Systemizing SEO: How Top Operators Scale Rankings in the AI Era (w/ Nathan Gotch)

E918: David Quaid returns to the show to break down one of the most misunderstood topics in SEO: XML sitemaps. Every day, people are told that if their pages are "crawled but not indexed," the fix is simple - submit a sitemap. This episode explains why that advice is usually wrong, what XML sitemaps actually do, and why authority is the real factor behind indexing and rankings. This conversation reframes SEO as a system, not a checklist. Instead of treating Google like it follows instructions, we look at how crawling, indexing, PageRank decay, and authority actually work in practice. Topics covered: - What XML sitemaps do and what they don't do - Why "crawled but not indexed" is almost never a sitemap issue - How Google crawlers really work (and why they aren't "spiders") - The difference between crawling, indexing, and ranking - Why pages without authority don't get indexed - How internal links actually transfer authority - PageRank decay and why most links don't matter - Why manual URL submission is usually the wrong approach - Client-side rendering, JavaScript, and how Googlebot handles them - Why content quality is not the reason most pages aren't indexed - How large sites (Amazon, eBay, news sites) still have low index rates - Why backlinks only matter if the linking page has traffic - Common mistakes SEOs make with sitemaps, crawl optimization, and indexing tools - When HTML sitemaps make more sense than XML sitemaps - How authority shapes indexing for programmatic SEO and large sites Who this episode is for: - SEOs struggling with pages that won't get indexed - Founders and developers working on small or mid-sized sites - Anyone relying on XML sitemaps as an indexing strategy - People who want to understand how Google actually evaluates pages Key takeaway: If Google can crawl your page but won't index it, the problem is not technical. It's authority. XML sitemaps don't create authority, don't force indexing, and don't fix underlying SEO issues. SEO works as a system. If you try to treat it like a checklist, it will break. ⭐️ 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 to Sitemaps and SEO 00:35 Debunking Common Sitemap Myths 01:23 Understanding Google Crawlers 03:02 Client-Side vs Server-Side Rendering 03:26 Authority and Relevance in SEO 03:36 Challenges with JavaScript and SEO 05:01 The Role of Authority in Indexing 10:50 Practical Tips for Improving Indexing 12:56 The Importance of Context in Links 15:14 Managing Sitemaps for Small Sites 16:04 Handling Noindex Pages 16:53 Crawling and Indexing Challenges 17:24 Manual Submit Requests and Google Bots 19:55 The Role of Sitemaps 21:23 Backlinks and Authority 23:40 Programmatic SEO Insights 23:52 Common Mistakes in Programmatic SEO 24:04 SEO for Large Websites 25:44 SEO Strategies for New Sites 30:42 SEO Fun and Future Topics 31:04 Conclusion and Next Episode Teaser The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #xmlsitemap #googlesearchconsole #webdevelopment

E917: I'm joined by Nathan Gotch to break down how modern SEO actually works in the AI era - and why systemizing your process matters more than ever. We go deep into how top operators think about SEO today, from local and e-commerce to SaaS and AI search platforms. This conversation is practical, opinionated, and grounded in real campaigns, not theory. What we cover: - Why systemizing SEO is more important than tactics or hacks - How to structure SEO playbooks, systems, and SOPs for repeatable results - The biggest mistakes people make with service area pages and local SEO - How to think about URL structure, intent, and conversion-first pages - When to create a new page vs expanding an existing one - How Nathan approaches SEO testing and experimentation - What actually matters in SEO audits (and what doesn't) - Site architecture, internal linking, crawl depth, and page support - HTML vs JavaScript sites and why it still matters - How AI retrieval changes crawling, indexing, and visibility - Page speed, retrievability, and why AI is less tolerant of slow sites - Using Google Search Console data to build supporting content - How to approach category pages in e-commerce without hurting conversions - The role of backlinks today and how link strategy is changing - How AI platforms pull citations for local and service-based businesses - Why Google Business Profiles still matter - and where they don't - The difference between traditional SEO and AI search visibility - What types of content AI cannot replace - When AI content works and when it clearly fails - How Nathan uses AI for development while keeping SEO fundamentals intact - Why small teams can now compete with much larger companies - What successful SEO operators do differently from everyone else This episode is especially relevant if you: - Run an SEO agency or manage