Search with Candour - SEO podcast

Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Dana DiTomaso from Kick Point Playbook to discuss common mistakes seen in GA4 setups in 2025.Jack and Dana get into topics like the importance of proper tag manager setups, dealing with duplicate traffic, and strategies for better data filtering.Dana also shares horror stories from hundreds of GA4 audits and tips on improving GA4 configurations. Don't miss the practical insights and tips to enhance your digital marketing efforts!Follow DanaWebsite: https://kpplaybook.com/New GA4 audit course: https://kpplaybook.com/google-analytics-audit-course/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dditomaso/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kp_playbook/videos Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/danaditomaso.comResourceshttps://kpplaybook.com/resources/how-to-track-traffic-from-aio-featured-snippets-paa-results-ga4/https://kpplaybook.com/resources/how-to-verify-consent-signals-are-being-received-correctly-in-ga4-for-modeling/https://gettingthingsdone.com/00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction00:10 Common GA4 Setup Mistakes00:57 Podcast Introduction and Host Updates02:44 Upcoming Events and Announcements04:49 Conversation with Dana DiTomaso Begins05:45 GA4 Horror Stories and Common Issues09:45 Advanced GA4 Tag Manager Tips15:14 Importance of Proper Traffic Filtering22:32 Tracking AI Traffic and Brand Building34:59 Challenges in Digital Marketing and Analytics41:35 Mike's Report and Learning Habits44:31 The Importance of Annotations in GA456:01 Challenges with GA4 Implementations01:01:30 Using BigQuery with GA401:03:01 Content Marketing Strategies with SparkToro01:05:29 Personal Interests and Recommendations01:13:00 Wrapping Up and Future Plans

Join Jack Chambers-Ward and guest Owain Lloyd-Williams on this week's episode of Search With Candour as they delve into transforming often dry and boring B2B content into fun and engaging material. They discuss the competitive nature of B2B industries, strategies for creating unique content, and the importance of thinking outside the box for impactful SEO. Jack and Owain also share their experiences, ideas, and strategies for working with B2B clients. Links to follow Owain:Website: ⁠https://www.owainlloydwilliams.com/⁠LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/owain-lloyd-williams-a8967852/⁠ Bluesky: ⁠https://bsky.app/profile/owainlloydwilliams.com⁠Chapters00:00 Introduction: Making B2B Content Fun and Engaging00:47 Meet the Guest: Owen Lloyd Williams01:35 The Challenge of Dry B2B Content02:33 SEO Strategies for B2B Content03:40 The Importance of Focus and Music05:47 Navigating Regulations and Compliance08:07 Creating Engaging B2B Content20:30 The Role of Case Studies and White Papers34:50 Collaborating Across Teams41:20 Challenges with Small vs. Enterprise Clients41:44 Strategies for Startups Competing with Giants42:37 Leveraging AI and Conversational Content44:53 The Agility Advantage of Small Brands46:04 Building Effective B2B Relationships47:42 Integrating SEO into Content Production49:43 Impact of AI on B2B vs. B2C52:35 Actionable SEO Tips for B2B Brands55:30 Recommended Tools and Software57:38 Personal Recommendations and Podcast Wrap-Up01:13:45 Conclusion and Upcoming Guests

