The Truth About AI Search vs. Google - What 20 Million Searchers Are Actually Doing

E731: Cloudflare just declared war on AI. In what might be the biggest AI x SEO development since the launch of ChatGPT, Cloudflare announced it will block AI crawlers by default and launched a bold new initiative: Pay Per Crawl. What does this mean for websites, content creators, publishers, and the future of AI training? Is this the beginning of a new economic model for the web - or just another speed bump for AI companies? I break down: - What Cloudflare's announcement really means - How Pay Per Crawl works (and who’s already on board) - Reactions from the SEO community and industry insiders - Why this could change visibility, search, and content forever Whether you're in SEO, content, media, or tech - this one’s a must-listen. ⭐️ Cloudflare to block AI crawlers by default with new Pay Per Crawl initiative - https://searchengineland.com/cloudflare-to-block-ai-crawlers-by-default-with-new-pay-per-crawl-initiative-457708 ⭐️ Cloudflare will now block AI crawlers by default - https://www.theverge.com/news/695501/cloudflare-block-ai-crawlers-default ⭐️ Content Independence Day: no AI crawl without compensation! - https://blog.cloudflare.com/content-independence-day-no-ai-crawl-without-compensation/ ⭐️ Announcing Cloudflare pay per crawl beta - https://www.cloudflare.com/paypercrawl-signup/ ⭐️ Reddit: Pay per crawl has been announced. - https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/1lpyknc/pay_per_crawl_has_been_announced/ 💎 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 Breaking News: Cloudflare's Major Announcement 00:43 Understanding Cloudflare's New Policies 01:32 Implications for AI and Web Content 02:27 Cloudflare's Pay Per Crawl Initiative 03:31 Industry Reactions and Support 06:21 The Verge's Take on Cloudflare's Move 09:56 SEO Community’s Response 12:45 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketingnews #ainews #artificialintelligence

E730: Google’s June core algorithm update is rolling out - and Instagram might be the next big SEO play. Why? Platforms like Reddit and Instagram offer real-time, high-engaging content that users trust. And Google seems to be rewarding that - Reddit just gained 162M clicks in 10 days, and Instagram content could be indexed far more widely in search with this update. You’ll learn: - How Reddit gained 162M clicks in 10 days from Google - The new Instagram notice about your photos and videos showing in search - Exactly how to write captions and use carousels to rank in Google - Why engagement + recency on Instagram might now be real SEO factors - How to build topical authority… without even using a website Whether you’re an SEO pro or just trying to get more visibility for your content, this is a game-changer. ⭐️ Learn more - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/instagram-official-seo-notice-to-creators/ 💎 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 Google's June Core Algorithm Update 00:23 Reddit's Traffic Surge: A Case Study 01:07 Instagram's New Search Engine Visibility 03:01 Maximizing Instagram for SEO 05:42 Practical Tips for Instagram SEO 10:42 Conclusion and Further Resources The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketingnews #instagrammarketing #searchengineoptimization

E729: Datos - secretly one of the most important companies in the SEO ecosystem. Today’s guest is co-founder and CEO of Datos, Eli Goodman. While many marketers have never heard of Datos, the smartest ones quietly rely on its clickstream data to understand how the world searches, clicks, and behaves online. This episode is a deep dive into how search is changing in actual behavior. Eli breaks down what the data shows about Google, AI search, ChatGPT, and what’s driving clicks in 2025. We discuss: - What 20 million users reveal about search behavior - The truth about AI search vs. traditional Google search - Will AI kill SEO anytime soon - The rise of zero-click searches and what it means - How clickstream data works - and why it matters - How Datos tracks behavior across 200+ countries - Google’s AI overviews vs. ChatGPT and Perplexity - Why most AI search queries aren’t commercial - Classic search vs. AI search behavior patterns - The “additive” nature of AI search - What marketers get wrong about search trends - How Datos’ data predicted earnings for major companies - Pinterest’s early rise spotted in clickstream data - What most marketers miss about non-linear attribution - Whether AI search is more “journey” than “destination” - Why publishers should be worried - and what’s next - The war between LLMs and search engines - and its timeline - Why user behavior changes slower than people think - The future of data, privacy, and search segmentation ⭐️ Eli Goodman on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eligoodman/ ⭐️ Datos - clickstream data to power your products and insights - https://datos.live/ 💎 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 Predicting the Future with Data 01:19 Real-World Examples of Accurate Predictions 01:47 Detecting Pinterest 02:51 Datos Is One of the Most Important SEO Players 04:01 Understanding Clickstream Data 05:10 The Role of Data in Marketing Decisions 11:03 The Evolution of Search and AI's Impact 19:27 Behavioral Differences in Search Patterns 26:57 The Ongoing Battle Between AI and Traditional Search 28:59 The Impact of ChatGPT on Google and Meta 29:46 The Power of Established Networks 30:38 Apple's AI and Market Dynamics 31:28 The Future of AI in Search 32:22 Behavioral Changes and Search Patterns 36:55 Predicting Trends with Clickstream Data 43:03 The Role of Clickstream Data in AI 50:16 Google's Zero Click Search and SEO Trends 54:52 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing #performancemarketing #seotips