client campaigns - Work in local SEO, SaaS, or e-commerce - Are trying to understand how AI affects search and visibility - Want to build repeatable SEO systems instead of starting from scratch - Care about long-term rankings, not short-term wins Nathan also shares how he's thinking about the future of SEO, AI search, and building platforms that work across Google, AI assistants, and emerging search environments. If you're serious about SEO and want to understand how top operators actually approach it today, this episode will give you a clear framework to think from. Thanks for watching and listening. ⭐️ Nathan Gotch's Search OS - https://os.nathangotch.com/ ⭐️ Nathan Gotch's Rankability - https://www.rankability.com/ ⭐️ Nathan Gotch on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@nathangotch ⭐️ Nathan Gotch - https://nathangotch.com/ ⭐️ Nathan Gotch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathangotch/ ⭐️ Nathan Gotch on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nathan.gotch/ ⭐️ Nathan Gotch on 𝕏 - https://x.com/nathangotch 💎 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 00:21 The Importance of Systemizing SEO 01:33 Nathan Gotch's SEO System 03:10 Building a Client Knowledge Base 07:28 Common SEO Mistakes and Best Practices 15:58 E-commerce SEO Strategies 36:51 Migrating Sites to Replit 46:05 Reading SEO Books and Creating Content 46:23 The Power of Experience in Content Creation 47:15 AI's Limitations and Human Advantages 48:53 Using AI for Case Studies and Content 49:21 Debating the Best CMS for SEO 51:08 Challenges and Benefits of WordPress 52:50 Exploring Vibe Coding and AI Tools 59:13 Building and Marketing Linkable Assets 01:01:53 Creating Software Companies with AI 01:17:16 SEO Strategies and AI Content 01:23:27 Building and Realizing Ideas 01:24:10 Mission and Vision for Rankability 01:25:40 Challenges and Persistence in Business 01:32:43 SEO Strategies and Local Business Focus 01:40:46 Influencing AI Platforms 01:49:42 Link Building and SEO Success 01:53:00 Consistency and Execution in SEO 01:59:22 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #linkbuilding #generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization

E916: I break down one of the most extreme search visibility collapses I've ever seen. Cointelegraph - one of the largest and most established crypto news sites in the world - went from over 4 million monthly Google clicks to roughly 75,000 in a matter of weeks. Even branded searches stopped returning their website. This episode explains what actually happened, why this was not a crypto-wide issue, and what publishers should learn from it. What we cover in this episode: - The exact timeline of Cointelegraph's traffic collapse - Why this was likely more than an algorithmic update - How Google's site reputation abuse policy played a central role - The quiet launch of casino, betting, and iGaming directories - Why low-quality third-party content is especially risky for trusted brands - Signs that this was a manual penalty, not normal volatility - Why Cointelegraph disappeared even for branded searches - How similar situations have affected major publishers in the past - What this means for crypto media, news sites, and content publishers - How revenue diversification can backfire when it's misaligned with editorial focus Key takeaway: This was not Google "shadow banning crypto." This was a case study in what happens when a trusted publisher extends its authority into unrelated, high-risk commercial content - especially when third parties are involved. Even the biggest brands are vulnerable when transparency, alignment, and editorial integrity break down. This episode also explains: - Why some penalties are recoverable and others are not - How publishers can diversify revenue without risking search visibility - Why building in-house products is safer than affiliate-heavy strategies - The role transparency plays in long-term trust and E-E-A-T If you're a publisher, SEO, founder, or operator who depends on organic search traffic, this episode is required listening. ⭐️ Pere Monguió Montells's deep dive - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pere-monguio_a-deep-dive-into-cointelegraphs-google-ban-activity-7393924228103938049--XEf/ ⭐️ Cointelegraph Traffic Drop and iGaming Section Removal Suggest a Possible Manual Google Penalty - https://theholycoins.com/news/cointelegraph-traffic-drop-and-igaming-section-removal-suggest-a-possible-manual-google-penalty ⭐️ Google hit Forbes Advisor with a manual action over the site reputation abuse policy - https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/1ft47sn/google_hit_forbes_advisor_with_a_manual_action/ 💎 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: Cointelegraph's Google Ban 00:18 Cointelegraph's Traffic Plunge 01:22 Google's Site Reputation Abuse Policy 02:17 Investigating the Ban: June to September 04:20 October: The Collapse and Aftermath 10:39 Lessons and Takeaways for Publishers 14:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #sitereputationabuse #googlepenality #DigitalPublishing

