SEO Kwentuhan Podcast

If you've been keeping an eye on SEO trends, you've likely noticed some big changes. AI is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s transforming the way SEO professionals approach everything from keyword research to content creation. But what exactly is AI’s role in SEO today? How are tools like ChatGPT, machine learning, and automation changing the game for marketers and businesses? 

In this episode of SEO Kwentuhan's podcast, we explore these questions and break down the impact of AI on SEO. We cover how AI is enhancing productivity, changing SEO workflows, and where human expertise still has the upper hand. This episode is packed with valuable insights that could change the way both seasoned SEO professionals and newcomers approach AI in digital marketing.

00:00 - 01:11

Gab: Introduction to the episode, with a lighthearted focus on SEO topics. The hosts are setting up for a discussion on lighter aspects of SEO.

Gelo: Humorously questions whether the topic will truly be light, mentioning the recent heavy discussions about AI in SEO.

Gelo: Continues discussing the growing influence of AI, stating that AI is here to stay and expressing that it has significantly impacted SEO, especially with recent shifts in the industry.

Gelo: Expands on the increasing reliance on AI in SEO and hints at the disruption that AI will continue to bring, especially among SEO professionals.

Gab: Agrees and emphasizes that this topic is essential for anyone in SEO, especially those worried about job security in the future due to AI advancements.

Gelo: Adds a brief joke about AI in gaming, referencing its presence in games like Counter-Strike.

Gab: Shares his own experiences with AI, particularly its presence in gaming, but points out how AI's influence has expanded far beyond that into fields like SEO.

01:11 - 02:46  

Gelo: Makes a playful joke about AI in gaming but acknowledges its increasing relevance in various industries.

Gab: Asks if the audience is familiar with AI's basic concept and how it has evolved, touching on the perception of AI as something new but now increasingly familiar.

Gelo: Elaborates that while AI has been around for a while, the recent surge in its visibility is largely due to tools like ChatGPT and various AI-powered APIs.

Gelo: Asks Gab why AI has become so critical in SEO today, leading into a discussion on the increasing reliance on AI-powered tools to aid in SEO efforts.

Gab: Explains his recent experience with introducing AI to marketing students, explaining how professors are emphasizing the need to adapt to AI for the future.

Gab: Shares a motivational motto from the professors: "Learn to adapt to AI, so you won't evaporate," highlighting the importance of embracing change in the SEO field.

02:47 - 04:06  

Gelo: Agrees with the need to embrace AI, referencing a concept about "cheating" or "innovating" instead of clinging to outdated methods.

Gab: Discusses the challenges faced by traditional SEO experts (OGs), particularly those resistant to adopting new tools and techniques as AI grows in influence.

Gelo: Mentions that mindset is just as important as tools in SEO, stressing that a rigid mindset can prevent growth and adaptation in the rapidly changing SEO landscape.

Gab: Explains how old-school SEOs might have trouble adapting to AI-driven tools but stresses that having a deep understanding of SEO fundamentals is still key to making the best use of AI tools.

Gab: Warns that tools alone won't produce high-quality results if one doesn’t understand the basics of SEO.

Gab: Addresses the question of AI’s importance in SEO, mentioning that Google is still the dominant platform for search, with 2 trillion searches every year.

04:11 - 6:50 

Gab: Provides interesting facts to emphasize why Google and its search ads still drive significant traffic and conversions, making SEO and understanding search engines crucial for success.

Gab: Continues by talking about how AI-powered search engines (like Search GPT) could eventually reshape SEO strategies, but Google’s dominance still requires SEO expertise.

He emphasizes that SEO remains important because users still rely heavily on Google to find information, brands, and products online.

Gab: Talks about the increasing preference for voice search and its effect on SEO strategies, especially as younger users opt for voice search instead of typing.

Gab: Concludes the point by stating that SEO remains important today, even as AI-driven search engines begin to emerge and affect search behaviors.

Gelo: Reaffirms Gab’s point by echoing the necessity to embrace AI, pointing out that businesses will have to evolve or risk being left behind as AI continues to shape the SEO landscape.

07:00 - 10:21  

Gab: Introduces both the good and bad news about AI in SEO, hinting at the growing competition AI is bringing to SEO.

Gab: Discusses the impact of AI on competition and how SEO professionals can use AI tools to speed up processes like content writing, keyword analysis, and link auditing, making SEO work faster and more efficient.

Gab: Explains how AI is improving SEO productivity, allowing tasks to be completed in shorter time frames, although the quality of the results still depends on the tool used and the user’s expertise.

Gelo: Talks about the integration of AI tools into project management, like using Zapier and ChatGPT for tasks like automating responses to Google reviews and streamlining tasks that would traditionally take a lot of manual time.

Gelo: Gives an example of using AI to handle large volumes of Google reviews for local SEO, explaining how this helps reduce repetitive tasks and allows more time for strategy development. He adds that while AI can handle mundane tasks, it might lead to a loss of jobs if businesses over-rely on automation without the necessary skills to keep up with evolving demands.

10:22 - 15:00  

Gab: Discusses the downside of over-reliance on automation, especially in the creative fields, where AI might replace jobs that require human creativity and expertise. He gives an example of how AI can produce designs or content, but these can often lack the personal, creative touch that a skilled human worker might provide.

Gab: Elaborates on the problem of AI-generated content lacking the depth and personal touch that comes from human experience, especially when it comes to specialized topics like travel guides.

Gab: Compares generic AI-generated content with human-authored work, arguing that AI might miss subtle details or nuances, which an expert in a specific field (like a travel blogger) could include. He discusses how a lack of expertise can lead to superficial content that may lack valuable insight or authenticity, giving the example of a generic AI travel article about beaches.

Gab: Contrasts AI-generated content with his own experience writing about a location, such as Palawan, where personal experience brings authenticity and depth to the content.

Gab: Concludes that while AI is useful for generating content, it cannot replace the authenticity and nuance that come from real-world experience and expertise.

15:03 - 16:50  

Gelo: Comments on the issue of AI not being able to replicate personal experiences, and how this can impact the depth and quality of certain types of content, like travel guides.

He wraps up by noting that AI’s role in SEO is growing, but human expertise, insight, and creativity will remain essential for high-quality, niche, and deeply authentic content.

Gelo: Mentions a possible issue with privacy concerns when using certain tools, though he is not sure about the details yet.

Gab: Responds, agreeing that privacy concerns are an issue.

Gab: Shares an example of a past situation where they experienced privacy concerns related to account management. Gab had mistakenly logged into an account, and another person on the team noticed and pointed it out.

Gelo: Adds that they don't have any personal problems with the situation.

Gab: Explains that they tried generating an email and sent it, but encountered an issue where the person's details appeared, and the situation was clarified after communication with the team member.

17:01 - 18:38  

Gelo: Shares their experience with voice search, mentioning that their Google Home or Alexa picks up on voice commands.

He shares a funny moment where they mentioned "pizza" around their Google Home device, and suddenly their Facebook feed was filled with pizza-related posts.

Gelo: Reflects on how surprising it is that AI tools can pick up on such things, which can raise privacy concerns.

Gab: Acknowledges the growing concerns around privacy and how AI might be gathering more personal data.

Gelo: Asks about ethical concerns when it comes to using AI for content creation, especially in SEO.

Gab: Mentions that while AI usage is common, certain countries and organizations are creating regulations around its use.

Gab: Gives an example of blog posts being generated by AI and the importance of adding a disclaimer to indicate the use of AI. They also mention concerns like misinformation and plagiarism that can come from AI-generated content.

19:05 - 22:16

Gelo: Adds that the health and finance sectors are especially sensitive to AI-generated content, as errors could have serious consequences.

Gelo: Explains how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can automate competitor analysis and topic generation, but emphasizes the need to verify the accuracy of the content generated.

Gelo: Discusses the potential drawbacks of relying solely on AI for SEO content creation, such as the decline in content quality when AI doesn't check for factual accuracy.

Gelo suggests the use of an "AI tag" in the backend of articles to indicate that the content was generated by AI, separating it from the user-facing content.

Gab: Reflects on how some people may have a negative view of AI-generated content, but acknowledges that it can still be useful when the data is accurate and helpful.

Gelo: Adds that a more transparent approach, such as adding AI disclaimers, would be better for users, especially in the backend, without showing them in the article directly.

Gab: Suggests that regulations will likely become more important as AI tools become more widespread, and that companies using AI must disclose it to avoid penalties.

Gelo: Asks Gab for recommendations on AI tools for beginners in SEO, particularly those that are cost-effective.

22:17 - 24:39 

Gab: Recommends using tools with lifetime deals, like NeuronWriter, as they can be more affordable in the long run compared to subscription-based tools.

Gelo: Shares his experience using various AI tools, including NeuronWriter, which has a more affordable version of SurferSEO, and Page Optimizer Pro.

Gab: Talks about how he buys tools with lifetime deals for efficiency but also acknowledges that there are cases when other tools might be a better fit for specific needs.

Gab: Mentions purchasing video editing tools like Canva and FlexClip for content creation, although he notes some drawbacks with tools like Canva.

Gelo: Shares a disadvantage of using Canva, mentioning that it's a bit restrictive for certain uses.

Gab: Introduces Fireflies AI, a tool that helps with transcription during meetings and automatically generates notes for later reference.

He continues explaining how Fireflies AI can be useful in transcribing meeting notes automatically, saving time and ensuring important instructions are remembered.

24:58 - 27:23

Gab: Elaborates on how Fireflies AI can be integrated into tools like ChatGPT to help save time when working with client notes.

Gelo: Mentions that the free version of the tools can still be quite effective for simple tasks, but encourages readers to explore these tools further.

He mentions using tools like Neuron Writer, though he notes that it no longer offers lifetime deals. He advises listeners to keep an eye out for deals or to explore alternatives.

Gelo: Shares that ChatGPT is useful for automation and recommends a few tools for SEO and content writing automation.

Gelo: Talks about how "Make" (an automation tool) is helpful in setting up automatic tasks like delivering files or project updates to clients.

Gelo: Talks about the benefits of using tools like Zapier and Make for automation, mentioning that Make's free version is suitable for many tasks.

27:23 - 30:33  

Gelo: Elaborates on using tools like NeuronWriter and AI for SEO analysis, suggesting they are very useful when working with multiple websites and managing clients. He discusses workflow creation using AI tools like NeuronWriter for efficient content creation and task management.

Gelo: Warns against becoming too dependent on AI, suggesting it’s important to maintain balance with human insight. He talks about the different types of SEO tasks that can benefit from AI, like keyword research, competitor analysis, and automating certain SEO processes.

Gab: Provides examples of SEO tasks like keyword research and trend analysis that AI can automate but also shares that certain aspects, like selecting keywords, still require human judgment.

Gab: Elaborates on how AI can help with trend analysis and competitor analysis, but also explains that there are still limitations to its use in SEO, especially in areas requiring human insight.

30:51 - 31:45

Gab: Discusses uploading large datasets to tools like ChatGPT, even millions of data points, for analysis. Mentions challenges with uploading large files.

Gelo: Acknowledges the challenge and mentions that sometimes errors occur when attempting to upload large spreadsheets.

Gab: Talks about the need for filtering data and the difficulty of managing large datasets, including re-uploading them at times.

Gelo: Responds with an understanding of the error that occurs during uploading large files.

Gab: Mentions how AI tools can help with quick analysis, like offering suggestions for improvements based on data sets.

Gelo: Talks about AI tools for SEO analysis, especially those that help identify trending keywords and analyze ranking changes after algorithm updates.

Gab: Discusses using tools for SEO monitoring, which can show trending keywords, optimize SEO, and help track algorithm changes.

Gelo: Recognizes the usefulness of the tool for SEO purposes.

32:12 - 35:11

Gab: Shares how tools like AI-driven predictive analytics help SEO teams improve their workflow.

Gelo: Discusses the use of Google Data Studio for SEO reporting, linking it with Google Analytics (GA) and Google Search Console (GSC).

Gab: Suggests that AI can integrate with tools like Google Data Studio to enhance SEO reporting. He also affirms the capability of integrating tools.

Gelo: Mentions using SEO crawl tools to extend Google Search Console’s query limit, allowing for more detailed analysis of thousands of queries beyond GSC's default limits.

Gelo: Shares how crawling tools help analyze why certain queries drop in ranking, typically linked to algorithm updates. He talks about using AI (like GPT) to automate outreach emails, including replying to messages efficiently, with data-driven insights about offerings.

Gelo: Elaborates on using AI for link-building, detecting spammy articles through SEO analysis, especially analyzing homepage structures and content quality. He discusses the application of AI in identifying whether articles are considered spammy, emphasizing the importance of proper article structure and content quality.

Gelo: Describes using AI to generate topic clusters from keywords to establish topical authority in a niche, providing a real-world example of generating clusters for specific industries.

35:30 - 37:44

Gab: Highlights how AI aids in SEO testing and automation, emphasizing the importance of trying out different strategies and refining processes.

He encourages experimenting with AI-driven solutions, stressing that the possibilities are almost limitless.

Gab: Explains how AI enhances productivity for SEO teams, such as reducing the time spent on data generation and suggestion interpretation, leading to more efficient workflows.

He talks about how AI-generated SEO recommendations can be useful, but decisions still need to be based on a team's expertise to validate and refine the suggestions.

Gab: Points out that AI can speed up the process, but human judgment is still crucial in making the final call on SEO decisions and strategies.

Gelo: Mentions how the use of AI can help automate delegation, with tools like ChatGPT assisting with task assignments, reminders, and communication within the team.

Gab: Talks about the importance of AI suggestions being reviewed thoroughly by team members, emphasizing the need for validation before implementation to ensure quality.

38:07 - 41:31

Gab: Discusses how AI has transformed collaboration, especially in cases where reminders and automated task tracking improve team efficiency and communication.

Gelo: Responds with an example, showing how AI-assisted reminders help streamline task monitoring across teams.

Gelo: Describes how AI aids project management, using automated reminders and task tracking systems to keep the team on track with deadlines and task completion. He talks about how having a systematic approach with AI reminders and progress updates has improved overall team efficiency and collaboration.

Gelo: Mentions how the use of AI for reminders and updates has made collaborating across multiple clients much easier.

Gab: Discusses how using AI tools for better task delegation helps improve team productivity, especially when working across multiple client projects that require consistent communication.

Gab: Reflects on how AI can help project managers and account managers streamline processes and improve coordination within teams, especially for long-term projects.

Sure! Below is a detailed chapter-by-chapter summary of the podcast episode with timestamps and clear speaker assignments (Gab as speaker #1 and Gelo as speaker #2):

41:32 - 42:55

Gelo: Asks, "How can we avoid over-reliance on AI when crafting content?" (referencing what Gab mentioned earlier).  

Gab: Explains that AI should not replace human expertise but should complement it.  

He says knowledge sharing and constant training are essential for mastering the craft and preventing over-reliance on AI.

Gelo: Praises Gab’s point, expressing enthusiasm about AI and innovation.  

Gab: humorously adds that there’s always room for improvement in both AI and human collaboration.  

Gab: Discusses how people often still prefer writing articles themselves because they understand the process and the nuances of their audience.

He says, AI can aid in this process, but human insight is still needed to ensure quality content creation.

Gab: Continues by explaining that knowing how to edit and craft content properly is important to maintain high SEO standards. He emphasizes that AI alone can't guarantee content success—human knowledge and editing are still essential.

43:25 - 47:17  

Gab: Shares how using standard operating procedures (SOPs) and regularly updating them ensures consistent content quality. He says, AI is useful in certain contexts but still needs guidance from experienced professionals to be effective.

Gelo: Jokes about acting like a seasoned SEO professional.  

Gab: Explains that AI is helpful, but custom prompts are needed to achieve the best possible outcomes. He says, creating the right set of prompts ensures AI can generate high-quality, relevant content.

Gab: Stresses that combining expert knowledge with AI tools leads to better creativity and personality in the content. He says, AI can support, but human expertise drives true creativity.

Gelo: Advises writers to avoid simply copying and pasting AI-generated content. He suggests that using AI for inspiration is fine, but it’s important to retain creativity and originality, especially for ghostwriting or content creation.

Gelo: Continues, encouraging content creators to not become complacent and let AI completely take over the writing process. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining creative control and enhancing expertise while using AI to beat writer's block.

Gab: Talks about how the role of AI in SEO is still evolving, making it difficult to predict the exact changes it will bring in the next few years. He shares that experts are still trying to figure out AI’s long-term impact on SEO and content creation.

47:22 - 50:28 

Gab: Reflects on the rapid pace of technological advancement, especially in AI, and the possibilities it holds for the future of content creation. He mentions how AI can improve personalization and content generation, but human oversight will always be important for optimal results.

Gab: Elaborates on how AI can assist in keyword research and traffic prediction, offering SEO specialists new ways to target and optimize content effectively.  

He says the collaboration between AI and SEO experts can lead to more efficient and personalized content creation.

Gab: Discusses the potential of AI to forecast SEO trends, including traffic growth and content performance, allowing for more accurate and data-driven predictions.

Gelo: Shares a tool by Ryan Stewart, a traffic projection tool that integrates AI to help predict SEO outcomes and content performance. He mentions how these tools make it easier to optimize and forecast SEO strategies.

Gab: Talks about his experience with AI in SEO, mentioning that AI tools like Ryan Stewart’s are useful but still need human analysis for the best outcomes.  

