How to grow on substack / ep359

In this episode of the Digitally Overwhelmed Podcast, I'm breaking down one of the biggest shifts happening in SEO and online visibility right now: the move from keyword-based search to entity-based search. For years, SEO strategies focused heavily on keywords, rankings, and backlinks. But today, Google and AI-powered search engines understand much more than words, they understand people, brands, topics, relationships, and context. This shift is changing how businesses get discovered online and why some websites consistently outperform competitors, even when they have fewer backlinks or less content. I explain what entities are, how Google's Knowledge Graph works behind the scenes, and why building authority around your brand and expertise has become just as important as traditional keyword optimization. I also share how AI-powered search experiences are accelerating this trend and what it means for your content strategy moving forward. You'll learn: • The difference between keywords and entities, and why Google now focuses more on meaning than exact word matches • How Google and AI search engines evaluate your expertise, authority, and trustworthiness through entity signals • Practical ways to strengthen your author and brand entities, including schema markup, internal linking, third-party mentions, and creating uniquely valuable content • Why entity optimization can help you appear in AI Overviews and modern search experiences, not just traditional search rankings • The simple steps you can take today to assess your current entity presence and start building stronger authority online Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/entity-based-seo If you want to learn how to optimize your content for both Google and AI-powered search, check out the Homegrown Traffic SEO Course and our AI Optimization training:  Homegrown Traffic SEO Course: https://courses.digitalbloomiq.com/homegrown-traffic-seo-course AI Optimization training: https://courses.digitalbloomiq.com/found-in-ai More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq

In this episode of the Digitally Overwhelmed Podcast, I'm breaking down the latest SEO and AI search updates from Google, including the May 2026 Core Update and what it means for your content strategy. I share my perspective on how Google continues to evaluate quality, authority, and relevance in a world where AI-generated content is becoming more common, why SEO remains the foundation of getting found online, and how to use Google's own tools to uncover opportunities in your content. In this episode, you'll learn: What the May 2026 Google Core Update is designed to do and how it may impact your website Why SEO is still essential for showing up in AI-powered search experiences and generative AI tools How to use Google Search Console to analyze ranking changes, identify winning pages, and uncover new keyword opportunities Practical ways to prioritize content updates after a core update instead of guessing what Google wants Google's latest recommendations for creating AI-friendly content without sacrificing quality or authenticity New Search Console features, including branded vs. non-branded query reporting, weekly performance views, and AI-powered analysis tools If you've been wondering how to adapt your SEO strategy for the AI era, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters: creating helpful, experience-driven content that serves both humans and AI systems. Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/may-2026-core-update If you want to learn how to optimize your content for both traditional search engines and AI assistants, join the next round of the Found in AI course here: https://courses.digitalbloomiq.com/found-in-ai    More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq

In this episode of the Digitally Overwhelmed Podcast, I'm breaking down the difference between content marketing and SEO—and why understanding both can completely change the way you grow your business online. A lot of business owners hear these terms used interchangeably, but they actually serve different purposes while still working together. I share how I think about SEO and content marketing as two different ways of "baking the same cake." Both help you get discovered online, but each strategy approaches visibility, storytelling, and audience growth from a different angle. You'll learn: What content marketing actually means and how storytelling helps build trust, connection, and conversions with your audience How SEO focuses on search behavior, keywords, website structure, and optimization so your content can be found through Google and AI tools The key differences between SEO-driven content and relationship-focused content marketing—and when each strategy makes the most sense for your business Why SEO can be especially powerful for newer businesses trying to get discovered online How to repurpose content across your website, email list, and social media without constantly creating from scratch Why understanding your analytics and search data can help you create more intentional content that actually supports your business goals Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/content-marketing-vs-seo  If you want to learn SEO in a way that feels approachable, practical, and designed for real business owners, check out the Homegrown Traffic SEO course here: https://bit.ly/seocourse26 More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq  

