In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell is joined by Garrett Sussman, Director of Marketing at iPullRank, to unpack how AI is transforming SEO, e-commerce, and online visibility. 

From the recently announced Shopify + OpenAI partnership to the rise of product recommendations in ChatGPT, this conversation explores what business owners need to know to stay competitive online. 

Learn why traditional keyword-focused strategies are losing relevance and how to adapt using topical content, brand authority, and omnichannel visibility. 

Key Takeaways:

• AI is Reshaping E-commerce Search: ChatGPT and Shopify's partnership hints at future product recommendation features, and small businesses can already submit merchant feeds to get listed.
• Keyword Optimization is Changing: Focus on topics and customer intent over traditional keyword volume.
• Visibility Requires Omnichannel Strategy: Your brand needs to show up across platforms like Google, Reddit, Amazon, and listicles to be included in AI-generated outputs.
• Google is Still King: Optimizing for Google often benefits visibility in other AI platforms too.

Listener Action Items:

1. Submit Your Merchant Feed: If you’re on Shopify, fill out the early access form for LLM/AI product recommendations.
2. Diversify Content Presence: Create short, specific articles around key topics instead of just long-form content.
3. Build a Brand Resume: Ensure your business is represented accurately across Reddit, social media, Amazon, and more.

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In Part 2 of this conversation, Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, returns to The Simple and Smart SEO Show with Crystal Waddell for a deep dive into the human side of AI.

Ana unpacks how experimenting with chatbots taught her the inner workings of LLMs, what semantic triples really mean for SEO, and how the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai helps her balance learning, creativity, and life.

Crystal connects it all back to entrepreneurship — discussing the “never-ending to-do list,” living an optimized life, and how technology can make us more human when we use it with intention.

You’ll learn:

• What SEOs can learn from experimenting with AI and coding
• Why understanding semantic triples and language structure matters
• How to use Ikigai to prioritize time and energy
• How to optimize life, not just website

Helpful Links:

🎧 Podcast Hub → https://simpleandsmartseo.com/best-seo-podcast

📘 SEO Starter Course → https://SEOin7Steps.com

💼 Guest: Ana de la Cruz → LinkedIn Profile

Connect With Crystal → Linkedin Profile

Chapters / Timestamps:
00:00 – Experimenting with AI and LLMs
01:00 – Presenting a Chatbot Project at Work
02:00 – What Are Semantic Triples?
03:20 – Why Meaning and Context Matter in SEO
04:24 – The Good, Bad, and Ugly of AI
05:00 – Embracing the Learning Process
06:10 – How to Balance Learning and Earning
07:09 – The Ikigai Framework Explained
10:00 – The “Never-Ending To-Do List” GPT Idea
12:05 – Energy, Emotions, and Productivity
13:34 – Optimizing Life with Technology
15:59 – Rapid-Fire Q&A: SEO, AI, and the Future
17:30 – Where to Connect with Ana

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal sits down with Ana de la Cruz, SEO Lead at Chartis, to explore her journey from Univision Radio to leading SEO strategy at a global media agency. 

Ana shares how curiosity, reinvention, and kindness shaped her path — and introduces us to the emerging concept of “Vibe Coding,” where AI and human creativity meet.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• How Ana transitioned from traditional media to SEO strategy
• Why kindness and collaboration are underrated superpowers in the agency world
• What “vibe coding” really means — and how SEOs can use it to automate and innovate
• Why AI expands opportunity instead of replacing humans

⏱️ Timestamps:

0:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro
 0:31 – Ana’s journey from media to marketing
 2:00 – Landing at Publicis and Omnicom
 4:00 – What Chartis does (and why she loves it)
 5:20 – How AI opens new opportunities for SEOs
 8:35 – What is “vibe coding”?
 12:19 – Ana’s first experiments with ChatGPT and code
 18:45 – Curiosity, courage, and building new skills

📚 Resources & Mentions:

• 🎧 Podcast Hub: https://simpleandsmartseo.com/best-seo-podcast
  
  
• 💼 Connect with Ana: LinkedIn – Ana de la Cruz
  
  

🙌🏽 Listener Action Steps:

1. Reflect on one skill you could “vibe code” or automate this month.
2. Follow Ana on LinkedIn to keep learning about AI + SEO.
3. Subscribe to the show for weekly SEO clarity and creative inspiration!

