Jesse Mcdonald and Ross Hudgens break down the latest SEO news, from Google's algo leak, AI Overviews, Hreflang coverage, and Parasite SEO.

Struggling to find the right formula for your in-house content marketing team? You're not alone. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Ross and Drew dive into the nuances of crafting the ideal in-house team structure for content marketing success.

We asked 293 content marketers about their plans for content strategy, AI, and budget in 2024 to understand where the future of content marketing is heading. Listen to our top takeaways.

Join Ross and Nick LeRoy, SEO consultant and founder of SEOJobs.com, as they discuss how the world is evolving rather than ending for SEOs. They discuss reasons for optimism and how the key to future-proofing your job may be by “un-nerding” SEO through effective communication and critical thinking.

You craft a perfect pitch to address all your client’s SEO needs, only for them to say no. Or, even worse, they cherry-pick parts of your plan until it resembles Frankenstein’s monster, inching toward lackluster results instead of up and to the right like you initially promised. Ross talks with Tory Gray, the CEO of Gray Dot Company, an SEO, data and marketing intelligence company, about the common mistakes SEO professionals make and potential pitfalls that doom projects. They also address...

In 2022, we made the decision to stop most of our manual link building. Eighteen months later, it turns out passive link building is just like passive income — you have to do some initial work to make it happen organically. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Ross and Drew revisit this decision, sharing what they’ve learned about less manual link building in the past 18 months, including the role of web design and E-E-A-T in organic linking. The two also discuss their key...

In the early days of SEO, a little bit of authority and a well-written article were all you needed to rank. Today, the landscape is much more competitive and what used to work just won’t cut it in 2024. When every penny of your marketing budget matters, it’s more crucial than ever that you focus on keywords that convert, which you can only find through keyword research. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Ross and Drew share how to do effective keyword research in an ever...

At Siege Media, we hold true to our core value: striving to be better. To achieve your business objectives, the path of continuous assessment and refinement of strategies is key to unlocking your full potential. Where to start? Data — an invaluable asset in navigating the ever-evolving landscape of content marketing. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Ross and Drew delve into four content marketing A/B tests and case studies to uncover the threads that have not only propelled...

While top-funnel content has its place, many companies overlook the untapped benefits of BOFU (Bottom of the Funnel) content. In the fast-paced world of SaaS and B2B industries, it’s crucial to explore every opportunity for growth. In this episode of Content & Conversation, join hosts Ross and Drew as they delve into the significance of “Best X” roundups as a vital strategy for executing bottom-funnel content and why capturing your audience at this stage is paramount. The pair also...

Wondering why your digital PR strategy isn’t moving the needle? If your campaigns seem to miss the mark, you’re not alone. Digital PR, much like its traditional counterpart, plays a pivotal role in shaping public perception of your brand. However, the involvement of digital PR agencies often results in the brand getting lost amidst a high volume of assets that veer off-topic. Not only does this result in unrealistic link goals, but it can also inadvertently cause more harm than good. Join...

In December 2022, Google introduced an additional “E” to E-A-T, expanding it to “Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness” as a component of Google’s Search Quality Rater Guidelines. These guidelines function as a manual that real individuals use to assess the quality of search results. So, why should you care? In a rapidly evolving world driven by advancements in AI, the credibility of your content holds greater significance than ever before. Almost six months since its...

From traffic impact, AI enhancements, and new Google layouts, here’s everything you to know after Google’s announcements at I/O 2023. The dust is far from settling as AI’s continuous evolution remains a paramount concern for SEOs, content creators, and digital marketers everywhere. Will search traffic decline? How can you adapt your optimization strategies to stay ahead? And most importantly, how do you ensure your relevance in this ever-changing landscape? In this episode, join Ross and...

You may be familiar with Bernard already — especially when it comes to all things content. Whether from our previous episode on search intent perspectives, or his top-rated content optimization platform, Clearscope, Bernard is continuously up to date on what makes search engines tick. In this episode, Ross and Bernard talk about the volatility that can come with a looming recession. Furthermore, they dive into why efforts like top-funnel content and brand engagement are traditionally less...

