710 | Tech SEO Connect w/ JR Oakes, Matthew Kay, & Patrick Stox

Erin Sparks is back behind the Digital News Desk this week to deliver a groundbreaking news flash - Google greenlights Microsoft's 53% acquisition, handing over a majority stake to Bill and the crew. Did we get ya? Happy April Fools from all of us at EDGE of the Web! This week we investigate a new lawsuit against Facebook and Instagram as allegations pile up claiming the social platforms are allegedly delivering ads to bot accounts and inflating ad viewership metrics to their advertisers. Google STILL has not announced a launch date for SGE; here's the scoop. Plus, OpenAI released a new feature opening a whole new spectrum of possibilities. Kick-off this April right and tune in for what is and isn't happening in SEO right here on the EDGE! News from the EDGE: [00:07:16] Facebook and Instagram Accused of Bilking Advertisers in $7 Billion Lawsuit [00:09:24] YouTube Asks Creators: Hold Onto Your Videos! [00:15:40] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:18:23] Small Website Tweaks Might Not Move the Google Search Needle AI Blitz: [00:20:29] Google still has not announced a launch date for SGE [00:26:21] Google starts testing AI overviews from SGE in main Google search interface [00:26:40] OpenAI just unveiled Voice Engine AI Tools: [00:29:28] Delfiny AI - Talk to AI Marketing Assistant for Your Digital Ads [00:30:47] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:32:08] SEOs, Please Don't Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages [00:35:43] Google: Fixing A Helpful Content Site Isn't About Where Measuring Against The Previous Version Of That Site Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio Resources Facebook and Instagram Accused of Bilking Advertisers in $7 Billion Lawsuit YouTube Asks Creators: Hold Onto Your Videos! Small Website Tweaks Might Not Move the Google Search Needle Google still has not announced a launch date for SGE Google starts testing AI overviews from SGE in main Google search interface OpenAI just unveiled Voice Engine Adobe GenStudio: 3 key questions answered Talk to AI Marketing Assistant for Your Digital Ads New Google Shopping & Maps Search Features SEOs, Please Don't Remove Contact Us & About Us Pages Google: Fixing A Helpful Content Site Isn't About Where Measuring Against The Previous Version Of That Site #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

2 Apr 202440min

Joining the EDGE this week is web development Swiss Army Knife: Simon Cox. Simon is a pioneer in website development with almost 30 years of full-scale web construction, management, consulting, and optimization under his belt. Learn how to acclimate to industry advancements as Simon shares his experience adapting to rapid technology expansion. Listen to the wonderful insights and get to know one of the founding fathers of web design and technical SEO. We travel back in time to reminisce over what has shaped the industry and how it became what it is today here on the EDGE of the Web! Key Segments: [00:02:43] Introducing Simon Cox [00:04:08] Simon's Career Story [00:09:54] Changes in SEO Since The 'Early Days' [00:13:09] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:13:58] Keeping an Eye on Accessibility [00:15:17] How Did Simon Stay up to Date With Evolving Technology During the Rapid Expansion Era of the Internet? [00:23:08] Considerations Before Offering SEO Services to an Agency [00:28:41] Lessons Learned From Consulting For Agencies [00:31:33] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:32:45] Staying Ethical in SEO Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Mastodon: https://mastodon.social/@simoncox Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/simoncox LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simonmcox/?originalSubdomain=uk Resources https://www.simoncox.com/ https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/experts/simon-cox https://www.coxand.co.uk/

