Top Google contributor and owner of Sterling Sky, Joy Hawkins, joins the EDGE this week. Joy has been a renowned SEO speaker and influencer since 2006 and has been growing a top local SEO agency since 2017. How does local SEO differ from traditional SEO? Listen in as Joy shares her industry experience and delivers tactical strategies for executing premier-level local SEO. Google has been growing a much deeper focus on niche markets and authenticity factors. Learn how to leverage this shift to niche-level queries for your clients. Get ahead of the algorithm as we uncover the best local SEO strategies you should be following this week on the EDGE of the Web! Key Segments: [00:03:57] Introducing Joy Hawkins [00:05:40] Joy’s Backstory in the Industry [00:06:53] Taking the Role of an Educator in the Space&nbsp; [00:08:15] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:09:29] SEO vs. Local SEO&nbsp; [00:13:24] Valuable Tactics in Local SEO [00:18:13] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:20:14] Why User-Generated Content is Such a Major Factor in Today’s SEO [00:24:23] How Do We Know That Citation Platforms Aren’t Being Indexed on Google?&nbsp;&nbsp; [00:25:55] Entering Into Niche Markets&nbsp; [00:31:53] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:33:04] Why do Operating Hours Affect Rankings?&nbsp; [00:37:52] Local SEO Recommendations For a Small Budget Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wix:&nbsp; Riverside:&nbsp; Follow Our Guest Twitter: LinkedIn:

676 | Getting Tactical with Local SEO w/ Joy Hawkins

Local SEO specialist, Joy Hawkins, returns for her second interview segment this week. Joy shares the recent landscape of local SEO, including some big shifts in the space that you need to know! Discover the possibilities of LSAs and videos, learning how they can shoot you up on the SERP. We discuss the rise of AI and where the user fits into this sea of content. To wrap things up, Joy shares what all SEOs should be keeping top of mind… crisis management! Get ready to score with your local SEO as we share the best local tactics and look into how AI is joining the scene this week on the EDGE of the Web!&nbsp; Key Segments: [00:03:27] Reintroducing Joy Hawkins [00:08:38] Were There Any Major Changes in Local SEO in 2023?&nbsp; [00:14:06] What Makes Local Service Ads Unique?&nbsp; [00:16:10] Steer Clear of This LSA Scam! [00:20:20] Should Google Be Increasing Their Customer Support Network&nbsp; Without AI?&nbsp; [00:22:58] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:24:40] Joy’s Thoughts On The Rise of AI&nbsp; [00:30:52] How Should SEOs Be Focusing on UX? [00:33:33] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:35:16] Have Google Updates Favored User Generated Content?&nbsp; [00:35:59] Implementing Crisis Management For Negative Online Mentions [00:37:06] Can Video Boost Your Local SEO?&nbsp; Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wix:&nbsp; Follow Our Guest Twitter: LinkedIn:&nbsp;Instagram:&nbsp;Facebook:&nbsp;YouTube:&nbsp;TikTok:&nbsp; Resources

677 | Fending off Local Attacks w/ Joy Hawkins

This week's guest is Michel Fortin, VP of Growth Marketing at Musora Media.&nbsp; In that role, Michel leads digital marketing and optimization strategies such as auditing and improving the marketing funnel performance, expanding visibility, and increasing traffic. Michel has over 30 years of experience constructing a revolutionary outlook on mass AI virtualization. Discover how Moore’s Law is shaping projections for the exponential growth of AI and how SEOs must transition to a high-tech, high-touch role to adapt to the future. Understand the possibilities of augmented virtuality and how it may carve the future of SEO. There’s plenty to oversee as AI continues to advance. Learn how to sculpt this new technology and nurture it into full maturity this week on The EDGE of the Web!&nbsp;&nbsp; Key Segments: [00:03:33] Introducing Michel Fortin [00:04:58] What’s Michel Been Up To Since His Last Appearance?&nbsp; [00:06:53] How Michel’s Background in Music Ties to SEO [00:09:12] The Application of Moore’s Law to Artificial Intelligence&nbsp; [00:17:16] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:18:11] Where Does the ‘Human Element’ Fit Into an Artificial Intelligence World?&nbsp; [00:23:50] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:25:01] What is Augmented Virtuality?

