Press's top-selling book of 2022. Ruchika was born in Singapore and has lived in six cities across four countries. She is the Thinkers50 Radar class of 2019; Shortlisted for the 2023 Thinkers50 Talent Award; and co-wrote one of HBR.org's top 100 most-read articles in history: Stop Telling Women They Have Imposter Syndrome. Ruchika invests in and advises various ventures as a Venture Capital limited partner and angel investor.   Related episodes: Inclusion on Purpose, with Ruchika on Dear White Women: https://www.whatdoyoumeanbythat.com/dwwepisodes/159-inclusion-on-purpose-with-ruchika-tulshyan-mwdah  On being kinder, not nicer, with Dr. Kelli Harding: https://www.whatdoyoumeanbythat.com/episodes/03-how-to-be-kinder-not-nicer-with-dr-kelli-harding  

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

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

In this bonus episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook share their top recommendations for talks at the upcoming Brighton SEO conference.Candour's dynamic duo discusses talks that cover the value of human connection in digital PR, and explore the intricacies of AI, machine learning, and attribution models in SEO.Whether you're attending Brighton SEO or simply interested in staying updated with the latest in the SEO world, this episode is packed with invaluable information and expert commentary.Jack's recommendationsJohn Iwuozor - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/vector-embeddings-for-everyday-marketers Yordan Dimitrov - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/forget-seo-vs-ai-build-a-brand-people-trust-or-get-left-behind Tom Capper - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/measuring-aio-impact-was-anyone-clicking-anyway Myriam Jessier - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/making-all-content-machinereadable-geo-beyond-text-optimization Lazarina Stoy - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/aipoweredormlenabled-semantic-keyword-research-for-the-ai-era Mark's recommendationsTom Rawle - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/ai-is-dead-for-digital-pr-long-live-the-humansDixon Jones - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/what-ai-knows-about-your-brand-and-what-you-can-do-about-itLuke Carthy - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/lastclick-attribution-is-broken-and-its-hurting-seoAdam Gent - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/how-googles-search-index-worksWill Kennard - https://brightonseo.com/events/october-2025/talks/everything-you-need-to-know-about-react-server-components00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:38 Catching Up with Mark02:11 Candour's Recent Projects and Developments03:27 Upcoming BrightonSEO and Personal Updates07:59 BrightonSEO Talk Recommendations08:50 Mark recommends: Tom Rawle11:27 Jack recommends: John Iwuozor13:14 Mark recommends: Dixon Jones17:10 Jack recommends: Yordan Dimitrov20:04 Mark recommends: Luke Carthy22:58 Jack recommends: Tom Capper24:51 Mark recommends: Adam Gent28:22 Jack recommends: Myriam Jessier32:18 Mark recommends: Will Kennard36:25 Jack recommends: Lazarina Stoy38:53 Final Thoughts

AI search is fundamentally changing how people find information online, but it's also creating a Wild West of spam, manipulation, and brand impersonation. SEO expert Mark Williams-Cook joins us to discuss why he calls AI a "leaky bucket," how expired domains are gaming LLMs, and what the death of the link graph means for the future of search. We'll explore practical strategies for making your site visible to AI, the risks brands face from AI phishing, and whether SEO is truly dead or just evolving. Perfect for anyone who owns a website or runs a business.Subscribe to The Neuron newsletter: https://theneuron.aiGuest: Mark Williams-Cook - Director at Candour, Founder of AlsoAskedFind Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markseo Search with Candour podcast: https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast 

We've been told our whole lives that competition makes us better, sharper, and more successful. But what if that belief is holding us back? In this episode of The Career Contessa Podcast, I'm joined by Ruchika Malhotra—founder of Candour and author of UNCOMPETE—to challenge the myth that competition is the key to growth. Instead, she shows us why uncompeting is the real path to abundance, joy, and lasting success.You'll learn:Why the idea that “competition makes us better” is more harmful than helpfulHow to shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundancePractical strategies to embrace collaboration without losing ambitionShow NotesWeekly Newsletter Sign-Up: http://bit.ly/37hqtQWGuest Resources:Website: https://www.ruchika.co/Book: https://www.ruchika.co/uncompete-bookLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruchikatm/ Career Contessa ResourcesBook 1:1 career coaching session: https://www.careercontessa.com/hire-a-mentor/Take an online course: https://www.careercontessa.com/education/Get your personalized salary report: https://www.careercontessa.com/the-salary-project/Sponsor:Go to calm.com/contessa for 40% off unlimited access to Calm's entire library.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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