2 Apr 202437min

Erin was off fighting crime this week, but you need not worry because the great Mordy Oberstein and Jacob Mann took the stage for this segment. Plenty of Google this week. Study shows Google AI summaries do, in fact hurt search traffic. Google finds a new ally in Disney to expand real-time ad exchange, meaning that marketers will have broader access to ad inventory across Disney Plus and Hulu. Recent news shows that the U.S. is further behind China in AI research & development than you would have imagined. Plus, Google has an all-new filter tab. Don't miss out on what's happening in the SEO world this week, as always, right here on the EDGE of the Web! We're bringing back the EDGE Newsletter! Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn't make it to the show but were really interesting! Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here! News from the EDGE: [00:08:13] A new study finds that Google's AI summaries may hurt searches for brands and products [00:13:03] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:15:10] Disney teams with Google to boost ad reach [00:19:53] Google Update Unleashes Ranking Rollercoaster: Prepare for Volatility AI Blitz: [00:25:51] Study finds that China produced almost 50% of the world's top AI researchers, compared to ~18% from the US, thanks to China's heavy investment in AI education [00:28:27] Justice Department Risks Picking the Wrong Fight With Apple AI Tools: [00:31:02] AI-powered History Teacher [00:32:49] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:34:10] Report: No Site Hit By The September Helpful Content Update Recovered Yet [00:37:46] Microsoft Buying Ads On Google Search To Drive More Searches On Bing [00:41:15] Google Tests Products & Product Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio Resources: Google SGE a top threat to brand and product terms Disney announces Google partnership as it expands ad platform Turbulence ahead: The wrath of the March 2024 core update is not linear Study finds that China produced almost 50% of the world's top AI researchers, compared to ~18% from the US, thanks to China's heavy investment in AI education Justice Department Risks Picking the Wrong Fight With Apple AI-powered History Teacher ZeroTrusted AI Report: No Site Hit By The September Helpful Content Update Recovered Yet Microsoft Buying Ads On Google Search To Drive More Searches On Bing Google Tests Products & Product Sites Search Bar Filter Tabs #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

27 Mars 202444min

Welcome back to seasoned marketing analyst, strategist, educator, and owner of BEAST Analytics, Brie Anderson, for her second interview segment. The last episode was all about setting the stage. This week, Erin and Brie will take you through the rehearsal process necessary to rock out a live GA4 performance! Learn to develop a rehearsal plan of analyzation tactics so that you can steer your content in the right direction come showtime. Now you've taken the stage! Get ready to execute an analytical symphony that springs the audience to their feet this week on the EDGE of the Web! [00:03:21] Introducing Brie Anderson [00:04:06] Brie's GA4 Session at Brighton SEO [00:06:05] Testing GA4 Before the 'Show' [00:11:22] Can You Set Up GA4 Tracking to Expand Behavioral Analysis? [00:16:12] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:17:14] What to Actually Do With All This Data [00:19:58] Is Multi-Touch Reporting in GA4? What About Assisted Conversion Reporting? [00:23:18] Benchmarks of User Experience [00:29:00] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:30:11] Mapping Out The User Journey [00:38:40] Brie's Experience From Developing Educational Courses [00:41:11] Final Pro Tip From Brie Anderson Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/brie_e_anderson?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brieeanderson/ Resources: BEAST Analytics GA4SEO - BEAST Analytics UTM Generator Google Sheet

15 Mars 202444min

TikTok is potentially looking at a ban in the U.S if they don't adhere to federal guidelines within 6 months… What drawbacks could this have for marketers? Interested in targeting the whole world on Google Ads? Not so fast! Aaaaaaaaand, it's core update time! That's right, the first 2024 core update is upon us with Google releasing major enhancements in search quality. Early reports saying the update targets manipulation at scale to reduce unhelpful content by a whopping 40%. We'll keep you updated in the coming weeks but here's everything we know now. We're bringing back the EDGE Newsletter! Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn't make it to the show but were really interesting! Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here! News from the EDGE: [00:04:50] Here we go again…Is TikTok about to get BANNED in the US? [00:09:26] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:10:02] Are Google Ads about to screw up your targeting at the country level? [00:13:06] You know what we've been needing around here… A COOOOOOORE UPDATE AI Blitz: [00:27:03] Google engineer stole AI tech for Chinese firms [00:28:26] Researchers create self-spreading AI malware AI Tools: [00:29:54] Suno - Make a song with a prompt [00:32:33] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:33:09] Google: We Still Try To Avoid Overlapping Algorithmic Updates [00:35:18] Google Maps Hides Views Counts On New Reviews [00:36:25] Does Google Search Know What Is Reliable Information Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Resources: Here we go again…Is TikTok about to get BANNED in the US? Are Google Ads about to screw up your targeting at the country level? Core Update Core Update Core Update Google engineer stole AI tech for Chinese firms Make a song with a prompt Content & SEO GPT Researchers create self-spreading AI malware Google: We Still Try To Avoid Overlapping Algorithmic Updates Google Maps Hides Views Counts On New Reviews Does Google Search Know What Is Reliable Information Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