678 | Moore’s Law & the Accelerated Growth of AI w/ Michel Fortin

Welcome back to News from The EDGE! TikTok has been ordered by the U.S. Government to sell the platform to a U.S. company within 9 months or face a ban in the states. TikTok plans to contest the U.S. ban, claiming the bill signed into law by President Joe Biden is unconstitutional. In Google news, the March 2024 Core Update is complete. This update dwindles the importance of links, prioritizing content quality, trustworthiness, and depth as primary ranking factors. Also, internal troubles are hitting Google hard as they continue to face increasing competitive pressure with declining resources in several divisions. We had to cut this week short, so be sure to find this week's AI Tools, AI News, and Barry Blasts in our newsletter! Join us this first week of May as we spring into what’s happening around the SEO world on episode 679 of the EDGE of the Web! News from the EDGE: [00:03:48]&nbsp;Bill requiring TikTok sale or ban becomes law in U.S. [00:13:29]&nbsp;Google March 2024 Core Update Officially Completed A Week Ago [00:20:46] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:22:26]&nbsp;Google Warns Of “New Reality” As Search Engine Stumbles [00:30:41] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp;

679 | News from the EDGE | Week of 4.29.2024

Welcome back, VP of Growth Marketing at Musora Media, Michel Fortin. This week, we discuss the capabilities of AI in digital marketing and assess the new high-touch contributory role that SEOs will be taking in the creation and curation of content. Michel lays out how brands can stand out in an AI-dense playing field through personalization and user experience optimization. We evaluate the complete history of Google’s ranking factors, pointing out which framework in E-E-A-T you should be centralizing your focus towards.&nbsp; Learn how to leverage unique human traits that artificial intelligence cannot replicate, giving your brand an extra edge. Be sure to tune in as we look into how you can deepen the connectivity to your audience in today's evolving digital world this week on the EDGE of the Web! [00:03:48] Re-introducing Michel Fortin [00:05:55] How Can You Position Yourself Into a High Touch Mindset?&nbsp; [00:09:54] What Must Brands Do to Stand Out In The Future?&nbsp; [00:12:47] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:15:28] How Can Brands Take a Community Approach to User Experience Optimization?&nbsp;&nbsp; [00:19:19] The History of Google’s Ranking Factors [00:22:10] Michel’s Approach to E-E-A-T [00:25:36] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:32:50] What is AI Unable to Replace?&nbsp; [00:35:17] How Can We Utilize AI in Our Marketing Efforts?&nbsp; Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wix:&nbsp; Riverside:&nbsp; Follow Our Guest Twitter:&nbsp; LinkedIn:&nbsp; Facebook:&nbsp; YouTube:&nbsp; Instagram:&nbsp; Resources

680 | Taking The Role of Contributors in The AI Frontier  w/ Michel Fortin

Welcome back to news from the EDGE! Mordy couldn’t make it this week so VP of Growth Marketing at Musora Media AND featured guest of this week's interview series, Michel Fortin steps in to give newscasting a crack!&nbsp; Google’s March 2024 Core Update has come to an end! The update consisted of sizable algorithm changes to reduce low quality and irrelevant content, resulting in 40% of websites being de-indexed or removed from search results. The Department of Justice is gearing up for their closing statements on their antitrust lawsuit against Google: major changes to search may be in store. Plus, An AI arms race is upon us as the U.S Air Force has announced plans of a fully AI controlled fighter jet fleet, with a planned rollout of the operation by 2028. Be sure to jump over to our newsletter for this week's AI Tools. We cover all the latest in SEO as always so be sure to tune in for this segment of the EDGE of the Web! News from the EDGE: [00:06:24] Unveiling the Google March 2024 Core Update: 3 Key Insights [00:12:38] Google vs. DOJ: Antitrust Trial Nears Verdict [00:16:32] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:17:55] Cleaning Up Search: Google's New Weapons Against Spam AI Blitz: [00:25:03] Google SGE AI Answers Now Cost 80% Less To Generate [00:30:54] US Air Force plans a fleet of 1,000+ AI-controlled jets, the first of them operating by 2028; some AI versions already beat human pilots in air-to-air combat [00:34:05] Randy Travis just released his first new song in over a decade, using AI [00:40:01] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:41:48] Google Search Tests Custom Filters &amp; Templates [00:43:22] Google Search Tests Showing Only Local Listing For Near Me Queries [00:45:24] Google SGE Says Drink Urine To Pass Kidney Stones Quickly Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inlinks&nbsp; Follow Us: Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Resources:&nbsp;                #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

