Google's recent I/O event unveiled dramatic changes to search as 'AI mode' was declared "The Future of Search"  and prominently featured as the first tab in Google search results. The shift represents Google's adaptation to new AI technologies and changing user behaviors.

KEY POINTS:

• AI mode creates two key challenges for website owners: decreased traffic and untrackable AI-driven visits
• "Agentic search" will soon allow Google to create personalized result canvases rather than structured lists
• Future capabilities will include trying clothes on your photo and purchasing directly through Google
• These changes will dramatically impact the SEO industry but won't fundamentally change best practices
• Google's consistent message remains: create quality content and focus on good user experiences
• Website owners should continue optimizing for users rather than becoming distracted by industry panic

Hungryroot » Personalized meal plans
The easiest way to eat healthy.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

This episode we discover how easily AI can now create convincing fake videos of well-known figures, complete with realistic voice synthesis that fooled even our resident voice recognition expert.

• Spotting the telltale signs of AI-generated content through pronunciation errors and unlinked content
• How social media platforms lack incentive to remove fake content while Google prioritizes trustworthiness
• Understanding Google's E-E-A-T framework (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) for ranking websites
• Practical ways to improve your website's trustworthiness through testimonials, author pages, and external links
• The concerning ease and affordability of creating convincing AI voice content
• Why establishing genuine trust signals is becoming essential in the age of synthetic media
  
  

If you want to hear a fuller episode about how to improve your website's E-E-A-T signals, like our Instagram post linked below.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ2dVEYAYBH/

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

In this episode, Meredith’s husband explains how to strategically use AI to support—not replace—your content creation for SEO. Instead of relying on generic AI tools that promise top rankings, he advocates for a smarter, more personal approach: creating helpful blog content by documenting what you do. By targeting less competitive, specific SEO issues that real users search for (like SEMrush errors), website owners can provide valuable resources and build long-term traffic.

Chapter Markers

[0:24] Why “document, don’t create” isn’t a full SEO strategy
[1:49] The toughest SEO question: What should you blog about?
[2:30] Common mistake: Choosing the wrong keyword target
[3:39] My high-traffic keywords: SEMrush technical issues
[4:31] Example: Unminified JavaScript and CSS files
[5:22] The power of specific problem-solving blog posts
[6:29] Applying Gary Vee’s concept to SEO blogging
[7:23] Case study: 100 SEMrush blogs that brought 5,000 monthly visits
[8:51] Use AI to support your content process, not do it for you
[9:45] Funny transcript fail and a theory about AI-powered tools

Resources Mentioned

Semrush Issues: Javascript & CSS files (solved)

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

To effectively use AI for SEO, focus on documenting your expertise and letting AI help you organize and distribute it, rather than expecting AI to generate expertise for you.

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Criticism of AI SEO tools

• Host expresses skepticism about "one-click SEO" AI tools
• Emphasizes they are misleading and oversimplify SEO

Balanced view of AI in SEO

• AI is a powerful tool when used correctly
• It's not a replacement for actual SEO expertise

How the host uses AI to support content creation

• Records daily content and uses AI to:
  • Create summaries
  • Generate bullet points
  • Draft lessons
  • Write blog posts
• Stresses that original ideas must come from the creator, not AI

Using AI to process and repurpose workshop content

• Shortens long recordings
• Removes silence and irrelevant portions
• Generates timestamps and summaries
• Produces blog posts from workshop discussions

Use of AI tools integrated in platforms like Riverside and Squarespace

• Not all AI use is via ChatGPT—some are built into platforms

Prompt customization and limitations of generic prompt libraries

• Host prefers crafting personalized prompts over using publicly available ones

AI for podcast repurposing

• Breaks podcast episodes into usable social media clips
• Creates summaries and content quickly from short recordings

AI as a time-saving assistant, not a content originator

• Host distinguishes between “AI doing SEO” and “AI helping with SEO tasks”

Gary Vaynerchuk's advice: “Document, don’t create”

• Encouragement to derive content from daily activities
• AI makes documenting easier by summarizing audio notes, etc.

Recording thoughts or dreams and summarizing with AI

• Meredith’s anecdote about recording dreams
• AI’s potential usefulness for organizing personal recordings

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

Google has officially released its AI mode for search, transforming Google's functionality to more closely resemble ChatGPT. In this episode we test some results against each other

• Google's AI mode is now official and available to free Gmail accounts
• The new feature appears as an "AI mode" option at the top of Google search
• First test: Naming bite-sized learning content (neither excelled, Google slightly better)
• Second test: Blog topics for a children's photographer (Google provided more detail)
• Third test: SEO tips for local businesses (both accurate, ChatGPT friendlier, Google more comprehensive)
• Google's integration advantage: AI mode is just one click away in regular search
• Both platforms continue to evolve and improve their capabilities

Hungryroot » Personalized meal plans
The easiest way to eat healthy.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

---
Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

We examine the world of unsolicited business emails and when they might actually be worth responding to instead of immediately deleting.