He says AI tools can provide insights, but professionals must evaluate and implement them.

51:02 - 55:49  

Gelo: Continues discussing how AI and automated tools are changing content creation and SEO management, especially in platforms like WordPress. He compares AI-driven content scheduling and keyword targeting with more traditional methods.

Gelo: Humorously comments on the fear of AI taking over jobs but emphasizes the value of upskilling and staying current with technological advancements in SEO and content creation.

Gab: Talks about future trends, particularly with AI, automation, and the potential for robots to take on more tasks, including in content creation. He discusses the need to prepare for these changes by embracing both AI tools and traditional skills in SEO.

Gab: Mentions the launch of his new SEO Sprint course, which includes AI-driven strategies for future-proofing SEO. He shares the importance of staying updated with industry changes and continuing education.

Gab: Elaborates on how his course integrates AI tools and strategies to help content creators and SEO specialists stay competitive in an evolving landscape.

Gelo: Shares that he is launching a Local SEO Masterclass, focusing on strategies to boost Google My Business rankings using AI and other advanced SEO techniques. He mentions the importance of combining AI with content creation for more effective SEO.

Gelo: Wraps up by encouraging listeners to follow them on various platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and Spotify for more insights into SEO and AI. He thanks the audience and ends the episode with a reminder to stay updated on the latest trends.

Gab: Concludes the podcast by saying goodbye to the audience.

Is it really possible to earn a six-figure income as a virtual assistant? In our latest podcast episode, we explore this question, drawing from our own experiences and insights shared by successful VAs we know. We’ll discuss what it truly takes to succeed in this field, including effective strategies and the challenges that often come up.

If you’re curious about the potential of a virtual assistant career or considering making the leap, this episode is filled with practical advice and real-life stories. 

Join us as we explore how to transform your skills into a successful business.

00:00 - 02:49

Gab: Introduction to the episode focusing on lighter SEO topics and the trending discussion around the six-figure income of virtual assistants, featuring insights from Coach Gelo.

Gelo: Introduces the topic, referencing a recent KMJS special that discusses whether earning six digits as a VA is possible. He mentions he hasn't seen the episode but has noticed discussions on social media regarding VAs earning upwards of half a million.

Gelo: Notes the discussions he has seen on Facebook and TikTok about VAs achieving significant earnings, hinting at the intriguing nature of these claims.

Gab: Shares his personal reflections on the episode, expressing that he can relate to the topic and is excited to dive into the discussion.

Gab: Mentions his own journey starting as a virtual assistant and the evolution of his career, touching on how he began earning in SEO, leading to his first million.

Gab: He shares his timeline, explaining that he started working in corporate jobs before transitioning into freelancing with his girlfriend. He describes their initial tasks in web development and how they moved into SEO, highlighting his entry into the industry.

Gab: elaborates on his early freelance career, noting that he worked in an SEO department and was part of an agency that focused on black hat SEO practices.

02:49 - 06:39

Gelo: Discusses the evolving nature of job titles within the VA field and how specific specializations have become more common over time.

Gab: Mentions how the KMJS feature presented VAs with varied roles, including executive assistants, but notes the generality of the portrayal.

Gab: He expresses concerns about mainstream media's portrayal of the VA industry and how it can create misconceptions about what freelancers can achieve, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations.

Gelo: Asks Gab about his initial reactions to the KMJS episode, prompting Gab to share that while the income claims seem attainable, he believes they require time and skill development.

Gab: Reflects on the importance of specialization and how certain technical skills, like cybersecurity or development, can command higher rates compared to general VA tasks.

Gab: He explains that the KMJS episode noted that it took several years for the featured VA to build up their client base and develop their skills before achieving a six-figure income.

06:39 - 11:47

Gab: Clarifies that the six-figure income often reflects a combination of earnings from multiple clients or agencies rather than a single source, indicating it's feasible but requires strategic effort.

Gelo: Prompts Gab to discuss the common earnings for Filipino VAs, noting that many factors influence income levels, including experience and skill set.

Gab: Emphasizes that building a personal brand and online presence is crucial for attracting clients and achieving higher rates, sharing how this has worked for him.

Gab: He concludes by discussing the significance of referrals and how the client’s location can impact earnings, highlighting the importance of understanding market rates in different regions.

Gelo: Discusses the varying demand for skills across different countries like the US, Australia, and the UK, emphasizing that the SEO industry is currently experiencing high demand.

Gelo: Highlights the importance of networking in obtaining referrals. He mentions the significance of building a strong professional network that can lead to potential clients and opportunities in SEO.

11:47 - 14:58

Gelo: Connects continuous learning with specialization. He stresses that having a wide range of skills can improve job prospects and that job descriptions on platforms like LinkedIn reflect this trend.

Gelo: Suggests adding skills like Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) and UI/UX design to one’s repertoire to enhance specialization.

Gab: Shares his experience with data analytics, noting that even periodic updates to reports can significantly contribute to income growth.

Gelo: Introduces the topic of common misconceptions about working as a Virtual Assistant (VA), referring to media portrayals.

Gab: Addresses the belief that the VA market is saturated. He argues that while competition exists, upskilling can provide a significant advantage.

Gab: Discusses rising taxes and the implications for digital service providers. He warns about the potential legal issues regarding tax evasion.

15:26 - 23:12

Gab: Clarifies the reality of working as a VA, highlighting challenges like stress and the misconception of easy money. 

Gelo: Reiterates the need for continuous learning in order to progress in the VA industry and maintain a competitive edge.

Gelo: Asks about typical income progression for new VAs. Gab explains expected earnings for different experience levels, stating that beginners might earn $2-$3 per hour and those with more experience could earn more.

Gab: Concludes with advice on the importance of specialization in increasing income potential, indicating that experienced VAs could earn $8 or more per hour, ultimately leading to six-figure incomes.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of applying learned skills in various settings. He emphasizes that one should seek opportunities where they can command higher rates, iterating that experience plays a crucial role in this process.

Gab: Highlights that becoming proficient takes time, and while some may seek quick financial gains, true expertise often requires gradual development. 

23:12 - 29:04

Gelo: Mentions a specific example of job opportunities in the Philippines for virtual assistants (VAs) and how they may not offer high initial rates. He suggests that early career roles can serve as stepping stones for future advancement.

Gab: Reinforces that specialization in skills and obtaining certifications can significantly influence a VA's earning potential, stressing the need for continuous skill development.

Gelo: Discusses how specific skills, such as SEO, can command higher rates compared to general tasks like data entry. The conversation shifts to the value of gaining expertise in niche areas to enhance service offerings.

Gab: Shares personal experiences about obtaining relevant certifications, like Google Analytics, which build trust with clients. He emphasizes that certifications should align with desired job roles and help enhance one's portfolio.

Gelo: Elaborates on the importance of deepening one's specialization within fields like SEO. He notes that as one's experience grows, they can transition to roles like consultation, offering expert services.

Gelo: Reflects on the evolution of a VA's competency over time and how it impacts income opportunities. He mentions that successful VAs continuously expand their skills and adapt to industry demands.

29:04 - 35:37

Gab: shares a personal story about an early interview experience, illustrating the challenges faced when starting in the field. Both speakers acknowledge the need to overcome various hurdles to achieve success in the industry.

Gab: Discusses the challenges of managing multiple clients and the importance of maintaining quality deliverables. He emphasizes that building a solid client base requires strategic decision-making.

Gab: Warns about the pitfalls of inconsistent income when transitioning to higher-paying roles. He stresses the importance of making sound decisions to ensure financial stability over time.

Gab: Concludes by discussing the necessity of establishing personal core values as a virtual assistant. He highlights how these values align with client expectations and contribute to professional integrity.

Gelo: Discusses the hurdles in achieving significant income in the virtual assistant (VA) industry, particularly highlighting market saturation. Expresses concerns about how newcomers might struggle in a saturated market.

Gelo: Emphasizes that while market saturation exists, there is hope for balance, especially with the rise of AI, which could shift demand dynamics.

35:37 - 43:39

Gelo: Notes the challenges of client acquisition amidst high supply of VAs and low demand, leading to job postings with lower rates.

Gelo: Highlights the importance of specialization to command higher income, indicating that simply wanting a high salary isn’t enough without the right skills and focus. Mentions the potential for promotions within a VA role, especially for specialized positions like executive assistants.

Gab: Discusses the advantages and disadvantages of freelancing compared to corporate jobs, particularly around benefits and income stability. Advises on understanding the lack of benefits in freelancing, emphasizing the need for realistic expectations from newcomers.

Gab: Shares a personal anecdote about assisting a friend with SEO, stressing the importance of learning and continuous education in building a successful freelance career.

Gelo: Encourages seeking mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals in the industry. Discusses the importance of realistic expectations regarding income and job availability, particularly for newcomers to SEO and the VA space.

Gelo: Addresses the issue of underqualified practitioners entering the market, which can undermine trust in the industry and lead to negative perceptions among clients.

44:01 - 50:54

Gelo: Talks about the importance of learning and adapting in the SEO industry, encouraging listeners to invest in their skills and build strong portfolios.

Gab: Emphasizes the importance of communication skills, networking, and building a trustworthy profile through client relationships and online presence.

Gelo: Summarizes key takeaways: invest in skills, education, and portfolio building, while staying adaptable to industry changes, particularly in light of AI advancements.

Gab: Promotes his upcoming course on SEO, aimed at helping both beginners and advanced practitioners enhance their skills.

Gelo: Concludes with reminders to follow their platforms for updates and safety tips.

In this episode of our podcast, we focus on a crucial element of SEO: identifying the tasks that will shape your roadmap. Understanding what to prioritize can significantly impact your strategy's effectiveness. Coach Gab and Coach Gelo share practical insights, tools, and methods to help you create a clear and actionable plan for your SEO journey. This discussion offers a straightforward approach to optimizing your efforts right from the start.

00:00 - 03:11

Gab: Introduces the podcast episode focused on the lighter side of SEO.

Gelo: Joins as a co-host and introduces the main topic: identifying tasks on the SEO campaign roadmap.

Gab: Discusses the transition from being an SEO specialist to an SEO strategist, emphasizing the importance of understanding the broader aspects of SEO.

Gelo: Clarifies that the title "specialist" may be misleading as SEO work requires a range of skills beyond a single specialty, advocating for the term "SEO expert."

Gelo: Compares roles like SEO Assistant and Junior SEO Specialist, highlighting how titles can differ across companies.

Gab: Shares personal experience with different roles, noting the variation in responsibilities depending on the company's structure.

03:36 - 14:36

Gelo: Initiates a discussion on identifying tasks for creating an SEO roadmap, asking Gab about the first steps in this process.

Gab: Describes the importance of understanding the client’s services and current website status before formulating an SEO strategy. 

- Stresses the need for initial audits to gauge the website's readiness for SEO.

Gelo: Discusses the necessity of various audits, like technical and content audits, emphasizing the significance of ensuring the website is indexable.

Gab: Reinforces the point that without proper indexing, all SEO efforts may be futile, highlighting the importance of audits in the roadmap process.

Gelo: Asks how to ensure SEO tasks align with the client’s overall business goals.

Gab: Discusses the necessity of understanding client goals to create relevant SEO strategies, providing examples of how to tailor tasks to specific business objectives.

Gelo: Shares a personal anecdote about helping a client achieve sales through effective SEO strategies, illustrating the importance of actionable goals.

14:36 - 17:47

Gelo: Emphasizes the need for continuous learning and adaptation of strategies based on previous experiences to better serve clients.

Gab: Concludes the discussion on the importance of aligning actions with client expectations and business objectives, stressing ongoing education in SEO.

Gelo: Asks how to break down larger SEO goals into manageable tasks.

Gab: Emphasizes understanding the client's business goals and objectives first. Discusses converting broader SEO goals into smaller, bite-sized tasks. For instance, the first step is to collect relevant keywords related to the client's products. Highlights the importance of knowing the target audience, including B2B (business to business) versus B2C (business to consumer) considerations.

Gab: Explains that the keywords will differ based on whether the business targets other businesses or direct consumers, using the example of a heater distributor.

Once the relevant keywords are identified, the next step is to determine how to rank for those keywords, aligning with the client's overall goals.

17:47 - 20:55

Gab: Discusses creating service pages based on identified keywords and determining actions to achieve SEO and business goals. Stresses the need to break down the client's large goals into smaller, actionable tasks.

Gelo: Suggests starting with the big goal and brainstorming subtasks to achieve it.

Gab: Advises that even if you are focused on link building or technical SEO, it is essential to connect those efforts to the overall goals. Talks about optimizing page scores and core vitals to help achieve business goals.

Gelo: Adds that for e-commerce, technical details like canonicalization of pages must be checked.

Mentions the importance of ensuring canonical tags are correctly set up to avoid duplicate content issues.

Gab: Agrees that understanding which pages are crucial for SEO can help focus optimization efforts.

21:04 - 28:00

Gelo: Discusses managing tasks efficiently using frameworks and project management tools.

Stresses the need for a systematic approach to project management in breaking down larger SEO goals.

Gab: Talks about using templates to manage tasks effectively.

Gelo: Mentions that having a project management tool can help organize tasks, prioritize, and set deadlines.

Gab: Discusses balancing short-term tasks with long-term SEO strategies, focusing on quick wins for immediate results. Highlights the need to audit keywords to ensure effective targeting.

Shares that optimizing important pages like home and product pages should be prioritized.

Gab: Discusses consistency in branding across platforms and its importance for quick wins in SEO.

Talks about fixing broken links and redirecting them for improved SEO impact. Emphasizes that implementing these short-term strategies can yield immediate effects on traffic.

Gab: Explains that while long-term strategies take time to show results, they are essential for sustained success in SEO. Highlights the importance of patience in seeing results from long-term strategies.

28:01 - 34:10

Gelo: Agrees with Gab about quick fixes and technical SEO aspects, noting they can lead to high-impact results. Discusses that technical SEO fixes, such as addressing broken links and optimizing content, are crucial for short-term wins.

Gelo: Mentions that technical fixes should be balanced with longer-term strategies, especially in content optimization. Advises on maintaining a balance between short-term and long-term SEO efforts while managing ongoing tasks.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of conducting thorough research for link building and how the tasks you choose for your campaign depend on your knowledge and experience. Mentions that they can provide examples but acknowledges that understanding comes from hands-on experience.

Gab: Discusses how agencies benefit from established structures and processes, making it easier to implement strategies. Points out that agencies can achieve results relatively quickly and maintain consistent efforts over time.

Gelo: Highlights that the first three months are critical for SEO campaigns, as clients evaluate agency effectiveness during this period. Stresses the importance of initial implementation and reporting to demonstrate progress. Provides examples of prioritizing tasks, especially in local SEO. Suggests optimizing Google My Business (GMB) as a quick win to boost rankings and visibility.

34:14 - 40:58

Gab: Explains a method for prioritizing tasks using a heat analysis approach. Discusses categorizing tasks based on their impact and time consumption, aiming to focus on high-impact tasks first.

Gelo: Introduces the ICE scoring model for task prioritization, which factors in impact, confidence, and ease of implementation. They mention its relevance to their SEO courses. Talks about the Eisenhower Matrix as a tool for categorizing tasks into urgent and important quadrants. This helps in determining which tasks to prioritize and schedule.

Gelo: Suggests using AI tools like ChatGPT to help with task identification. They recommend cross-checking AI suggestions with personal expertise or mentor guidance for reliability.

Gab: Concludes by suggesting that combining the ICE scoring model with the Eisenhower Matrix can enhance decision-making, especially for freelancers or teams, helping to clarify which tasks to execute.

40:59 - 45:02  

Gab: Highlights the significance of tools like Google Analytics as an essential resource for SEO strategies. Access to real data allows for more effective strategy development.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab's point on the need for analytics.

Gab: Discusses the advantage of being knowledgeable in SEO, emphasizing customized strategies for clients that blend general practices with tailored solutions Mentions the value of third-party tools like Ahrefs and SEMrush for obtaining traffic data when direct access to Google tools isn't available.

Gelo: Suggests using tools like Screaming Frog for technical audits.

Gab: Stresses the importance of identifying high-impact tasks during audits.

Gelo: Discusses the use of multiple tools in conjunction for a comprehensive overview of data to inform strategies. Shares his experience with AI-driven tools for auditing multiple client websites, emphasizing the need for tracking performance metrics.

45:02 - 51:01  

Gelo: Introduces advanced AI monitoring tools, explaining their utility in performance tracking.

Gab: Discusses the benefits of using Google Data Studio for consolidating data and generating insights for client growth forecasting. Outlines how AI tools can help identify trending keywords and optimize traffic forecasts without extensive manual research.

Gab: Explains how to effectively collaborate with external teams like content writers and developers, stressing the need for a clear roadmap with assigned tasks. Advocates for using Gantt charts for project timelines and ensuring clear communication with developers.

Gelo: Highlights the importance of detailed instructions and avoiding vague requests to prevent miscommunication.

Gab: Emphasizes the need for clear, point-by-point communication, especially regarding technical jargon that may not be understood by all team members.

Gelo: Discusses the effectiveness of organized meetings with clear agendas and follow-ups to maintain urgency and accountability among team members.

51:02 - 55:17  

Gab: Reflects on experiences working with developers, noting differences in work ethics and communication styles among teams from various regions.