12 Mars 202441min

This week's featured guest is the owner of BEAST Analytics, Brie Anderson. Brie began her career at the age of 16, evolving into the analytic solutions expert, educator, and entrepreneur she is today. Join us on this full-blown rock concert of an episode as Erin and Brie are roadies rockin' and rollin' GA4 into the metaphor of a live concert! Discover how to execute the capabilities of GA4 that are worthy of a standing ovation from your clients. We walk you through the steps of the migration process while highlighting key features to help you find your melody. We've been rehearsing for years, folks, and it's finally time to get GA4 up and running. Down goes UA! As we help you find your Google Analytics 4 rhythm this week on the EDGE! Key Segments: [00:03:28] Introducing Brie Anderson [00:05:19] How Brie Navigated Her Career [00:12:22] Transitioning Into GA4 [00:17:01] Setting Up GA4 [00:20:42] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:32:10] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:33:34] How to Collect Search Traffic Analytics? [00:35:26] Final Tips For Setting Up GA4 Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/brie_e_anderson?lang=en LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brieeanderson/ Resources: BEAST Analytics GA4SEO - BEAST Analytics

11 Mars 202441min

There's a lot of movement to cover in the Google realm this week. The carnage continues as a U.S judge grants more class action antitrust lawsuits against Google. Despite the trial, Google continues to make improvements of its own - updating their Local Service Ads with a new verification process to reduce spam. Google is also testing a new feature called Popular Opinions Search Carousel intended to allow users to view opinions and reviews of various products right on the SERP. Finishing up on Google, the crew looks at a new survey that says SEO's distaste in Google is at an all time high. Tensions have risen, where will Google turn next? Tune in this week to find out, here on the EDGE of the Web! We're bringing back the EDGE Newsletter! Join us to catch these headlines and many of the others that didn't make it to the show but were really interesting! Your News(letter) from the EDGE awaits here! News from the EDGE: [00:04:34] LinkedIn Boosts Quality Posts: Your Best Content Could Shine for Months [00:09:28] Google Tests Tool that Refines Existing Quality Content [00:14:41] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:15:37] A Judge Rules: Google Must Address Some Antitrust Concerns from Advertisers AI News: [00:19:17] Elon Musk sues OpenAI over alleged breach of nonprofit agreement [00:20:51] Some users turn to AI chatbot therapists … but experts warn about the lack of a human connection [00:26:33] Elon Musk: AI will run out of electricity and transformers in 2025 AI Tools: [00:28:29] Transform any picture into a sticker [00:29:55] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:31:07 ] Report: Google Local Service Ads To Gain New Verification Process [00:32:46] Google Popular Opinions Search Carousel [00:35:14] Survey Says Most SEOs Dislike Google Now More Than Before Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks Resources: LinkedIn Algorithm Change Could Promote Your Best Posts For Months Google Testing AI Tool That Finds & Rewrites Quality Content Google must face some advertisers' antitrust claims, says U.S. judge Elon Musk sues OpenAI over alleged breach of nonprofit agreement Some users turn to AI chatbot therapists … but experts warn about the lack of a human connection Elon Musk: AI will run out of electricity and transformers in 2025 Brody Clark: Popular Opinions Search Carousel Follow Us: Twitter: @ErinSparks Twitter: @MordyOberstein Twitter: @TheMann00 Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio

6 Mars 202440min

Ola King is back for his second segment this week to unpack the role of a Search Experience Designer, and how user experience design optimization plays as a lead factor in SEO. Learn tactics for incorporating UX designs into your strategy to bolster overall SEO and digital marketing strength. Finally, understand why empathizing with the user needs to be a prioritized step in your strategy. It's time to step up your SEO and digital marketing with a holistic approach to optimized user experience this week on the EDGE of the Web! [00:03:29] Introducing Ola King [00:05:23] What Does it Mean to be a Search Experience Designer [00:10:06] Taking a Holistic Approach to Your Strategy [00:14:17] Design and Storytelling Techniques [00:15:41] Five Elements of User Experience Design [00:21:22] Embracing New Disciplines to Stay Competitive [00:23:27] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics [00:24:13] Collecting Data to Drive User Journey [00:27:17] Learning to Empathize with the User [00:32:11] Building a UX Strategy From the Ground Up [00:34:10] EDGE of The Web Sponsor: Wix [00:35:40] Resources for Learning UX Design Optimization [00:37:49] Closing Thoughts From Ola Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix Follow Our Guest Twitter: https://twitter.com/justolaking LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/olaking

29 Feb 202443min