He Shut Down His AI SEO Startup After This Brutal Realization

E852: He built an AI SEO startup, and then shut it down after realizing the brutal truth about what actually builds visibility in LLMs. We break down that realization, why "Generative Engine Optimization" doesn't exist as a separate strategy, AND how one local business used traditional brand-building principles to hit $3.4 million in monthly sales. This episode connects two stories: one about shutting down a company built on hype, and another about a business scaling through fundamentals. If you care about SEO, brand strategy, or digital marketing heading into 2026, this is a must-listen. What you'll learn: - The realization that made one founder close his AI SEO startup. - Why "Generative Engine Optimization" is just good SEO repackaged. - What actually drives AI and search visibility today. - How a plumbing company reached $3.4M in a single month by focusing on local SEO and brand awareness. - The method behind dominating specific neighborhoods and zip codes. - Why branded searches are the most powerful (and overlooked) SEO signal. - The review strategy that fuels Google visibility and conversions. - How real photos, videos, and customer stories outperform stock visuals. - Why the strongest brands feel human, relatable, and consistent. ⭐️ The LinkedIn post - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/benjaminhouy_im-shutting-down-lorelight-here-is-why-activity-7386312534091341824-4l-t/ ⭐️ Aizik Zimerman - https://x.com/AizikZimerman ⭐️ Glen Allsopp's share - https://x.com/ViperChill/status/1983533551212519435 💎 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 Episode Overview 00:58 SEO Realization That Closed a Business 04:24 Aizik Zimerman's Record-Breaking Sales Month 05:04 Effective Local Marketing Strategies 07:17 Google Reviews 09:51 Rebranding for Success 12:19 Wrapping up This Episode of the Best Digital Marketing Podcast of All Time The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #generativeengineoptimization #localseo #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E851: Ever wonder why some people never shut up about SEO? I break down the real reason I'm obsessed with search engine optimization - not just for the traffic or rankings, but because it's the most satisfying, long-term marketing channel there is. SEO lets you reach people who already want what you sell, build assets that compound for years, and create something that keeps bringing in customers long after you hit publish. If you've ever felt burnt out or uninspired with SEO, this episode will remind you why it's worth it. What's inside: - Why SEO lets you reach people who are ready to buy - How backlinks and branding naturally build authority - The beauty of structured, organized websites - How SEO compounds and stays evergreen for years - Why SEO gets you into flow state like no other marketing work - The thrill of watching rankings rise week after week - How great marketing and SEO feed each other If you've lost motivation or need a reminder of why SEO is special, this episode will fire you back up. 💎 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: Why I Love SEO 00:24 Finding Your Target Audience 00:40 Building Authority Through SEO 01:21 Getting Backlinks 03:24 Organizing for SEO 04:52 Evergreen Nature of SEO 06:16 Achieving Flow State 09:07 Combining Skills 10:33 The Excitement of Results 11:27 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #marketingstrategy #digitalmarketing #marketing

E850: Wild local SEO tactics that work - including one that involves using a second Google account. This episode covers real-world strategies that local SEOs are using to move up in the map pack and boost visibility. We'll break down: - A sneaky "competitor removal" trick local SEOs are quietly using - Why replying thoughtfully to reviews boosts rankings - Joy Hawkins' tip that one internal link can move your map pack rankings - Why deleting half your content might be the best SEO move you make this year - How talking to real customers uncovers the real keywords that convert - The power of real images, local blog posts, and authentic link building - A quick Google Business Profile services section hack from BrightbeamSEO that gets strong results If you're doing local SEO, this episode is a goldmine of practical insights (and a few entertainingly devious ones). ⭐️ The thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/localseo/comments/1nzfda8/whats_a_small_seo_tactic_that_no_one_talks_about/ 💎 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 SEO Inspiration 00:18 Crazy Local SEO Tactic 03:51 Black Hat SEO Tactics 04:33 White Hat SEO Tips 04:51 Engaging with Google Reviews 05:59 Internal Links for Local SEO 06:25 Local SEO Content Strategies 07:16 Deleting and Updating Content 11:14 Customer Language and SEO 12:51 Building Authority and Links 14:12 Google Business Profile Tips 16:50 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #localseo #googlebusinessprofile #seotips