Gelo: Adds to Gab's comments about diverse developer experiences and the importance of clarity in task assignments.

Gab: Discusses the importance of canonical tags for SEO and how they affect crawlability and indexability of websites. Highlights the significance of fixing issues affecting a large number of URLs.

Gelo: Shares experiences related to web development and how certain practices can create bottlenecks. Encourages patience and understanding when working with web developers.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of communication when working with web developers. Suggests sharing your experience to enhance collaboration.

Gab: Talks about the challenges of implementing changes and how to manage unexpected issues during updates. Shares a personal experience with implementing a blog.

Gelo: Asks about adjusting SEO strategies in response to algorithm updates and changing search trends. Emphasizes the need for flexibility.

55:17 - 01:10:05 

Gab: Discusses how to analyze impacts post-update, suggesting to wait for full rollout before making significant changes. Advises careful analysis of affected pages and queries before implementing adjustments.

Gelo: Shares an experience of traffic loss and the importance of patience during updates. Encourages consistency in strategy until the effects of updates are fully realized.

Gab: Outlines methods for tracking progress on an SEO roadmap, recommending quarterly reviews to assess keyword rankings, traffic, and conversion rates. Highlights the importance of benchmarks.

Gelo: Discusses the use of tools like Ahrefs to benchmark traffic, backlinks, and keyword performance over time. Stresses the significance of monitoring these metrics for successful SEO strategies.

Gab: Provides rapid-fire advice for new SEO strategists, including competitive research and staying updated on industry trends. Gelo adds the importance of understanding the client's business model to tailor strategies effectively.

01:10:06 - 01:13:44

Gab: Discusses the importance of aligning a travel website's offerings with its target audience. He emphasizes the need for the website to cater to specific demographics, like retirees looking for a relaxed travel experience rather than active trekking.

Gelo: Stresses the significance of educating clients on SEO strategies. He suggests that improving communication within departments, especially between the content team and SEO experts, is crucial for effective keyword usage and understanding. He also highlights that knowledge transfer can build authority and better results in SEO efforts.

Gab: Explains the role of context and internal linking in SEO. He points out that content writers often misunderstand SEO concepts, leading to poor linking strategies. By properly analyzing content and its connections, teams can improve their ranking on Google and enhance knowledge sharing.

Gelo: Recommends creating SOPs for SEO processes to streamline explanations and training for content writers. He advises that having a clear system can alleviate confusion and improve overall strategy implementation.

01:13:44 - 01:19:20

Gelo: Highlights the importance of cultivating a growth mindset within teams. He encourages accepting challenges and setbacks as opportunities for learning and improvement, stressing that a positive approach can lead to better adaptation in the dynamic field of SEO.

Gab: Shares insights from a case study, noting that not all strategies will yield success, but there are valuable lessons to learn from failures. He emphasizes the necessity of constant communication with clients and adapting strategies based on real-world results and competitor actions.

Gab: Announces a new SEO course called "SEO Sprint," aimed at enhancing knowledge in the field. 

Gelo: Discusses his upcoming local SEO masterclass and the integration of AI into the curriculum, encouraging listeners to stay tuned for updates on their respective courses.

Gelo: Wraps up the conversation, thanking the audience for their engagement and highlighting the importance of continuous learning in SEO practices.

Not every SEO campaign goes as planned. From stubborn rankings to unexpected algorithm shifts, we’ve all faced challenges that tested our skills.

In this SEO Kwentuhan episode, we share our most problematic campaigns, discussing the hurdles we encountered and the strategies that helped us overcome them. If you’re looking to navigate your own SEO challenges, you won’t want to miss this.

00:00 - 00:39

Gab: Introduction to the episode, discussing the lighter side of SEO with Coach Gelo.

Gelo: Introduction of the main topic: problematic SEO. Gelo mentions a definition they generated using ChatGPT.

00:39 - 2:04 

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of understanding problematic SEO as it relates to job postings in the field.

Gab: Briefly highlights the definition of problematic SEO.

Gelo: Defines problematic SEO as the challenging art of managing SEO campaigns filled with issues, contrasting it with the more organized approach of programmatic SEO. 

Gelo: Describes the tools used in problematic SEO: stress management and communication rather than automation and AI.

02:07 - 03:11  

Gelo: Discusses the variety of problems encountered in different campaigns, emphasizing that every website faces its own set of challenges.

Gelo: Starts discussing specific examples of difficult SEO campaigns.

Gab: Acknowledges the importance of sharing experiences to help others in the field.

Gelo: Mentions wanting to explore the topic further.

03:12 - 05:21  

Gab: Shares personal experiences with challenging campaigns and the necessity for various tools in different niches.

Gab: Lists niches he's dealt with, including crypto and digital arts.

Gab: Highlights a current challenging campaign in the booking engine niche, discussing branding and SEO readiness.

05:21 - 10:01 

Gab: Explains challenges faced, including lack of branding and QA processes, and the importance of addressing bugs.

Gab: Talks about the complexities of local SEO and Google Business Profile optimization in the booking engine niche.

Gab: Shares a case study involving a B2B cannabis website, discussing the lack of resources during the optimization process.

Gab: Discusses challenges in the payroll software niche, focusing on high competition and the strategy shift towards product-led content.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of aligning content with customer needs and improving conversion strategies.

10:01 - 15:09  

Gab: Concludes his experience with three challenging campaigns and expresses the ongoing learning process in SEO.

Gelo: Shares his experience with problematic SEO, particularly with local SEO for service-based businesses. Discusses the pitfalls of using virtual offices in SEO strategies and how it led to issues with Google Business Profiles.

Gelo: Explains the fallout from using virtual addresses, including suspension of profiles and the importance of compliance with Google's rules. Warns others about the risks of using virtual addresses and shares a current issue with managing multiple websites for a digital marketing agency in Canada.

15:09 - 17:09

Gelo: Discusses the negative impact of black hat SEO practices. He highlights that the team handling a campaign did not optimize their website properly, resulting in the creation of numerous spammy backlinks. This excessive use of spam backlinks can lead to penalties from Google, causing the entire website to struggle with rankings and visibility in search results.

Gelo: Explains the issues with local SEO, emphasizing that searches for specific keywords in certain locations should yield results. However, he notes that in their situation, those searches were not appearing effectively. He shares that Google Search Console (GSC) showed no manual actions affecting their ranking, yet many websites still faced challenges. 

17:10 - 20:07

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of setting realistic expectations with clients, especially regarding campaign timelines and results. He advises being upfront about potential outcomes, cautioning against false promises. Gelo also discusses the need for dedicated resources, like writers, to support SEO campaigns and the lack of adequate tools available for their work.

Gelo: Stresses the necessity of establishing a strong brand presence from the outset. He mentions that clinics, for example, should have optimized listings early on to avoid difficulties later. He reiterates the importance of honesty in client relationships and maintaining open communication about performance.

20:08 - 22:08

Gab: Talks about the significance of experience in navigating SEO challenges. He highlights that as professionals progress in their careers, they should broaden their skills and improve their approach to handle diverse projects effectively. Gab also mentions the importance of learning from problematic situations to enhance expertise.

Gelo: Encourages the audience to share their SEO problems in community groups for collaborative solutions. He underscores the value of learning from others’ experiences and adapting strategies to achieve desired results.

22:09 - 25:23

Gab: Shares insights on client dynamics and how their needs can influence SEO strategies. He describes scenarios where client requests lead to shifts in campaign focus and the importance of aligning strategies with attainable goals, like increasing organic traffic.

Gab: Concludes by discussing pricing strategies and the necessity of transparent communication regarding budget constraints. He explains how adjusting service packages based on client budgets can lead to more successful collaborations.

25:23 - 26:51 

Gab: Focuses on high-impact tasks rather than guaranteed results, often adjusting strategies to meet client needs, especially for SaaS clients.

Gab: Introduces a results-driven SEO strategy, concentrating on increasing organic traffic and rankings. Discusses setting measurable goals, such as improving qualified leads after optimization. Emphasizes the importance of revenue-driven results to influence business growth.

Gab: Mentions the challenges of reporting to clients when strategies are not producing expected results.

26:51 - 29:14

Gelo: Comments on the issue of traffic metrics not leading to conversions.

Gelo: Refers to "vanity metrics" and the importance of real results. Shares insights on monitoring metrics like monthly active users in a SaaS context.

Gelo: Discusses strategies for improving traffic without additional budget for backlinks, focusing on collaboration with other blogs. Details a strategy where he focuses on link earning rather than begging for backlinks, emphasizing collaboration with relevant blogs.

29:14 - 31:29  

Gelo: Explains how he utilized customer service insights to create relevant content that appears in featured snippets, leading to passive backlinks. Highlights the success of using content to earn backlinks, creating a win-win situation for clients. Concludes that practical considerations for creating backlinks are crucial, ensuring both results and cost-effectiveness. 

31:29 - 32:40 

Gelo: Mentions a previous discussion about company strategies.

Gab: Discusses the importance of a new strategy, particularly in niche markets that aren’t saturated, emphasizing the role of backlinks in improving visibility. Suggests focusing on less competitive niches for featured snippets and using research to align with audience queries for better backlinks. Shares that when contributing content, he also utilizes external links to enhance authority.

Gelo: Agrees that providing good answers can enhance backlink opportunities.

Gab: Highlights the importance of giving credit through citations, especially when linking to non-competitors.

Gelo: Reiterates the importance of giving credit. Discusses how links, both outbound and inbound, contribute to Google’s understanding of relevance.

32:40 - 33:55 

Gelo: Transitions to discussing common SEO problems that need addressing.

Gab: Identifies branding issues as a key problem; a strong brand helps in website optimization. Talks about his experiences with potential clients struggling to rank due to unclear branding keywords.

Gelo: Comments on the challenges in branding, especially with similar names. Emphasizes that without a strong branding keyword, it’s difficult to rank for non-branded terms.

34:02 - 34:56  

Gelo: Asks about concerns with exact match keywords.

Gab: Affirms that concerns exist but explains they are not universal across industries.

Shares a personal anecdote about exact match domain purchases for local businesses.

Discusses how exact match domains can still rank well despite changing Google policies.

35:20 - 38:22  

Gab: Reiterates the importance of branding in SEO strategy. Discusses the significance of keyword intent in strategy formulation. Highlights the need to align keywords with user intent for better ranking. Warns against mismatched keywords, which can lead to poor performance.

Gab: Discusses the role of service and commercial pages in SEO. Advises verifying keyword intent to avoid mismatches between service offerings and content. Suggests starting with lower competition niches rather than competing with big brands.

38:44 - 41:08  

Gelo: Introduces client-side SEO problems that often arise. Emphasizes the need for clients to have a deep understanding of SEO basics. Discusses various on-page and technical SEO issues faced by clients.

Gelo: Addresses the reliance of clients on paid ads over SEO. Highlights the importance of educating clients about the balance between SEO and paid ads. Discusses the necessity of knowledge transfer to clients about SEO processes and expectations.

41:08 - 42:37  

Gelo: Suggests sharing algorithm updates with clients to manage expectations.Highlights the challenges of turnaround times for client requests, stressing the need for clear communication. Concludes by discussing the readiness of websites for SEO and the challenges faced by startups.

42:38 - 44:15

Gelo: Introduces a strategy for building an audience for SaaS companies, emphasizing its effectiveness through various channels.

Gelo: Discusses companies leveraging social media to build audience awareness before launching their SEO campaigns. Mentions the importance of audience engagement before any major budget allocation. Reflects on some websites that are not yet optimized for SEO, seeking advice on improving their readiness for such campaigns.

Gab: Acknowledges the situation and shares an example related to the previous discussion.

Provides an analogy about a booking engine that is still not optimized for SEO and emphasizes the need for honest discussions with clients regarding their SEO strategies.

Gab: Talks about the challenges faced with clients who are not fully prepared for SEO campaigns, highlighting the need for clear guidance and understanding of SEO tools.

44:15 - 45:48

Gab:  Describes the necessity of knowledge regarding SEO optimization and research to effectively tackle challenges with SaaS clients. Emphasizes that demonstrating the usage of tools and the importance of consistent branding are vital for maintaining audience recognition.

Gab: Discusses the long-term implications of neglecting SEO, noting that a drop in audience awareness can have significant consequences. Agrees with Gelo about the compounding nature of SEO efforts over time.

Gelo: Points out that budget cuts can often lead to SEO efforts being undermined, as SEO is a long-term investment.

45:48 - 46:49

Gelo: Reflects on the reality of businesses facing budget cuts and how it affects their SEO campaigns and results.

Gab: Acknowledges the ongoing SEO work and how updates can disrupt previously established strategies.

Gelo: Mentions the lasting impact of initial SEO efforts even after budget cuts.

Gab: Discusses the challenges clients face when they lack knowledge about SEO adjustments after major updates.

Gelo: Advocates for honesty in SEO practices and being transparent with clients about the realities of SEO.

46:49 - 48:06

Gelo: Stresses the importance of being knowledgeable and skilled in the field to navigate complex situations.

Gab: Acknowledges Gelo's point about clients needing to be educated on SEO.

Gelo: Adds that some clients may struggle to let go of ineffective practices learned previously. Encourages managing client expectations while striving to deliver results despite their previous experiences.

Gelo: Shares the importance of asserting one’s expertise while maintaining professionalism in client interactions. Discusses the complexities of handling challenging campaigns and the value of pushing back when necessary.

48:07 - 49:46

Gab: Reflects on personal growth through tackling challenges in campaigns and stepping out of comfort zones. Emphasizes the significance of continuous learning and adapting in the ever-evolving landscape of SEO.

Gelo: Suggests adopting a proactive approach in dealing with various SEO aspects.

Gab: Mentions his foundation in handling diverse clients and the lessons learned from challenging scenarios.

Gelo: Questions if success can be measured in terms of handling difficult campaigns.

Gab: Discusses the evaluation of competition and the importance of effective service offerings in SEO.

49:46 - 50:48

Gelo: Reflects on past experiences with different SEO tactics.

Gab: Shares insights on the repercussions of black hat SEO tactics and the eventual consequences.

Gelo: Agrees that unethical practices can lead to negative outcomes in the long run.

Gab: Concludes on the importance of recognizing potential issues from the outset.

Gelo: Highlights the opportunity for personal and professional growth through challenging campaigns. Reflects on the value of showcasing skills through successful handling of complex SEO tasks.

50:57 - 52:39  

Gelo: Discusses his efforts on the optimization side, including writing landing pages and blogs. He shares insights from case studies that have helped build his reputation as an SEO practitioner among his colleagues, emphasizing the challenges faced and the commitment he brings to the table.

Gelo: Mentions sharing tools for free and building systems behind the agency to help others succeed. He reflects on the importance of his reputation and how it motivates him to assist his colleagues despite the challenges they face.

Gelo: Identifies opportunity cost as a major concern, stating that focusing on lower-paying clients can limit his potential to work with more premium clients. Gelo acknowledges the increased stress that comes with this decision. Continues discussing the implications of opportunity cost, recognizing the need to balance his current commitments with aspirations for higher-paying projects.

Gab: Jumps in to agree with Gelo, noting the challenges of communicating effectively with stakeholders and the difficulty in shifting outdated tactics to modern strategies.

52:39 - 54:22 

Gelo: Highlights the importance of pushing for effective strategies while navigating client resistance, emphasizing that proven methods should be the focus.

Gab: Reflects on the rewarding feeling of successfully implementing strategies after discussions with clients, underscoring the importance of data-driven decisions.

Gelo: Suggests wrapping up their conversation by discussing actionable steps for SEO professionals facing challenging campaigns.

Gab: Offers strategies to manage stress and expectations during difficult campaigns, starting with the advice not to panic, as challenges are part of the organic process. He emphasizes setting clear weekly goals for each client to stay organized and focused, suggesting that having defined tasks helps combat feelings of being overwhelmed.

54:22 - 56:31  

Gab: Encourages continuous learning to stay ahead in SEO, noting that understanding past challenges can prepare professionals for future issues. He shares that improving communication with clients is crucial, especially during tough times, and stresses honesty about expectations.

Gab: Points out the importance of setting realistic expectations and communicating progress regularly, even if the results are slow. He highlights the need for strategic reevaluation if tactics aren’t working, including competitor analysis to identify effective strategies.

Gab: Advises assessing the competition and experimenting with new approaches, ensuring that all strategies are tested properly with client approval. He underscores the necessity of staying innovative and adapting strategies based on what works in different niches.

56:31 - 58:22  

Gab: Stresses the importance of using external insights and consulting with mentors or experienced colleagues for additional perspectives on problem-solving. He encourages engaging with industry experts to gain fresh ideas and strategies that can be applied to current challenges.

Gelo: Acknowledges the value of insights from others and how they can often illuminate solutions to existing problems. He adds that collaborative brainstorming with colleagues can lead to improved outcomes in SEO projects.

Gelo: Mentions his availability for questions, encouraging audience engagement.

Gab: Emphasizes maintaining a positive mindset amid challenges, reminding listeners to focus on controllable aspects of their campaigns.

58:22 - 59:35  

Gelo: Encourages listeners not to let pressure overwhelm them, highlighting the importance of positivity in client relationships.

Gab: Agrees and reflects on the necessity of staying resilient in the face of industry changes.

Gelo: Ends with a call to action, inviting listeners to share positive messages in their community to uplift each other.

Gelo: Wraps up the discussion, reminding everyone of their support and encouraging them to reach out with questions.