This week on the podcast we examine the Office for Students' proposed overhaul of England's quality system, as radical reforms seek to integrate the Teaching Excellence Framework with minimum standards and give TEF some serious teeth.Plus we discuss the government's long-awaited "Hillsborough law" as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill imposes new duties of candour on universities, and examine the machinery of government changes that have seen apprenticeships policy and Skills England transferred from the Department for Education to Pat McFadden's expanded Department for Work and Pensions.With Andrea Turley, Partner at KPMG, Shane Chowen, Editor at FE Week, Debbie McVitty, Editor at Wonkhe and presented by Jim Dickinson, Associate Editor at Wonkhe.TEF6: the incredible machine takes over quality assurance regulationReputation versus sunlight – universities and the new duty of candourWhat Ofsted inspections reveal about university leadership and cultureA machinery of government muddle over skillsThe former student leaders entering Parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Search with Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with freelance SEO consultant Ian Ferguson to discuss the delicate balance between user experience (UX) and search engine optimisation (SEO).They delve into the importance of integrating SEO at the start of web design processes, the impact of AI on SEO, and how to create valuable content that serves both users and search engines.The episode also touches on practical tips for improving UX, managing client expectations, and the future of SEO in an AI-driven landscape.Follow Ian:⭐Website: https://ferguseo.com/⭐Ian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ianjferguson/⭐Ian on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/ferguseo.com⭐SEO TLDR Newsletter: https://seotldr.substack.com/Ian's recommendations:

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.

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward discusses the dynamic relationship between branding and SEO with Krešimir Ćorluka, co-founder of Canonical Agency and one of the organisers of Zagreb SEO Summit.Discover the potential pitfalls of bad branding, learn how to ensure your brand strategy supports your SEO efforts, and understand why knowing your customer base is crucial. Plus, get insights into the future challenges and opportunities brought by AI and LLMs in the digital marketing landscapeFollow Krešimir:Zagreb SEO Summit: https://zagrebseosummit.com/Canonical Agency: https://canonical.hr/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kresimir-corluka/00:00 Highlight reel01:08 Introduction03:34 Zagreb SEO Summit Recap12:21 Challenges in Branding and Rebranding35:38 The Importance of Team Collaboration36:22 Challenges with Brand Managers36:52 Misguided Corporate Decisions41:10 The AI Hype and Its Pitfalls45:51 The Future of Google and AI52:52 Monetisation and Content Quality Concerns59:15 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this week's episode of Search With Candour as he welcomes back SEO consultant Seb Atkinson for an in-depth discussion on masterful SEO strategies.Seb shares his journey, starting his own business, Atkinson Smith Digital, and key content strategies he uses with his clients.The conversation delves into practical insights on keyword clustering, creating revenue-driven models, and effectively communicating the value of SEO with clients.Learn how to bridge the gap between technical SEO and business goals, and discover innovative methodologies for forecasting and analysing market opportunities.Follow Seb:Website: https://atkinsonsmithdigital.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebatkinson/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/sebatkinson.bsky.socialResources:https://atkinsonsmithdigital.com/keyword-clustering/First appearance in 2020: https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast/episode-51-the-seo-process-with-seb-atkinsonLast appearance in 2023: https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast/why-you-should-care-about-inp-with-seb-atkinson00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:54 Guest's Journey and Career Highlights01:10 Starting a New Business01:49 SEO Strategies and Client Engagement03:16 Keyword Clustering and Research05:33 Client Communication and Buy-In06:55 Tools and Techniques for SEO26:43 International SEO Challenges30:28 Setting Click-Through Rate Targets31:18 Understanding Market Size and Competitor Analysis31:44 Monthly vs. Yearly Metrics32:35 Competitor Strategies and Market Positioning36:30 Connecting Data to Revenue38:27 Forecasting and Predictive Models43:10 Challenges in Data Accuracy and Client Communication49:45 Final Presentation and Client Buy-In54:05 Resource Allocation and Implementation01:00:46 Conclusion