E915: We break down EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) and how Google evaluates website quality - straight from Google's own documentation, quality rater guidelines, and real-world SEO experience. Joining me is Shaun Anderson, one of the most respected SEO professionals in the industry with over 20 years of experience. This is a fast-paced, no-nonsense discussion designed to clarify what EEAT is, what it is not, and how it affects real websites. This episode focuses on how Google determines trust, why some sites are labeled low quality, and why EEAT matters even if it's not a direct ranking factor. What we cover in this episode - What EEAT actually means in Google Search - Whether EEAT is a ranking factor (and why that question misses the point) - How Google evaluates trust and site quality - The difference between EEAT and PageRank - Why reputation matters more offsite than onsite - How Google treats YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) topics - Which types of content require higher trust standards - What happens when a site is marked "low quality" - Why EEAT cannot be faked - How transparency, credibility, and disclosures impact site quality - The role of terms of use, contact pages, and business information - How the Google API leak aligns with the Quality Rater Guidelines - Why trust is the most important quality framework to understand Key takeaways - EEAT is not a single signal or score - Trust is the core outcome Google is trying to measure - Some EEAT signals come from offsite reputation, not self-published claims - Onsite trust elements still matter and can impact the entire site - Poor transparency can lower the perceived quality of every page - EEAT affects rankings, conversions, and long-term site credibility This episode is useful for: - Website owners - SEO professionals - Content creators - Anyone publishing advice, commercial content, or informational content online Even if your site is not in a high-risk YMYL category, these principles still matter for users, conversions, and long-term growth. ⭐️ Shaun Anderson at Hobo SEO blog - https://www.hobo-web.co.uk/shaun-anderson/ ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on 𝕏 - https://x.com/hobo_web ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@Hobo_Web ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-anderson-hobo/ ⭐️ Shaun Anderson's free EEAT tool - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bJnecq2vxJ_uqQVRvSbV50fw5ynIohqSnpqGZNimTKs/edit?gid=0#gid=0 💎 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 EEAT in SEO 00:14 Guest Introduction: Shaun Anderson 00:47 Understanding EEAT: Key Concepts 01:27 Google API Leak and Its Implications 01:55 Importance of EEAT for Different Websites 04:17 YMYL Topics and Trustworthiness 06:59 Examples of EEAT in Practice 08:09 PageRank vs. EEAT 11:38 Maximizing Trust and Credibility 13:01 Fake vs. Real EEAT 20:36 Thoughts and Future Episodes 24:11 Final Remarks and Episode Wrap-Up The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #eeatseo #seotips #googleapileak

E914: Cody See joins the show. We break down why simple, fundamentals-driven SEO consistently outperforms complicated, "advanced" tactics - and why that's been true for over a decade. We talk through real-world experience running affiliate sites, agencies, and client campaigns, and explain why most SEO failures come from overengineering, ego, or chasing shortcuts instead of focusing on what actually converts. This is a practical, honest conversation about how SEO works today. Topics covered: - Why "easy SEO" isn't lazy SEO - and why it works - The difference between ranking for ego vs ranking for revenue - How picking the right keywords matters more than advanced tactics - Bottom-of-funnel keywords vs high-volume vanity keywords - Why link building isn't always necessary to rank - White hat SEO vs risky shortcuts and why shortcuts usually fail - How SEO results are often faster today than they were years ago - What changed about Google's "sandbox" (and why it barely exists now) - Real examples of backlinks that actually moved rankings - Why referral traffic matters more than links alone - How simple SEO scales better for agencies and niche businesses - Why most people overestimate the value of technical complexity We also discuss: - How AI-generated content is eroding traditional trust signals - Why authority is shifting back to reputation and real relationships - How outreach, PR, and networking have changed post-AI - Why being direct and human now beats polished outreach - How automation can support SEO without replacing judgment CMS & platform discussion: - Wix Studio vs WordPress