Standard Deviation Podcast

In this episode of Standard Deviation Podcast, Juliana Jackson and Simo Ahava host Bhavik Patel from LeanConvert to explore the power of critical thinking in analytics and experimentation. Bhav shares his practical insights on using data to make smarter decisions, why statistics are a must-have skill for CRO professionals, and how product analytics differs from traditional web analytics. The discussion dives into the challenges of measuring user experience, building stakeholder trust, and fostering a culture of curiosity in data-driven teams. Bhav also speaks about his passion project, Crap Talks, and its mission to challenge conventional thinking in the analytics community.

In this episode of Standard Deviation, Juliana and Simo chat with Denis, co-founder of Stape, about server-side tagging. They cover why it’s gaining traction, debunk myths like “it bypasses consent,” and show how better tagging can boost data quality. Dennis explains how even small teams can implement server-side tracking without a deep tech background and shares Stape’s recent analytics and education projects. They also touch on Nordic weather, Denis’ journey in scaling a company, and simplifying backend processes with a “one-button” approach. Expect insights on GTM, some Scandinavian life stories, and a few of Simo’s spooky encounters!

In this episode, we had Dana DiTomaso over, and we will cover a broad range of topics, from GA4 and SEO to the complexities of data and digital marketing. We will discuss the challenges of working with GA4, particularly in integrating SEO metrics and analytics. Dana shares insights on combining SEO with behavioral analytics and CRO, stressing the need for SEOs to engage more deeply with data to improve effectiveness. Aaaand she will share some really good tricks for how to get more out of tracking and analysing how users consume content on a website.

In the latest episode of the Standard Deviation Podcast, Simo and I sit down with Michael King, founder of iPullRank, to talk about some big topics in SEO and marketing. Michael shares insights from his 10 years of running an agency, explaining how he's evolved from hiring freelancers to building a structured team with solid processes. He emphasizes the importance of balancing creativity with scalability and how being adaptable has helped him stay on top. A significant highlight is Michael's deep dive into the Google algorithm leak. He breaks down what we've learned, mainly how Google uses click data, user behavior, and UX's role in search rankings. One key takeaway: SEO and UX teams must work more closely, as user satisfaction directly impacts rankings. We also discuss branding in the age of AI, touching on how companies can influence results in generative AI platforms like ChatGPT by focusing on authoritative content, proper markup, and structured data, which plays a key role in AI-driven search results. If you're into the technical side of SEO or just want tips for staying ahead in search and marketing, this episode is packed with valuable insights.

In this episode, we chat with public speaking pro Michael Aagaard. He shares practical tips for first-time speakers, explains how to handle stage fright, and offers tips for delivering a standout presentation. We will also discuss how to captivate your audience and manage stress with actionable steps you can use immediately. Perfect for aspiring speakers or anyone looking to sharpen their skills, this episode is packed with valuable insights to boost your confidence and performance on stage. If you liked the episode, don't forget to subscribe!

In this episode of the Standard Deviation Podcast, we dive into some fun and insightful discussions about AI and data science. We share our frustrations about how people often oversimplify AI and don't always appreciate the hard work data scientists put in. Simo talks about the layers of abstraction in technology, highlighting how users often work with simplified interfaces without realizing the complex work behind them. We’re joined by the awesome Jordan Peck from Snowplow, who shares his journey in the analytics world and provides insights into what makes Snowplow a unique tool. We wrap up by geeking out over big data tools like GCP's BigQuery and how they fit into the marketing analytics puzzle.

In this episode of the Standard Deviation Podcast, Simo and I will discuss the barrier to entry in this industry in terms of speaking opportunities, especially at events like MeasureCamp. Then, we switch gears and chat with our guest, Erin Weigel, about product design, the importance of feedback loops when writing a book, and its role in creative processes. If you liked this episode, don't forget to subscribe.

In today’s episode, Simo and I kick things off with a discussion about how these topics related to GA4, consent mode, etc, dominate our industry conversations making us miss other things that are happening in our space that are either more relevant or useful than GA4 rants. We're also joined by the fantastic Jill Quick, an expert in analytics consulting and training. Jill shares her bespoke approach to digital analytics training, ensuring that it aligns perfectly with client needs and truly addresses the real-world challenges marketers face today. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe or show some love!

In this episode of the Standard Deviation Podcast, Simo and I are talking AGAIN, about GA4 consent mode. This feature, while technically impressive, brings constant challenges for all analysts, complicating our practices significantly. We also explore the critical implications of EU data consent regulations, emphasizing the risks involved in collecting data without explicit user consent and the misleading nature of "anonymous" pings used for data modeling. Also ID-Bridging?? WTF is that?! Luckily we stop our ranting to chat with our amazing guest, Els Aerts, a seasoned expert in user research, about the common misconceptions around 'best practices' in Experimentation. OK, we will rant with her too :D If you enjoyed this episode don't forget to subscribe and share it with your friends!

We are back with episode 2 and we had Krista Seiden over! In the intro, our hosts will talk about education gaps in the digital analytics community, gaps that cause fear, misunderstandings, and hesitance when it comes to topics like the DMA, Privacy Sandbox, and whatever the hell is going on right now in our space. Luckily things take a more positive note with our amazing guests where we cover topics related to digital analytics education, online courses, content creation, and GA4, of course. Hope you will enjoy it!