E849: You're into SEO - you love search engine optimization - but you don't have a website, a product, or even a clear direction yet. You just want to start. This episode is for you. I break down exactly what to do when you're passionate about SEO but not sure where to begin. From picking a niche you'll actually want to stick with for the long term, to launching your first site, building links, writing content, and setting up socials so you're ready to grow when the time comes. Whether you eventually want to offer SEO services, build affiliate sites, or launch a business, this is your blueprint for getting real experience before you're selling anything. In this episode: - How to pick a niche you'll love for the next 10 years - Why "optimize for the long term" is the most important mindset in SEO - Simple steps to build domain + topical authority from day one - The easiest link building strategy for brand new sites - How writing about what interests you helps you find what to sell later If you've been thinking, "I love SEO, but I don't know what to work on," this is your roadmap. ⭐️ How to Build Backlinks for a New Website (2025 Edition)  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4-qtK2VK0s ⭐️ The Hidden Keyword Gaps Google Is Begging You to Fill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS7zHS4Ant0 ⭐️ AI Podcast Matcher - https://aipodcastmatcher.com 🧰 Search Tips Mentioned Use Google search operators to find content ideas: - `site:reddit.com "how do I"` - `site:quora.com "why does"` 💎 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: Who This Episode is For 00:20 Listener Question from Jason 01:19 Advice for Starting in SEO 04:07 Building Your SEO Foundation 07:06 Creating Content and Market Research 09:11 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seotips #affiliatemarketing #digitalmarketing

E848: Most marketing agencies claim to be "profit-driven." Nathan Perdriau says that's a lie. Nathan - co-founder of Blue Sense Digital - joins us to explain what it really means to connect paid media with profit, how finance and marketing intersect, and why most agencies misunderstand what drives sustainable growth. What you'll get: - How to connect paid media decisions directly to the P&L - Why "profit-driven" agencies are often anything but - The role of financial literacy in marketing strategy - Attribution, geo-lift testing, and understanding real incrementality - When founders should stop running their own ads - Creative strategy and how much budget should go to content production - The truth about TikTok vs. Meta ad performance - The impact of AI ads and what's coming next - How 7-figure founders can break into 8 figures Who this episode is for: - E-commerce founders scaling from 7 to 8 figures - Marketing leaders tired of fake "profit-first" talk - Paid media professionals who want to tie results to real business outcomes - Anyone interested in data-backed, financially literate marketing Watch, learn, and rethink what "profit-driven marketing" actually means. ⭐️ Nathan Perdriau on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-perdriau/ ⭐️ Nathan Perdriau's agency, Blue Sense Digital - https://www.bluesensedigital.com.au/ ⭐️ Nathan Perdriau on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bluesensedigital 💎 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 Guest Background 01:31 Early Ventures and E-commerce Success 03:06 Transition to Agency Work 05:44 Profit and Loss Driven Marketing 08:47 Attribution and Experimentation in Marketing 10:46 Paid Media vs. Other Marketing Channels 12:10 Conversion Rate Optimization and Landing Pages 15:06 Black Friday Strategies and Inventory Management 21:21 Agency vs. In-House Teams 29:42 Creative Budgeting and Content Creation 33:28 The Benefit of Organic Content in Ads 37:25 Challenges of TikTok Advertising 40:04 Essential Skills for Performance Marketers 42:19 When Founders Should Stop Running Their Own Ads 50:45 The Future of AI in Advertising 56:43 Advice for Scaling from Seven to Eight Figures 01:00:14 Conclusion and Farewell The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #performancemarketing #mediabuying #growthmarketing #facebookads

E847: Jacky Chou built an SEO empire that made $500K per month - until Google wiped out 15 of his sites overnight. Now he's back and crushing harder than ever, running even more profitable SEO-driven businesses. In this episode, Jacky goes deep on Black Hat SEO, CTR manipulation, link-building tactics, and what it's really like to make and lose millions online. We talk about surviving brutal algorithm updates, ranking in the AI era, and how Jacky rebuilt smarter, stronger, and more diversified than before. If you care about SEO, niche sites, or digital entrepreneurship, this episode is pure gold. What You'll Learn - How Jacky scaled niche sites to $500K/month - The black hat, gray hat, and white hat tactics he actually uses - How CTR manipulation works - Surviving Google updates and the Helpful Content Update apocalypse - SEO in the age of AI Overviews and ChatGPT - Why consistency and execution matter more than ideas ⭐️ Jacky Chou on 𝕏 - https://x.com/indexsy ⭐️ Jack Chou's website - https://jackychou.com/ ⭐️ Jacky Chou on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@indexsy 💎 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 Guest Background 00:45 SEO Success and Transition to Software 01:37 Black Hat SEO Tactics and Contest 02:51 Link Building Strategies 04:51 Challenges and Public Wins 10:15 White Hat, Gray Hat, and Black Hat Tactics 26:38 Rank and Rent in the Age of AI 30:15 Evaluating Ideas and Product Market Fit 34:14 Deep Dive into SEO and Industry Insights 43:51 Discussion on HouseFresh and Google's Influence 45:19 Lars Lofgren and the HCU Impact 46:55 Disney's Viral Site Link and Black Hat SEO Tactics 49:34 Negative SEO Attacks and Disavow Strategies 51:24 Influencing AI and ChatGPT's Data Sources 58:51 Conversion Rate Optimization Tips and Mistakes 01:07:56 Using AI for Writing and Automations 01:13:10 Consistency in Content Creation and Podcasting The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #blackhatseo #linkbuilding #growthhacking #searchengineoptimization