Jack Chambers-Ward gathers an esteemed panel of SEO all-stars: Dawn Anderson, Jono Alderson, Myriam Jessier, and, the birthday boy himself, Chris Green.Together, they discuss the future of search, focusing on key topics such as the impact of AI mode, the evolution of search behaviour, and the transparency of data.Tune in for an insightful discussion from these industry experts about how they are navigating the ever-shifting SEO landscape and what it means for the future of search marketing.Follow Chris:🎂Website: https://www.torquepartnership.com/🎂LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgreenseo/🎂Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chris-green.netFollow Dawn:🏃‍♀️Website: https://bertey.com🏃‍♀️LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msdawnanderson/🏃‍♀️Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/dawnieando.bsky.socialFollow Jono:🎮Website: https://www.jonoalderson.com/🎮LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonoalderson/🎮Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jono.idFollow Myriam:🐙Neurospicy: https://www.neurospicy.agency/🐙 Pragm: https://www.pragm.co/🐙LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/myriamjessier/🐙Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/myriam.dopamine.builders00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview02:32 Introducing the SEO all-stars 04:37 The Future of Search and AI05:23 Social Contract with Google11:39 Challenges and Opportunities in SEO22:29 Legal and Ethical Considerations27:55 Google's Role and Responsibilities36:00 Impact of AI on Gen Z and Millennials36:11 Google's Rethinking Search with AI36:55 Organisational Commitment to AI38:47 Challenges for Tool Providers40:26 The Impact of Multimodal Search47:13 What is “High Quality Content”?57:09 Brand Trust and AI Narratives01:08:12 Google's Market Share and Future01:11:53 Closing Thoughts

Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook explore all the latest updates from Google I/O 2025. There were some HUGE announcements, including AI mode, personalisation in search, and agentic search.The discussion also covers the challenges of tracking traffic from AI Mode, ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode on ad revenue, and the future of content creation for informational websites. Plus, we answer listener questions and discuss reactions from across the SEO industry.Chapters00:00 Introduction00:16 Google IO Highlights and Initial Reactions01:03 AI Mode launches in the US03:34 Challenges and Opportunities with AI Mode06:13 The Future of Rank Tracking and Personalisation09:19 AI Agents coming to Google Search14:54 Ads in AI Mode and AI Overviews19:44 Deep Search and Content Visualisation25:40 Q&A: How are you tracking AI traffic? How are you communicating with clients?31:48 Q&A: Do you think that PAA questions will mirror prompts in the future will alsoasked.com pick these up?33:54 Q&A: How do you think websites whose business model depends on informational content will survive?42:24 Q&A: How can we navigate this time where execs must focus less on falling traffic & conversions?43:46 Q&A: What is happening to our understanding of the user? Will we only need to understand how AI reasons, not humans?50:13 Ashley Segura’s reaction to Google I/O51:03 Tamara Novitović’s reaction to Google I/O52:36 Sam Torres’s reaction to Google I/O54:21 Final Thoughts and Future DiscussionsLinkshttps://youtu.be/bDVpI23q8Zg?si=hWf-BqZOyB46Av_Mhttps://ahrefs.com/blog/google-ai-mode-is-here-but-you-cant-track-it-properly/ https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ashley-segura_googleio-googleio-contentstrategy-activity-7330977072435077120-C5xr https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tamara-novitovic_seo-bazoom-linkbuilding-activity-7330938839110258688-xbRchttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/samantha-torres-seo_googles-announcement-for-ai-mode-as-a-user-activity-7331052950104018944-qhJr