E728: Google just rolled out its June 2025 core algorithm update - and it’s already shaking up the entire SEO landscape. I break down what’s actually changing, why traffic is dropping, and what we’re seeing so far. From Reddit surges to AI content penalties, thin pages getting deindexed, and trusted domains losing rankings - this update is hitting hard. I also explain how it compares to March’s update, what types of content are being targeted, and steps you can take right now to check if you’ve been impacted. Here’s what we cover: - How the June 2025 Google Core Algorithm update compares to the March update - Why some top-ranking pages are dropping in results - The removal of low-value, thin, or outdated pages from the index - New pressure on unedited, AI-generated content - Increases in visibility for platforms like Reddit and other user-generated content - How to check your traffic, rankings, and keyword data - What steps to take now to adapt to the changes Whether you're an SEO, site owner, or digital marketer, this one’s essential listening. 💎 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 Google's June Core Algorithm Update 00:36 Other Core Algorithm Updates 01:28 Impact on User-Generated Content Platforms 02:11 SEO Community Reactions and Observations 03:07 Differences Between March and June Updates 03:58 Targeting Low-Value and AI-Generated Content 05:49 Prioritizing Real Experience and User-First Writing 06:11 Steps to Check Impact on Your Website 06:35 Trends and Future Expectations 08:01 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #googlecoreupdate #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketingnews #digitalmarketing

E727: Nik shares his screen (watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wsllqj9wCE8) and walks us through the exact AI workflows he uses to run his podcast, streamline his business, and save dozens of hours every week - using tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Zapier, Google Sheets, and the Limitless Pendant. We talk about: - What happened when AI was given full control of a real company store - Nik’s personal AI stack, including how he organizes 200+ podcast episodes with automation - Why Notebook LM is a game-changer for accuracy and research - How to use AI for intern onboarding, podcast production, SEO, and more - The 90/10 rule of AI automation - and where most people go wrong Whether you’re AI-curious or already building with it, this episode is packed with real demos, practical insights, and honest takes on what works - and what doesn’t. Tools Covered: - Claude (Anthropic) - ChatGPT (OpenAI) - Notebook LM (Google) - Zapier - Google App Script + OpenAI API - Google Sheets + AI Formulas (Workspace Labs) - Limitless Pendant (by Limitless, formerly Rewind AI) ⭐️ Nik Hulewsky’s podcast, Nikonomics - https://www.youtube.com/@NikonomicsPodcast ⭐️ Nik Hulewsky on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikolas-hulewsky-617b132a/ 💎 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 Anthropic's AI Experiment 00:35 AI's Performance in the Store 01:26 General AI Hype and Realities 03:02 Historical Parallels with Tech Giants 05:15 Consistency and Luck 08:10 Practical AI Workflows and Tools 11:17 Setting Up AI Integrations in Claude 12:37 Podcast Management with AI 23:11 AI Formulas in Google Sheets 27:11 Exploring Different Marketing Channels 27:56 SEO Keyword Analysis 30:15 Using AI for Keyword Research 32:32 SEO Tools and Techniques 36:44 Podcasting Insights and Strategies 37:47 Leveraging AI for Podcast Content 42:50 Creating and Using Claude Artifacts 48:35 More AI Workflows and Practical Applications 50:59 Internship Management with AI 54:05 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #aiworkflows #claudeworkflows #limitlesspendant #digitalmarketing