E846: David Quaid shares the SEO playbook that delivers consistent results. With more than 26 years of experience leading digital growth, David has helped companies scale to hundreds of millions in revenue through search-driven strategy and technical SEO execution. In this episode, he explains what works in SEO today - from how PageRank still shapes Google's algorithm to how topical authority, site structure, and internal linking determine visibility. The discussion focuses on building long-term performance through fundamentals, not churn and burn shortcuts. We cover: - How PageRank still influences modern Google rankings - Building topical authority with clear, structured content - Why "Crawled Not Indexed" occurs and how to address it - The role of internal links and content clusters in SEO - How to align EEAT with real content quality - Practical steps to improve indexing and site visibility David breaks down how Google interprets authority, what signals matter, and how to create pages that earn and keep rankings. This episode is for marketers, founders, and SEO professionals who want clarity on what drives organic growth in 2025/26 - without the noise or myths that dominate the industry. If you want to understand how Google evaluates sites, how PageRank and topical authority still work together, and how to structure content that ranks, this conversation is worth your time. ⭐️ 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 00:36 David Quaid Career Highlights and Achievements 02:10 SEO Philosophy and Approach 02:53 Understanding PageRank and Topical Authority 04:32 SEO Playbooks and Strategies 14:29 Republishing Content for Better Rankings 24:40 FAQs and Topical Authority 41:08 Understanding Google's Thin Content Policy 42:05 The Importance of Glossaries in SEO 43:40 AI-Generated Content and SEO 45:09 Google's Click-Through Rate Testing 45:47 Debunking SEO Myths: Bounce Rates and Dwell Times 48:57 The Role of Pogo Sticking in SEO 51:49 Negative SEO and Click-Through Manipulation 01:09:17 Building Topical Authority and Effective Link Building 01:18:02 Introduction to SEO Strategies 01:18:22 Top SEOs and Digital Marketers to Follow 01:19:44 Actionable SEO Hacks and Link Building 01:20:29 Creative SEO Partnerships and Case Studies 01:22:10 The Importance of PageRank and SEO Fundamentals 01:25:21 Challenges and Successes in SEO 01:35:37 SEO Best Practices and Common Mistakes 01:51:45 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #growthmarketing #pagerank #technicalseo

E845: They said SEO takes 12 months to work. But the truth is, a local business can hit $100k/month in under 90 days.  Here's exactly how to do it: 1. Optimize Google Business Profile before anything else. Most businesses treat Google Business Profile like an afterthought. That's the fastest way to lose local leads. - Add real images (not stock) - Fill in services, hours, categories - Get 10+ reviews immediately (email past clients) - Post weekly updates Google wants freshness and completeness.  Give it both. 2. Build one single page that prints money. Not "Our Services."  Not "Welcome to ABC Plumbing." One page that's built to rank and convert. Examples: - "Same-Day Drain Cleaning in Denver" - "Affordable Tree Removal - Charlotte, NC" - "Top-Rated AC Repair in Phoenix – Book Now" Make it obvious what you do, where, and why they should care. No fluff. 3. Write content that feels like it came from the neighborhood. Not some generic "Tips for Homeowners" garbage. Real, local stuff like: "How to spot roof damage after a Gulf Coast storm" "Best time of year to prune oaks in Austin" "What an AC tune-up actually costs in Miami" Speak to locals. Use street names if you have to. 4. Fix internal links so Google actually knows what's important. Most local sites are a mess.  No structure, no flow. Fix it: - Homepage links to core services - Services link to blogs - Blogs link back to services That loop?  That's how you build topical authority. And rankings. 5. Run a full technical SEO audit Before touching keywords or content, fire up Screaming Frog and crawl the entire site. Fix: - Broken links - Duplicate titles/descriptions - Missing H1s - Redirect chains - Canonical tag issues If the site's foundations are broken, nothing else sticks. 6. Internal linking structure. Every page links to: - The homepage - Relevant service pages - Top blogs/resources - Use keyword-rich anchors naturally. This helps rankings faster than most people think. ⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's post - https://x.com/bloggersarvesh/status/1981754972682490016 ⭐️ How to do SEO for services businesses in under a minute - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/seo-for-services-businesses-under-one-minute-read-time/ 💎 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 Local SEO 00:46 Optimizing Your Google Business Profile 01:47 Creating High-Converting Landing Pages 03:42 Writing Localized Content 05:00 Fixing Internal Links for Better SEO 06:39 Conducting a Technical SEO Audit 08:37 Additional Tips 10:16 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #localseo #searchengineoptimization #localmarketing #digitalmarketing