• Most "link to us" or "publish our content" emails are spam designed for SEO purposes
• Well-written, personalized emails with legitimate contact info may deserve a second look
• Some seemingly sketchy opportunities (like early Clutch.co) can evolve into valuable platforms
• Consider responding with a counter-request for reciprocal value rather than immediate rejection
• Protect yourself by not clicking suspicious links directly - copy domain names and visit separately
• Ask what they can offer you in return when someone wants to publish on your site
• Even if 99% are garbage, the occasional legitimate opportunity makes selective engagement worthwhile

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

We explore the concept of an "SEO insider's inbox," sharing noteworthy updates from Google and discussing digital ownership strategies for content creators.

In this episode:

• Google Business Profile emails reminding owners to follow policies
• Introduction of Google's experimental AI mode
• Building content on YouTube vs your own site
• How building your presence on "rented ground" (social platforms) creates vulnerability
• Real experience with Google Business Profile suspension
• Improvements in Google's appeal process
• Prevalence of SEO spam emails offering SEO services
  
  Stay tuned for a follow-up episode where we'll document the entire Google Business Profile appeal process and timeline.
  
  
  

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

Check out the bonus lesson we created showing exactly how to make the most of Squarespace's new SEO tool for your website.

👉 Watch > How to use the SQSP AI SEO tool
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/staging/using-the-squarespace-ai-seo-tool-db9485ab-bcbc-45a1-8d41-5aa9ba6c09fc

Episode Summary
The new Squarespace AI SEO tool offers limited but potentially useful features for beginners, focusing primarily on generating metadata and image alt text. While not a comprehensive solution for serious SEO efforts, it provides a decent starting point for those with no previous optimization.

Episode Key Points

• AI-generated metadata won't improve rankings as Google doesn't use meta descriptions as ranking factors
• The image alt text generator creates reasonably accurate descriptions but sometimes they're excessively long
• Tool might help beginners catch up but won't provide competitive advantage as all Squarespace users have access
• Squarespace works well as an affordable starting point but isn't ideal for long-term business growth
• Recommended approach: use the tool to fill gaps in your SEO foundation, then customize and improve upon the suggestions
• Consider Squarespace a stepping stone toward more robust platforms like WordPress or Wix

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

Google's recent core update completed March 27th represents a shift in how websites are ranked, potentially causing dramatic changes in traffic for sites not following best practices.

Link to the lesson mentioned during this episode:

Watch > How to use Google Search Console

In this episode, we discuss... 

• Google's "Core updates" evaluate a website's general approach to SEO, not specific elements
• These larger updates happen only once or twice yearly, compared to hundreds of routine updates
• Small business owners and DIY SEO practitioners are most vulnerable to negative impacts
• Google Search Console is the only reliable tool to determine if your site has been affected
• Third-party ranking tools often get disrupted during major updates as they violate Google guidelines
• Sites creating content primarily for SEO rather than human value are most likely to be penalized
• AI-generated content is particularly vulnerable if it lacks original expertise or genuine value
• Quality content should provide original information, comprehensive coverage, and demonstrate expertise
• Content should be structured logically (like content hubs) to show comprehensive topic coverage
• Mobile optimization, trustworthiness signals, and authentic expertise are crucial ranking factors
  
  
  

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com

We explore the complexities of managing hidden pages on your website while safeguarding your SEO. Understanding the implications of unlinked and private pages is crucial for maintaining visibility and optimizing performance. 

Resources mentioned:

How to "no-index" pages
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/member-resources/how-to-no-index-pages-a6501739-f26b-448d-8ced-fcf47a07e376

How to "de-index pages
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/member-resources/how-to-remove-pages-from-google-52de78eb-de2c-4317-9696-3e21b7ff1c71

TIMESTAMPS:
[0:39] Introduction
[1:31] Why Create Private Pages for Clients 
[2:15] SEO Issues Related to Private Pages 
[3:39] How Google Finds Your Unlinked Pages
[4:55] How Often Do Private Pages Get Into Google?
[6:01] Outside Platforms
[7:18] No-indexing Pages 
[8:32] Best Practice Solution for Private Webpages
[9:01] The Problem Giving Passwords to Clients
[12:05] Taking a Page OUT of Google

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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com