Human-First Digital - SEO and Website Optimization Podcast

International digital PR consultant Lau Miguez joins host Chris Spann (senior technical SEO at Lumar) this week to discuss the importance of tailoring digital PR campaigns for regional audiences.  We discuss the differences between traditional PR and digital PR; the goals of digital PR campaigns; how a strong understanding of cultural and regional differences in media landscapes, cultural references and audience expectations can inform your international content and PR strategies; and real-life examples from Lau’s years of experience as a digital PR pro.   ************************ Episode Timestamps:   00:00:10 — Welcome to Human-First Digital 00:00:27 — Digital PR vs. Traditional PR 00:04:13 — Embracing Cultural Nuances for Localized Content Ideation 00:07:21 — International Media Landscapes and Audience Insights 00:09:50 — Regional Differences in PR Strategies 00:13:31 — Challenges with Regional Media 00:15:32 — Closing Thoughts    ************************ About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast: In the Human-First Digital podcast, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and digital marketing. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************  Episode Links: Follow Lau Miguez on LinkedIn.   Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn.  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn.  Explore Lumar’s enterprise-scale SEO and website optimization platform here: lumar.io    ************************ Further Learning and Resources: 2025 SEO Trends to Watch (Free Lumar eBook) Earned vs. Spammy Backlinks: Better Link-Building Strategies (Lumar On-Demand Webinar) SEO for News Publishers: The Ultimate Guide (Lumar Blog) Lumar Website Intelligence Academy: Topical Authority Guides

Host Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO, Lumar) sits down with Kayley Dempsey, Digital Marketing Operations Lead at Manifesto, to tackle the realities of workplace anxiety in fast-paced SEO and digital marketing careers. They dive into actionable strategies for managing personal and team-wide work stress.  Whether you’re a seasoned digital marketing leader, a team manager, just getting started in your career, or a parent navigating work-life balance, this conversation offers relatable perspectives on digital marketing jobs and advice to help you stay happy and healthy at work this year.     ************************ Episode Timestamps:   00:00:11 – Introduction to Human-First Digital  00:00:16 – Managing Anxiety in the Workplace  00:03:49 – Transitioning to Agency Life 00:05:07 – Insights on Managing Anxiety   00:09:27 – Balancing Work and Parenting  00:11:50 – The Importance of Company Culture  00:18:00 – How Managers Can Support Their Team’s Mental Health   00:20:50 – Finding Joy and Switching Off 00:24:28 – Community and Mental Health Support    ************************ About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast: In this podcast, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and digital optimization. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************  Episode Links: Follow Kayley Dempsey on LinkedIn.  Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn.  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn.  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform here: lumar.io    ************************ Further Learning: SEO Career Development Guides [Lumar Website Intelligence Academy] SEO Project Management Guides [Lumar Website Intelligence Academy]    

This week on Lumar’s Human-First Digital Podcast, we're discussing how to use custom extractions (and XPath) — an often overlooked tool in SEOs’ arsenal —  to turbo-charge your website crawls, SEO projects, and provide support for broader marketing efforts. Our guest this week is David Gossage, an e-commerce technical SEO expert and SEO manager at Click Consult.    – – –    “I’ve found that knowing how to extract things is a very good way of making friends with a lot of people,” says Chris Spann, host of Human-First Digital.    “A simple example of where it will benefit non-tech teams: Say you’ve got a list of other websites that you want to target for backlinks. You can crawl a site and go, ‘Well, actually, all of the outbound links of this site are ‘nofollow’ — you can do that using XPath,” explains Gossage.    Explore how custom extractions can benefit SEO, content, paid search teams, and broader digital marketing efforts in the full episode.  ************************ Episode Timestamps:  00:00:11 — Welcome to Human-First Digital, a Lumar podcast  00:00:29 — Meet David Gossage, Technical SEO Manager for E-Commerce Websites  00:05:20 — Understanding XPath Basics  00:07:27 — Overcoming XPath Challenges  00:11:36 — How Custom Extractions Enable Collaboration Across Web Teams  00:14:12 — Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts ************************   Episode Links: Follow guest David Gossage on LinkedIn.   Follow host Chris Spann on LinkedIn. Follow Lumar on LinkedIn.  Explore Lumar’s technical SEO and website optimization platform.    ************************ Further Reading on Custom Extractions:  How to create XPaths for almost any Custom Extraction (by David Gossage)  Lumar Webinar On-Demand: Advanced SEO Crawling Techniques – How to Use Custom Extractions Getting the Most Out of Lumar with Custom Extractions Custom Extraction Use Cases Explore Lumar’s Technical SEO Analytics    ************************ About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast: In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and digital optimization. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and our robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io