681 | News from the EDGE | Week of 5.6.2024

On top of being the founder and CEO of Ranktify, Michael Lewittes has had his hand in every jar of the SEO industry. As a media industry expert and journalism extraordinaire of over 25 years, Michael has achieved leadership positions for companies such as NBC, The New York Post, and New York Daily News. In this episode Michael walks you through his early career and how he came to realize the importance of SEO to succeed in digital journalism. Discover how he blossomed into an SEO specialist in order to optimize media success of his earliest website “Gossip Cop” all the way to Ranktify today, this week on the EDGE of the Web!&nbsp;&nbsp; Key Segments: [00:04:13] Introducing Michael Lewittes [00:04:47] Michael Lewittes Career Journey [00:12:55] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; [00:21:14] The Birth of Gossip Cop&nbsp; [00:26:31] EDGE of the Web Sponsor&nbsp; [00:35:15] Funding Methods For Michael’s Website Thanks to Our Sponsors! Site Strategics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Wix:&nbsp; Follow Our Guest Twitter:&nbsp; LinkedIn:&nbsp; Resources

682 | Real World E-E-A-T w/ Michael Lewittes

Welcome back for another week of news from the EDGE! Host Erin Sparks speaks with Mordy Oberstein and Jacob Mann about several key articles regarding Google's strategies and developments in SEO and AI. The "Content Decay Exposed" delved into a conversation between Google's John Mueller and Lizzi Sassman as they tackled the challenge of content decay in the online sphere. This sheds light on Google's ongoing efforts to address and navigate the evolving landscape of search engine optimization. Another noteworthy topic covered was Alphabet's interest in acquiring HubSpot, a leading marketing automation platform. The article "Alphabet Eyes HubSpot" provides insights into the ongoing acquisition talks between HubSpot and Google's parent company. This potential acquisition hints at Alphabet's strategic moves to bolster its presence in the digital marketing realm. Erin and Mordy also discussed Google's unveiling of AI Overviews in the US, which revealed promising insights into higher click-through rates but with a notable absence of data for creators. This development underscores Google's continued integration of artificial intelligence into its services, promising improved user experiences but also raising questions about data accessibility and transparency for content creators. Tune in to this week’s news episode to stay current on trending news topics and key AI information. News from the EDGE: [00:03:55] Content Decay Exposed: Google's John Mueller and Lizzi Sassman Tackle a Real SEO Challenge [00:09:17] Alphabet Eyes HubSpot: Inside the Ongoing Acquisition Talks with Google's Parent Company [00:12:00] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:13:36] Google Unveils AI Overviews in the US: Higher Click-Through Rates, But No Data for Creators Yet AI Blitz: [00:29:29] OpenAI debuts GPT-4o ‘omni’ model now powering ChatGPT [00:30:09] Apple Wrapping Up OpenAI Deal to Bring ChatGPT Features to iOS 18 AI Tools: [00:31:32] Voice AI &amp; Text to Speech for Creators: Replica Voice Director [00:33:23] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:35:10] Google Tried To Steal OpenAI's Thunder 45 Minutes Prior To OpenAI's GPT-4o Announcement [00:35:18] Google: Video Pages Need To Be Super-Obvious Video Play Pages [00:36:42] Google Search Confirms Deindexing Vast Amounts Of URLs In February 2024 Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Inlinks&nbsp; Follow Us: Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Resources:               #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