Chip Malt, the co-founder and CEO of Made In — a direct-to-consumer kitchen brand — joins Ross to talk about his company’s all-in content strategy and how it evolved in a short amount of time. After coming from the apparel industry, Chip saw an opportunity in “low-education” categories — especially in the cooking and cookware space. People constantly ask Google to help with basic questions, like “What makes a pan good,” and “What size pans do I need?” Targeting potential customers with...

As an SEO consultant for DTC Health and Wellness brands, Ryan Darani knows the nuances that come with content marketing strategies and the risks associated with high publishing volume. If you’re in a race to be discoverable by every relevant keyword to your business, why slow down? In this episode of Content & Conversation, Ryan joins Ross to discuss why more content isn’t always the answer and the importance of using your resources more strategically. Ryan also provides insight into the...

As a lover of all kinds of experiences, Jonathan Newar is constantly asking himself how he can push the envelope and create experiences for others. That’s where his company, Captain Experiences, comes in — a resource that allows its users to plan and book life experiences. But what does this have to do with content marketing and SEO? Early in Captain Experience’s lifecycle, Jonathan knew that being visible was key to the success of his company. That’s why he dedicated significant learning...

Artificial intelligence, machine learning, economic instability — is content marketing a dying industry? In our opinion, far from it — and we have facts to back it up. Clearscope and Siege Media teamed-up to create the 2023 Content Marketing Trends Report for content marketers, by content marketers. Clearscope is an SEO content optimization platform that levels up your content with seamless integrations. Siege Media is an SEO-focused content marketing agency dedicated to creating...

ChatGPT, Bard, Chatbot — 2023 has been a whirlwind of new technology. What does this mean for the future of content strategy and SEO? In short? It’s complicated. However, Lily Ray, Senior Director, SEO & Head of Organic Research at Amsive Digital was eager to share her latest predictions and analysis in this episode. With over 12 years of full-time SEO experience in verticals of all kinds, not only did Lily write “The Role of AI Content in SEO” to further break down Google’s...

When it comes to growing a media company, Derek Flanzraich isn’t a stranger to success. After forming Greatist in 2011, Derek witnessed how high-quality content led to exponential growth — eventually leading the company to be bought by Healthline. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Derek sits down with Ross to discuss how focusing on high-quality, well-written content is an essential focus for those who are building a brand for their audience. Now, as he’s in the startup phase...

Animalz former CEO Devin Bramhall joins us on this episode of Content & Conversation. After recently stepping down from her position as CEO for Animalz, Devin Bramhall was ready for her next chapter — and as much as she loved content marketing, she found it was easy to feel limited. In this episode of Content & Conversation, Devin sits down with Ross to discuss the future of content marketing (with a bonus take on AI content tools). The pair also discuss her achievements as a CEO...

After solidifying his expertise in SEO at Red Ventures for nearly seven years, Mike grew from Director of SEO to Vice President of Pillar4 Media, where he developed merger and acquisition (M&A) workflows while mastering his due diligence process for new acquisitions. Since 2014, Mike has focused entirely on his consulting firm, Clean Air Digital, honing in on SEO strategy, M&A transition planning for enterprise acquisitions, and workflow optimization for digital teams. You could say...

Since appearing on Content & Conversation three years ago, Eli has kept busy. After leaving Survey Monkey as Director of Growth in 2019, Eli advised for top brands like WordPress, Gusto, and Coinbase, all while writing his first book — Product-Led SEO . In this episode, Eli and Ross discuss why SEO isn’t often the answer for startups. With many venture capital companies cutting back on budgets, Eli breaks down what startups should focus on instead and how devising your own strategy will...

Gaetano isn’t your typical digital marketer. He possesses a unique background as a musician and producer — attributing the necessary hustle in the music industry to his success in marketing and SEO today. In the marketing world, Gaetano built a reputation as a force to be reckoned with, earning consistent wins for Fortune 500 brands and, most recently, scaling a VC-backed tech startup from 0 to 125,000 monthly visits in six months. In this episode, Gaetano brings his B2B expertise in growth...

With over 20 years of experience in performance marketing, analytics, SEO, and forecasting, AJ Kohn knows the importance of patience when handling clients that don’t want to wait to see results. When clients expect immediate results, it can be hard for any marketing agency to adjust to the pressure from executive teams. AJ says a “lack of throughput” is not only a “threat” to SEO’s impact, but the leading cause of clients' hesitation toward SEO marketing. In this episode of Content &...