Edge Of The Web - An Seo Podcast For Today's Digital Marketer

CTR Secrets and Social Shakeups It’s another jam-packed ride on EDGE of the Web as Erin is joined by Duncan Alney of Firebelly to discuss News in Social this week. With Google hyping up AI Overviews but dodging every meaningful CTR question, it seems the only thing spinning faster than SERP layouts are the PR answers. Get the inside scoop on how ChatGPT gobbles up over 80% of AI search traffic (Google, take notes), why Meta’s launching a CapCut rival to remix your socials, and how Reddit is scrambling to keep the bots at bay after AI sock puppets could sway opinions 3-6x better than humans. Meanwhile, Pinterest is charging ahead with AI content labeling so you can actually see—surprise!—real images again. Plus, political maneuvering has TikTok advertisers doing the Hokey Pokey while Meta rolls out shiny new ad options across Threads and more. Our hot take? If you thought getting a blue check was easy, wait until you see Blue Sky put the power of verification in the hands of users and newsrooms—finally, checkm

Curious where your website visitors are really clicking—or rage-clicking? On this week’s EDGE of the Web, SEO expert Celeste Gonzalez returns to break down how heatmaps and session recordings are transforming the way we analyze user behavior, optimize pages, and (hopefully) keep our clients engaged. We dig into practical tips for choosing the right pages to monitor, interpreting the sometimes confusing world of “dead clicks” versus “rage clicks,” and why your mobile hero image might be killing conversions. A/B testing? Internal linking tests for those blog post traffic hogs?  On a side note: if you haven’t looked at Microsoft Clarity (a freebie, folks), you’re missing out. Celeste spills why it’s her go-to and what to watch for as AI-powered tools like Copilot throw their hot takes into the mix. And we concur! Always be optimizing! Whether you’re an SEO wrangling for bigger budgets or a marketer tired of guessing, Celeste’s advice on collaboration, continuous testing, and the necessity of structured analysis

This week, Erin Sparks and Jacob Mann are joined by Danny Goodwin, editorial director at Search Engine Land, for a special “News from the News” edition. They dive into the sharp rise of Google Ad costs and the troubling effects of CPC inflation, Instagram’s experimental new collaborative Storylines feature, and an in-depth study comparing AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Bing, and Google. The conversation shifts to major legal blows hitting Google’s ad tech monopoly, new research revealing how AI overviews are significantly cutting into click-through rates, and the future of search as generative AI reshapes the landscape. Plus, Danny shares exciting updates about SMX Advanced returning live this June in Boston, marking the first in-person event in five years. News from the EDGE: [00:04:29] CPC inflation: How fast are Google Ads costs rising? [00:09:45] Instagram Experiments With Collaborative Stories Feature [00:12:47] ChatGPT vs Perplexity vs Google vs Bing: Which AI search engine generates the be

Celeste Gonzalez, Director of Rue Labs at Rickety Roo, joins EDGE to explore how heat maps and user behavior tracking are transforming SEO strategy. She walks through Microsoft Clarity’s suite of tools—including tap, scroll, attention, and area heat maps—and explains how they reveal real user interactions beyond what traditional metrics can offer. From understanding time-on-page to visualizing content engagement, Celeste shows how these tools help SEOs optimize design, layout, and messaging. She highlights the growing need to “earn the scroll,” not just the click, especially as attention spans shrink and SERPs shift. Celeste also addresses common missteps, like overreacting to limited data or drawing conclusions in isolation. She encourages combining heat map data with tools like GA4 and leaning into collaboration with UX and marketing teams. With empathy and clear visual insights, SEOs can better advocate for redesigns, justify strategic shifts, and ensure content supports the entire user journey. This episo

Advertisers are bailing on TikTok as another U.S. ban looms, shifting dollars to Meta while creators scatter to backup platforms. Meanwhile, Google credits Gemini for nuking 240 million spammy reviews and business edits, but don’t expect them to help you get your real reviews back.   Big legal moves are underway: The NYT lawsuit against OpenAI and Microsoft will proceed, and Chegg is suing Google for killing traffic via AI Overviews. Sara Taher joins the show to unpack the long-term consequences of AI scraping and shrinking search real estate.   We also dive into new AI traffic data showing LLMs are sending visits, barely, and why Google suddenly loves YouTube again. If you’re not aligning schema, content, and branding now, you’ll be shouting into the algorithm void.   News from the EDGE: [00:02:26] Advertisers pull back from TikTok, boost Meta amid ban uncertainty [00:08:49] Google credits Gemini for better detection of fake business reviews and maps spam [00:14:11] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics A

