E874: Nick Eubanks (Vice President of Owned Media at Semrush) joins the pod to break down what businesses need to do right now to win in AI search - and why most companies are still using outdated playbooks while AI-driven discovery is moving faster than ever.

We cover: - How AI visibility differs from SEO, and why traditional ranking factors like backlinks don't always apply in LLM results - Evidence clusters vs. keyword clusters - and how over-indexing on factual citations can increase your chances of being surfaced and referenced by AI - The process Semrush used to almost triple their AI share of voice, including how they selected target prompts and injected semantic signals into existing content - Reddit strategy for AI influence, and why asking thoughtful questions (not inserting links) can drive brand advocacy organically - Insights from Nick's 4-month experiment publishing 20+ AI posts per week, without editing, backlinks, or authority - yet still getting recommended word-for-word by ChatGPT - How AI models find and cite your content, even if it isn't ranking or indexed traditionally - What type of content formats LLMs prefer (hint: clear, atomic, direct, evidence-backed, low metaphor use) - The shift from SEO to "Search Everywhere Optimization", covering Google, ChatGPT, Reddit, TikTok, LinkedIn, and other platforms that LLMs crawl - Predictions for the future of search in 2026, including AI mode potentially becoming the default experience in Google, and how companies must adapt before that tipping point - Where AI spam tactics are working again temporarily - and how enterprises balance short-term wins with long-term strategy - How Semrush is rethinking content lifecycle, team structure, and platform-specific distribution at scale

Nick also shares how AI visibility can convert 4–5× higher than Google Organic, why certain LLM traffic is "hot garbage" depending on audience sophistication, and how fresher content, semantically rich topics, and high-signal platforms like Reddit and LinkedIn are often prioritized in AI responses.

⭐️ Nick Eubanks on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickeubanks/ ⭐️ Nick Eubanks on 𝕏 - https://x.com/nick_eubanks ⭐️ Semrush - https://www.semrush.com/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction and Background 07:12 Experiments with AI Content 08:54 AI Visibility and SEO Strategies 21:25 Future of AI in Search and Marketing 28:34 Navigating the Challenges of Social Media Platforms 29:20 Repurposing Content Across Platforms 30:26 Reddit Strategies for Brands 34:50 Semrush's AI Share of Voice Strategy 51:05 Link Building 52:13 Future of Websites and Authority Signals 52:32 Using LinkedIn for SEO and Business 55:08 Closing Remarks

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E873: I break down the top link building strategies shared by professionals in a high-performing SEO subreddit thread.

These are real-world approaches that marketers are using right now to acquire backlinks - ranging from guest posts and Source of Source to outreach to networking, sponsorships, press releases, and linkable assets.

You'll learn: - Why broken link building still works (when done manually) - How to leverage link exchanges the right way - Guest post outreach tactics that scale - Sponsoring local events for both backlinks and brand lift - Using HARO/Qwoted for media mentions - Creating linkable asset content that attracts links - Building community relationships that naturally earn backlinks - Bonus strategies: .Edu links, PBNs, buying links carefully, and more

I also share stories from photographers, local business owners, and marketers who've turned creative outreach into high-authority backlinks - including features in top publications like the New York Times and Forbes.

If you want backlink tactics that double as genuine marketing, this episode is for you.

⭐️ The thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/1ooajvf/how_do_you_actually_acquire_backlinks/?sort=top

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction 00:27 Detailed Link Building Techniques 02:02 Networking and Outreach 03:31 Advanced Link Building Tips 07:09 Community and Genuine Connections 08:14 Success Stories

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#linkbuilding #backlinks #searchengineoptimization #seotips

E872: Most "experts" say SEO takes 12 months to work. Sarvesh Shrivastava, today's guest, shows that for local businesses, that's flat-out wrong.

With the right structure, foundation, and targeting, you can realistically hit $100K/month in under 90 days using SEO - but almost everyone gets the strategy completely wrong.

Here's what you'll learn: - Why 90% of local businesses focus on the wrong things - The "money page" formula that prints revenue - How to optimize your Google Business Profile for maximum lead flow - Real images vs. AI/stock (and why using AI photos may kill trust) - How to structure your site for topical authority (homepage → services → blogs → services) - The internal linking trick that skyrocketed rankings in 7 days - How to build high-impact backlinks (and why most are a waste) - The right way to scale SEO across neighborhoods without triggering Google's doorway page penalties - Why AI tools like ChatGPT and Google's AI mode pull directly from your GBP

If you're a local business owner, marketing manager, or SEO aiming for aggressive growth… this episode shows you the fastest legitimate way to scale.

⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on 𝕏 - https://x.com/bloggersarvesh ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarvesh-shrivastava-blogger/ ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/seowithsarvesh/ ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bloggersarvesh ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's agency, Alventra Marketing - https://alventramarketing.com/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Debunking SEO Myths: Fast Tracking Local Business Success 01:50 SEO Strategies for Local vs. SaaS Businesses 03:55 Optimizing Your Google Business Profile for Maximum Impact 05:12 The Importance of Authenticity in Business Profiles 07:07 Using Reviews and Keywords for SEO 10:30 Creating Effective Local SEO Pages 35:59 Avoiding SEO Pitfalls: Doorway Pages and Duplicate Content 42:42 Specific Money Pages 43:10 Learning from SaaS and E-commerce Giants 44:55 Creating Niche Money Pages for SaaS 47:07 SEO Strategies for Local and Niche Markets 50:13 Writing Localized Content for Better Engagement 56:15 Internal Linking 01:08:59 Technical SEO Audits: The Foundation of Success 01:13:55 Effective Link Building Strategies 01:21:49 Concluding Thoughts and Future Plans

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#localseo #searchengineoptimization #googlebusinessprofileoptimization #linkbuilding

E871: SEO legend David Quaid is back with a high-value breakdown of the most powerful free SEO tools - including several hidden features inside Bing Webmaster Tools that most marketers completely overlook.

Whether you're running your own site, starting SEO from scratch, or debating whether you need to invest in paid tools like Ahrefs, Semrush, or Moz - this episode shows you how to extract real results without spending a cent.

What you'll get: - Using Bing Webmaster Tools through Google Search Console login with no setup - Microsoft Clarity for behavior tracking and heatmaps - SEO Site Scan for quick technical checks - Backlink Monitor for authority and index validation - Keyword Research inside Bing - Why backlinks drive indexing and authority - How to see which backlinks truly count - Ranking fast and getting indexed in under 24 hours - Why SEO doesn't need to take 6 months - Topical authority and query fan-outs explained - Example of ranking for "free backlink checker" using a YouTube Short

🏆 David Quaid Episode 1 - The SEO Playbook That Actually Works: PageRank, Topical Authority & Real Results - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9eK5-TpaiPw&t=36s 🏆 David Quaid Episode 2 - AI & LLM Visibility: A Practical Guide for Ranking in AI Results - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXR1HvUU1kI

⭐️ David Quaid on 𝕏 - https://x.com/DavidGQuaid ⭐️ David Quaid on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquaid/ ⭐️ David Quaid's agency - https://primaryposition.com/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:23 Thanksgiving and Community Thanks 00:56 Free SEO Tools Overview 01:04 Bing Webmaster Tools Deep Dive 02:46 Microsoft Clarity: Conversion Rate Optimization 05:26 SEO Scan Tool: Basics and Benefits 07:21 IndexNow and Keyword Research 10:37 Backlinks and Competitor Analysis 14:45 SEO Strategies and Fast Ranking 18:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #seotools #seoplatforms #digitalmarketing

E870: I sit down with Kai Cromwell to break down one of the most effective Shopify SEO strategies in use today.

Kai specializes exclusively in Shopify SEO and shares the exact long-tail collection page strategy that drives bottom-of-funnel traffic and revenue fast - without waiting 6-12 months to rank for competitive terms.

We cover: - Why long-tail transactional pages outperform high-volume keywords - How Kai builds 40+ SEO landing pages and gets them indexed immediately - Using AI (at scale) to generate collection content with brand accuracy - Internal linking structure and click-depth strategy for Shopify - How his team leverages Reddit with aged accounts for traffic, LLM visibility and reputation - Link building priorities (internal vs external) and when to switch tactics - His framework for enrichment using Search Console data - AI blacklist words, formatting tactics, custom prompts & Airtable scaling - Conversion considerations and CRO insights - If and how B2B SEO differs from B2C when prioritizing growth levers

Whether you run a 7-9 figure brand or you're building something new, this conversation lays out a playbook you can apply immediately.