Gab: Concludes with a shout-out for community engagement and motivation, highlighting the value of interaction among members.

59:35 - 1:00:39

Gelo: Encourages members to post insights and experiences to strengthen community ties.

Gab: Expresses gratitude and encourages listeners to connect with their social media platforms and join the community.

Gab: Thanks the audience once more, urging them to follow their podcast on Spotify and join their Facebook groups for continued learning and support. Gab signs off, looking forward to future discussions and encouraging everyone to stay engaged in SEO conversations.

In today's digital landscape, site speed isn't just a technical detail—it's a critical factor that can make or break your website’s success. With users expecting websites to load in just a few seconds, even minor delays can lead to higher bounce rates and lost opportunities. In our latest podcast episode, we explore the impact of site speed on SEO and discuss practical strategies to improve it.

Join us as we sit down with web developer, Glenn, who brings a wealth of experience and insight to the conversation. He’ll explain why a fast-loading site is essential not only for enhancing user experience but also for boosting your search engine rankings. From the importance of mobile responsiveness to optimizing images and choosing the right hosting services, Glenn covers the key areas that can help elevate your site’s performance.

You’ll come away with a clearer understanding of how site speed affects your online presence and the steps you can take to ensure your website is running at its best. 

00:00 - 01:28

Gab: Welcomes listeners to the podcast focused on the lighter side of SEO. Introduces Glenn, a web developer he met through an SEO group on Facebook, where they collaborated on website optimization.

Gab: Introduces the main topic: the impact of site speed on SEO and how to improve it. Welcomes Glenn to the podcast.

Glenn: Thanks Gab for the invitation and expresses excitement about sharing knowledge on website development and site speed optimization.

01:28 - 03:04 

Glenn: Shares his background in IT, starting in 2012. Initially worked on desktop applications and was introduced to web development through friends.

Glenn: Discusses his transition to web development, influenced by questions about income and work environment. Motivated by the freedom of the field.

Gab: Asks Glenn about his first job experience after graduating.

Glenn: Shares that he had a corporate job before freelancing, influenced by a friend who was a web developer.

03:05 - 05:38

Gab: Relates to Glenn’s experience, mentioning their similar graduation timeline and backgrounds in SEO.

Glenn: Discusses the importance of continuous learning in tech. Emphasizes the need to keep updating skills due to rapid technological changes.

Gab: Inquires about the CMS and frameworks Glenn uses.

Glenn: Lists tools like Laravel and mentions WordPress as a popular choice for many clients. Shares his initial rates and long-term thinking about skill improvement.

05:38 - 9:20

Glenn: Talks about the importance of having a portfolio and certificates to gain respect in the industry, as well as the necessity of networking and marketing oneself.

Gab: Shifts focus to the main topic, asking about the significance of site speed for user experience.

Glenn: Explains that site speed affects first impressions, user engagement, and SEO. Stresses the importance of mobile responsiveness.

Glenn: Discusses how a fast-loading website retains users and drives conversions, noting that a significant portion of web traffic comes from mobile devices.

09:20 - 11:01 

Gab: Mentions that site speed is now a major ranking factor for SEO. Highlights that users expect websites to load quickly, ideally in under three seconds.

Glenn: Agrees, stating that under one second is optimal for keeping users engaged.

Gab: Asks Glenn to identify common reasons for slow website performance.

Glenn: Lists web hosting quality and image sizes as primary factors affecting speed.

11:02 - 14:02

Gab: Inquires about recommended hosting providers.

Glenn: Suggests Cloudways, SiteGround, and Hostinger, emphasizing the importance of choosing reliable hosting services that cater to specific markets.

Glenn: Discusses the various types of hosting available, including shared, VPS, and Cloud hosting. He emphasizes the need to evaluate the client's requirements, suggesting shared hosting for startups or personal websites.

Gab: Expresses gratitude for the information shared.

Glenn: Highlights that unoptimized images can significantly slow down a website, especially for industries like real estate that often use high-resolution images. He notes the common issue of large image files (5 MB or more) affecting load times.

Gab: Agrees with the assessment of common speed issues.

14:36 - 20:30

Glenn: Outlines steps developers can take to enhance loading speeds. 

Key points include:

  - Choosing reliable hosting.

  - Selecting a lightweight theme for WordPress.

  - Reducing unnecessary plugins and optimizing CSS, JavaScript, and HTML files.

  - Advises against using heavy image formats (like JPG for photography) and recommends web-friendly formats (like WEBP).

  - Suggests using plugins for image optimization to handle multiple images at once.

Glenn: Discusses the importance of resizing images (to around 1920 pixels) and implementing lazy loading to improve site performance. He explains how lazy loading works and its benefits for user experience.

Glenn: Emphasizes the necessity of caching web pages to enhance speed. He distinguishes between static and dynamic websites, explaining that dynamic sites require more ongoing optimization due to databases holding outdated content.

Discusses the importance of managing external scripts (e.g., from Google or email marketing tools) to avoid slow loading times.

20:31 - 23:05

Glenn: Advises on the placement of third-party tools (like JavaScript) within the site, suggesting they should generally be placed in the footer to prevent them from hindering content loading.

Glenn: Recommends tools like Google PageSpeed Insights and GTmetrix for monitoring website performance.

Gab: Appreciates GTmetrix for its detailed analysis and the importance of understanding the foundational aspects of site speed.

Gab: Mentions the need to use staging sites for experimental changes to prevent issues on live sites. 

Glenn: Echoes this sentiment, noting that urgency can sometimes lead to mistakes.

23:05 - 27:06

Glenn: Elaborates on browser caching, explaining how it stores copies of website files locally to improve speed for returning visitors. This can significantly reduce load times.

Glenn: Explains the differences between shared hosting, VPS, and cloud hosting. He introduces the concept of Content Delivery Networks (CDNs), which enhance site speed by serving content from the nearest geographical location to the user.

Glenn: Discusses the advantages of using a CDN, including improved load times and additional security features like SSL certificates. He notes that while a CDN is particularly beneficial for e-commerce websites, smaller sites may not need one.

28:25 - 29:57

Gab: Inquires about how often website speed should be reviewed and optimized. 

Glenn: Advises that it depends on site activity and that regular monitoring is essential, especially for dynamic sites with frequent updates.

Glenn: Reflects on future trends in web development, hinting at the growing influence of AI but noting the uncertainty of its impact on site speed.

29:57 - 31:10

Glenn: Discusses the integration of AI in web development, highlighting its impact on UX and UI design. He mentions tools like ChatGPT that allow for easier graphic design creation based on text input. While AI can improve site speed, he emphasizes that manual intervention is still essential.

Glenn: Explains that, despite the benefits of AI tools for optimizing site speed, manual adjustments are still necessary for the best outcomes.

31:33 - 35:21

Glenn: Provides practical advice for beginners looking to pursue web development. He stresses the importance of learning the basics (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), building a portfolio, and networking with others in the field. Glenn advises that newcomers should seek feedback and remain patient as they develop their skills.

Gab: Emphasizes the need for continuous learning, suggesting that beginners should apply their knowledge to personal projects before working on client sites.

35:22 - 37:49

Glenn: Promotes his services, offering white-label WordPress services and website maintenance. He encourages listeners to connect with him on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Gab: Concludes the podcast, thanking Glenn for his insights on site speed optimization and encouraging the audience to follow their platforms for more content.

Gab: Wraps up the episode by inviting listeners to follow the podcast on Spotify and YouTube and to visit their website for more episodes, thanking Glenn once again for his time and knowledge.

Education and street smarts often create a dynamic interplay, and in our latest SEO Kwentuhan podcast episode, we tackle the critical question: which is better - Diploma or Diskarte? 

Tune in for an engaging discussion packed with real-life stories and expert insights as we examine how these two paths influence success and what truly counts in today’s competitive landscape!

In this episode, we’ll hear from Coach Gab and Coach Gelo who have navigated both routes, sharing their unique experiences and the lessons they've learned along the way. From academic achievements to practical ingenuity, we’ll uncover the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, shedding light on how they can complement one another. Whether you're a student weighing your options, a professional seeking to enhance your skills, or simply curious about the dynamics of education and hustle, this conversation promises to offer valuable insights that challenge conventional thinking and inspire new perspectives.

00:00 - 2:00 

Gab:Welcome to this new episode of SEO Kwentuhan, focusing on the lighter side of SEO.  

Gelo:  What’s our topic today?  

Gab: Discussing whether a diploma or experience is more essential for SEO.  

Gelo: We often hear varying opinions about this. Let's put it in the context of SEO.  

Gab: I believe the diploma isn’t crucial; my experience matters more. After applying for jobs, I rarely used my diploma. However, the knowledge I gained from school helped me in the field.  

Gelo:I don’t have a diploma. I learned SEO through online courses. Although having a diploma might open some doors, many employers still look for practical skills.  

02:01 - 7:14 

Gelo: Sometimes job postings require a marketing degree, as SEO falls under digital marketing.  

Gab: Having a diploma can help when applying overseas, where employers often prefer graduates from related fields.  

Gelo: There are limitations without a diploma. It’s tough to apply for jobs without any credentials.  

Gab: There’s definitely discrimination in the job market. Employers often prefer candidates with diplomas, even in entry-level positions.  

Gelo: The initial job market entry is challenging, especially when HR screenings favor diploma holders.  

Gab: True, it’s frustrating to feel overlooked due to lacking formal education.  

7:15 - 12:10

Gab: If you lack a diploma, freelancing could be a better path, as it emphasizes experience over formal education.  

Gelo: Freelancing allows for practical learning without the pressure of traditional job requirements.  

Gelo: Are there specific courses that benefit SEO professionals?  

Gab: Yes, courses in marketing and communication are valuable, alongside technical fields like IT.  

Gab: Content writing and journalism courses also help in SEO. Understanding how to write effectively can enhance your SEO skills.  

Gelo: Technical skills in IT can assist with aspects like link building and networking.  

12:11 - 15:30

Gab: Soft skills are important in SEO. Communication skills are key for conveying ideas to clients and team members.  

Gelo: Exactly! Team collaboration and clear communication are vital in an agency environment.  

Gelo: Selling your services and ideas is another crucial skill. You must be able to present and advocate for your work effectively.  

Gab: Analytical thinking and adaptability are essential, especially in a rapidly changing digital landscape.  

15:30 - 16:46 

Gelo:  Discusses the initial stages of SEO development and the importance of preparation. Highlights the need to not forget key elements as you progress in your SEO journey.

Gelo: Talks about project and time management, emphasizing the challenges of handling multiple clients and the necessity of building an effective project management system.

Gelo: Mentions the significance of soft skills in SEO.

Gab: Explores various soft skills required for SEO, like creativity in content writing and web design, asserting that creativity can be innate or developed over time.

16:46 - 17:34

Gab: Discusses the challenges faced in design, despite having a background in graphic design.

Gab:  Reflects on past learning experiences in web design and development, indicating a desire to improve further.

Gab: Shares thoughts on negotiation skills necessary for handling paid links and other aspects of SEO.

17:34 - 19:16  

Gelo: Addresses the need for persuasive communication in negotiation. Emphasizes the importance of clear communication in closing deals and the relationship between negotiation skills and sales.

Gelo: Discusses the difficulties in sales and the necessity of having data to support selling packages.

Gab:Shares personal struggles with selling services, noting the importance of case studies and data in building credibility.

19:16 - 23:29

Gab: Reflects on the challenges of public speaking, especially as an introvert, and how these experiences have shaped his confidence.

Gelo: Comments on his own experiences with introversion and public speaking, highlighting how it affects client interactions.

Gab: Stresses the value of sharing knowledge within the community and learning from others’ experiences.

Gelo: Encourages sharing insights without sugar-coating, emphasizing the importance of real experiences.

23:29 - 26:02

Gab: Lists essential SEO skills, such as link building, technical SEO, and on-page optimization, and underscores their importance in the field. Highlights the demand for link builders and the challenges associated with this role.

Gab: Discusses the need for technical skills in SEO, including a deep understanding of tools and strategies for implementation. Shares thoughts on the importance of content writing and the challenges of being a creative writer.

26:02 - 29:08  

Gelo: Outlines the core foundations of SEO, including keyword research and on-page optimization. Encourages continuous learning to enhance skills in these core areas.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of specializing in specific areas of SEO, such as local SEO or technical SEO.

Gab: Discusses the value of understanding user experience and how it relates to SEO strategies.

29:08 - 31:59

Gelo: Stresses the necessity of keeping up with new tools and algorithms in the SEO field.

Gab: Concludes with thoughts on the benefits of certification versus traditional diplomas in the SEO industry.

Gelo: Introduces the topic and suggests looking at the link in the post for more information.

Gab: Responds affirmatively to Gelo’s prompt.

Gelo:  Asks Gab about his qualifications in SEO.

Gab: Mentions plans to enroll in a course related to SEO.

Gelo: Comments on the value of certifications versus diplomas in the SEO field.

32:00 - 36:28

Gab: Discusses the connection between nursing and SEO, sharing personal experiences of transitioning into SEO from being a virtual assistant. Explains how he learned SEO skills from a remote SEO manager while working in affiliate marketing.

Gab: Emphasizes leveraging existing skills (like graphic design) to enter the SEO field.

Encourages focusing on data analytics and Google tools, noting that many pathways exist to become proficient in SEO without formal diplomas.

Gelo: Agrees that a proactive approach is necessary for success in SEO. Discusses the importance of finding the right learning resources and beginning with the basics. 

Gelo: Mentions the need for deep research and finding trustworthy sources to learn SEO effectively. Stresses that learning SEO is an ongoing process and that initial challenges should be expected.

Gab: Reflects on the current landscape of the SEO industry, noting both opportunities and competition. Shares his learning journey, highlighting that formal education isn't strictly necessary for success in SEO.

36:29 - 39:41

Gab: Affirms the value of experiential learning in the SEO field.

Gelo: Discusses how he consumed various SEO podcasts to enhance his knowledge and skills. Indicates that learning should be continuous and that practical experience is crucial for growth.

Gab: Discusses what he looks for when hiring SEO professionals, starting with attention to detail.

Gelo: Acknowledges the importance of following instructions during hiring tasks.

Gab: Shares the key traits he values, including eagerness to learn and demonstrated commitment through coursework.Elaborates on how he assesses candidates' potential during their training period.

39:41 - 42:39

Gab: Discusses the opportunities he provides for interns and the expectation of their engagement. Highlights that he often hires interns based on their performance during the internship.

Gelo: Discusses the significance of attention to detail in the application process.

Gab: Agrees on the importance of personalized applications to stand out.

Gelo: Warns against generic applications created by AI, emphasizing the need for personal touch.

Gab: Reflects on how AI can aid in structuring applications but shouldn’t replace authenticity.

Gelo: Concludes that while technology can assist, understanding the nuances of job applications is crucial.

Gab and Gelo: Emphasize continuous learning, leveraging existing skills, and the necessity for attention to detail in professional settings.

42:45 - 43:53

Gelo:  Discusses his experience in SEO and how he includes SEO in his projects. He gives a shout-out to a colleague, Third.

Gelo: Explains what an SEO applicant should present during interviews, focusing on portfolios and case studies. Emphasizes the importance of showcasing real work rather than just experience years.

43:53 - 45:13

Gab:Shares tips on applying for SEO jobs and the significance of a portfolio.  

Gelo: Advises on leveraging platforms like Facebook to connect with potential clients and propose help with their websites.

Gab: Discusses how to initiate conversations with potential clients through proposals.  

Gelo: Highlights the need to provide value in communications and move on if the client isn’t interested.

45:13 - 48:29

Gab: Suggests bringing case studies or sample strategies to interviews to show expertise.  

Gelo: Discusses the necessity of being well-prepared and having a strong overview of SEO aspects during job applications.

Gelo: Talks about collecting reviews from colleagues and clients to enhance credibility.  

Gab: Questions how to ask for reviews effectively.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of caring about the client’s business and marketing needs during conversations.  

Gab: Agrees and points out that clients often focus on business outcomes rather than technical SEO details.

Gelo: Suggests that focusing on a niche market can help in acquiring clients, making it easier to demonstrate expertise.  

Gab: Adds insights about the effectiveness of niche targeting in client acquisition.

48:29 - 51:17

Gab: Talks about collecting client feedback after a few months to demonstrate improvements in traffic.  

Gelo: Agrees on the importance of showcasing results while avoiding fake reviews.

Gab: Shares how to leverage Upwork reviews for showcasing work.  

Gelo: Discusses the necessity of obtaining legitimate reviews on platforms like Upwork.

Gab: Advises those new to SEO to create templates and showcase their learning.  

Gelo: Suggests reaching out to past colleagues for referrals to build credibility.

51:17 - 59:13

Gab: Discusses the value of practical experience over formal education in SEO.  

Gelo: Emphasizes that while both are beneficial, having a diploma can be a good backup.

Gab: Talks about the perception of degrees in the job market versus practical skills.  

Gelo: Shares insights on how resourcefulness and determination can lead to success in SEO.

Gab: Reflects on the conversation and thanks the audience for tuning in.  

Gelo: Encourages listeners to share their experiences and reminds them to follow the podcast.

Gab:Invites listeners to engage with the community and stay tuned for future episodes.  

Gelo: Ends with reminders about their social media and podcast availability.