“My job is to make SEO faster, better, easier, or just simpler,” says SEO R&D Specialist Wojciech Urban of Delante.  In this conversation with Lumar’s Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO Specialist and host of the Human-First Digital Podcast), Urban explores how he uses Google Search Console data in conjunction with Looker Studio get SEO insights.  This pair of SEO pros discuss how Looker Studio can help you expand beyond the native reports in Search Console, the challenges of dealing with large datasets in Looker, how to simplify your Looker Studio reports to speed up the platform’s performance, and when you may need to consider bringing in more powerful tools for big data and business intelligence.  Plus: Get Urban’s recommendations for free learning resources to help you master Looker Studio.    ************************ Episode Timestamps:  00:00:11 – Introduction to Lumar’s Human-First Digital Podcast  00:00:16 – Wojciech’s Journey into SEO   00:05:04 – Learning Looker Studio  00:07:06 – Challenges with Looker Studio  00:11:33 – Tips for Efficient Reporting  00:13:32 – Final Thoughts     ************************ About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast: In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in SEO and digital optimization. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************  Episode Links: Follow Wojciech Urban on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-urban/  Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io    ************************ Further Learning: [HFD Podcast] How to Structure & Streamline SEO Reporting — with Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries Explore Lumar’s Looker Studio Connector Explore Lumar’s Technical SEO Analytics 

This week, we're discussing YMYL ("Your Money or Your Life") websites and how to optimize EEAT ("Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness") factors for better SEO results on websites that operate in YMYL industries like financial services and healthcare.  Lumar's Chris Spann is joined by Amanda Walls, Founder and Director of Cedarwood Digital, a Manchester-based digital marketing and SEO agency. Amanda shares her journey from journalism to owning a digital marketing agency and offers her insights on the evolution of SEO for YMYL websites.  Chris and Amanda discuss the significance of E-E-A-T in YMYL sectors and highlight the impact of recent Google algorithm updates. They discuss the importance of structured data and how it can enhance website authority. Amanda also shares insights on creating quality content, maintaining a strong reputation, and the role of website security. Whether you're an SEO veteran or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways on navigating the complexities of SEO for YMYL sites. Tune in to discover how to optimize your strategies for better search rankings and user trust.   ************************  Episode Links: Follow Amanda Walls on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajwalls/  Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io    ************************  Further Reading: The New “E” in Google’s E-E-A-T: Why Experience Matters for SEO Content Human-First Content for SEO: ChatGPT, EEAT, HCU, & Google’s “Hidden Gems” SEO Strategies for Healthcare, Wellness, and Medical Websites    ************************ About Human-First Digital (HFD): In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io    

How your website content renders impacts your SEO performance… Learn rendering best practices for better search engine rankings in this episode of Lumar’s Human-First Digital podcast.  Recorded at BrightonSEO, Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO, Lumar) is joined by Mark Stanford-Janes, Senior Organic Performance Manager at ROAST. Their discussion delves into the intricate world of rendering and its pivotal role in SEO.  Mark and Chris explore common rendering issues, particularly the challenges posed by JavaScript and dynamic content, and emphasize the importance of understanding web fundamentals for technical SEO success.     ** Further Reading: Client-Side vs Server-Side Rendering: The Hamburger Analogy (JavaScript SEO Explainer) – on the Lumar blog **   ************************ Episode Timestamps:    00:00:11 – Introduction to Human-First Digital 00:02:06 – Why Rendering Matters in SEO and Common JavaScript Rendering Issues 00:08:43 – Learning About Rendering 00:13:04 – Innovations in Rendering Techniques 00:13:35 – Evaluating Server-Side vs. Client-Side Rendering 00:14:35 — Resource Costs of Rendering 00:15:13 – Closing Thoughts & Lumar’s SEO and Website Optimization Platform   ************************ About Human-First Digital (HFD): In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io ************************   Episode Links: Follow Mark Stanford-Janes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-stanford-janes-4357a7129/    Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io    ************************  

