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Published by A professional photographer and her SEO husband
SEO for people who don't like SEO. I run an SEO agency. My wife Meredith is a family photographer. Our podcast explains how I got Meredith's website to the top of Google and answers questions from photographers about SEO and website marketing.
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How do you know if your website is showing up in AI search results? Google Search Console finally answers this, but only after a much bigger problem gets in the way of most website owners even looking. Check the Generative AI tab in Search Console and you'll know exactly which of your existing pages AI is already recommending to searchers. Google Search Console's new Generative AI reporting tab How the tab separates AI search performance from regular search Why other AI visibility tools can't be trusted Shifting blog strategy from keywords to topics Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [1:46] Why AI over-reliance is becoming a real problem [2:20] Employees and clients blaming AI for mistakes [3:20] Media overconsumption and feeling overwhelmed by AI [4:15] AI advertising taking over every subway car [5:50] A new AI search feature inside Google Search Console [7:07] How the Generative AI tab works and what it shows [7:50] Why other AI visibility tools can't be trusted [8:48] Blogging by topic instead of keyword [10:01] Finding a client issue using the new data -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Does Google prevent blogs from being seen if AI helped write them? Most of what already ranks on Google today is partly AI generated, so AI use on its own isn't the issue. The bigger shift is that Google is getting stricter about what even enters its index, not just what ranks well, and that filtering appears tied to how identifiable a piece of content is as fully AI generated with no human specificity added. AI content watermarking and what it means for text and images Updated terms of service language shielding platforms from AI liability Stricter Google indexing standards for AI generated pages Adding personalization and specific detail to stay identifiable Specific, first-person detail is what keeps a blog post inside Google's index instead of outside it. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [1:47] The recent wave of updated terms of service emails [2:25] Companies protecting themselves from AI content liability [2:48] Social platforms tagging AI generated profiles [3:02] AI image and text watermarking explained [3:36] Anthropic commits to watermarking while OpenAI backs out [4:11] Why pure AI blog content may not get indexed [4:52] Google getting stricter about what even enters its index [5:29] What this means for small business blog owners -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
How do you find a blogger who won't accidentally tank your SEO? Hiring a blogger might not directly involve SEO, but the wrong hire can quietly undo months of progress. Hiring the right blogger comes down to three checks: originality, topic strategy, and how they use AI, each one protecting the SEO progress you've already built. Original content versus duplicated or recycled blogs Keyword cannibalization from topic-only blogging Right and wrong ways a blogger should use AI Setting the strategy yourself before you hire Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [2:08] Why hiring a blogger matters for SEO [2:45] The problem with duplicate blog content [3:30] How bloggers reuse content across clients [4:33] Choosing blog topics instead of keywords [5:00] Avoiding keyword cannibalization [5:50] Using AI the right way as a blogger [6:20] Red flags in blogger AI use [7:25] Why the blogger isn't responsible for strategy [7:45] Your job before you hire -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Technically, blog categories and tags can help your SEO, but most people are using them in a way that actively hurts it. The question to ask is: Do your blog categories actually help people find what they're looking for, or are they just clutter? Why keyword-stuffed categories and tags get flagged as spam The retail store analogy for structuring categories and tags correctly How to fix an existing blog with too many categories Using Google Search Console to avoid losing visibility during a cleanup Get this right and your blog categories start working the way they should, guiding real visibility instead of quietly working against it. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] The real problem with blog categories and tags [1:43] Why keyword-stuffed categories are a spam signal to Google [2:23] User frustration and how it hurts rankings [3:37] The retail store analogy for categories and tags [5:11] What tags are for versus what categories are for [6:38] What to do if you already have too many categories [7:08] Using Search Console before you prune anything [8:38] The rip the band-aid off approach [9:08] How to rebuild categories and tags the right way -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