Welcome to our latest SEO Kwentuhan podcast episode, focusing on the essentials of SEO and Content Marketing.

If you’ve ever wondered how to get your website noticed or how to create content that truly resonates with your audience, this episode is for you. We’ll break down key strategies, share actionable tips, and explore common pitfalls to avoid. No matter your experience level, you’ll find valuable insights to help enhance your approach.

Let’s get into it!

00:00 - 00:29  

Gab: Introduces the episode of the podcast focused on the "lighter side of SEO" and content marketing. Gab is joined by Coach Gelo to discuss the synergy between SEO and content marketing.

Gelo: Mentions "The Power of 2," hinting at the collaborative power of SEO and content marketing.

Gab: Briefly comments on SEO and content marketing, emphasizing a lighter approach.

Gelo: Talks about content marketing as the lifeblood of SEO and digital marketing, explaining that content marketing is crucial across digital platforms.

Gelo: Discusses the common questions about content marketing, including its relevance and topics covered in groups and forums.

00:52 - 2:21

Gelo: Asks about the differences between SEO and content marketing, addressing the frequent confusion about whether they are the same or different.

Gab: Provides a background on SEO from a web development perspective, noting that while SEO and content marketing overlap, they are distinct. Gab mentions that SEO often involves technical skills, whereas content marketing focuses more on creating and sharing content to attract the right audience.

Gab: Explains that content marketing involves various stages, including catching attention, generating interest, making a decision, and driving action, often following the AIDA (Attention, Interest, Desire, Action) model.

Gab: Emphasizes the importance of content marketing beyond just content creation, including strategies for engaging target audiences and converting them.

03:07 - 4:05

Gelo: Confirms the AIDA method's relevance in content marketing and its role in retaining audiences.

Gab: Acknowledges the importance of retention and mental availability in content writing.

Gelo: Discusses the lighter side of SEO and content marketing, focusing on becoming an authority and providing valuable information.

Gelo: Mentions that content marketing often involves lighter topics and building authority to answer non-technical SEO questions.

4:18 - 4:36

Gab: Encourages research and staying updated with trends to improve content strategies.

Gelo: Agrees on the need for continuous learning and adaptation in SEO and content marketing.

Gab: Comments on the importance of branding in content marketing and SEO.

5:14 - 5:54

Gelo: Describes how SEO and content marketing are not the same but work together. Mentions the concept of Product-led SEO and how it applies to services and products.

Gelo: Discusses how creating content around products, such as presentation makers, complements SEO by addressing search intent.

Gelo: Reiterates that SEO and content marketing are different but complementary, emphasizing their interdependent relationship.

6:25 - 6:37

Gab: Shares a practical approach to using blogs to support product pages and address long-tail keywords and informational intent. Talks about content marketing strategies to rank for specific keywords and the importance of creating supporting content.

7:02 - 8:14

Gelo: Seeks to elaborate on how SEO and content marketing complement each other.

Gab: Provides an analogy comparing SEO to a business's logo, which captures attention, while content marketing is like promotional events that engage and retain customers. Describes SEO as the foundation of visibility and content marketing as the way to engage and provide value to the audience.

9:19 - 11:04

Gelo: Discusses the role of SEO as a backbone of digital marketing, emphasizing its importance in supporting various marketing facets. Clarifies that SEO is one part of a larger digital marketing strategy, which includes other departments like social media and advertising. Elaborates on how SEO interacts with other marketing strategies, emphasizing that it is not isolated but part of a broader marketing ecosystem. Reflects on the technical side of SEO and its importance in building a solid foundation for content marketing.

11:37 - 12:51

Gelo: Reiterates the importance of both SEO and content marketing, and how they work together to enhance visibility and engagement online.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of having both www and non-www versions of a website for SEO purposes. Emphasizes how Google bots need to properly access and index content to improve visibility. Talks about the connection between SEO and content marketing, noting that well-optimized content helps Google bots find and index web pages effectively. Mentions examples of websites with very little content, like just a homepage. 

Gelo: Explains that creating engaging content, such as calculators or interactive tools, helps increase traffic. Stresses that content marketing should be more than automated tools and should involve genuine, engaging content to be effective.

12:51 - 13:40

Gelo: Describes how SEO and content marketing work together, including the use of keyword research and tools like Surfer SEO. Highlights that effective content marketing involves researching and using keywords properly.

Gelo: Continues to discuss the fundamentals of SEO and content marketing. Emphasizes that SEO helps in creating a solid foundation for content marketing, aiming for better engagement and higher search engine visibility.

13:45 - 14:08

Gab: Highlights the potential of combining SEO and content marketing versus focusing on just one of these strategies.

Gelo: Expresses gratitude for the summary provided and acknowledges the need to revisit certain points.

14:10 - 17:11

Gelo: Starts discussing the primary goals of integrating SEO with content marketing. Points out that SEO helps with keyword research and ensuring that the correct keywords are targeted.

Gab: Elaborates on SEO goals, such as ranking well in search engines and targeting the ideal customer profile (ICP). Discusses the importance of optimizing content for both primary and secondary keywords and ensuring the content is indexed correctly.

Gab: Talks about the need for content to be optimized for both users and search engines. Mentions that technical SEO is crucial to ensure content is properly indexed and visible.

Gab: Describes how content marketing without SEO might result in beautiful content that does not rank well. Emphasizes that SEO is crucial to ensure content is properly indexed and discoverable.

Gelo: Points out that a lack of internal linking can be an issue. Reiterates the importance of SEO in ensuring content is well-indexed and visible.

17:11 - 21:41

Gelo: Introduces the topic of metrics for measuring the success of SEO-driven content marketing.

Gab: Acknowledges the term "SEO-driven content marketing" and distinguishes it from "product-led content marketing." Prefers the term "product-led content marketing" and explains that content should aim to highlight products and services to drive sales. Emphasizes that the goal of SEO is not just to rank or drive traffic, but to generate sales and ROI for clients.

Gab: Discusses how content marketing should be consistent and aligned with sales goals. Mentions a specific case where a client saw no effect from blog content due to lack of effective calls to action. Shares an example where a client’s blog content didn’t generate expected sales, discussing the importance of having strong calls to action and proper content optimization.

Gab: Talks about analyzing analytics to track conversions and user engagement, and emphasizes the importance of proper tracking and call-to-action strategies. Suggests using metrics such as clicks, impressions, average session duration, and scroll depth to measure the effectiveness of content marketing. Discusses the importance of tracking user behavior and conversions.

Gab: Talks about using Google Analytics for tracking and suggests additional tools if necessary.

Gelo: Mentions that Google Analytics can sometimes be confusing and suggests using additional tools for better tracking.

23:46 - 25:27

Gelo: Asks about the effectiveness of long-form content (3000-5000 words) in SEO.

Gab: Agrees that content longer than 3000 words is considered long-form and discusses its potential benefits for SEO.

Gelo: Reiterates the focus on long-form content for better SEO optimization.

Gab: Explains that the need for long-form content depends on the intent behind the keywords. Recommends analyzing top-ranking pages to determine the appropriate content length. Discusses using tools to determine the ideal length for content based on keyword intent and competition.

25:27 - 34:07 

Gelo: Discusses the role of product managers in SEO, particularly focusing on product-led SEO. They explain that product managers are responsible for everything related to a product page, including updates and backlink management. They are deeply involved with their products and often use tools or applications to enhance product pages. The role also involves understanding competitor strategies.

Gab: Provides an example involving keyword strategies for creating landing pages using Canva. They contrast a targeted, specific approach versus a more generic one.

Gelo: Adds that content should align with the search intent and provides insights on how content creators build product-focused vlogs that integrate videos for better audience engagement.

Gelo: Explains the importance of addressing search intent through both long-form and short-form content. They highlight that some queries require detailed responses (e.g., "How to fly an airplane") while others can be addressed more briefly (e.g., "How to fry an egg"). They emphasize avoiding over-optimization and focusing on relevance.

Gab: Discusses the concept of evergreen content, which remains relevant over time. They provide examples like "How to fry an egg" and explain the importance of updating such content periodically to maintain its relevance.

Gelo: Adds that evergreen content should be updated to reflect current trends or developments, ensuring it remains valuable.

Gab: Explains how content marketing can build brand authority and trust, which is crucial for SEO. They discuss various strategies, including repurposing content for different platforms and leveraging different media types (blogs, social media, podcasts).

Gelo: Reinforces the idea that content sharing on multiple platforms helps establish brand authority and enhances SEO.

34:07 - 39:19

Gab: Provides practical examples of evergreen content in different niches, such as health, technology, and finance. They emphasize the need for creativity in presenting timeless information and updating it as needed.

Gelo: Concurs and highlights that evergreen content should be continuously updated to stay relevant.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of branding in content marketing and SEO. They explain how a strong brand presence can enhance trust and authority online.

Gab: Agrees, sharing a case study of a client with multiple websites and how branding influenced their SEO performance, especially after an update that affected traffic.

Gelo: Talks about the challenges of maintaining branding consistency and its impact on SEO. They mention the importance of testing various strategies and how branding can help recover from SEO setbacks.

Gab and Gelo: Both agree that ongoing testing and adaptation are crucial for long-term SEO success.

Gelo: Asks about effective content distribution strategies that can enhance SEO. They suggest exploring different methods to improve visibility and engagement, emphasizing the need for strategic content distribution to maximize SEO benefits.

39:19 - 41:58

Gab: Discusses strategies for content distribution and highlights the effectiveness of using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.Emphasizes the importance of choosing the right social media channels based on the business type. Mentions the use of user-generated content as a strategy for building reputation and branding.

Gab: Talks about leveraging user-generated content to enhance brand visibility. Shares an example of students who improved their scores through strategies shared in a Discord channel and suggests posting these improvements to inspire others.

Gab: Notes the importance of building reputation and brand using content created by users.

Encourages the use of user reviews and content as part of the overall content strategy.

Mentions that user-generated content is a part of the content distribution strategy.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab on the significance of user-generated content.

Gab: Reaffirms the importance of user-generated content.

Gelo: Adds that identifying target markets at the start of campaigns is crucial. Shares their experience focusing on Facebook and email marketing for exposure. Mentions guest posting and influencer collaboration as part of the content distribution strategy.

Gelo: Discusses different content distribution channels like email marketing and guest posting. Emphasizes the importance of ensuring content reaches the right audience.

41:58 - 42:59

Gelo: Highlights the use of link building and influencer collaboration in content distribution.

Mentions that working with influencers can enhance content reach.

Gab: Acknowledges the mention of influencer collaboration.

Gelo: Points out that besides Facebook, other platforms like Pinterest can be effective.

Suggests focusing on niche-specific channels for better content distribution.

Gab: Discusses the importance of finding suitable distribution channels.

Gelo: Cautions against "black hat" techniques and highlights the importance of ethical strategies.

Gab: Mentions various unconventional channels but implies they are not recommended.

Gelo: Acknowledges unconventional methods but implies a need for more traditional approaches.

43:03 - 44:08

Gab: Reiterates that unconventional methods should be used with caution.

Gelo: Discusses different approaches and strategies for various markets.

Gab: Agrees that strategy depends on the target market and distribution method.

Gelo: Talks about the importance of knowing the target market to effectively distribute content. Mentions using tools and strategies to identify and reach the target audience.

Gelo: Acknowledges the complexity of strategies for different types of products. Addresses the final question about localizing content and suggests strategies for doing so effectively.

Gab: Suggests localizing content to better connect with the target audience.

Gelo: Highlights a strategy involving Google Business Profile and the use of local brand managers. Discusses using local brand managers for automatic syndication of posts and geographic tagging.

44:09 - 46:09

Gelo: Describes the functionality of Geo Booster for enhancing local content distribution through automatic geo-tagging of images. Explains how Geo Booster helps in local content distribution, specifically through images. Suggests using AI and advanced tools for localizing content effectively.

Gab: Impressed by the advanced strategies discussed.

Gelo: Discusses the use of Google Business Profile and advanced tools for local content optimization. Suggests using creative content strategies, like localized guides and reviews.

Provides tips for creating localized content, including using screenshots of reviews and integrating them into Canva for visual content. Advises on using Canva to create engaging localized content by combining reviews with images.

46:19 - 46:41

Gab: Highlights a "product-led" strategy, where the focus is on the product itself.

Gelo: Comments on the effectiveness of strategies discussed.

Gab: Points out the practical application of the strategies discussed.

Gelo: Emphasizes the importance of implementing discussed strategies effectively.

Responds to a final question, adding more details.

46:41 - 47:58

Gab: Provides additional tips on optimizing local pages and creating content for local events.

Gelo: Gives an example of local content creation related to a client in Australia and the impact of local events on content strategy. Discusses managing online brand and reputation through good deeds and digital PR.

Gab: Highlights the importance of handling online reputation and suggests working with local press and digital PR.

Gelo: Agrees with the need for good reputation management and digital PR strategies.

Gab: Reiterates the importance of digital PR in managing online reputation.

Gelo: Discusses reputation management and local press.

47:58 - 50:02

Gelo: Discusses strategies for gaining additional exposure through event collaborations. Suggests contacting event hosts to include your content or links, which can provide valuable backlinks. Emphasizes the importance of these strategies as part of a broader content distribution plan.

Gab: Addresses the challenge of balancing creativity with technical optimization in content marketing. Shares personal insights, noting that while not inherently creative, improving upon competitors' strategies and integrating personal research can be effective. Suggests focusing on creating helpful content and engaging with the audience through testimonials and user-generated content.

Gab: Continues discussing how to enhance content by integrating user testimonials and personal stories, which adds credibility and uniqueness to content. Explains that sharing personal stories can bypass issues of duplicate content and AI-generated content limitations, making it more authentic and engaging.

50:03 - 53:20

Gelo: Agrees that personal stories and unique content are valuable and difficult to replicate by AI. Summarizes the balance between creativity (appealing to humans) and technical optimization (appealing to search engines). Highlights the importance of having subject matter experts review content and ensuring it remains naturally engaging. Discusses the role of subject matter experts in enhancing content credibility and optimizing technical aspects like internal linking and avoiding over-optimization.

Gelo: Mentions the need for careful keyword optimization and contextual relevance, and warns against overstuffing keywords to maintain natural readability. Explains the importance of natural-sounding content and contextual linking in technical optimization. Emphasizes that technical optimization should not feel forced or unnatural.

Gelo: Reiterates the importance of balancing creativity with technical requirements for a successful content strategy. Mentions that AI tools can aid in content creation, but prompts and human input are crucial for effective results.

Gab: Highlights that content marketing strategy is vital for driving conversions and aligning with business goals. Recommends continuously learning and adapting strategies to improve client engagement and content effectiveness.

53:20 - 55:45

Gelo: Advises that SEO and content marketing departments should work closely together, ensuring a harmonious relationship and effective implementation of ideas. Suggests that integrating creativity with technical optimization can sometimes be challenging, particularly in larger organizations with separate departments for each function.

Gab: Mentions that larger companies often have strict guidelines and brand voice standards that both SEO and content marketing teams need to follow. Discusses the importance of maintaining brand consistency and utilizing brand guidelines for effective SEO and content strategies.

Gelo: Encourages creating a collaborative and harmonious relationship between SEO and content marketing teams. Emphasizes that both should work together towards common goals.

Gelo: Promotes following their social media and groups for further insights and updates. Mentions availability on Spotify and YouTube, and signs off, wishing listeners to stay safe and dry during the rainy season. 

Why Networking in the SEO Community is a Game-Changer?

When it comes to SEO, having a strong network can make all the difference. In this episode, Gab together with our guest speaker, Kurt Russell Molina, talk about the practical side of building relationships within the SEO community. From connecting with peers to finding mentors, we cover why these connections matter and how they can boost your career. Whether you’re looking to grow your business or just starting out, you’ll get real tips and strategies to help you make the most of your professional network.

Transcript Summary

00:00 - 00:31

Gab: Welcomes listeners to the new episode of the SEO Kwentuhan podcast. Mentions that the episode will cover lighter SEO topics. Introduces Kurt Molina, a guest who has been involved in SEO training and has experience with SearchWorks PH.

00:31 - 00:46

Gab: Introduces Kurt Molina as a knowledgeable guest in the SEO community and invites him to share his insights.

Kurt: Expresses appreciation for the invitation and his excitement to share his experiences and learning in SEO.

01:00 - 01:21

Gab: Reminisces about their first meeting with Kurt and Sir Glenn in 2019 and mentions starting to build their SEO careers in 2020.

Kurt: Clarifies the timeline, starting with learning SEO in March 2020 during the pandemic.

01:22 - 01:25

Gab: Requests Kurt to share how he was first introduced to SEO.

Kurt: Talks about his background in marketing, transitioning from traditional to digital marketing, and discovering SEO as a high-paying skill. Began exploring SEO in 2017.

03:14 - 04:19

Gab: Asks about Kurt’s first SEO client experience.

Kurt: Describes his first freelance client, working with a white-label company, and generating four franchises through SEO efforts. Reflects on the success and learning experience.

05:23 - 06:46

Gab: Shifts the topic to networking within the SEO community and its importance for career development.

Kurt: Shares his experience as an introvert in networking, the benefits of meeting industry experts, and gaining insights from SEO events and seminars.

06:51 - 09:17

Gab: Discusses the value of networking, mentioning past events and successful speakers.

Kurt: Provides tips on how to start networking, such as showing up for yourself, attending seminars, and absorbing knowledge. Emphasizes the importance of being proactive and curious.