SEO veterans Mike Blumenthal, Greg Sterling, and David Mim continue exploring the pressing questions surrounding Google's role as a utility and its evolving platforms. Focusing on the European search experience, the discussion also revolves around AI's role in modifying search results, and local service ads' impact on user behavior. The talk also touches on how changes in Google's algorithm and business model are propelling a significant decline in traditional website traffic. The guests from Near Media provide expert insights on how businesses can adapt by enhancing the visibility of their services via structured content that appeals directly to these AI-driven formats.  Greg, Mike, and David share their perspectives on AI's potential to redefine consumer interactions with search platforms and marketing methods, while also highlighting the importance of direct customer relationships and authentic experiences.  Key Segments: [00:06:51] EU Tech Regulation and Google's Search Impact [00:10:30] Local SEO and Zer

In Local News! Darren Shaw is back with us on the Local beat, giving us some key insights into the ongoing local marketing challenges. Great to have him back! In general digital marketing news, Google’s been dishing out settlements, and Amazon's itching for TikTok. There’s a Google's $100M settlement over AdWords billing practices. Might want to pay attention to that. Seems a bit precedent setting. Darren shares insights on how local SEO is evolving with trends like review recency and the significant role of video content. Meanwhile, Google’s mysterious local service ads anomaly didn't go unnoticed. What is with the testing of the green check mark in LSA? That is a huge value; why drop it? Google Business Profile Questions and Answers is gone. RIP. The “question” is, how valuable was it? Clippable coupons are showing up in the wild on GBP, but rarely. If you think negative reviews spook SEO experts, think again—Darren explains why they might be able to help you.  All Things Local in this episode of Local News

This is going to be big. SEO Week 2025 is happening at the end of this month!.  Held from April 28th to May 1st in New York City, this conference brings together a powerhouse of 40+ speakers to discuss the seismic shifts in SEO, including generative AI and its profound implications on search dynamics. Join Erin Sparks, Garrett Sussman, and Mike King as they share tales from the frontlines of SEO innovation. The conference is set to be groundbreaking. Thematic days are focused on the Science, Psychology, Ecosystem, and Future of SEO. Special guest Will Critchlow joins us with his fascinating take on how AI-powered searches are subtly yet drastically altering E-commerce strategy, giving a sneak peek into what to expect at the NYC event. Hold on tight because this isn’t just a conference—it’s a seismic shift poised to redefine SEO. Lily Ray, JR Oakes, and Jori Ford join the show and share a bit of their presentations that will happen at the conference. Get their takes on how important this conference is set to b

The EDGE untangles the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) with SEO veterans Mike Blumenthal, Greg Sterling, and David Mihm. This episode reveals how Google’s strategic maneuvers in Europe are reshaping the SERP landscape and challenging the status quo in local search. With a strong research effort of the last two years, our guests dissect Google's attempts to comply with the DMA, such as the introduction of the Places Sites Tab, Carousel and the decoupling of the Local Pack from Google Maps. Despite these efforts, user behavior tells a different story—one where Google's new features are largely ignored. It seems the Local Pack is still the go-to destination for users, regardless of these new additions. Meanwhile, the episode exposes an intriguing juxtaposition in the hotels vertical, where booking.com emerges as a formidable player through ad dominance, highlighting a complex dance between market giants. This scenario sparks a discussion on whether Google's self-preferencing tendencies are truly being curtailed o

Creepy AI Advancements! Brace yourselves! Cindy Krum is back to dive into the latest twists in technology and SEO this week, highlighting Google's bold AI ventures and search ranking revelations.  Google’s recent news about Gemini's real-time video AI and its concerning pervasive presence has sparked widespread conversation, at least with us. Couple this with the perplexing offer to acquire TikTok by Perplexity, and you’ve got a whirlwind of AI-driven developments. Plus, there is a great research doc this month from SERanking on the comparison of AI platforms: Who tackles Your Money Your Life (YMYL) topics best, DeepSeek ChatGPT or Google AI Overviews? We're not mincing words—John Mueller's insights on the effect of core algorithm updates on AI overviews add an additional layer of excitement as AI and search collide. So we have to make some custom 404 pages for hallucinated URLs to your site from AI Overviews? That does sound right. Hit the play button to catch our spirited dive into these pressing matters wi