👩🏽‍💻 About Me:
Hi, I’m Crystal Waddell — SEO educator, Shopify seller, and visibility strategist for creative entrepreneurs. I help you grow sustainably, show up confidently, and build a business that works for you.

📲 Connect With Me:

• Instagram → @simpleandsmartseo2
  
  
• Website → https://simpleandsmartseo.com
  
  
• Spotify → Listen on Spotify
  
  
• Apple Podcasts → Listen on Apple

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In Part 2 of this engaging conversation with content marketing expert Andy Crestodina, we dive deeper into the evolving world of SEO, AI's growing role in content creation, and the power of collaboration. 

Andy shares insights on balancing human judgment with AI tools like Surfer SEO, creating successful local events, and leveraging original research to differentiate your brand. 

Whether you're a solo marketer, business owner, or content strategist, this episode is packed with actionable wisdom and fresh perspectives.

🧠 Key Takeaways:

• SEO as a Strategy, Not a Rulebook: SEO Tools offer suggestions, but human content strategy still rules.
• Original Research Wins: Brands should publish new, unique data yearly to stand out and build authority.
• AI in Moderation: Over-reliance on AI for full article generation often leads to lower performance; balance is key.
• Full Funnel Focus: SEO brings traffic, but converting that traffic requires UX, strategy, and storytelling.

🔥 Episode Highlights:

• "SEO is like a sailboat—AI and tools are the wind, but you decide where to go." – Andy Crestodina

🎯 Listener Action Items:

1. Incorporate Original Research: Publish one unique study or stat annually to elevate your brand authority.
2. Use AI as a Collaborator, Not a Crutch: Let SEO tools inform—not dictate—your strategy.
3. Host Micro-Events or Meetups: Start small, specific, and curated events to build your professional community.
4. Audit Your Content for Novelty: Avoid duplicating mainstream ideas; create content that adds something new.
5. Focus on UX & Funnel Completion: Don't just optimize for clicks—optimize for conversion and memorability.

Connect With Andy:

Linkedin

Orbit Media Blog

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (me!) sits down with Andy Crestodina, co-founder of Orbit Media, to explore SEO, AI, and content marketing. 

Andy shares his insights on how search behavior is shifting, the importance of training AI to recognize and recommend your brand.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• AI Search vs. Traditional Search: Traditional search finds options, while AI delivers recommendations—understanding this is key to visibility and conversions.
• Prompt Reverse Engineering: Tailor your content to include job titles, outcomes, and proof points to train AI systems like ChatGPT to recommend your brand.
• The Right Use of Video: Avoid using YouTube on money pages; instead, use native or pro players to reduce distractions and increase conversions.
• Influencer Collaboration: Use content creation as a networking tool—quotes, features, and joint content can build relationships and grow visibility.

🎯 Listener Action Items:

1. Audit Your Content for AI Readiness: Check if your service or product pages include context-rich keywords like job titles, outcomes, and proof points.
2. Compare Yourself in ChatGPT: Ask GPT how your brand stacks up against competitors and use the gaps it reveals to refine your messaging.
3. Capture UGC: Identify and reuse TikTok or Instagram content from real users of your product—this is gold for conversions.

Connect with Andy:

Linkedin

Orbit Media Blog

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of the Simple and Smart SEO Show, Crystal Waddell (me!) sits down with Jamie Trull for part 2 of our interview to dive deep into the concept of Hidden Profit. 

Jamie shares her journey of shifting focus from revenue to freedom, explaining how small optimizations can lead to big financial wins. 

They discuss the importance of aligning business goals with life priorities, overcoming perfectionism, and how data-driven decisions can create sustainable growth—without the hustle. 

If you're a business owner looking to work smarter, not harder, this episode is for you.