In this episode of the Digitally Overwhelmed Podcast, I'm exploring how to grow your Substack newsletter and turn it into a consistent audience-building channel for your business. Substack has become a powerful platform for creators because it blends newsletters, publishing, and a social feed experience—all in one place where you can also monetize your content. I also break down how Substack fits into your broader marketing ecosystem and share why it can work whether you're running a service-based or product-based business. You'll learn three core growth strategies: How to leverage Substack's internal recommendation system by optimizing your categories and settings so the platform can surface your content to the right readers Why collaborations (guest posts, swaps, partnerships, and joint content) are one of the fastest ways to expand your reach and build trust with new audiences How to use SEO strategically inside Substack to help your content get discovered through Google and AI tools, without over-optimizing or losing your authentic voice Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/how-to-grow-on-substack If you want to go deeper into SEO and learn how to strategically grow your visibility on Google and AI tools, explore the Homegrown Traffic SEO course here: https://bit.ly/seocourse26 More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq

When should you rethink your SEO strategy in the age of AI? As tools like Google's AI Overviews and Search Generative Experience (SGE) continue to change how people find and consume information, many business owners are noticing shifts in traffic, clicks, and visibility. In this episode, I break down what's actually happening inside search right now and why SEO is still essential—even if fewer people are clicking through to websites. I explain how AI is reshaping informational vs. transactional searches, why some content is losing visibility, and what types of keywords and strategies are becoming more important. You'll also hear how to think about SEO differently in this new landscape, including why authority, niche clarity, and bottom-of-funnel content matter more than ever, and how to start adapting your content so it can still be discovered across both traditional search and AI-driven results. Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq

*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-(--header-height)" dir="auto" data-turn-id="0fa62969-c54a-41e3-96ac-79200ac8e783" data-testid="conversation-turn-1" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn="user"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:ce3611ce-bfca-46aa-8884-2769af45448c-0" data-testid= "conversation-turn-2" data-scroll-anchor="false" data-turn= "assistant"> When should you start investing in SEO? If you're running a business, it's a question that comes up often—especially when time, budget, and energy are limited. In this episode, I share why starting SEO sooner rather than later can make a meaningful difference in your long-term visibility and growth. I walk through how SEO builds over time, how to think about keywords and audience intent, and why small, consistent actions can create powerful results—even if you only have an hour a month. You'll also hear how data from tools like Google Search Console can guide your strategy, why experimentation is part of the process, and how SEO can quietly work in the background while you focus on other areas of your business. Full episode shownotes:  https://digitalbloomiq.com/when-should-i-start-doing-seo More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq

AI is changing how businesses approach SEO—but it doesn't replace your voice, expertise, or the strategy behind your marketing. In this episode, I share how we're currently using AI for SEO inside Digital Bloom IQ and with our clients. From speeding up research and brainstorming keywords to supporting content creation, I walk through the practical ways AI can help your SEO workflow—while also sharing the nuance and context that AI alone often misses. Full episode shownotes: http://digitalbloomiq.com/ai-for-seo More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-pacheco/

Do you have a location based business and you want to get found on Google maps? This episode covers 3 components that have to be part of your Local SEO strategy.  Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/get-ranked-google-maps/  More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-pacheco/

In this episode of Digitally Overwhelmed, host Cinthia Pacheco talks with Tabitha Danloe, founder of The Divine Sophia and creator of The Pack Program. Tabitha is a life, business, and leadership coach who helps soulpreneurs build aligned, sustainable businesses without burnout. They discuss the power of stillness, trusting your intuition, and how entrepreneurs can make better decisions while staying authentic. Full episode shownotes: https://digitalbloomiq.com/pod/tabitha-danloe Connect with Tabitha Danloe: Website: https://www.thedivinesophia.com The Pack Program: https://www.thedivinesophia.com/the-pack-program Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedivinesophia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedivinesophia More about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-pacheco/

In this episode of Digitally Overwhelmed, host Cinthia Pacheco discusses the importance of planning a year of SEO for female founders and business owners. She emphasizes the need for setting clear goals, analyzing current traffic data, creating quality content, and conducting keyword research. Cinthia also highlights the significance of organizing tasks and establishing accountability through a new SEO membership model that offers support and resources for ongoing SEO efforts.   Full episode shownotes for this episode: https://digitalbloomiq.com/yearly-seo-plan/ More information about the podcast and Digital Bloom IQ: https://digitalbloomiq.com/podcast https://www.instagram.com/digitalbloomiq/ https://twitter.com/digitalbloomiq https://facebook.com/digitalbloomiq https://www.linkedin.com/in/cinthia-pacheco/