from an SEO perspective - What Wix has improved - and where it still falls short - SEO features that matter and ones that don't - Why starting with clean fundamentals saves problems later This episode is for: - SEOs who are tired of overcomplicated advice - Agency owners who want repeatable results - Builders starting new sites who want clarity instead of noise - Anyone who wants SEO to support a real business, not just rankings ⭐️ Cody See on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcodysee/ ⭐️ The Agency Growth Podcast - https://www.agencygrowthpod.com ⭐️ The Agency After Hours Discord - https://discord.com/invite/uvHRRRFVRD ⭐️ Cody's podcast interview with Wix Studio -  https://www.agencygrowthpod.com/episodes/wix-wants-agencies-were-listening-ft-kobi-gamliel-w-wix-studio-112 💎 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 Catching Up and Personal Updates 00:31 Launching a New Website on Wix 00:50 Discussing Wix's SEO Challenges 01:00 Cody's Podcast Interview with Wix's Head of Partnerships 03:39 SEO Strategies and Techniques 15:18 The Importance of Keyword Selection 19:11 Personal SEO Journey and Experiences 22:51 Building and Scaling an SEO Agency 24:54 Niche SEO Success Stories 27:35 Exploring PPC and Local Service Ads 36:40 The Future of AI in SEO and Networking 38:26 Challenges in Modern Communication 38:59 AI's Impact on Outreach 40:00 Trust Signals in Networking 41:27 Dealing with AI-Generated Messages 43:34 Effective Outreach Strategies 44:59 Understanding Your Audience 47:11 SEO and Website Platforms 48:10 Wix vs. WordPress: A Detailed Comparison 54:23 Automating SEO Tasks 58:24 Wix Studio's SEO Challenges 01:13:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing #wixstudio #seo

E913: Practical, repeatable ways to use Google Search Console to make better SEO decisions without guessing. Instead of relying on assumptions, third-party tools, or long content cycles, this conversation focuses on using Google's own data to identify what your site is already eligible to rank for - and how to expand from there. We cover real workflows you can apply immediately, whether you're working on a small site or managing SEO at scale. David Quaid joins the show! We cover: - How to use Regex in Google Search Console to analyze branded vs non-branded searches - Why Search Console withholds data and how to work with wider query sets to get more accurate insights - How to identify question-based queries Google already associates with your site - Using Search Console to find page-two keywords that signal topical readiness - Turning "People Also Ask"-style queries into scalable FAQ and content structures - How internal linking and subfolders transfer topical authority across related pages - When expanding topical authority helps - and when it starts to hurt - A low-risk method for publishing many small pages to test ranking potential - How to use AI to speed up content production without committing to long editorial cycles - Deciding which pages are worth improving after Google shows you what ranks This episode is focused on process, not theory - how to reduce uncertainty, shorten feedback loops, and let Google's behavior guide your SEO strategy. ⭐️ 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 Welcome Back, David Quaid! 00:49 Using Regex in Google Search Console 01:34 Understanding Branded vs. Non-Branded Searches 06:30 Privacy Concerns in Search Queries 11:08 Expanding Topical Authority with Regex 15:49 Implementing GEO SEO Strategies 19:54 SEO Keyword Strategy 20:16 Leveraging Topical Authority 20:21 Linking Strategies for SEO 20:59 Creating Hub Pages 21:45 Content Types and Formats 22:12 Local SEO Insights 23:08 Understanding Google's Ranking Factors 24:24 Expanding Topical Authority 26:08 Managing Content Decay 27:02 Using AI for Content Creation 31:41 Optimizing Content for Rankings 36:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #keywordresearch #searchengineoptimization #googlesearchconsole #seo

E912: New research explains how Perplexity evaluates, ranks, and even discards content. If you want your content to be shown, cited, or recommended by large language models, understanding how one major AI answer engine works gives you insight into how the rest likely operate. We walk through research that analyzes Perplexity's ranking systems, including entity re-ranking, manual domain boosts, early engagement signals, and freshness requirements. While the research is currently unverified, the findings closely align with what we already know about how AI search and answer engines prioritize content. This is especially relevant for anyone working in SEO, content marketing, or generative engine optimization who wants to improve visibility in AI answers, AI overviews, and LLM-driven search experiences. What this covers: - How Perplexity retrieves and re-ranks content using multi-layer machine learning