09:43 - 11:43

Gab: Asks for advice on making a good first impression with prospective clients.

Kurt: Suggests performing a quick audit of the client's website and understanding their business to build trust and demonstrate expertise. Highlights the importance of standing out and showing care in presentations.

12:16 - 13:30

Gab: Inquires about how Kurt uses his network to improve his SEO skills.

Kurt: Talks about the value of accessing the knowledge of others in the network, asking for help with difficult questions, and nurturing relationships with mentors. 

13:30 - 13:55

Kurt: Discusses the dynamics of mentoring relationships. He explains that while mentees often take advice and support from their mentors, mentors themselves gain satisfaction from helping and nurturing someone. Mentors appreciate seeing their mentees grow and succeed, which in turn motivates them to continue supporting and guiding. Building strong, reciprocal relationships with mentors can significantly enhance one's career and skills in SEO over time.

Kurt: Mentors in the SEO field play a crucial role. They provide guidance and share their knowledge freely. While it might seem like you’re just taking from them, it's important to remember that mentors gain satisfaction from helping and grooming someone. They enjoy seeing their mentees grow and succeed. So, maintain those relationships and leverage them when you need help or have questions. Building a strong network will ultimately help improve your SEO skills in the long run.

13:55 - 14:16

Gab: Reflects on the pride of seeing students and mentees excel in their fields. He likens the experience to feeling proud when students or trainees become successful and start teaching others. This pride is similar to what he feels when he observes the growth and achievements of his own students.

Gab: There’s a sense of pride in witnessing students excel. Seeing students who have learned from you succeed in their own careers and even teach others can be incredibly fulfilling. This cycle of learning and teaching perpetuates new knowledge and skills in digital marketing and SEO. It's something to take pride in as an educator.

14:16 - 15:09

Gab: Asks Kurt for tips on how introverts can effectively build their network within the SEO community. He acknowledges that being introverted might present challenges in networking but is interested in strategies for overcoming these challenges.

15:15 - 16:20

Kurt: Shares his approach as an introvert to networking. He emphasizes the importance of setting personal goals for attending networking events, such as learning and observing others. He advises introverts to focus on their goals and not worry excessively about making mistakes or feeling pressured. Over time, regular exposure to these events will make networking feel more natural and less intimidating.

Kurt: As an introvert, I used to focus solely on my goals. When attending networking events, ask yourself why you’re there. If your goal is to learn, you can gain insights even by observing others. Don’t worry about making mistakes or feeling nervous. Showing up and being eager to learn demonstrates your commitment. Over time, interacting with people will become more natural.

16:20 - 17:01

Kurt: Advises that being authentic and open at networking events is crucial. He suggests that introverts should push past their shyness and engage with people genuinely. Authenticity attracts like-minded individuals and helps build meaningful connections. He stresses that networking effectively requires showing up and participating actively.

Kurt: First impressions matter, so use them wisely. Be authentic to attract those who genuinely appreciate your true self. If you try to fit in or fake it, people might sense it. Authenticity is key to building meaningful connections. 

17:00 - 17:29

Gab: Agrees with Kurt’s advice, noting that some people who appear approachable at events might not seem immediately impactful but can create future opportunities. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive and professional demeanor in networking situations to leave a lasting impression.

17:29 - 18:03

Kurt: Reinforces the idea of authenticity, stating that being true to oneself is key to attracting and connecting with others. People are more likely to engage with you if they sense that you are genuine. Kurt emphasizes that first impressions are lasting, and being authentic helps in building a trustworthy network.

18:04 - 18:28

Gab: Asks Kurt to share any success stories where networking led to significant career opportunities. He is interested in real-life examples of how networking has positively impacted Kurt’s career.

18:32 - 19:00

Kurt: Shares that many of his clients come through referrals, highlighting the importance of networking. He explains that as he developed his skills and confidence, he also became someone who could inspire and assist others. By sharing his success story and helping others, Kurt has built a network that often leads to new opportunities and referrals.

19:00 - 19:53

Kurt: Elaborates on how building a strong network can result in referrals and new business opportunities. He emphasizes that as you become more established, your network will remember you as an expert, leading to potential referrals and business growth. Effective networking not only helps in finding clients but also in becoming a top-of-mind resource for others in the industry.

Kurt: Many of our clients come from referrals. Networking is essential for gaining clients and providing value. As you build your skills and confidence, you become someone who can inspire others with your journey. Being known as an expert can lead to future opportunities and referrals. Networking opens doors to various possibilities and can lead to significant career advancements.

Kurt: Many of our clients come from referrals. Networking is essential for gaining clients and providing value. As you build your skills and confidence, you become someone who can inspire others with your journey. Being known as an expert can lead to future opportunities and referrals. Networking opens doors to various possibilities and can lead to significant career advancements.

19:54 - 22:04

Gab: Any final message for those who feel alone in the SEO industry?

Kurt: Feeling alone is common. I’ve felt that way too, often because I didn’t push myself to network. Overcoming fear and exposing yourself to opportunities is crucial. Join groups, ask questions, and don’t worry about judgment or rejection. There are many SEO professionals out there who can help you if you make the effort to reach out. Networking is vital for building confidence and finding support.

Gab: Locally, there are plenty of groups and opportunities to connect with others. It’s not a problem if your posts don’t always get approved or if you feel anxious about asking questions. Sometimes, it’s important to push through these fears to gain insights and knowledge. Even newcomers can contribute valuable perspectives.

23:25 - 24:13

Gab: Thanks Kurt for sharing his knowledge. Realizes the importance of networking through attending conferences and events. Even if one is skilled in SEO, ongoing networking is essential. Experts speaking at conferences often emphasize this. Networking is a key component of professional growth and learning in SEO. Thanks Kurt again for the insights and advice shared today. It’s clear that networking plays a fundamental role in advancing one’s career in SEO. 

Ready to make a name for yourself in your field?

In our newest podcast episode, we break down practical strategies for building real authority in your niche. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur, a seasoned professional, or just passionate about your field, we’ve got tips and insights that can help you stand out and earn respect in your industry.

Tune in to learn how to effectively showcase your expertise, build meaningful connections, and become the go-to authority in your industry.

Let’s get started on making your mark!

Transcript Summary

00:00 - 04:16

Gab: Introduction to the new episode of "SEO Kwentuhan." Gab introduces Coach Gelo and previews the episode’s focus on lighter SEO topics.

Gelo: Introduces the main topic: effective strategies for building authority in your niche. He notes that this topic is often overlooked in SEO discussions, which usually focus more on website optimization.

Gelo: Begins with the first question: What does it mean to build authority in SEO, and why is it important?

Gab: Explains that authority in SEO involves several factors including topical authority, backlinks, and domain authority. He emphasizes that Google's algorithms place increasing importance on brand authority. Gab continues by discussing how brand authority has become crucial due to recent updates in Google’s algorithms, which now emphasize authoritative sources over mere content publication.

Gab: Highlights the importance of authority for "Your Money Your Life" (YMYL) sites, which impact daily lives and require higher levels of expertise and trustworthiness. Gab describes authority as a significant ranking factor, with aspects including topical authority, backlinks, and technical SEO. He mentions that building authority involves various metrics and strategies, and stresses the importance of understanding these elements in SEO.

Gelo: Asks Gab to explain YMYL sites further for those unfamiliar with the concept.

Gab: Defines YMYL (Your Money Your Life) as sites affecting financial, legal, or health-related aspects of people's lives. He explains the necessity of expert opinions and authoritative content for such sites. Gab provides examples of YMYL sites, such as financial blogs or health articles, and discusses the need for expert-reviewed and fact-checked content. He further emphasizes the importance of authoritative sources in YMYL niches, such as real estate or financial advice, to ensure content credibility and trustworthiness.

04:17 - 09:36

Gelo: Agrees with Gab's examples and stresses the importance of expertise in high-stakes topics like health and finance.

Gab: Highlights the necessity of using expert sources to ensure credibility and authority.

Gelo: Mentions that authority is often neglected in SEO discussions, focusing instead on optimization elements like meta tags and keywords.He points out that high authority websites provide a boost not only to brand recognition but also to their audience reach.

Gelo explains that building authority involves more than just content creation; it also includes establishing a presence on social media and maintaining consistent business information across platforms.

Gab: Adds to Gelo's point about building authority through various online entities and maintaining accurate information.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of having consistent and accurate information across social media and other web platforms to build authority.He describes how Google and other search engines use these online entities and citations to evaluate authority. Gelo explains how authority impacts search engine rankings, with higher authority leading to better visibility and traffic. He elaborates on Google's "sandbox" concept, where new websites may initially struggle until they build authority and demonstrate credibility.

Gelo: Notes that building niche authority helps improve rankings and visibility, leading to better traffic and brand recognition. He explains how higher rankings and authority contribute to increased traffic and improved conversion rates. Gelo summarizes the benefits of building authority, including enhanced brand recognition and better conversion rates.

Gab: Agrees with Gelo’s points and discusses the importance of understanding authority for successful SEO strategies.

09:37 - 12:46

Gelo: Wraps up the discussion on authority, emphasizing the need to enhance one’s understanding and apply these strategies effectively.

Gab: Adds to Gelo's points and discusses the historical context of authority in SEO, including Google's evolution over time. He describes how the concept of authority has evolved since the early days of SEO and the importance of structured data in current practices.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab’s historical perspective on SEO authority.

Gab: Explains the role of structured data in helping search engines understand website content and its relevance. He discusses the impact of Google's Hummingbird algorithm on SEO, highlighting the shift towards understanding content relevance and authority.

13:03 - 15:23

Gelo: Acknowledges the significance of Hummingbird in improving search results and relevance. Gelo reiterates the importance of understanding authority in SEO and its impact on successful campaigns. He advises enhancing one’s knowledge of building authority and integrating it into SEO strategies.

Gab: Shares his personal approach to building authority, emphasizing authenticity and consistency in branding. He discusses how consistent branding and authority-building across various platforms can contribute to success in SEO. Gab highlights the importance of maintaining a consistent and authoritative online presence.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab’s approach to building authority and branding.

Gab: Emphasizes the need to understand and implement effective strategies for building authority in SEO.

15:25 - 16:50

Gelo: Discusses the intersection of personal and professional life in building authority. He emphasizes that personal engagement and answering questions can significantly contribute to building one's authority. Gelo mentions that while there isn’t a quantitative measurement for authority, sharing knowledge and interacting with the audience are key methods.

Gelo: Highlights the importance of helping others and sharing interesting knowledge from various sources. He notes that building authority involves not only sharing one's own knowledge but also valuable insights from others. Networking is also important, as engaging with like-minded individuals helps establish authority.

Gelo: In the field of local SEO, Gelo shares that showcasing results on platforms like Facebook can help build authority. Networking with others in the same field and sharing results or strategies can enhance one's perceived expertise.

16:51 - 18:07

Gab: Briefly interjects with a simple acknowledgment or question.

Gelo: Explains that building authority also involves becoming a top-of-mind reference for clients or peers. This way, even if a specific problem arises, clients are likely to refer to or remember the expert for solutions.

Gab: Agrees with Gelo's approach and shares that giving a lot of knowledge and help often results in receiving a lot in return. He reflects on the principle that generosity often leads to mutual benefit.

Gelo: Concurs, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of giving and receiving.

Gab: Expands on the idea that providing help and ideas can lead to returns in other forms, even if not immediately apparent.

Gelo: Makes a brief additional comment, possibly related to the previous discussion.

Gab: Adds a brief comment or question, possibly related to the ongoing discussion.

Gelo: Shares a motivational thought about giving love and receiving it back, while acknowledging the challenge of balancing personal and professional communication.

18:07 - 18:44

Gab: Mentions that he prefers to spend weekends with family and sometimes finds it challenging to balance work and personal life, such as church or other commitments.

Gelo: Briefly comments on Gab's personal approach to time management and work-life balance.

Gab: Reiterates his preference for spending weekends with family and engaging in personal activities.

Gab: Highlights that weekends are for personal time, while weekdays are more suited for professional tasks.

Gelo: Acknowledges Gab's approach and agrees with his perspective on work-life balance.

Gab: Clarifies that while they are not dismissive of professional communication, they value having time to focus on personal matters.

18:46 - 20:22

Gelo: Introduces a new topic about explaining EEAT (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) to clients, noting that while SEO professionals understand EEAT, it’s often challenging for clients to grasp.

Gab: Confirms that many clients are not familiar with EEAT.

Gab: Admits that it's rare for clients to fully understand EEAT. He explains that it’s easier to explain this concept to those with SEO experience or a background in SEO. For most business owners, understanding EEAT can be difficult due to its technical nature.

Gab: Describes EEAT as relating to expertise, experience, and trustworthiness. He suggests that clients should focus on having credible experts and authentic personas on their websites to enhance their perceived authority.

Gab: Advises that Google prefers content written by experts. He recommends that clients should have a clear and authentic representation of their expertise on their site, including personal biographies or social media presence.

20:22 - 21:13

Gab: Mentions the importance of maintaining consistent brand identity across different platforms and ensuring that the website's structure supports this.

Gelo: Agrees and adds that having a consistent online presence and linking different platforms can enhance authority. He also suggests that having a well-structured online presence contributes to better search engine visibility.

Gab: Reiterates the importance of consistent online presence and its impact on authority.

Gab: Suggests providing clients with checklists or strategies for implementing EEAT. This includes building social media profiles and other online activities that align with their expertise.

Gab: Briefly discusses uploading pictures to the website and maintaining an updated online presence.

Gelo: Asks if Gab has additional strategies for implementing EEAT.

Gab: Responds, possibly referring to additional strategies or methods for implementing EEAT.

21:13 - 22:40

Gelo: Describes a strategy for improving client rankings by analyzing competitors. He explains that understanding why competitors have higher rankings can help in refining strategies to enhance one's own site’s authority. Gelo elaborates on a case where he identified why a competitor’s blog had more traffic and higher rankings. He attributes this to the competitor’s authoritative quotes and external links.

Gelo: Notes that analyzing competitors’ authority factors and improving one’s own site’s authority can help in ranking better.

Gab: Agrees that identifying and addressing authority gaps is crucial for improving rankings.

Gelo: Briefly mentions the importance of keeping updated with industry developments.

Gab: Acknowledges the challenge of explaining EEAT to clients, emphasizing the need for clear communication and practical advice.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of making clients understand that they are the subject matter experts and should provide accurate information. He advises being proactive in checking content accuracy and addressing any misinformation.

22:40 - 24:33

Gelo: Stresses the importance of clients understanding their expertise and regularly updating their content to maintain credibility. Gelo advises that staying informed about industry updates and innovations is essential. He suggests that clients should keep their content current and relevant. Gelo highlights that addressing research gaps and staying up-to-date with industry trends are crucial for maintaining authority and providing accurate information.

Gab: Acknowledges that local business owners often find it easier to convince their audience compared to larger brands. He notes that the personal persona of smaller businesses can be a strength in building authority. Gab mentions that addressing the personal branding and authoritative presence of executives or key figures can also be beneficial for larger brands.

Gelo: Briefly comments on the importance of personal branding for larger businesses.

24:34 - 25:59

Gab: Notes that even for blogs and personal branding, it’s important to identify and use effective personas to enhance authority.

Gelo: Agrees that leveraging effective personas in marketing and content creation can be impactful.

Gab: Suggests that alternative strategies include involving experienced marketing personnel or writers who have a deep understanding of the subject matter. Gab mentions that leveraging the expertise of marketing professionals or experienced writers can enhance content quality and authority.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab’s approach and mentions that experienced writers or subject matter experts can significantly contribute to improving content quality and authority.

Gab: Emphasizes the value of working with experienced professionals who have a proven track record in the industry.

26:00 - 27:40

Gelo: Introduces the concept of EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and emphasizes the importance of understanding it to effectively build authority in a niche or on a website. Seeks Gab's advice on initial steps for establishing authority. Requests Gab's input on starting points for building authority on a website.

Gab: Highlights the significance of developing a strong persona to build company authority. Mentions the value of engaging in webinars, events, and conferences to enhance reach and consistency.

Gelo: Suggests including social media handles and links in the author bio for additional credibility.

Gab: Recommends creating content on the website, such as blogs or guest posts, and maintaining a well-presented author bio on these platforms. Stresses the importance of showcasing the author's expertise clearly.

Gelo: Acknowledges the importance of presenting a polished image.

27:40 - 28:34

Gab: Advises maintaining an active social media presence, even if it’s not perfect, as long as it engages clients. Emphasizes sharing articles and updates related to the author’s expertise on social media. Suggests creating a unique selling proposition (USP) for consistency in marketing products. Recommends using USP to build authority and enhance brand consistency.

Gelo: Notes the value of consistent branding in building authority.

Gab: Highlights the role of a strong USP in creating consistency in sales and building authority. Mentions the importance of identifying the best channels for building authority.

Points out that the focus has been on targeting Filipino freelancers, with future plans to go international.

28:35 - 29:40

Gelo: Notes the current focus on Filipino clients.

Gab: Indicates the intention to expand internationally in the near future.

Gelo: Moves to the next topic and acknowledges the shift in focus.

Gab: Asks if Gelo is ready for the next discussion.

Gelo: Responds affirmatively and transitions into the next topic.

Gab: Discusses the next steps for starting to build authority. Mentions additional specific steps and strategies for establishing authority.