⭐️ Kai Cromwell on 𝕏 - https://x.com/KaiCromwell ⭐️ Kai Cromwell on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kai-cromwell/ ⭐️ Kai Cromwell on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@searchkaicromwell ⭐️ Kai Cromwell's Shopify SEO Agency, New Seas - https://newseas.co/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction to Kai Cromwell and E-commerce SEO 00:56 Philosophy and Approach to SEO 02:41 Long Tail Collection Pages Strategy 09:29 Examples of Effective SEO Tactics 20:46 Using AI and Tools for SEO 29:23 Scaling SEO Efforts and Client Management 41:10 Reddit and Alternative SEO Strategies 42:20 Navigating Marketing Strategies on Reddit 42:48 Challenges and Solutions in SEO and IP Management 43:00 Leveraging Reddit for Agency Growth 45:21 Reputation Management and Ethical Considerations 47:24 Link Building Strategies and Best Practices 55:01 Internal Linking and Shopify SEO 01:01:50 Transitioning to Shopify and E-commerce SEO 01:05:39 Conversion Rate Optimization Insights 01:12:48 Content Strategies for E-commerce Brands 01:22:25 Future Vision and Agency Growth 01:24:38 Wrapping

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#shopifyseo #ecommerceseo #searchengineoptimization #ecommerce

E869: I break down a viral post from the SEO subreddit that perfectly explains how Google actually ranks pages.

Forget the overcomplicated strategies, mystical topical maps, or black magic SEO tactics. Topical authority comes down to mechanical systems, user behavior, and relevance - nothing more.

We cover: - Why every keyword puts you into a topical space - How every click you earn expands your topical authority footprint - Why pages, not domains, compete for rankings - How topical bridges help you grow into adjacent subjects - Why Google values utility over craftsmanship - The real role of backlinks, branded searches, and engagement - Why SEO is simple when you focus on mechanics over mythology

Key Takeaways: - SEO isn't mysterious. It's based on observable mechanical signals - Topical authority = clicks + relevance across related queries - Google ranks page utility, not writing quality - Links, branded searches, and engagement send trust signals - Publishing within a tight topic beats chasing backlink counts - Adjacent topics grow by linking and writing in the right direction

If you're tired of overthinking SEO and want real results, this episode will finally make it click.

⭐️ A Few Things That Finally Clicked About Authority, Topics, and How Google Actually Ranks Pages - https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/1p06nk4/a_few_things_that_finally_clicked_about_authority/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:28 Understanding Topical Authority 01:42 Page-Level Authority and Topical Bridges 03:18 Metrics and Practical Insights 04:41 Google's Content Evaluation 07:40 Simplifying SEO 08:30 Conclusion and Personal Insights

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #pagerank #topicalauthority #digitalmarketing

E868: We break down one of the most overlooked but essential drivers of search engine rankings: brand building.

Modern SEO goes far beyond backlinks and keywords. Google, AI search, and LLMs reward strong brands with higher authority, better visibility, stronger trust signals, and noticeably improved rankings. If you want predictable organic traffic, high-quality backlinks, and long-term SEO results, building a real brand is the foundation.

We cover why branding matters for SEO, how Google reads brand signals, why branded search is a ranking factor, and how recognition and trust improve click-through rates and link acquisition. You also get a clear system for building a brand that consistently drives SEO performance - starting from any level.

What you'll learn: - Why brand building is now a core part of modern SEO - How branded search strengthens your backlink profile - How brand authority boosts rankings, engagement, and CTR - Why Google and AI search favor recognizable entities - How strong brands earn natural links and mentions - How to create and launch linkable assets that attract backlinks - The risks of weak branding in competitive search results - A simple framework for developing a durable brand - How to repurpose content to scale brand visibility - The consistency formula behind lasting SEO impact

Let's go!

⭐️ My Exact Social Media Posting Strategy - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/social-media-posting-strategy/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction 00:37 Importance of Branding to SEO 03:33 Challenges of Not Having a Brand 04:47 What Does Building a Brand Mean? 06:04 How to Develop a Brand 08:30 Consistency and Long-Term Commitment 09:36 Final Thoughts

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #branding #generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization

E867: A common SEO mistake: placing every page directly off the root domain.

You'll learn why proper subfolder structure matters for user experience, analytics, link building, topical authority, and long-term scalability.