E843: You can drive all the traffic in the world… but if your website doesn't convert, it doesn't matter. I break down real stories from marketers who saw massive jumps in performance - sometimes over 400% more conversions - just by making simple website changes. From rewriting headlines and removing drop downs to changing button colors (the legendary "Big Orange Button"), these are the conversion rate optimization (CRO) lessons that actually work. Whether you run an e-commerce store, SaaS site, or personal brand, this will give you actionable ways to turn more visitors into customers - without needing more traffic. What You'll Learn: - The A/B tests that created 400%+ conversion lifts - Why dumbing down your copy can dramatically increase sales - How small UX tweaks (like dropdowns vs swatches) impact performance - The truth behind the "Big Orange Button" - The fastest way to fix your landing pages today ⭐️ What is the biggest jump in website performance you've ever seen from a single A/B test? - https://www.reddit.com/r/marketing/comments/18ia0cx/what_is_the_biggest_jump_in_website_performance/ ⭐️ Accordions do worse in SEO (experiment 18) - https://seosherpa.com/seo-experiments/ ⭐️ The Big Orange Button (BOB): Lessons Beyond Color - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/big-orange-button-bob-lessons-beyond-color-kyendereta-chantelle--tncff/ 💎 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 Conversion Rate Optimization 00:53 Real-World A/B Testing Success Stories 01:33 Page Title Optimization Tips 02:37 Simplifying Language for Better Conversions 05:04 E-commerce Conversion Rate Optimization Insights 07:30 The Big Orange Button (BOB) Myth 11:07 Email Marketing Tip: Red Emoji 11:38 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #conversionrateoptimization #ecommerce #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing 

E842: Everyone's talking about "AI visibility," but almost no one is asking the right questions. Is it actually real - or just another marketing buzzword sold by agencies and tools that need a new story to tell? We uncover The Big AI Visibility Lie with former Telegraph Head of SEO James Carson, who's worked with some of the biggest publishers in the world. We unravel: - Why "AI visibility" and "GEO" are mostly hype (and who's selling it) - The truth about ChatGPT, Perplexity, and AI Overviews traffic - How execs are falling for AI hype - and what consultants should really tell their clients - Why SEO fundamentals still matter more than ever - How YouTube is quietly becoming the new SEO advantage - The coming shift toward agentic browsers and what it really means for marketers If you've been told your business needs "AI visibility," watch this before you waste your budget. ⭐️ James Carson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacarson85/ ⭐️ James Carson on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@absolutelyagentic ⭐️ James Carson's newsletter - https://absolutelyagentic.com/newsletter 💎 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 Addressing AI Visibility Concerns 00:15 Agency vs. In-House Perspectives on AI 01:09 The Reality of AI Traffic Referrals 03:53 Challenges in Optimizing for AI 08:29 The Future of AI and Agentic Browsers 18:52 SEO and AI: Are They the Same? 23:26 Background and Experience in SEO 28:31 The Intersection of SEO and Social Media 31:29 Should You Invest in AI Visibility Tracking Tools? 31:57 The Relevance of AI Tracking in SEO 33:38 The Rise of AI and Its Impact on Visibility Tools 34:21 Challenges in Measuring AI Visibility 36:31 The Debate on AI's Role in SEO Strategy 40:30 The Importance of Quality Content in the AI Era 42:10 Using YouTube for SEO Success 48:11 The Future of Publishing in the AI Age 53:31 Effective SEO Strategies for Publishers 58:28 Recommended AI Tools for Content Creation 01:00:54 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #generativeengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #chiefmarketingofficer #performancemarketing