systems - Why topical authority and semantic relevance matter more than keyword matching alone - How entity searches (people, companies, concepts) are handled differently - The role of early user engagement in long-term visibility - Manual authority boosts for certain domains and what that means for content strategy - How YouTube titles and trending queries may influence AI visibility - Why fresh content and regular updates matter for LLM recommendations - Negative signals that can suppress or bury underperforming content - Why these ranking systems closely resemble SEO fundamentals Key takeaways: - Keyword optimization still matters, but it is not sufficient on its own - Content must be comprehensive, relevant, and supported by topical authority - Early performance can determine whether content continues to be surfaced - Interlinked content clusters perform better than isolated pages - AI answer engines favor quality, clarity, and usefulness over tactics designed to game rankings ⭐️ How Perplexity ranks content: Research uncovers core ranking factors and systems - https://searchengineland.com/how-perplexity-ranks-content-research-460031 ⭐️ Metehan Yesilyurt on 𝕏 - https://x.com/metehan777 💎 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 00:57 Research Insights on Perplexity's Ranking 02:36 Entity Search Re-Ranking System 03:36 Authoritative Domains and Parasite SEO 04:51 YouTube Synchronization and Keyword Optimization 06:34 Core Ranking Factors 08:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #answerengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #seo

E911: I break down what Google's John Mueller has repeatedly said is the most important rule in SEO: consistency. Not shortcuts. Not trends. Just consistent execution over time. John Mueller has shared this advice for years without fully explaining why it matters. Barry Schwartz helped add context, and in this I explain how consistency impacts rankings, trust, and conversions across both technical SEO and content. This conversation focuses on why inconsistent implementation quietly holds back many websites, even when they are doing other things right. What you'll learn: - Why Google consistently emphasizes consistency as the foundation of SEO - How inconsistent technical signals create problems for search engines - Common technical SEO mistakes caused by inconsistency - Why weak pages can negatively affect how Google views an entire site - How trust and consistency are closely connected in SEO - Why ranking alone is not the real goal of search optimization - How consistent publishing compounds results over time - A realistic approach to content frequency that most teams can maintain - Why taking your time leads to better outcomes than rushing execution Practical SEO guidance covered: - Publish content on a schedule you can realistically sustain - Fix page titles and internal linking before chasing advanced tactics - Focus on bottom-of-funnel SEO pages that target buyers ready to convert - Use blog content to support topical authority - Build links gradually with small, repeatable daily actions - Improve quality across your entire site instead of ignoring weak pages ⭐️ John Mueller Of Google: SEO Lives & Dies With Consistency - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-seo-lives-dies-with-consistency-31319.html ⭐️ How I've 10x'd My Podcast Growth Year Over Year - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/10x-podcast-growth/ 💎 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 New Year's Greetings 00:22 The Importance of Consistency in SEO 01:00 Personal Consistency Journey 01:26 John Mueller's SEO Advice 02:30 Technical Consistency in SEO 02:52 Content Consistency and Quality 03:40 Practical SEO Tips and Strategies 07:58 Consistency in Link Building 08:29 Final Thoughts and New Year Motivation The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seo #searchmarketing #digitalmarketing

E910: How ChatGPT and other large language models actually generate answers, based on widely shared research on how AI systems use search, training data, and real-time web results. If you're doing SEO in 2026 and beyond, understanding how AI decides when to search, what it pulls from the web, and why certain content gets shown in AI answers is no longer optional. This episode explains the mechanics behind ChatGPT, AI Overviews, and LLM recommendations - and how to adapt your SEO strategy so your content gets surfaced. What You'll Learn in This Episode - How ChatGPT really works behind the scenes - Why ChatGPT behaves more like a search engine than a "thinking" system - When ChatGPT decides to trigger a web search vs. using training data - How multiple models work together to evaluate, search, and generate answers - Why semantic relevance matters more than exact keywords - How ChatGPT pulls small snippets, not full articles - Why speed, cost, and page