Gelo: Suggests doing extensive research, particularly on the target market, to ensure consistent topic usage. Recommends creating pillar content and addressing common customer questions through detailed articles and glossaries.

29:40 - 30:34

Gelo: Advises creating evergreen content and using internal linking to build topical authority. Discusses the importance of structuring content effectively.

Gab: Acknowledges the relevance of topical authority.

Gelo: Mentions recent controversies regarding topical authority.

Gab: Comments on the ongoing discussion around topical authority and its recent prominence.

Gelo: Briefly touches on the controversy.

Gab: Notes that while topical authority is a hot topic, it’s not yet fully settled. Mentions that Core, a known SEO figure, has contributed to the discussion on holistic SEO.

Gelo: Refers to Core's influence in the discussion.

Gab: States that Core’s innovation in holistic SEO has influenced the conversation on topical authority.

Gelo: Acknowledges Core’s contributions.

Gab: Adds that Core has been influential but acknowledges that the concept of topical authority has been discussed and developed by others in the SEO field as well.

30:34 - 31:53

Gelo: Refers to the implementation of SEO best practices.

Gab: Explains that while Core has played a significant role in shaping the concept of topical authority, the practice has evolved from earlier SEO strategies. Mentions the introduction of Hummingbird by Google, which influenced SEO practices and content strategies related to topical authority. Describes how content clustering and pillar pages have become essential for establishing topical authority.

Gelo: Highlights the importance of expanding content within related categories to build authority.

Gab: Emphasizes the need to address additional related categories and topics to expand content reach. Discusses expanding into related categories to build authority.

31:53 - 34:37

Gelo: Notes the importance of technical SEO elements, such as SSL certificates and website security, in building authority. Suggests ensuring website readability and security as part of authority building.

Gab: Agrees on the importance of these technical aspects.

Gelo:  Highlights the need for website security and technical optimization.

Gab: Agrees and emphasizes the need for comprehensive site security and performance.

Gelo: Advises checking the technical aspects of the website to support authority building and maintain a user-friendly experience. Discusses the importance of on-page SEO and proofreading content for accuracy as part of authority building. Suggests focusing on high-quality content and technical aspects to improve authority. Mentions creating pillar content and ensuring internal linking for a better user experience.

Gelo: Provides an example of creating a YouTube channel to build authority in a specific niche, such as AI and target shooting. Emphasizes the importance of visual content and ads in building authority. Recommends using YouTube and social media to explain complex technologies and build authority. Advises on creating engaging content to attract and inform potential customers. Highlights the value of visual content and targeted advertising in establishing authority.

34:37 - 35:13

Gab:  Mentions the effectiveness of Facebook and YouTube ads in reaching specific audiences.

Gelo: Refers to different strategies for advertising new products.

Gab: Mentions innovative approaches to advertising.

Gelo: Discusses targeting specific groups through advertising.

Gab: Expresses interest in the effectiveness of targeted advertising.

Gelo: Suggests that targeted ads could improve product visibility.

Gab: Comments on the potential for targeted ads to generate interest and drive research.

35:14 - 37:20 

Gelo: Moves to discussing the importance of tracking content performance and authority growth.

Gab: Recommends using SEO tools to track content performance and authority growth.

Gelo: Emphasizes the role of tools in tracking and analyzing authority-building efforts.

Gab: Discusses the importance of tracking organic search traffic and user engagement metrics to gauge the effectiveness of authority-building strategies.

Gelo: Mentions the use of analytics tools to monitor these metrics.

Gab: Advises reviewing and adjusting strategies based on analytics to ensure continuous improvement in authority building.

37:20 - 40:09

Gelo: Discusses the importance of understanding keyword metrics and analytics, mentioning the need to explore keywords using tools like the keyword explorer. 

Gab: Confirms that there are new keyword metrics to consider.

Gelo: Explains the process of using the keyword explorer tool to analyze keywords. Emphasizes entering your keyword under traffic share to get keyword ideas and traffic share data. By domain, you can see how large the share is compared to competitors. This is useful for evaluating the main (seed) keyword versus long-tail keywords. The goal is to identify the topical authority of a domain. Adds that while traffic share is a useful benchmark for evaluating keyword competitiveness, it is not an absolute measure. It's important to use it as a relative benchmark rather than a definitive guide.

Gelo: Discusses the importance of assessing traffic and rankings for a particular domain to understand its topical authority. If an article’s traffic and rankings align with its topic, it indicates strong authority. Social signals, like shares on Reddit or Quora, are also considered as indicators of authority.

Gelo: Highlights that backlinks contribute to establishing topical authority. Sites with relevant backlinks are often seen as authoritative. Mention of how a strong backlink profile can indicate a website’s authority in its field. He continues discussing backlinks, noting that a website should be referenced often and seen as a primary source for a topic. Topical authority is demonstrated when other websites frequently cite it as a resource.

Gelo: Suggests evaluating the backlink profile of authoritative websites to gauge their topical authority. It’s about how well the website is recognized as an expert in its field. Recommends checking other topical authority websites for comparison. Mentions that some websites are recognized as primary sources for certain topics.

40:09 - 41:28

Gab: Suggests using Google Search Console (GSC) metrics, particularly impressions, to measure authority. High impressions can indicate increased visibility in searches. Further explains that a high number of impressions often correlates with improved search performance. Highlights the importance of monitoring impressions as a milestone.

Gelo: Agrees that a high number of impressions is significant.

Gab: Cites case studies where impressions are used as a key metric for evaluating authority. Suggests that impressions should be prioritized over clicks or traffic initially, especially for new websites. Mentions that reaching around 10,000 impressions is considered a milestone that signals Google recognizes your site as an authority, leading to further growth in clicks and traffic.

Gelo: References an example or source.

Gab: Expresses some skepticism but notes that case studies often suggest focusing on impressions first.

Gelo: Suggests exploring further. Mentions Kyle Roof as a potential source for more information on impressions and authority.

Gab: Acknowledges Gelo’s suggestion.

Gelo: Notes that Kyle Roof might have discussed impressions and authority metrics.

41:28 - 43:06

Gab: Shares that the ultimate goal is to consistently produce relevant content and monitor its performance. The focus should be on increasing the number of pages and content velocity, which in turn improves rankings and conversions. Emphasizes the importance of content production rate and relevance.

Gelo: Acknowledges the point about content production.

Gab: Explains that whether content is generated by AI or human writers, the focus should be on increasing impressions, improving rankings, and eventually driving clicks and conversions.

Gelo: Asks about common mistakes to avoid in building authority.

Gab: Lists common mistakes such as not optimizing EAT (Expertise, Authority, Trustworthiness) and using fake personas. Emphasizes the need for consistency and authenticity in branding.Advises against using fake personas or methods that may not align with current algorithms and branding practices.

Gelo: Comments on the prevalence of such practices and the need for authenticity.

43:06 - 43:59

Gab: Highlights that outdated methods like PBNs (Private Blog Networks) and fake blogs are no longer effective and may harm your site’s authority. Notes that inconsistent branding and incorrect name registration can lead to penalties. Emphasizes the importance of consistent branding across all platforms.

Gelo: Confirms the importance of consistent branding.

Gab: Points out issues related to inconsistent branding on different platforms.

Gelo: Adds to the point about branding consistency.

Gab: Reiterates the importance of maintaining a consistent brand name across various platforms to avoid penalties.

Gelo: Acknowledges the point.

Gab: Highlights the importance of properly registering your business name and avoiding discrepancies.

Gelo: Comments on business registration issues.

Gab: Discusses the need for accurate registration details for the business.

43:59 - 44:26

Gelo: Agrees with the importance of proper registration.

Gab: Mentions issues related to LLCs and other business entities.

Gelo: Comments on business entity registration.

Gab: Emphasizes the need for correct registration details to avoid potential problems.

Gelo: Acknowledges the importance of accurate registration.

Gab: Stresses the importance of addressing negative feedback and maintaining an active presence on social media to manage brand reputation.

Gelo: Agrees and adds to the discussion.

44:26 - 45:28

Gab: Discusses the impact of negative feedback on brand perception and the need to address issues rather than ignore them.

Gelo: Comments on managing negative feedback and its implications.

Gab: Emphasizes the importance of not ignoring feedback and addressing customer concerns.

Gelo: Agrees on the need to handle negative feedback properly.

Gab: Stresses the importance of addressing negative comments on social media and review sites to protect brand reputation.

Gab: Highlights the need to engage with feedback, especially on platforms like Facebook, Reddit, and review sites, to mitigate negative impact and maintain a positive brand image.

Gab: Comments on the importance of addressing feedback. Discusses the significance of addressing negative feedback proactively to maintain a positive brand perception and improve customer relations.

45:28 - 46:54

Gab: Mentioned the importance of technical SEO before. Instead, what you should do is focus on collaboration. Collaborate with coaches who offer technical SEO services. There are various experts in the field who can provide valuable insights.

Gelo: Yes, there are indeed experts in technical SEO. It's essential to collaborate with developers and other professionals. I would suggest inviting someone to the podcast to explain the importance of technical SEO in greater detail.

Gab:My idea is that you should remain open to other ideas and perspectives from experts. There are many experts in the field, and we should invite them to share their knowledge. This includes both well-known SEO experts and those who are just starting out.

Gelo: Common mistakes in building website authority include a lack of branding. Often, branding is lost in posts and cross-posting on social media.

Gab: Like in blogs?

Gelo: Yes, for example, if they cross-post on social media. Sometimes branding gets lost. It’s not just about having a logo; it’s about maintaining a consistent tone and message.

Gab: The tone of voice.

46:54 - 47:50

Gelo: Also, alignment is crucial. If you have different social media and blog strategies, they should be aligned.

Gab: I have a question for you. How do you align that? How do you ensure consistency?

Gelo: One approach is to create a brand kit.

Gab: Like a PDF?

Gelo: Yes, a brand kit includes elements like colors, fonts, and logos. It ensures consistency across different platforms.

Gab: For designers?

Gelo: Exactly. It’s about having a set of guidelines that help maintain your brand's identity.

Gab: The tone of voice?

Gelo: Yes, the tone and other branding elements should be consistent.

Gab: That’s crucial. At least having a reference helps maintain consistency.

47:51 - 50:15

Gelo: Another common mistake is inconsistent messaging. For instance, your slogans and mission should be clear and consistent across all pages. Quality content is also important. Sometimes, there’s thin content or duplicate content which affects the site's authority.

Duplicate content can be a problem, especially when it's not just within your website but across the web. This includes content that is repurposed or similar to others.

Gelo: Yes, curation is fine, but direct replication of content is a problem.Replicating content or masking it as something original can be problematic.

Gelo: Exactly. Avoid replicating content and focus on creating original material.It’s important to avoid practices like plagiarism.

Gelo: Also, ignoring technical SEO issues, such as a poor mobile experience, can harm your authority. Ensure that your website is mobile-friendly.

Gab: It should be responsive.

Gelo: Correct. If your site isn’t mobile-friendly, it will affect your authority. Link building is also crucial for authority. Avoid outdated practices like Web 3.0 links, which are less effective now.

Gab: Stick to modern practices.

50:15 - 52:16

Gelo: Sometimes older methods may still work, but they’re less reliable. It’s best to focus on up-to-date strategies. It depends on the competition and difficulty of your niche. Be cautious with outdated techniques.

Gelo: Use strategies that are proven to be effective and relevant to your current needs. Timing and strategy adjustments are crucial.

Gab: There’s also timing in applying strategies. It’s better to wait until you have some authority built before using certain tactics.

Gelo: Exactly. For advanced strategies, consider tiered link building and researching different link-building approaches to stay on the safe side. Many people still don’t utilize social media effectively. Social media signals can help establish your brand’s authority. Social media is a significant factor in building overall web presence.

Gelo: A holistic SEO approach includes collaboration within digital marketing, not just focusing on one aspect.

52:17 - 53:10

Gelo: Building authority takes time. Remember, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” Be patient and consistent with your efforts.

Gab: Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Gelo: Exactly. Authority takes time to develop.

Gab: Building authority involves a long-term process.

Gab: Focus on the process and technology involved.

Gelo: There are many strategies, but the key is to understand the principles of building authority. 

53:10 - 55:43

Gelo: What are some long-term strategies for sustaining and growing your authority once it’s established?

Gelo: Yes, how to start and maintain your authority over time.

Gab: It’s not just about building authority but maintaining it.

Gelo: Learn from successful brands.

Gab: For instance, Nokia, which was once popular but didn’t innovate or implement long-term strategies.

Gab: Even if the product is good, failing to innovate and update strategies can hinder long-term success. Maintaining a dynamic approach is essential.

Gelo: Focus on continual improvement and staying updated with industry trends. Regularly review and adapt your strategies to meet current demands.

Gab: Keep track of changes in technology and user behavior to stay relevant.

Gelo: Adapt to changes and remain flexible.

Gab: Exactly. Adaptation and innovation are key.

Gelo: Yes, keep evolving and responding to new challenges. It’s not just about maintaining but continuously growing your authority. Learn from other brands and stay innovative.

Gab: Always strive for improvement.

Gelo: Yes, maintain and grow your authority over time.

Gab: That wraps up our discussion on building and maintaining authority.

Curious about why transparency and reporting are game-changers for SEO? In our latest SEO Kwentuhan podcast episode, Gab and Gelo break down the importance of these key factors and how they can impact your SEO efforts.

From improving trust with stakeholders to making smarter decisions based on data, we cover it all. Join us as we unpack the essential role of clear communication and honest reporting in achieving SEO success. Don’t miss out on these valuable insights!

00:00 - 12:11 

Gab: Welcome to another episode of "SEO Kwentuhan," where we discuss both core SEO topics and lighter subjects. Joining me today is Coach Gelo.

Gelo: Hello, Coach Gab!

Gab: What are we discussing today? Any exciting topics?

Gelo: We’re talking about transparency in SEO reporting. Why is it important? Transparency in SEO reporting is crucial because it builds trust with clients and ensures clarity on what’s being done. Even though this might seem basic, it’s essential for effective communication and maintaining good client relationships.

Gelo: We have some questions to discuss, and I’ll be asking them to you, Coach Gab. I’ll chime in with relevant points as needed. First, why is it critical to provide SEO reports? This may seem basic, but it's fundamental.

Gab: It’s crucial because SEO reporting helps in tracking progress. I’ve experienced this personally. Initially, I didn’t send reports to clients regularly, which led to a realization of their importance once I started working with direct clients.

Gab: For instance, when I was starting out, I didn’t send updates, and it became evident that consistent reporting was necessary for tracking improvements.

Gab: For example, I was responsible for optimizing a client’s site during the pandemic. They were a local business in Australia and had low traffic initially.

Gab: Over time, I managed to increase their traffic from 100 to 2,000 or 3,000 visitors per month. Although their business wasn’t booming due to the pandemic, their online presence improved significantly.

Gab: I sent them an SEO report showing the progress, and they appreciated seeing the growth in their website traffic, even if the business impact was not immediate.

Gelo: Correct.

Gab: Sending such reports, including screenshots and explanations, helps clients understand the value of the SEO work done and see tangible results.

Gab: It’s crucial for showing clients that their SEO efforts are making a difference, even if they don’t immediately see it in their business metrics.

Gelo: Exactly. Transparency also helps in demonstrating ROI. From the beginning, I’ve always included detailed reports and updates to build trust with clients.

Gelo: The ROI from transparent reporting is significant. It shows clients the effectiveness of the strategies and helps in maintaining long-term relationships. It’s important to evolve your reporting methods and include dashboards and visual aids.

Gelo: For example, I often use screenshots with arrows to highlight key data points and changes.

Gelo: The visuals in reports are crucial for clarity. They help clients see exactly what’s happening with their SEO efforts and understand the results better.

Gelo: Transparent reporting also helps in adjusting strategies based on the feedback and results. By being transparent, you can get valuable feedback and make necessary adjustments to strategies, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with client goals.

Gelo: Moving on to the second question: What are the benefits of being transparent in your SEO reporting?

Gab: Transparency in SEO reporting isn’t just for the client’s benefit. It also serves as a guide for you. It helps in assessing the effectiveness of your strategies and understanding if any external factors are affecting the outcomes.

Gab: Regular reporting allows you to track progress and adapt strategies based on the data. It also helps in maintaining team morale and ensuring that everyone is aligned with the goals. For agencies, transparent reporting builds trust and demonstrates the effectiveness of the SEO work being done. It’s crucial for both client and team relationships.

Gab: Trust is vital for long-term relationships with clients.

Gelo: Yes, building trust through transparent reporting is essential. It ensures clients feel informed and confident in the strategies being implemented.

Gelo: Transparency helps in demystifying SEO processes. It shows clients that you’re not hiding anything and that you’re working in their best interest. It also helps in managing expectations and clarifying the effectiveness of strategies. Being transparent means clients understand what works and what doesn’t. If a strategy isn’t effective, it’s important to communicate that and make necessary adjustments.

Gelo: For example, if a particular SEO strategy doesn’t work for a client’s specific business type, being transparent allows you to pivot and find a better approach. It helps in building trust and ensuring the client knows you’re working hard to find the right solutions.

Gelo: If a strategy fails, transparency helps in discussing what went wrong and what can be done differently. It’s crucial for maintaining client satisfaction and improving strategies. Building trust through transparency means even if a project doesn’t succeed, clients know you’re being honest and working to rectify the situation.