E726: How to consistently earn backlinks and attract new clients by building visible credibility - even if you're just getting started and have no existing reputation. The episode breaks down a real example from James Reynolds, the founder of SEO Sherpa, an SEO agency that grew from zero to eight figures in revenue. He used a structured, repeatable process to build perceived authority from the ground up. That credibility made it easier to get speaking opportunities, podcast invites, mentions in articles, and referrals - all of which led to more backlinks and client inquiries. You’ll learn: - Why social proof makes people more likely to link to you or hire you - How to start getting invited to speak at events, even if you're unknown - What to include in your speaker pitch to increase acceptance rates - How to use each small success (like a quote or event) to unlock the next one - A simple method to get included in articles and expert roundups - How podcast appearances can build trust and help with SEO - How to create assets (like research reports) that influencers want to share - How to position yourself as an expert, even if you feel like an imposter - Why “looking credible” matters more than being known in your industry - How to increase your success rate on HARO and similar platforms - What makes people more likely to include your link in their content - How to share your progress and where to do it This isn’t about shortcuts or hype - it’s about using simple steps to gradually build real trust, which leads to long-term growth in backlinks, visibility, and clients. This approach works whether you're a business owner, freelancer, agency owner, or in-house marketer - and whether you’re new to the field or looking to break into a more competitive space. If you enjoy practical, story-driven examples of marketing and SEO strategy, you’ll find a lot of value here. ⭐️ How to Grow an SEO Agency from $0 to 8 Figures (with Lessons from 21 SEO Experiments) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CC5i2M6TYC0 ⭐️ Manufacturing Social Proof to Build an 8-Figure Business - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/manufacturing-social-proof-build-an-8-figure-business/ ⭐️ 21 SEO Experiments - https://seosherpa.com/seo-experiments/ ⭐️ How to Get On Podcasts as a Guest in 2025: The Easy Way - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/get-on-podcasts-as-guest-2025/ 💎 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 Why Social Proof Matters 02:04 Case Study 03:03 Step-by-Step Guide to Building Social Proof 05:40 Leveraging Speaking Engagements for Growth 08:02 The Power of Influencer Collaboration 11:52 Getting Started: Practical Tips and Tools 14:41 Conclusion and Additional Resources The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #linkbuilding #backlinks #socialengineering #searchengineoptimization

E725: I break down the 2025 State of Link Building report - a huge new study featuring insights from 518 SEO pros (myself included). You’ll learn: - Why NoFollow links still matter - The most popular shady black hat backlink methods - How unlinked brand mentions influence rankings - Whether a $508 backlink is actually worth it - What’s working in link building right now - and what’s risky - Why you don’t always need backlinks to rank - And whether using Google’s disavow tool will annihilate you I also share my favorite low-cost ways to get high-quality links, plus some wild findings from the survey that might change how you think about SEO in 2025. ⭐️ The State of Link Building | 2025 - https://editorial.link/link-building-statistics/ ⭐️ Source of Sources - https://sourceofsources.com/ ⭐️ Help a Reporter Out - https://www.helpareporter.com/ ⭐️ Featured - https://featured.com/ ⭐️ Linkable Assets - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/no-link-building-budget-could-buy-these-results/ ⭐️ Moz Exec: Is SEO Dead or Stronger Than Ever in the Age of AI? - Jonathan Berthold - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtSWV5oH_vM ⭐️ Should You Use Google’s Disavow Tool in 2025? - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHt0qNjJ6ss 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 The Impact of Backlinks on AI Search Results 00:31 The Role of Nofollow Links in SEO 01:24 Edward's Insights on Nofollow Links 02:51 Unlinked Brand Mentions and Their Influence 03:53 Ranking Without Backlinks: Is It Possible? 06:41 The Value of High-Quality Backlinks 08:44 Link Building Strategies and Tactics 10:46 Shady but Effective Link Building Methods 11:49 Red Flags in Link Building 12:25 Natural Backlink Profiles and Disavow Tool 13:54 Cost-Effective Link Building Tips 15:33 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #linkbuilding #backlinks #seohacks #searchengineoptimization

E724: I walk you through a ridiculously powerful AI + Google Sheets hack that helped us sort through thousands of keywords to find a high-value keyword opportunity - potentially worth $15K/month - in just minutes. Whether you're doing SEO to sell services, SaaS, or any niche, this method will save you hours of manual sorting. Learn: - How to use Google Sheets + AI to filter thousands of keywords instantly - The methodology for what keywords to go after - How to avoid common mistakes when using AI for SEO ⭐️ Workspace Labs Sign Up: https://workspace.google.com/labs-sign-up/ ⭐️ Use the AI function in Google Sheets (Workspace Labs) - https://support.google.com/docs/answer/15820999?hl=en-GB 💎 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 00:07 Basics of Spreadsheets 00:39 A Real-Life Example: Finding Keywords 01:50 Discovering Ninjapromo 03:35 Using Google Sheets for Keyword Sorting 04:57 Filtering and Analyzing Keywords 07:04 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #keywordresearch #seotips #seohacks #digitalmarketing