Key Takeaways:

• Hidden Profit Exists: Your business likely has untapped financial potential—Jamie explains how to find and use it.
• Optimize for Life, Not Just Revenue: Align your business with your personal goals and desired lifestyle.
• Small Tweaks, Big Impact: A few 2% improvements can lead to 100%+ increases in profit.
• Use Data Like a Hack: SEO and financial data are tools to make informed decisions, not guesswork.
• Break Free from the Sunk Cost Fallacy: Letting go of what no longer serves your business is a sign of strength, not failure.
• Iterate and Adapt: Don’t wait for perfection—launch, learn, and improve.

Memorable Quotes from Jamie:

• “What life do I want to create? That’s the bigger thing that has driven a lot of the decisions now.”
• “You can tweak things by 2% and see over 100% increase in profit—that’s the power of math.”
• “The only mistake is not using your data to refine the vision.”

Listener Action Items:

1. Pre-Order Hidden Profit – Get over $300 in bonuses, including a companion guide and access to a live business planning event.
2. Join Jamie’s Facebook Group – Connect with other women entrepreneurs in the Financial Literacy for Women Business Owners Facebook group.
3. Watch

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Today I welcome financial educator and profit strategist Jamie Trull. 

We talk about the transformative power of understanding business finances, pricing strategies, and how SEO can drive real results. 

From doubling prices overnight to lowering ad spend through smarter targeting, Jamie shares tangible strategies and inspirational insights.

Plus, a sneak peek into her brand new book, "Hidden Profit" designed to empower small business owners.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Pricing Can Be a Game Changer: Doubling your prices can lead to increased profit with fewer sales—and less burnout.
• Your Labor Counts: Entrepreneurs often forget to factor in their own time and effort when pricing products.
• The SEO Advantage: SEO isn’t just for visibility—it drives qualified traffic, reduces ad costs, and improves conversions.
• Digital Footprint Matters: A strong online presence across platforms improves trust with both users and AI search engines.
• Finances Are Foundational: Whether you're earning your first dollar or scaling toward 7 figures, understanding profit levers is essential.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

"It is possible to make more by doing less." – Jamie Trull

"SEO helped us lower ad costs and increase conversions by bringing in the right people." – Jamie Trull

"Money may not buy happiness, but it can buy opportunity." – Jamie Trull

✅ Listener Action Items:

• Evaluate Your Pricing: Are you undervaluing your products or services? Consider testing a price increase.
• Audit Your Time: Compare your revenu

Text me your questions or comments!

Hey creative entrepreneur—does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by CrystalGPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Crystal GPT walks you through what matters most for your website. Head to SEOin7days.com (with a 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this powerful continuation of the conversation with Heather Physioc, we explore how AI is reshaping the SEO landscape and why human-centered strategy still matters. 

Heather shares her framework for applying "Jobs to Be Done" thinking in SEO, especially for small businesses and creators. 

From empathy maps to AI content sourcing, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating modern discoverability. 

We also dive into how platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are sourcing content—and what it means for brands big and small.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Jobs to Be Done Is the SEO Framework You’re Missing: Learn how understanding your audience's "job" is the key to creating meaningful content.
• AI Is Changing the Web’s Economy: Heather argues that platforms like Google and ChatGPT are “stealing content” without offering equivalent value back.
• Empathy Mapping for Better Content: Mapping customer emotions, actions, and pain points can guide your SEO strategy more effectively than keywords alone.
• AI Search Results Are Not Created Equal: Different LLMs (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) source and synthesize information very differently.
• Discoverability Is the New SEO: Heather introduces a broader lens for search—beyond rankings and into audience engagement and real-world results.

💬 Memorable Quotes:

• “Discoverability all day, every day. It is encompassing of all of those things.”
• “AI can synthesize information, but it can’t synthesize a room full of humans creatively brainstorming.”
• “Clicks and eyeballs might not be the transaction of the future.”

🎯 Listener Action Items:

1. Map the Jobs to Be Done: Think beyond demographics—what problem is your customer trying to solve?
2. Create an Empathy Map: Define what your audience is thinking, feeling, and searching for.
3. Diversify Your AI Testing: Try different platforms (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity) to see how they interpret your niche.

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

In this episode of The Simple and Smart SEO Show, host Crystal Waddell welcomes Heather Physioc, Chief Discoverability Officer at VML, for a deep dive into the evolving world of search and digital strategy. 