Gab:I’ve experienced this personally. I once had a client whose data seemed to show stagnation in traffic growth. However, focusing on specific pages revealed that some pages were still performing well, which was crucial information for the client.

Gab: Even though some areas showed decline, it was important to highlight the positive results in specific parts of the site, which helped in understanding the overall effectiveness of the SEO efforts. This approach helps in providing a comprehensive view of the impact of SEO efforts, even if some metrics are not performing as expected.

Gelo: I had a similar experience where despite a drop in traffic, certain metrics and data points showed continued effectiveness in other areas. It’s important to be transparent about these nuances. Sometimes, technical issues or changes in search engine algorithms can affect traffic. Transparency helps in explaining these changes and managing client expectations effectively.

Gelo: It’s crucial to maintain transparency about the reasons behind fluctuations and how they are being addressed. This builds trust and helps in setting realistic expectations.

Gab: For strategies to maintain transparency, start with setting clear goals during the initial discussions and regularly update clients on progress. Regular updates, whether weekly or monthly, keep everyone aligned.

Gab: Using tools like email, Slack, or Skype for updates ensures that clients are always informed about the strategies being implemented and their impacts. Regular reporting helps in assessing whether the strategies are working and allows for timely adjustments. Consistent communication is key.

Gelo: Weekly updates.

Gab: Yes, weekly updates.

12:11 - 19:53  

Gelo: For me, I report monthly. But sometimes, instead of sending full reports with analytics and data, I just provide an update with key points. For some clients, I send short videos explaining the report. This method helps in maintaining meetings and makes it easier to communicate the strategy.

Gelo: Often, I send short Loom videos to explain the updates, as it’s quicker and more engaging than just sending a written report. This approach can also replace meetings, especially if clients are not very responsive. Another tactic I use is live dashboards. These dashboards, like those in Looker, provide real-time data and updates. They are more interactive compared to static screenshots and help clients see the current state of their SEO efforts.

Gelo: The data in my reports is often presented as screenshots. This way, even if some clients are not familiar with detailed analytics, they can still understand the key metrics and trends.

Gelo: Using dashboards like Looker can enhance transparency. Clients can see real-time data and updates, which builds trust. Additionally, I make sure to share the most recent updates and explain any significant changes or trends.

Gelo: For instance, I update Coach Gab with weekly progress reports. I share these updates regularly to show what’s happening in the world of search and how it impacts their SEO performance. This helps in keeping clients informed about algorithm changes and their potential effects.

Gelo: For example, if there’s an algorithm update that week, I let clients know. This way, they can expect potential changes in traffic and understand that fluctuations are part of the process.

Gab: Transparency is crucial for understanding how external factors, like Google updates, affect SEO strategies. While you can't control these changes, explaining them to clients helps manage expectations and demonstrates that you are addressing the situation.

Gab: It’s important to communicate any major updates from Google, as these can impact trust in your strategies and the performance of your client’s website.

Gab: Knowing these updates allows you to adjust your strategies accordingly.

Gelo: I’d like to share an example, Coach Gab. I had a client who had accumulated over 3,000 reviews on their Google Business Profile, but some were flagged as spam. I explained to them what was happening and advised them on how to resolve the issue.

Gelo: They had been accumulating legitimate reviews for two years, but Google flagged their profile for spam. I made sure to communicate this issue clearly and advised them on steps to address it, even though I had just started working with them.

Gelo: I informed them that while I was new to their account, I needed them to be aware of the problem with their Google reviews. I emphasized that they had violated Google’s rules and that we needed to correct this to avoid further issues. Transparency in these situations helps manage client expectations and maintains trust, especially when issues arise that affect their SEO.

Gelo: We have one more question: How often should you report to clients? This can vary, but it’s crucial to be consistent and provide in-depth updates regularly.

Gab: Providing examples of reporting frequency can help clients understand what to expect. Generally, I focus on traffic metrics, but it’s important to tailor reports to what’s relevant for the client’s specific needs.

Gab: Some clients prefer frequent updates, especially during the initial stages of a campaign, to keep track of early results. For ongoing campaigns, updates might be less frequent but still regular.

Gab: For longer-term clients, I usually provide monthly updates. Regular communication ensures that everyone stays aligned with the goals and progress of the SEO efforts.

For example, if you’re working on link building, you might send a brief weekly update via email or messaging platforms like Slack or Skype. This can include information on the number of outreach emails sent or other key activities.

Gab: Monthly reports often include a comparison of the current month’s traffic to previous months or the previous year. This helps in understanding seasonal variations and overall trends. For example, if traffic decreases compared to the previous year but is still higher than last month, it indicates a positive trend. This comparative analysis helps in assessing the effectiveness of SEO strategies and adjusting as needed.

Gab: Reporting can also be done quarterly or bi-weekly, depending on the client’s needs and the metrics used. Common practices include weekly and monthly reports to ensure ongoing communication and transparency.

Gelo: Lastly, I stick to weekly or bi-weekly reports during the initial stages of a campaign. As the campaign progresses, the frequency can decrease to monthly updates.

Gelo: Frequent reporting is important in the early stages to gather sufficient data and make informed decisions. For longer-term clients, monthly updates usually suffice, but the key is to tailor the frequency to the client’s needs.

Gelo: During the initial stages, I provide more frequent reports, like every three months, to ensure the client is informed and we can make necessary adjustments based on the data collected.

19:53 - 29:34

Gelo: The key takeaway is consistency in reporting. Always provide actionable insights rather than just raw data or screenshots. Gelo emphasizes the importance of maintaining consistency in reporting and ensuring that reports offer actionable insights, not just raw data.

Gelo: Always include actionable insights in reports. Avoid just providing data without context.

Gelo stresses that reports should always include actionable insights, avoiding mere data dumps or screenshots without further explanation.

Gab: Setting realistic expectations with clients is crucial. The strategy you choose should align with the client's needs and context. No campaign is identical unless dealing with similar niches or locations. Gab highlights the importance of setting realistic expectations from the start. Strategies should be tailored to each client's unique situation and needs.

Gab: Communicate clearly what cannot be promised. For example, don’t guarantee specific traffic or results within a set period. Base expectations on initial audits and be transparent about timelines. Gab advises being transparent about what results can realistically be expected based on initial audits and to avoid making promises about specific outcomes.

Gab: If the website is new or has only a few pages, communicate that more content and ongoing work will be necessary to see significant results. Gab suggests that if a website is new or limited in content, it is important to set expectations that ongoing efforts will be needed to achieve substantial results.

Gab: Explain the timeline for content creation and other services. Be clear about what the client can expect in terms of time and deliverables. Gab emphasizes the need to outline clear timelines for content creation and other services, ensuring that clients understand what to expect.

Gab: If you don’t have in-house resources like content writers, be honest about this and suggest additional services or partners as needed. Gab advises being upfront if there are limitations in in-house resources and to suggest additional services or partnerships if necessary.

Gab: Be transparent about the pace of work and set realistic expectations for content delivery, especially if working with external content writers. Gab underscores the importance of being transparent about the pace of work and the expected delivery times, particularly when involving external resources.

Gelo: Set clear expectations about potential challenges and realistic outcomes to avoid dissatisfaction. Gelo advises setting clear expectations regarding potential challenges and realistic outcomes to prevent client dissatisfaction.

Gelo: Address common misconceptions about SEO from the start. For example, don’t promise instant results or guaranteed rankings. Gelo discusses the need to address common SEO misconceptions early on, such as avoiding promises of instant results or guaranteed rankings.

Gab: It’s crucial not to guarantee specific results or rankings. SEO is complex, and results depend on many factors, including competition and domain authority. Gab highlights that guaranteeing specific SEO results or rankings is unrealistic due to the complexity and variability of SEO factors.

Gab: For high-profile clients or competitive niches, be honest about the limits of what can be achieved, even with a strong strategy. Gab advises being honest about the limitations of SEO even for high-profile clients or competitive niches.

Gab: Sometimes, despite a strong SEO strategy, competitors with higher domain authority or better resources might outrank you quickly. Gab explains that even with a strong SEO strategy, competitors with greater domain authority or better resources can sometimes quickly outrank your efforts.

Gab: Achieving high rankings can be challenging and depends on various factors including the competition and the quality of the website. Gab reiterates the challenges of achieving high rankings, emphasizing that it depends on multiple factors including competition and website quality.

Gelo: Ensure you have the right strategies and tools to handle SEO challenges effectively.

Gelo emphasizes the importance of having the right strategies and tools to effectively manage SEO challenges.

Gab: Be aware of the importance of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) as part of SEO and branding efforts. Gab highlights the significance of E-A-T (Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) in SEO and branding.

Gelo: Transparency about potential setbacks and realistic outcomes helps prevent dissatisfaction. Gelo points out that being transparent about potential setbacks and realistic outcomes helps in managing client expectations and preventing dissatisfaction.

Gab: Some clients might expect SEO to be a one-time setup. Educate them that SEO requires ongoing efforts and adjustments, and is part of a broader digital marketing strategy.

Gab advises educating clients that SEO is not a one-time setup but requires ongoing efforts and is part of a comprehensive digital marketing strategy.

Gab: Address the misconception that SEO is a one-time task. SEO involves continuous work and cannot guarantee immediate results. Gab emphasizes that SEO involves continuous work and cannot guarantee immediate results, addressing the misconception of SEO as a one-time task.

Gab:Sometimes, clients might opt for a "one-time setup" approach. It’s important to clarify that ongoing support and additional services are often needed. Gab explains that clients might prefer a "one-time setup" approach, but ongoing support and additional services are usually necessary for effective SEO.

Gab:Pricing packages may vary depending on the services offered. Discuss and agree on the scope of services and pricing with the client. Gab notes that pricing packages can vary based on the services provided and stresses the importance of discussing and agreeing on the scope and cost with the client.

Gelo: Consider offering productized services or clear service packages. Gelo suggests offering productized services or clear service packages to simplify client offerings.

Gab: For local clients, focus on setting up and optimizing their Google Business Profile to improve local search visibility. Gab advises local clients to focus on optimizing their Google Business Profile for better local search visibility.

Gab: Educate clients about the role of SEO within the broader digital marketing strategy and how it integrates with other channels. Gab emphasizes the importance of educating clients about SEO as part of a larger digital marketing strategy and its integration with other marketing channels.

Gab: Be transparent about the limitations and potential results of SEO. Explain that SEO is one part of a comprehensive digital marketing effort. Gab stresses the need to be transparent about SEO limitations and results, explaining that it is just one aspect of a broader digital marketing strategy.

Gelo: The most common misconception is expecting immediate results from SEO. It is crucial to understand that SEO is a long-term effort with many influencing factors. Gelo highlights that the most common misconception is expecting immediate SEO results. Understanding SEO as a long-term effort with various influencing factors is crucial.

29:34 - 40:15  

Gelo: Discusses the challenges with Content Management Systems (CMS) and their impact on SEO. Gelo explains that CMS can create bottlenecks in website approval processes and that SEO is not a one-time fix but an ongoing process.

Gelo: Emphasizes that the ultimate goal of SEO is not necessarily to be number one in rankings, but to drive relevant traffic that converts. Gelo shares a past mindset of focusing on ranking first but now focuses on highly relevant keywords and converting traffic.

Gelo: Highlights that SEO alone is not sufficient. Gelo suggests that proper branding, social media presence, and building up content are also crucial. He notes the importance of transparent communication with clients about the potential limitations of SEO if other foundational aspects are not in place.

Gelo: Advises that SEO should be complemented with efforts in branding and social media to make it more effective. If the website lacks proper branding or social media presence, it might be better to focus on these areas before investing heavily in SEO.

Gab: Suggests that before starting a monthly SEO campaign, it's important to first address other digital marketing factors like social media and branding. Gab proposes that initially, consulting and establishing these foundational elements might be more beneficial.

Gab: Recommends focusing on consulting to build a strategy and then plan a digital marketing campaign. Emphasizes the need to establish a unique selling proposition (USP) and branding before diving into SEO campaigns.

Gelo: Discusses key metrics to track in SEO reports, including organic traffic and keyword rankings. He emphasizes the importance of reporting metrics that directly relate to the client's goals, such as traffic that converts and not just overall traffic.

Gab: Highlights the importance of focusing on metrics that matter, such as traffic conversion, rather than just rankings. Gab mentions the need to filter traffic by location and relevance to ensure it meets the client’s goals.

Gelo: Talks about tracking correlations between ad spend and sales to understand the impact of digital marketing efforts. He stresses that while organic traffic is important, understanding how paid ads influence sales is also crucial.

Gab: Adds that it’s important to track various channels, including social media and paid ads, to provide a comprehensive view of the marketing performance. Suggests that organic traffic should be prioritized, but other data should be included in reports.

Gab: Discusses the value of educating clients on SEO reports and metrics. Gab explains that providing clear and understandable reports, including graphs and data, helps clients grasp their SEO performance and the effectiveness of their digital marketing efforts. He mentions using targeted keywords and campaigns based on demographic data to optimize results.

40:15 - 49:33  

Gab: Discusses the importance of understanding the demographics of a business in order to adjust marketing strategies. He emphasizes that while metrics should be consistent, adapting strategies based on the business’s demographics is crucial for effective reporting.

Gelo: Shares his approach to reporting, focusing on storytelling. He explains that while some may not understand SEO terms, he minimizes confusion by explaining metrics from a business perspective, turning reports into storytelling tools.

Gelo: Continues by detailing how he explains metrics like organic traffic and conversion rates in terms of their impact on the business. He stresses that effective reporting involves making the metrics relatable to business outcomes.

Gelo: He describes his method of educating clients via email threads when direct meetings aren't possible. Gelo ensures clients understand the actions taken, the rationale behind them, and their potential impact on their business.

Gab: Emphasizes that it’s important to address concerns related to the business itself, not just traffic or rankings. He suggests viewing oneself as a business partner offering marketing services.

Gab: Explains that as a business partner, understanding the client's broader concerns and not just focusing on metrics is key. This partnership mindset helps in offering more comprehensive marketing services.

Gelo: Points out the advantage freelancers have over large agencies, which may handle numerous clients and thus lack personalized attention. Freelancers can connect more closely with clients, which can be a significant benefit. He contrasts the personalized approach of freelancers with the often impersonal service from larger agencies that manage many clients.

Gelo: Mentions that, unlike larger agencies, freelancers or small teams can be more attentive and provide tailored services. This personal attention allows freelancers to focus on client-specific concerns effectively.

Gab: Thanks Gelo for highlighting the importance of being client-focused.

Gelo: Acknowledges Gab’s point and stresses the need for transparency and client-focused reporting.

Gab: Asks about the top three tips for SEO professionals regarding transparency and reporting.

Gelo: Responds that the first tip is to set clear expectations from the start to align on goals and metrics. This ensures both parties understand the timeline and outcomes expected.

Gab: Elaborates on setting clear expectations, advising to communicate goals and timelines clearly. He also stresses that being upfront about potential delays or challenges helps in managing client expectations.

Gab: Mentions the importance of consistency in using reporting tools and adapting to changes, such as the transition from Universal Analytics to GA4. He advises having backup metrics and KPIs to handle discrepancies in data tracking.

Gab: Explains the need for backup metrics to ensure reliable reporting, especially when transitioning between different tools like Universal Analytics and GA4.

Gab: Highlights the issue of data inconsistencies when using different tracking tools. He suggests using secondary metrics to validate data and ensure accuracy.

Gelo: Concurs with Gab about the need for additional metrics when tracking data.

Gab: Adds that having both primary and secondary KPIs is crucial for accurate reporting and addressing any issues with data tracking.

Gelo: Mentions having a secondary system in place to address potential data issues.

Gab: Advises being honest in reporting and acknowledging any issues or discrepancies. Transparency is key, and any mistakes or problems should be openly communicated to clients.

Gelo: Agrees with Gab’s emphasis on honesty in reporting.

Gab: Reiterates that the goal of SEO reporting is to provide a truthful account of progress and issues. Consistent and honest communication is essential for maintaining trust and clarity.

Gelo: Adds his own top tips, with the first being brutal honesty in reporting. He emphasizes taking ownership of mistakes and being transparent with clients to build trust. Gelo’s second tip is to always provide context in reporting. He stresses that metrics should be explained in a way that clients understand their relevance and impact. Gelo’s third tip is to be proactive. He advises not to wait for clients to ask for updates but to provide regular updates and maintain a system for consistent communication.

Gab: Acknowledges the importance of proactive communication in client reporting.

Gelo: Suggests setting up a system or automation for regular updates. This could involve scheduled emails or using tools that automate client communication. He emphasizes the value of having a structured system for regular updates to keep clients informed. Gelo notes that tools like automated email systems can help maintain consistent communication with clients.

Gab: Agrees and summarizes that all discussed topics are essential for effective SEO reporting.

Gelo: Confirms that they have covered all the key topics.

Gab: Mentions that while some tips might seem basic, they are important for SEO reporting.

Gelo: Invites listeners to follow their Facebook page and Spotify for updates. He also encourages reviews to boost morale and continue providing valuable content.

Gab: Encourages listeners to review their pages to support their work.

Gelo: Appreciates the support and reviews from listeners, which help in improving their content. Gelo thanks the audience and concludes the episode, noting they will be back with more content.

Gab: Wraps up, thanking listeners and saying goodbye.