Kobi Omenaka joins Jack Chambers-Ward to explore ways to find keywords for free. They discuss the benefits of using customer conversations, news trends, and various free tools like Google Keyword Planner and Search Console.The episode also delves into the importance of understanding search intent and maximising the impact of small, engaged communities. Tune in for actionable tips and strategies to enhance your keyword research without breaking the bank.Follow KobiKobi’s digital marketing: https://kobestarr.io/Kobi’s podcasts: https://stripped.media/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kobiomenaka/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/kobestarr.bsky.socialInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kobestarr/00:00 Introduction to Free Keyword Research01:19 Meet the Guest: Kobe Omenaka04:13 Kobe's Digital Marketing and Podcasting Journey07:21 Exploring Free Keyword Research Tools and Strategies20:47 The Importance of Understanding Customer Language33:03 Understanding Your Audience34:16 The Power of Branding36:25 The Importance of Touchpoints40:10 Keyword Research and Content Creation49:53 Community Engagement and SEO54:16 Kobi’s recommendations01:03:28 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Join Jack Chambers-Ward for a conversation with Greg Finn, co-founder of Cypress North and co-host of ⁨the fantastic Marketing O-Clock and It's New podcasts.The lads discuss what the next five years will look like for PPC Google Ads, SEO, and digital marketing. Greg shares insights on the evolving landscape of AI in search, the growing integration of ads, and the importance of adapting to new trends and technologies. Jack and Greg also discuss how digital marketers should break out of niche silos and pay attention to the broader changes in the industry.We also learn how much Greg loves revenge.Spoiler: It's a lot.Links to follow Greg:📈Cypress North: https://cypressnorth.com/🎧Marketing O’Clock: https://marketingoclock.com/👉LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregfinn▶️It’s New: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLxGhOTUAj8SzDiusE8ThupSmCw9Hds8Mp Recommendations🛠️Recommended tool = https://www.scrapebox.com/ 📖Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss https://bookspaperscissors.co.uk/collections/business/products/never-split-the-difference-by-chris-voss📖Radical Candor by Kim Scott - https://www.radicalcandor.com/ 💪Reacher on Amazon Prime📖The Terminal List - https://www.officialjackcarr.com/books/the-terminal-list/ Chapters00:00 Introduction01:12 Introducing Greg Finn02:46 The Importance of Staying Informed in Digital Marketing04:18 The Evolution of PPC and SEO05:48 Challenges and Changes in the Digital Marketing Landscape07:47 The Role of AI in Digital Marketing11:50 The Future of Search and Digital Marketing14:21 Adapting to New Trends and Technologies16:11 The Impact of AI on PPC and SEO19:17 The Shift Towards Community and Creator-Based Content36:26 Following Writers and Artists: A Game-Changing Experience37:01 The Rise of Authenticity in Content Creation37:54 The Shift in Publishing and Content Creation38:51 The Future of AI in Search and Advertising39:34 Challenges and Opportunities in AI-Powered Search40:12 The Evolution of Ads in AI Search41:57 The Impact of AI on SEO and PPC44:41 The Future of Keyword Targeting and Search Behaviour46:40 The Role of Personas and Broad Match in Advertising48:16 The Challenges of Data and Reporting in AI Search54:30 The Future of Subscription Models in Search Engines57:34 Tools and Recommendations for Marketers01:03:59 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Irina Papuc, co-founder of Galactic Fed, to discuss the intricacies of creating content that ranks well in LLMs and AI search engines.Irina has an extensive background in digital marketing (and even worked at CERN on the Large Hadron Collider!), offers valuable insights into optimising content for AI search and the future landscape of SEO.They discuss topics like the importance of authentic content, brand mentions, and the potential decline of traditional link-building in the evolving digital marketing space. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation packed with expert advice and practical tips for staying ahead in the rapidly changing world of SEO.Links to follow Irina Papuc🚀Galactic Fed: https://www.galacticfed.com/ 🚀Follow Irina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/irinapapuc/ Irina's Recommendationhttps://icon.me/https://phantombuster.com/⁠ ⁠https://www.apollo.io/home⁠https://yestheory.com/⁠ https://bernardjhuang.com/ Chapters00:00 Introduction01:57 Meet Irina Papuc: Co-Founder of Galactic Fed02:08 The Future of AI Search and LLMs02:58 The Rise of Chat GPT and AI Search Engines06:24 Optimising Content for AI Overviews22:35 The Importance of Brand Mentions in AI32:21 The Focus on Ad Revenue32:44 Exploring Alternative Search Engines34:01 The User Experience in Search35:13 Google's Response to AI Competition37:06 The Future of Search and Brand Loyalty41:52 The Importance of Authenticity in Content Creation52:13 Irina’s Recommendations57:53 Outro

Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this episode of Search with Candour as he sits down with Tom Winter from SEO Wind to discuss the future of SEO and AI agents.Discover how AI agents can optimise your workflow and solve problems using multiple tools.Tom breaks down the technical aspects and practical applications of AI in SEO, touching on keyword clustering, internal linking, and content creation.Plus, get insights into the latest trends and the future evolution of search and technology.Follow Tom Winter⭐SEO Wind: https://seowind.io/ ⭐Tom on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-winter/ Recommendations⭐Make.com: https://www.make.com/⭐Hunch Tools: https://hunch.tools/ ⭐Crystal Carter - LLM visibility: https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/resource/llm-visibility-vs-seo-kpis Resources⭐https://deepmind.google/technologies/project-mariner/ ⭐https://ai.google.dev/competition/projects/jarvis-ai-2Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI Agents and SEO00:59 Meet Your Host and Guest01:38 Understanding AI Agents04:10 Defining AI Agents and Their Uses06:04 AI Agents vs. Workflows09:21 Human Element in AI Processes15:36 Automating Reporting and Workflows23:25 Content Creation with AI Agents29:39 Overcoming Analysis Paralysis in Content Creation30:49 The Challenge of Internal Linking with AI34:06 Leveraging Google Search Console for SEO37:25 The Future of AI Agents in Search42:44 The Evolution of Search Queries45:54 The Role of AI Agents in Everyday Tasks49:22 Monetisation Challenges for AI Agents51:47 Predictions for the Future of SEO54:19 Recommended Tools and Resources57:10 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by returning guest Matt Kohli.In his third appearance, Matt details his journey from being a freelancer to starting his own marketing agency, Fortitude Marketing.The conversation covers the challenges of transitioning roles, the importance of building a reliable team, learning to trust others, and not overpromising to clients and focusing on delivering results.Matt's recommendations🛠️Tool Recommendation -  ⁨Sparktoro📖Book Recommendation - Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell MaltzFollow Matt Kohli👉Fortitude Marketing👉Follow Matt on LinkedIn▶️Matt's previous episodeChapters00:00 Introduction02:55 Introducing Matt Kohli and His Journey04:34 Challenges and Strategies in Building an Agency08:56 Importance of Collaboration and Client Communication13:26 Managing Finances and Essential Tools for an Agency16:12 The Value of Niching Down and Offering Multi-Channel Services24:09 Balancing Strategic and Hands-On Work in an Agency33:27 Reflecting on Experience and Continuous Learning38:54 The Importance of Community and Networking43:01 Challenges and Realities of Starting an Agency45:26 Balancing Flexibility and Structure56:21 Managing Expectations and Delivering Promises58:05 Weekly Recommendations and Closing Thoughts

Disclaimer: Sorry for the audio quality, technical difficulties meant we had to use our backup audio! Jack tried his best to fix it - we hope you can still enjoy the episode!Search with Candour and The SEO Mindset podcast bring you another amazing podcast event, live from Brighton!Sarah, Tazmin and Jack will be giving actionable tips and advice on authentic personal branding as well as sharing their own experiences. Together, we’ll explore strategies to define, communicate, and amplify your unique value. Get ready to unlock your potential and leave with tools to build a brand that truly represents you and your business.Headline sponsor - SISTRIXSISTRIX is the all-in-one SEO toolbox for those who want to succeed on Google, Amazon and Facebook.With SISTRIX's market-leading tools, you can optimise your website according to the latest Google guidelines, track competitors on Amazon and easily generate and perform research across Tiktok, Instagram and YouTube.The SEO Mindset podcastSubscribe on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLn2ul-U03T10Mmp4thdCbQ_M555xelzXhFollow on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7fHOicztfKEL3yElQLpc2w?si=b7390f9a726e4d0a Follow on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-seo-mindset-podcast/id1617543592Search with CandourSubscribe on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8c8k5Yy8FltVNsIsP1iUCSXDfE5cq2pM Follow on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/4AILSpWLI74daOhECb8Hm0?si=72a9f68d2c0f40bc Follow on Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/search-with-candour-seo-podcast/id1456880812