structure affect whether content is used - The role of freshness for timely, niche, or complex queries SEO Tactics to Get Shown in AI Answers - How clean structure and direct answers increase snippet eligibility - How long, rambling content gets ignored by AI systems - How to write content that is easier for LLMs to extract and reuse - Where clarity and formatting directly impact AI visibility Advanced AI SEO Strategies Covered - The press release tactic that influences ChatGPT and AI Overviews - How non-competitive and branded queries can be shaped with indexed PR content - Why certain "best X for Y" listicles are being repeated by LLMs - How self-published rankings and announcements affect AI recommendations How to See What ChatGPT Is Searching For - How to inspect ChatGPT's web queries using browser developer tools - How to find query fan-outs and reuse that language in your content - How to turn AI search queries into H2 sections or new pages Finding AI-Driven Searches in Google Tools - How to uncover natural language AI searches in Google Search Console - How to identify long-form queries used in AI Overviews and AI Mode - How to create content specifically for AI-assisted search behavior Tracking AI Traffic Accurately - How to see traffic from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot in Google Analytics - Which pages AI tools are recommending - How to measure real AI-driven visits instead of guessing The Core Takeaway If AI systems rely on search for many prompts, the best way to influence them is still to do strong SEO - but with better structure, clearer answers, and content built around how AI actually retrieves and evaluates information. ⭐️ Lily Ray's TLDR - https://x.com/lilyraynyc/status/2003143387264749882?s=46 ⭐️ AI SEO/GEO/AEO: How to Get Shown in LLMs in 2026 - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/ai-seo-geo-aeo-get-shown-llms-2026/ 💎 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 AI and SEO 01:07 Understanding How ChatGPT Works 03:18 Influencing Large Language Models 04:02 SEO Tricks and Tips 06:23 Using Google Tools for AI SEO 07:13 Optimizing Content for AI 09:04 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E909: When you search Google today, you'll often see obviously AI-generated, low-quality content ranking in the top results - sometimes even from big global brands. In this episode, I break down why that happens, what's actually going on inside Google's algorithms, and why copying what you see in the SERPs is often the wrong takeaway for long-term SEO. This isn't an episode about shortcuts or spam tactics. It's about understanding how search really works, where the leniency comes from, and how to think about SEO beyond "what ranks right now." We cover: - Why low-quality AI content can rank temporarily in Google - How algorithmic spam detection works (and why it often hits later, not immediately) - A real example of an AI-generated site that scaled fast - and then collapsed - Why big brands and high-authority domains get more algorithmic leniency - How domain authority changes the rules of what Google will tolerate - Why low-competition keywords allow "worse" SEO to rank - The overlooked opportunity in low-volume, high-intent keywords - Why ranking low-quality content is often meaningless if it doesn't convert - How obvious AI content can damage brand equity and repeat visitors - The difference between ranking signals and conversion signals - Why E-E-A-T still matters for trust and revenue, even if it's debated as a ranking factor - Why copying random big brands is a mistake - and who you should actually study instead Key takeaways: - SEO is contextual and nuanced. - What ranks for one site, brand, or keyword can fail badly for another. - Spam tactics often work until they don't - and when they fail, they fail fast. - If your goal is sustainable traffic, conversions, and brand trust, understanding why something ranks matters more than copying it. This is episode 909 of The Edward Show. If you're watching on YouTube, thanks for being here. If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, thanks for listening. ⭐️ Ep906 - Google Wasn't Lying: What the Google API Leak Really Revealed About SEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYObbKZS-zA ⭐️ Ep903 - SEO Isn't Dead: The AI Search Holiday Special - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFWEpLPMl08 ⭐️ Ep839 - The Hidden Keyword Gaps Google Is Begging You to Fill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS7zHS4Ant0 💎 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 00:23 Listener's Question on AI Content 01:35 SEO Nuances and Spam Tactics 03:28 Domain Authority and SEO Tactics 06:21 Importance of Legit Content 07:54 EEAT and Brand Equity 09:03 Big Brands and SEO Practices 11:24 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seotips #seocopywriting #digitalmarketing