683 | News from the EDGE | Week of 5.13.2024

Welcome to another episode from EDGE of the Web, where we dive deep into the world of E-E-A-T and how that amplifies content into being viewed as valuable in the eyes of Google. We have an exceptional guest joining us for round 2, Michael Lewittes, the founder and CEO of Ranktify. We explore Michael's unique insights into the evolving landscape of search engine optimization referencing his experiences in the media industry. Don’t miss this week’s interview to uncover the benefits of transparency and highlighting subject matter expertise in your content to ensure you stay visible to your audience! Key Segments: [00:03:12] Introducing Michael Lewittes [00:09:46] The Importance of Truth in Being a Referencable Source [00:12:35] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor:  [00:17:04] The Value of EEAT in Content [00:23:28] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:  [00:26:22] Subject Matter Experts Create Content Authority [00:33:52] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: &nbsp; Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics  Wix:  SERanking:  Follow Our Guest Twitter: &nbsp; LinkedIn: &nbsp; Resources

684 | How Expertise Wins in SEO w/ Michael Lewittes

Are you curious about Google's latest moves in SEO and AI? This week on EDGE of the Web, host Erin Sparks and show producer Jacob Mann explore articles that reveal Google's strategies and advancements in these ever-evolving fields.&nbsp; Google's helpful content system might be changing a bit. The recent update folds helpfulness signals into their core ranking algorithm, making them page-level considerations. This means content on individual pages will be judged for its value to users, with some influence still coming from overall site authority.&nbsp; The takeaway? Focus on showcasing your expertise and building trust with transparency! Erin and Jacob also discuss Search Engine Land's 2024 Search Advertising Benchmarks report, which reveals rising costs and declining conversion rates.&nbsp; The average cost-per-click (CPC) increased by 10% across most industries, with some sectors experiencing even steeper hikes.&nbsp; Conversion rates also dipped slightly, falling to 6.96% on average.&nbsp; Another topic discussed is outlining the struggle with unwanted content appearing in Google's AI overviews. This GSQI blog post offers a solution! While completely opting out isn't possible, the article explores using "preview controls" like nosnippet and max-snippet. These tools allow you to limit or remove specific content from being displayed in the AI Overviews, ensuring your audience sees the information you want them to. Stay ahead of the curve by tuning in to this week's EDGE news podcast, packed with trending topics and insights on the future of AI. News from the EDGE: [00:03:39] Google's Helpfulness Signals Could Be Updating Again: Why It Will Fall Short [00:11:44] Rising Search Ad Costs and Dropping Conversion Rates [00:16:04] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; [00:19:44] Managing Google’s AI Overviews: Using 'Preview Controls' to Remove Content and Links [00:24:05] Andrew Optimsey's Plugin: Optimisey Search [00:26:10] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; AI Blitz: [00:27:25] ChatGPT to Mine Reddit for Content in Partnership with OpenAI [00:29:50] Google Ads Limits Use of Brand Names and Logos in AI Image Generation [00:32:20] OpenAI Dissolves AI Safety Team, Raising Concerns About Superintelligence [00:34:07] EDGE of the Web Sponsor:&nbsp; Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable: [00:35:05] Decoding Google's Ranking Systems: Insights from Communication Engineers [00:36:03] Google Search Update: Notes and Comments Now Included in Results&nbsp; [00:38:32] How to Remove Your Content from Google's AI Overviews Thanks to our sponsors! Site Strategics&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SERanking:&nbsp; Inlinks&nbsp; Follow Us: Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Twitter:&nbsp; Resources               #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

685 | News from the EDGE | Week of 5.20.2024

EDGE of the Web is a weekly digital marketing podcast discussing all things in Digital Marketing: SEO, Social Media, Content Marketing and more. Host Erin Sparks discusses the latest news and trends in the digital marketing industry as well as interviews with some of the top names in marketing. Visit our website at edgeofthewebradio.com to see all of our past shows and videos.

681 | News from the EDGE | Week of 5.6.2024

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