This walkthrough covers practical examples, how subfolders concentrate authority, and why they make it easier to grow and audit large sites. If you want to improve your information architecture, strengthen your rankings, and get more paying customers, this episode provides a clear framework for structuring URLs the right way.

What you'll learn: - Why flat URL structures confuse search engines and weaken topical authority - How subfolders improve information architecture and long-term scalability - How to structure URLs for blogs, services, and large content libraries - How subfolders make analytics filtering and content audits dramatically easier - How subfolder-level backlinks concentrate authority and improve keyword rankings - How link equity (link juice) flows differently in subfolders vs. root-level URLs - Why proper URL hierarchy improves user navigation and content discovery - How to increase niche authority using targeted subfolder link building - The impact of subfolders on crawling efficiency and ranking signals - Examples of high-performing SEO URL structures for service pages, blogs, and SaaS

This is a clear framework for structuring URLs correctly so your site scales, ranks faster, and builds authority in your niche.

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 The Common SEO Mistake 00:58 Why Subfolders are Better 01:38 User Experience Benefits of Subfolders 02:58 Analytics Advantages of Subfolders 03:36 SEO Benefits of Subfolders 05:04 Building Links and Topical Authority 07:43 Review 08:27 Wrap

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #informationarchitecture #technicalseo #backlinks

E866: A simple but overlooked SEO tactic: using modifiers to turn low-volume keywords into very, veryyyy high-value buyers.

By adding targeted modifiers like "for schools," "for government employees," or "for enterprise teams," you move deeper down the funnel and reach groups that represent larger purchase orders and higher-quality leads.

You'll learn: - Why zero-volume keywords can be incredibly lucrative - How to create modified landing pages that rank with minimal competition - How to pair SEO pages with user-generated content across YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and more - The key modifiers that consistently unlock high-leverage traffic

⭐️ Easy SEO to Get Big Purchase Orders - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/easy-seo-big-purchase-orders/

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Introduction to Modifiers 00:14 Examples of Effective Modifiers 00:22 Targeting Lucrative Groups 01:12 Creating Niche Landing Pages 03:35 Leveraging Social Media for SEO 04:34 Top Clicked Sites and Content Strategy 06:00 Final Thoughts

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#searchengineoptimization #seotips #inboundmarketing #marketingstrategy

E865: A new and growing issue in digital marketing is emerging: black hat AI SEO and the use of fake, AI-generated negative review articles to manipulate how large language models describe a brand.

A Reddit post describes a case where a competitor allegedly purchased a black hat AI SEO service that published false review content across multiple low-quality websites. As a result, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, and other LLMs began repeating incorrect, damaging information about the company.

I explain how this happens, why LLMs pick up misleading sources, how query modification and query fanouts work, and what you can do to protect a brand when this type of AI manipulation occurs.

Topics covered in detail: - How black hat AI SEO services generate and distribute fabricated negative reviews - How LLMs source information and why they may cite low-quality or false articles - Why the queries an LLM uses are often different from the user's original question - How to view ChatGPT's real search queries through inspection tools - What a query fanout is and how multiple related searches affect AI outputs - How to identify the exact keywords and queries an LLM is using around your brand - How to publish content that ranks for those modified queries - When burying negative content is more realistic than removal - How to dispute reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Clutch, and Google Business Profile - How Google's "Report Negative Review Extortion Scams" tool works - Long-term strategies for protecting brand reputation in AI search environments - Legal considerations surrounding defamation and online attacks

⭐️ The Reddit Thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/AISEOforBeginners/comments/1ok5j0w/black_hat_ai_seo_is_here_how_do_you_fight_back/ ⭐️ SEO Pub's Query Fanout Extractor - https://theseopub.com/updated-chatgpt-search-query-reasoning-extractor-bookmarklet/ ⭐️ Report negative Google Business Profile Reviews - https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en ⭐️ Report negative Trustpilot Reviews - https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en ⭐️ Report negative Clutch Reviews - https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en

💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/

00:00 Black Hat AI SEO Attack 02:11 Expert Insights: WebLinkrs Take 03:37 Understanding Query Fanouts 05:26 Practical Solutions and Tools 06:41 Dealing with Negative Reviews 09:48 Long-Term Strategies

The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/

#answerengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #reputationmanagement #searchengineoptimization