In this episode, Senior Technical SEO Chris Spann of Lumar (formerly Deepcrawl) is joined by Beth Woodcock, Technical SEO Specialist at Clicky™.  The two discuss various paths to technical SEO careers, how to get started with public speaking at SEO conferences, the power of working with log files to uncover how Google is accessing your website, and the need to educate clients and stakeholders about the importance of technical SEO.  Beth also shares her mission to make technical SEO more accessible and understandable for everyone, regardless of their background. Listen in for insights on teaching technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and the importance of clear communication in your SEO strategy. Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways on leveraging log files and improving your technical SEO practices.   ************************ About Human-First Digital (HFD): In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************ Episode Links:   Follow Beth Woodcock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrwtaylor/    Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io    ************************ Episode Timestamps: 00:00:15 – Introduction 00:02:48 – Paths to technical SEO Careers 00:05:37 – Embracing log files for technical SEO  00:10:20 – Using log files to uncover malicious activity on your website   00:14:25 – Teaching clients and stakeholders about technical SEO  00:16:12 – About the Human-First Digital podcast and the Lumar platform 

Technical SEO experts Chris Spann (Lumar) and Dan Taylor (Salt.agency) discuss AI search, why marketing leaders need to understand Google's AI Overviews / SGE, and how EEAT and structured data/schema markup play a role in optimizing your website content for AI search.   Written Episode Recap:  https://www.lumar.io/blog/podcast/podcast-ai-search-eeat-structured-data-with-dan-taylor-head-of-technical-seo/  ************************ Episode Timestamps: 00:00:32 – Building a Career in Technical SEO 00:07:48 – Google SGE & AI Overviews  00:09:15 – Different Approaches to Managing AI in Search 00:09:57 – Structured Data for AI Search; Going Beyond Rich Snippets  00:11:09 – "SERP Decorations" and Schema Markup 00:12:03 – EEAT and How to Communicate Expertise to Google 00:13:15 – Author Authority and Schema Markup 00:14:35 – Entity Identification in Search   00:15:56 – Importance of Trust and EEAT for Securing AI Overviews 00:19:03 – Optimizing Images for the Future of Search    ************************ About Human-First Digital (HFD): In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************ Episode Links: Follow Dan Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrwtaylor/    Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io   

In this episode, Lumar host (& Senior Technical SEO) Chris Spann discusses SEO reporting best practices with Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries, Director of Organic Growth at Flywheel Digital.    Better SEO reporting isn't necessarily about complex math but about aligning with client goals and simplifying the process. Natasha discusses the importance of focusing on what truly matters for clients or stakeholders — and how to educate them on interpreting SEO data correctly.   Tune in to hear Natasha's insights on building better SEO reports and the importance of being a strategic partner to clients.     About Human-First Digital: In this podcast series, SEO expert Chris Spann speaks to the brightest minds in the world of website optimization. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io   ************************   Episode Links:   Follow Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaburtenshawdevries/  Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/  Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Explore Lumar’s website optimization platform: lumar.io    ************************ Episode Timestamps: 00:00:07 – Introduction to Human-First Digital 00:03:28 – The Essence of Better SEO Reporting 00:08:06 – Understanding Client Needs for SEO Reports  00:10:28 – Simplifying SEO Reports for Better Insights 00:13:55 – Building Stronger Client Relationships      

Welcome to Human-First Digital, the new Lumar podcast on all things SEO and website optimization, hosted by Senior Technical SEO Chris Spann. In this episode, Chris sits down with Will Critchlow, CEO and founder of SearchPilot, to explore Will's journey in SEO, the challenges of search visibility in 2024, and the impact of platforms like Reddit on search results.   Discussed in this episode: Will’s early experiences in search engine optimization and the founding of SearchPilot, a platform focused on SEO A/B testing. The dynamic nature of SEO in 2024 and the importance of understanding Google's core intentions for long-term results. How SEO strategies can yield varying results depending on the type of website and industry or sector. The role of Reddit in search engine visibility today and the evolving landscape of SEO.  The evolution of Google’s search ranking algorithms, challenges with deep learning, and bugs in search.     **********   Learn more about Lumar at: https://www.lumar.io/ Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/  Follow Will on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/willcritchlow/ Follow Chris on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/      **********   Episode Timestamps:   [00:00:07] Introduction to Human First Digital  [00:00:37] Will Critchlow’s SEO Journey [00:03:05] The Complexity of SEO Testing [00:06:35] The Role of Links in SEO [00:11:00] Reddit’s Dominance in Search Results  [00:17:58] Search Quality Discussions [00:22:30] Google and the Future of Search [00:33:14] Closing Thoughts and Reflections