Step into the future of SEO with the EDGE, where Cyrus Shepard reveals how to harness the power of personal content and brand authority in a world increasingly influenced by AI. Learn why authenticity and unique perspectives are your new best friends in the digital arena. We unpack a treasure trove of insights with Cyrus, covering the key concepts of modern SEO: the importance of brand searches, building authority through expert imagery, and the critical need to integrate personal experience. Discover how Google's shifting algorithms and Quality Raters Guidelines are reshaping the landscape, requiring a pivot from traditional keyword-heavy strategies to a more holistic, value-driven approach. Cyrus shares firsthand experiences from his time as a Quality Rater, offering a rare glimpse into how Google evaluates experience and authenticity. Find out why now is the time to invest in unique, non-scalable content that showcases your expertise and passion, setting your brand apart from AI-generated noise. Brand is t

Join us as Cyrus Shepard shares the evolving relationship between brand and SEO, setting the stage for businesses to thrive in today's digital landscape.  Explore the profound shifts that are shaking up the old-school SEO world. From understanding Google's reliance on brand as a filter to discovering which digital strategies can enhance your site's authority without solely focusing on keywords, we've got the latest insights. Care to rethink your link strategy? Discover how anchor texts can shape your brand's perception and influence your rankings in this domain-driven age. Erin and Cyrus explore fresh approaches that every good SEO should consider adopting. Don't miss out on this Zippy discussion where we explore the starting point for building a brand that impacts SEO.  We would always love a review! Go to RateThisPodcast/EDGE and let us know what you think about this interview! Key Segments: [00:07:33] Measuring Brand Impact in SEO [00:15:54] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:53] Essenti

Greg Finn jumps into the Paid Ad news focus this week. Friend of the show; it’s always a good time when he is around! What do you think about Google's ambitious prediction that AI will craft mesmerizing customer journeys while the search giant navigates through over 5 trillion searches a year? And what is going on with Google Ads and their announcement that they will use well-performing Headlines in Sitelinks? That’s confusing for us, but it will also be confusing for consumers. What gives, Google? Greg, Erin, and Jacob dive deep into the world of paid ads, dissecting Google's latest move to serve triple ads on a single SERP and introducing the bewildering Mystery Shopping Rating. As Greg unleashes his fiery insights, they tackle the challenges of Google’s evolving auction dynamics and the perplexities of manipulating ad placements and bids for high-value prospects. Not to mention our newest discovery, the Grinning Indomitable Greg Finn Yeti! We’ve seen it in the wild, and he’s pissed! A must-listen-to podcas

Everyone’s lit up with AI advancements, but what about our privacy? Erin Sparks and Michael Lewittes dive into the ethics and privacy concerns surrounding AI, shedding light on the rapid information exchange and the potential risks looming over our data. Explore how hedge funds are making daring AI moves, with new platforms demanding personal information in return for supposedly superior features. The question lingers: Are we too quick to exchange privacy for convenience?  Michael shares insights on discerning fact from fiction in AI-generated content and offers advice for content creators striving to stand out in a saturated market. His expert analysis offers a roadmap to uphold authenticity and authority in a sea of homogenized content. Alongside, the EDGE team muses about the consumer's role in safeguarding personal data against the intrusive AI gaze. Emphasizing the mantra "verify, then trust," they urge listeners to sharpen critical thinking in the flood of AI-generated content. [00:05:36] AI Ethics and

Duncan Alney of Firebelly joins the EDGE to give his take on Social Media news and trends. A long-time friend of the show, we got him on board to dig into what we should be paying attention to in Social Media right now. Google Business profiles took a hit but are on the mend, while LinkedIn's newest analytics features help professionals find their path to visibility. On this jaunt down the digital lane, Erin Sparks and Duncan Alney unravel the enigma of social media updates and the shenanigans behind Google’s latest moves. Did Facebook really decide our live videos were just taking up space? And what about TikTok's stealthy climb back up the app store mountain? We uncover the backstory of these head-scratching occurrences and pinpoint what it means for brands caught in the evolving digital landscape. Plus, a dash of Pinterest's audacious predictions for 2025, because who wouldn't want a sardine tattoo or chainmail chic in their sartorial repertoire? Duncan lends his expert eye to elucidate these potential tre