Heather shares her insights on why Google isn't the only search engine that matters, how AI is reshaping the search journey, and why content needs to serve users at every stage—from discovery to post-purchase. 

From structured data to customer retention via social media, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for marketers, SEOs, and business owners.

Key Takeaways:

• SEO Isn’t Just About Google Anymore: Platforms like TikTok, Pinterest, Reddit, and in-platform AI search tools are becoming vital in the discoverability ecosystem.
• AI Should Enhance, Not Replace Creativity: Use AI to eliminate repetitive tasks and streamline workflows—not to substitute authentic human communication.
• Brand Experience Matters Across the Entire Journey: From awareness to post-purchase content, every touchpoint contributes to discoverability and trust.
• Structured Data Is Critical for E-commerce SEO: Schema and well-organized product feeds prepare brands for AI-powered commerce search.
• Jobs to Be Done Framework is More Relevant Than Ever: SEO should be rooted in solving real user problems, especially in the age of contextual, compound queries.

Episode Highlights:

• "Google is not the only platform out there where people are engaging in search activities." – Heather Physioc
• "Jobs to be done isn't just a theory—it's a way to make your brand truly useful across all channels."

Listener Action Items:

1. Reevaluate Your SEO Strategy Beyond Google: Identify where your audience is searching and tailor your content accordingly.
2. Use AI Thoughtfully: Let AI handle grunt work so you can focus on creativity and strategy.
3. Audit Your Customer Journey Touchpoints: Create or improve content that supports awareness, comparison, and retention.
4. Implement Structured Data Markup: Prioritize schema to support AI discoverability in commerce platforms.
5. Map Jobs to Be Done: Understand the real problems

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!

Ross Simmonds breaks down how AI overviews and LLMs are changing search—and what small businesses can do to keep winning. 

We dig into why brand and owned channels matter more than ever, how to diversify beyond Google, which third-party domains LLMs love to cite, and a simple focus formula for content distribution. 

Key Takeaways

• The SERP is shifting to answers and transactions; fewer clicks to your site means brand + owned channels are mission-critical. 
• Now is the time to publish unique, story-driven content that LLMs can cite later. Create assets your “future you” will be grateful for. 
• Diversify discovery: show up where buyers research (TikTok, Pinterest, Instagram, Etsy), not just on Google. 
• Search behavior has shifted—people use Instagram/YouTube/TikTok for ideas and how-tos; optimize for those journeys. 
• To influence LLM answers, seed multiple authoritative domains (LinkedIn, Reddit, Medium, Quora) with your message. 
• “Be excellent on one channel” first; syndicate elsewhere even if it’s not perfect—then expand. 
• Optimize your life too: sleep and calendars drive better marketing than nonstop grind. 

Listener Action Items

1. Pick your “home” channel and get excellent at it for 90 days; syndicate the same posts to 2 other platforms with light edits. 
2. Publish 3–5 unique, story-rich assets this month that your future self wants LLMs to cite. 
3. Seed third-party domains (LinkedIn article, Reddit thread, Medium post, Quora answer) with your core message to boost LLM citation odds. 
4. Audit discovery: can buyers find you on Pinterest/Instagram/TikTok/Etsy for your “money” searches? If not, claim and optimize profiles. 
5. Protect your energy: schedule sleep, workouts, and weekly calendar reviews before adding new marketing experiments. 

Connect With Ross:

• Linkedin
• Get Ross’s book: Create Once, Distribute Forever 

Text me your questions or comments!

Does SEO feel confusing, overwhelming, or just plain impossible to figure out? You’re not alone. That’s why I created the AI SEO Foundations course, powered by Crystal GPT: your personal AI SEO coach designed for busy, creative business owners like you.

Ditch the overwhelm and discover what SEO can do for your business! Head to SEOin7days.com (with the number 7!) and get started today—let’s make your brand easy to find and impossible to ignore.

Support the show

Book a Shopify Store Strategy Call With Crystal!

Want to follow up on what you've heard? Search the podcast!

AFFILIATE LINKS:
Start your Shopify Store!
Get SurferSEO!

Metricool (to be everywhere online, you NEED a social media scheduler!)

Note:
If you make a purchase using some of my links, I make a little money.
But I only ever share products, people, & offers I trust & use myself!