E723: I break down why SEO is still one of the most powerful marketing channels in 2025 - especially when paired with AI and social media. With fresh Datos data, timeless SEO experiments, and examples, we explore what’s actually happening with search, and how SEO knowledge now gives you an edge across platforms and algorithms. What you'll learn: - How SEO knowledge translates to AI optimization - Top-ranking content is often what AI tools surface; knowing SEO helps you rank in AI-driven results.   - Why understanding SEO helps you master all algorithms - Core SEO skills like engagement and content structure apply to TikTok, Instagram, X, and more.   - What “search is everywhere” really means - Social platforms have internal search; SEO helps you show up across channels and on Google.   - Why SEO is still a free, high-intent traffic channel - It brings in users who are actively searching for what you offer, without paid ads.   - How blogging still works (with caveats) - When targeted strategically, blogs still drive top-of-funnel discovery and brand awareness.   - Why bottom-of-funnel SEO delivers better results - It targets ready-to-buy users, converts better, and compounds over time.   - How social media can amplify your SEO efforts - Traffic and shares from your audience boost rankings and visibility.   - What linkable assets do for SEO and how they pair with the now-ease of social - Shareable tools, experiments, and reports earn backlinks and build authority long-term - and how one tool earned 35,000+ backlinks. Whether you’re a startup founder, a creator, or a marketer - if you want compounding, high-intent traffic without blowing your ad budget, this episode is a must-listen. ⭐️ State of Search Q1 2025: Behaviors, Trends, and Clicks Across the US & Europe - https://datos.live/report/state-of-search-q1-2025/ ⭐️ Datos new AI report - The Current AI Landscape: An Analysis of Evolving User Behavior: https://datos.live/report/the-current-ai-landscape/ ⭐️ Rand Fishkin SERP click volume experiment - https://seosherpa.com/seo-experiments/ ⭐️ Linkable assets - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/no-link-building-budget-could-buy-these-results/ ⭐️ Getting 3,100 users in 75 minutes with TikTok - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/why-marketers-love-tiktok/ 💎 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 Is SEO Dead? Why You Should Care in 2025 00:08 The Impact of AI on SEO 01:15 SEO Skills: The Key to Understanding Algorithms 01:56 SEO and Social Media: A Symbiotic Relationship 03:17 The Power of Search: SEO's Ubiquity 04:15 SEO: A Free High-Intent Traffic Channel 06:07 The Evolution of Blogging and SEO 07:10 Bottom of Funnel SEO: The Ultimate Conversion Tool 07:32 SEO and Social Media: Amplifying Impact 09:26 Creating Linkable Assets for SEO Success 11:29 Final Thoughts on SEO in 2025 The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing #seotips #marketingstrategy

E722: Dominick DeJoy joins the show to break down the 2025 playbook for LinkedIn Ads - what's actually working right now, how to amplify organic content for cheaper CPMs, and the surprising glitches and arbitrage opportunities that marketers are quietly using to scale. From B2B funnels that convert, to why thought leadership ads outperform traditional campaigns, to the truth about Google Ads, attribution, and startup chaos - this episode is loaded with insights for founders, marketers, and growth leads. Topics covered: - LinkedIn Ads that actually work in 2025 - How to amplify organic content for paid performance - The difference between thought leader ads vs. company ads - Building B2B funnels with short video, retargeting, and serialized content - How to structure LinkedIn cold, warm, and post-engagement layers - Why most LinkedIn Ads fail (and how to avoid the common mistakes) - How to test creative on a limited budget without wasting spend - The real ROI of brand awareness and why most B2B marketers get it wrong - Google Ads fundamentals for B2B: what works, what doesn’t - Why you should almost always start with exact match keywords - The hidden danger of broad match and Google's close variants - How to stop Google Ads from wasting budget on unqualified clicks - Why Performance Max and Display campaigns are usually a bad idea for lead gen - How fake leads and “click farms” ruin B2B attribution - Disabling Google’s auto-apply and avoiding the algorithm’s worst mistakes - Last-touch attribution: why it lies and what to use instead - Why cold campaigns shouldn’t be judged by cost-per-lead - How to balance direct response vs. brand in paid channels - The synergy between cold email and paid ads in B2B - When NOT to hire an agency and why most early-stage startups should market in-house - Startup arbitrage stories: glitches, exploits, and viral growth through paid channels ⭐️ Dominick DeJoy - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dominick-dejoy/ ⭐️ Osric Digital - https://www.osricdigital.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 Dominick DeJoy and Paid Ads 00:08 Why Use LinkedIn Ads? 01:59 Scenarios for LinkedIn Ads Success 06:39 Testing and Amplifying Organic Content 09:39 Budget and Audience Considerations 25:19 Common Pitfalls and Best Practices 31:17 Effective LinkedIn Ad Strategies 35:29 Successful Ad Campaign Examples 39:18 Serialized Content and Audience Engagement 43:53 AI Ad Makers 44:40 Evaluating the Utility of Ad Variations in B2C and B2B 47:01 Examples of Effective Content Strategies 50:12 Irrelevance of Attribution in B2B Marketing 58:22 Building Effective Marketing Funnels 01:16:44 Startup Stories and Lessons Learned 01:24:00 Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #linkedinads #b2bmarketing #googleads #performancemarketing