Michael Lewittes swings back around to the EDGE to discuss a current and concerning topic, AI content and its effect on journalism. Michael brings his quarter-century of media experience to the table, sharing his journey from a seasoned journalist to spearheading cutting-edge SEO tools like Rankify. Discover how transparency, fact-checking, and expertise are more critical than ever in the era of AI-generated content and rampant misinformation. Explore the vital role of journalistic integrity in an age of deepfakes and echo chambers. With tales of newsroom dynamics and content homogenization, the conversation takes an intriguing turn toward how AI, if unchecked, could drastically alter the content landscape. Key Segments: [00:05:38] Early 2000s Fact-Checking Pioneer [00:06:28] Emphasizing Transparency in Journalism [00:12:10] Newsroom Lessons and Exclusive Stories [00:15:00] Deepfake Verification and Digital Responsibility [00:17:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:41] Journalism Integrit

Sara Taher joins the EDGE team this week to have a focused discussion of AI and SEO in the news. From China's deep-sea AI shake-ups to Meta monetizing threads and Google's evolving search Quality Raters Guidelines, this week promises a feast of intriguing insights and digital dilemmas. We unpack the repercussions of Deepseek—a Chinese AI marvel shaking Silicon Valley with its low-cost, high-performance delivery, and what that means for the global tech landscape. OpenAI's new operator agent takes automation to a new level, independently performing tasks on the web as Google's latest SERP experiments blur the lines between genuine and generated content. Amid water-guzzling AI models and potential copyright conundrums, we question the future of internet search and ponder the implications of AI-altered reality. Can SEO maintain its footing in an AI-dominated world?  News from the EDGE: [00:02:57]  Meta Launches Ads on Threads [00:06:23]  Google Updates Search Quality Rater Guidelines: What To Know [00:12:27] EDGE

Busy doesn't always mean productive. How do you balance the need for continued content with the need for quality? Paula Mejia, VP of Enterprise Marketing from WIX Studio, shares her insights on maintaining engagement without compromising on content value. Erin Sparks and Paula dive into the core philosophy of enterprise marketing strategies, focusing on effective goal-setting, the fine balance between creativity and productivity, and the pivotal role of AI in modern marketing. They tackle the often tricky conversations about budget allocations and staying the course amidst tempting trends. Paula shares her perspective: "You as a marketer want to be in front of your customer as often as possible... but if we do that, we are burning our marketing team and using budget inefficiently." Exploring the nuances between brand efforts and tangible ROI, Paula provides invaluable advice for navigating the complex landscape of marketing attribution. Key Segments [00:05:42] Strategic Marketing Amid Digital Noise [00:08:44]

Is your brand braced for the seismic shifts that Large Language Models (LLMs) are creating in the search landscape? Cindy Krum from Mobile Moxie joins us for her new regular spot in SEO News from the EDGE! We dissect the latest in SEO news from key stories and insight over the last few weeks, punctuated by a sharp decline in HubSpot’s SEO traffic. We explore how LLMs like ChatGPT and Google Gemini are rewriting the rules of search and reshaping zero-click results. Also, Cindy spills her insights on the massive 73% SEO traffic dip at HubSpot, scrutinizing the potential thin content and lack of topical authority as probable culprits. News from the EDGE: [00:02:43] Is Your Brand Prepared for what LLMs are doing to Search? [00:12:17] What is happening to HubSpot with their SEO traffic?? [00:17:31] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics SEO News from the EDGE: [00:18:40] Yahoo Search Testing AI Chat Feature [00:21:18] Google's Page Annotation Opt-Out Form [00:25:20] Google Drops Breadcrumbs From Mobile Se

We dive into enterprise marketing management with Paula Mejia, Vice President of Enterprise Marketing at WIX Studio in this episode. Paula brings a wealth of knowledge from her nine-year journey with WIX, where she has spearheaded growth, brand, and product marketing initiatives, significantly contributing to the platform's expansion. Paula shares her insights on balancing strategic planning with daily management, highlighting the importance of aligning every team effort with the broader long-term goals. Paula shares how she manages to strike a balance between short-term performance metrics and long-term growth strategies. She emphasizes the crucial role of continuous evaluation and optimization within the marketing funnel. Paula also discusses how her team experiments with various marketing tactics, detailing their rigorous approach to optimizing for quality leads and testing new initiatives. Another key takeaway from the episode is the importance of cross-departmental collaboration, particularly in aligning