In this episode of Search with Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward interviews SEO expert Alex Galinos.Alex shares insights on how to shift from focusing solely on traffic and SEO metrics to a revenue-driven approach that aligns with business objectives.They discuss the integration of business intelligence with SEO, conversion rate optimisation, and the implications of AI and LLMs on SEO strategies.Alex also provides actionable tips, tool recommendations, and real-life examples from his work at Hoppa to illustrate how SEO can directly contribute to business growth.Tune in to learn how to maximise the monetary value of your SEO efforts and drive real business results.Sponsored by Serpzilla: https://serpzilla.com/Follow Alex:Parents Hub: https://parentshub.grHoppa: https://www.hoppa.com/enLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexgalinos/Previous episodes:https://youtu.be/yxCHqP3Hf24?si=K_WznncX2zacVCS8https://youtu.be/7dajPzLDEts?si=Arut3MDkBa8vLg8e00:00 Introduction03:40 Sponsor: Serpzilla05:54 Upcoming Live Podcast08:12 Interview with Alex Galinos38:46 Data-Driven Decisions and Attribution Models40:46 The Great Decoupling and Impressions Debate43:10 Seasonality and Diversification in Business Strategies49:49 Maximising Revenue Through Targeted Traffic58:17 Actionable SEO Tips and Tools01:02:50 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

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

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss the evolving landscape of search in the context of Large Language Models (LLMs), the challenges they bring, including A LOT of spam and how they are being manipulated in search.They talk about the potential future of AI search, and the implications for brands and consumers as well as the responsibilities of monitoring and mitigating misinformation, the need for in-depth product data, and the feasibility of AI taking over transactional tasks.Sponsored by fatjoe:Are you ready to get started? Sign up for your free fatjoe account: https://fatjoe.com/References:Use The Brand Control Quadrant To Reclaim Your Brand Narrative: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mMx3u6fgg5wWhy OpenAI & Perplexity want clickstream data: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/myriamjessier_ai-search-marketing-activity-7348972981231988738-jDHIHacked sites and expired domains are being cited by ChatGPT: https://digitaloft.co.uk/hacked-sites-and-expired-domains-are-being-used-as-chatgpt-sources/00:00 Introduction and banter01:28 Discussing LLM Spam and Manipulation02:16 Sponsor Message: Fatjoe03:59 The Uses of LLMs in Search06:03 Challenges and Future of AI Search16:38 Phishing and Security Concerns with LLMs19:54 Responsibility and Brand Protection24:47 The Future of AI and Search31:10 Damage Control in the Age of Generative AI31:41 LLMs are Leaky Buckets32:48 Firefighting Tools for AI Errors34:22 The Importance of Brand Reputation35:15 High-Value Leads and Conversion Rates36:46 Misleading AI Conversations37:27 SEO Strategies for E-commerce40:14 The Future of AI in E-commerce44:33 The Impact of AI on Consumer Behaviour47:23 Concluding Thoughts and Upcoming Events

BEST OF Warning: This episode contains radical ideas that may change the way you lead forever! In this episode of How I Work, leadership guru and author of global bestseller Radical Candour Kim Scott shares her unconventional approach to leadership and feedback. Join us as we explore the ins and outs of radical candour, the framework that’s transformed the way leaders communicate with their teams. Kim dives deep into her personal journey, revealing the hard-learned lessons and “a-ha!” moments that led her to develop this game-changing approach. In this episode, you’ll discover: The truth about why most managers fail to give effective feedback The power of caring personally and challenging directly in leadership How to avoid the pitfalls of ruinous empathy and obnoxious aggression Practical strategies for soliciting criticism and handling feedback like a pro The secret to mastering the art of praise and criticism Techniques for creating a culture of open communication and respectful debate Surprising ways radical candour can boost team productivity and foster growth Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a first-time manager, this episode is packed with actionable insights and game-changing ideas that will help you take your leadership skills to the next level. Tune in now and discover how embracing radical candour can revolutionise the way you lead and work.

Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Chris Ridley from Evoluted to discuss an innovative solution for managing SEO and PPC campaigns simultaneously.They explore how this tool can help businesses save money by avoiding search term cannibalisation. Chris shares insights on balancing organic and paid strategies, the importance of understanding SERP competition, and the evolving role of AI in search marketing.Links to follow Chris:Website: https://www.evoluted.net/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-ridley/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/PPC_ChrisDigital E-A-Ts: https://www.digital-eat.com/chris-ridley/Related article: https://www.evoluted.net/resources/seomonitor-adsync-script00:00 Introduction01:01 Welcome to Search With Candour02:40 Welcome Chris Ridley04:31 The Concept of Search Cannibalisation15:03 Implementing the Tool: Technical Details17:40 Challenges and Future Adaptations31:33 Understanding User Journeys and Brand Awareness32:25 Google Ads Reporting and Data Transparency34:55 The Importance of Business Objectives in Marketing37:58 Multi-Channel Marketing Strategies46:11 Effective Use of Remarketing50:51 Recommendations and Tools for Marketers56:56 Upcoming Guests and Future Topics

Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Nick LerRoy to explore the landscape of SEO jobs in 2025.They discuss how job roles in the SEO industry have changed, the impact of AI, and key skills that will keep professionals relevant.Tune in for valuable insights on effective communication, personal branding, and navigating the job market in the ever-changing world of SEO.Links to follow NickNick's site: https://nickleroy.com/SEO jobs: https://www.seojobs.com/SEO for lunch newsletter: https://www.seoforlunch.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickleroyseo/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/nickleroy.com Links to resources:https://www.seojobs.com/community/seo-job-report/https://www.seojobs.com/interview-questions/Nick's recommendationshttps://fireflies.ai/https://www.amazon.com/Collection-Books-Go-Givers-Go-Giver-Leader/dp/912406288X/https://www.amazon.com/Psychology-Money-Timeless-Lessons-Happiness/dp/B08D9WJ9G8/ 00:00 Introduction: The Future of SEO Jobs01:30 Welcome to Search With Candour01:55 Welcome Nick LeRoy02:14 The Evolution of SEO Job Market02:56 Nick LeRoy's Journey and Insights04:15 The Shift Towards Personality-Driven Content07:52 Challenges in the Current Job Market16:28 The Expanding Role of SEOs38:03 The Importance of Personal Branding45:20 Job Search Journey and Building Rapport46:46 Freelancing and the Importance of Reliability50:15 The Small SEO Industry and Personal Branding01:01:07 The Role of AI in SEO and Business01:11:00 Effective Communication and Client Relationships01:11:16 Final Thoughts and Recommendations01:26:24 Outro

Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook explore all the latest updates from Google I/O 2025. There were some HUGE announcements, including AI mode, personalisation in search, and agentic search.The discussion also covers the challenges of tracking traffic from AI Mode, ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode on ad revenue, and the future of content creation for informational websites. Plus, we answer listener questions and discuss reactions from across the SEO industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:16 Google IO Highlights and Initial Reactions01:03 AI Mode launches in the US03:34 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Mode06:13 The Future of Rank Tracking and Personalisation09:19 AI Agents coming to Google Search14:54 Ads in AI Mode and AI Overviews19:44 Deep Search and Content Visualisation25:40 Q&A: How are you tracking AI traffic? How are you communicating with clients?31:48 Q&A: Do you think that PAA questions will mirror prompts in the future will alsoasked.com pick these up?33:54 Q&A: How do you think websites whose business model depends on informational content will survive?42:24 Q&A: How can we navigate this time where execs must focus less on falling traffic & conversions?43:46 Q&A: What is happening to our understanding of the user? Will we only need to understand how AI reasons, not humans?50:13 Ashley Segura's reaction to Google I/O51:03 Tamara Novitović's reaction to Google I/O52:36 Sam Torres's reaction to Google I/O54:21 Final Thoughts and Future DiscussionsLinkshttps://youtu.be/bDVpI23q8Zg?si=hWf-BqZOyB46Av_Mhttps://ahrefs.com/blog/google-ai-mode-is-here-but-you-cant-track-it-properly/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ashley-segura_googleio-googleio-contentstrategy-activity-7330977072435077120-C5xr https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tamara-novitovic_seo-bazoom-linkbuilding-activity-7330938839110258688-xbRchttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/samantha-torres-seo_googles-announcement-for-ai-mode-as-a-user-activity-7331052950104018944-qhJr

If a doctor or a nurse makes a mistake with your care, or the care of a loved one, you would expect to be told about it. But putting in place a process where there is a duty of candour within the health service is proving extremely difficult. Northern Ireland remains the only part of the UK or Ireland not to have one. The Hyponatraemia inquiry into the deaths of five children in hospital put the focus on the need for it. The inquiry chair Mr Justice O'Hara said some of the witnesses had to have the truth dragged out of them. The health minister says he hopes to introduce one in before the next Assembly election, but why is it so challenging? Audrey Carville is joined by Deirdre Heenan (professor of social policy at Ulster University) and Peter McBride (an independent consultant who has been working with the Department of Health on building a framework for a duty of candour).