How do you know if the SEO advice you're getting is any good? The answer isn't about finding the right buzzword, it's about recognizing when someone is selling you a myth. Terms like AEO and GEO get pitched as replacements for SEO, but Google itself has flagged this exact claim as a warning sign when evaluating consultants. The AEO and GEO myth and where it's coming from What Google's own guidance says about AI search Why the changes for AI search are smaller than past SEO shifts One question to ask before hiring an SEO/AI consultant Knowing this one distinction protects you from hiring the wrong person and wasting money chasing a trend that doesn't exist. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [1:04] Where this bad advice is coming from [1:27] The overwhelming message: SEO is dead [2:09] Why the AEO and GEO claim is false [3:14] How AI models actually access search data [4:29] Why the changes for AI search are subtle, not dramatic [5:31] Only one consultant out of dozens debunked the myth [7:28] Closing and where to find the free Primer Read the Google Guide: Optimizing your website for generative AI features on Google Search https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/ai-optimization-guide -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Why do the same competitors always outrank you on Google? The answer usually comes down to links, but figuring out where those links come from takes real digging. Most SEO advice stops at optimizing your own site, but the bigger gap is usually how other websites link to your competitors and not you. Local directories that pass along a valuable backlink Free versus paid directory listings Using AI to surface where a competitor is mentioned online Sorting real opportunities from dead ends Following this process gives you a short list of specific, findable places to get your own site linked and mentioned. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] Why competitor research matters [1:04] Links versus on-site SEO [1:39] What clients pay for [2:14] How this connects to the mentoring program [2:49] Links and mentions, ranked [3:48] Finding local directories [5:23] Deciding if a directory is worth paying for [6:23] Using AI to find competitor mentions [8:15] Needle in a haystack, and why that's still worth it -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Wondering if Yelp reviews still matter when people search with AI? The answer is "probably yes". It depends on a partnership most small business owners haven't heard about yet. OpenAI just struck a deal with Yelp, meaning ChatGPT will start pulling local business recommendations directly from Yelp reviews instead of relying only on Google. Why OpenAI needs outside sources like Yelp and Reddit How Yelp hides five-star reviews to pressure businesses into advertising What changes for urban vs. rural business owners Why this partnership might not last Dust off your Yelp profile now, because the next time someone asks AI for a recommendation near them, Yelp may be the piece of advice it hands back. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:33] What Yelp is and why it matters locally [1:36] Yelp's shady review practices [2:04] How Yelp hides five-star reviews [2:49] Aggressive sales tactics from Yelp [4:00] The OpenAI and Yelp partnership announced [4:36] How ChatGPT will source local reviews [5:31] Urban vs. rural impact for business owners [6:29] Requesting quotes directly through ChatGPT [7:10] Will this partnership even last? -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Are you accidentally sending Google a spam signal without knowing it? Technically, the problem isn't the AI tool itself, it's what the AI learned SEO advice from. Most AI models build their SEO knowledge from blogs online, and a lot of those blogs are wrong. Keyword stuffing disguised as AI-generated advice Why AI delivers bad advice with total confidence The garbage in, garbage out principle What AI connectors could change going forward The fix isn't complicated, but it does mean learning to push back on AI instead of trusting it outright. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:56] Reviewing student websites during onboarding [1:14] The spam signal students didn't know they created [1:38] Students blaming ChatGPT and Claude for the advice [2:08] Why AI isn't built as an SEO expert [2:42] The garbage in, garbage out principle [3:07] Why we trust AI even when it's wrong [3:37] How to push back on AI for better answers [4:43] What AI connectors could fix [6:09] The App Store comparison and where connectors are headed -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Is a photo credit worth anything for SEO if the business won't link it? Technically, an unlinked mention isn't as valuable as a link, but it's a lot closer than people believed in the past. A leaked piece of Google's algorithm showed unlinked mentions carry real weight, and AI search tools are making that gap even smaller because AI struggles to follow links the way a person does. Why links have always mattered so much in SEO What the Google algorithm leak revealed about unlinked mentions Why AI is bad at following links but good at finding mentions What makes a mention "authentic" versus "inauthentic" Photographers no longer need to hold out for a linked credit. An accurate, relevant mention is enough to move the needle, and asking for a link shouldn't be a dealbreaker anymore. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] Why this episode matters for photographers [1:43] Why links have always mattered in SEO [3:18] What the leaked Google algorithm revealed about unlinked mentions [4:00] Why AI struggles to follow links the way people do [5:36] An example of AI failing to count blog articles [7:00] Google's role in creating the technology behind AI search [9:28] Why relevance matters for mentions and links [10:02] Authentic versus inauthentic mentions [11:53] Naming your business accurately in a mention -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Should you trade links with another business, or will it hurt your SEO? Technically, links are one of the most important ranking signals Google has, but not all links carry the same weight. The real issue isn't trading links occasionally, it's when link trading or low quality backlinks make up too large a share of your overall link profile. Reciprocal links and why Google treats them differently than natural links When trading links with a colleague is normal versus a spam signal What toxic backlinks actually are, and why Semrush warnings are often overblown Why manual link penalties rarely happen anymore Focus on earning links naturally, and you won't need to worry about a handful of reciprocal links or an alarming Semrush report. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] Reciprocal and toxic links overview [0:50] Reciprocal link question [1:35] Why links matter to Google [2:15] High school analogy [3:00] What counts as a reciprocal link [3:40] Reciprocal link networks and Google's rule change [5:15] Rule of thumb for reciprocal links [6:50] Toxic backlinks question [7:30] What makes a backlink toxic [8:50] Manual penalties and why they stopped -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Is AI getting better at doing SEO, and does that mean you can eventually just hand it the whole job? AI does continue to improve, but better AI doesn't change the difference between using a tool and relying on one. If everyone could press the same "do my SEO" button, the button can only ever make you even with everyone else, never ahead of them. This episode discusses: Using AI vs relying on AI The "Garbage in, garbage out" principle Feeding your AI project the right data The hammer analogy You'll walk away understanding which parts of SEO to hand to AI, and which parts still require you to make the decisions. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:35] The two most common listener questions [1:25] Using AI vs relying on AI [1:50] Why out-of-the-box AI is not an SEO consultant [2:15] Where AI connectors are headed [3:00] The colleague who refused to adapt [4:45] Garbage in, garbage out [5:00] Feeding your AI project the right data [6:20] The hammer analogy [7:45] Why one-button SEO keeps you even with everyone else -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Can I just ask Claude or ChatGPT to do my SEO? Technically yes, but there are three potential problems every website owner needs to understand first. Remember AI's objective is to make you happy in the immediate term. That doesn't always mean the same thing as giving you good advice. AI delivers tips with complete confidence whether it's right or wrong AI has no strategic framework AI often bases suggestions on SEO myths This episode explains all three, and the alternative that's coming soon --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Timestamps [0:30] Introduction [1:32] Confident Advice Can Be Wrong [1:53] Garbage In Leads To Garbage Out [3:42] The Hidden Text Spam Example [6:16] Why Random Tips Fail SEO [7:48] Training AI Replaces Prompt Engineering [10:15] Sam Altman on AI and Your Job [12:02] Building an SEO Database With Strategy [14:15] The Future of SEO With AI [14:40] Closing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Google released updated guidance for optimizing websites in both traditional and AI-powered search. The message is clear: SEO hasn't changed as much as you think. In this episode, Meredith's Husband walks through the new guidance from Google's and explains what it means for you as a website owner. Get the full article with links discussed in the episode: https://www.meredithshusband.com/blog/google-ai-seo-guide Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:42] Why AI bots still use Google for search [3:42] AI plus SEO crash course update [5:56] Walking through Google's new guidance document [6:45] Is SEO still relevant for AI search? [9:00] Creating unique, helpful, people-first content [13:31] Technical structure that supports visibility [15:29] Myth busting: chunking, LLMS.txt, and more [18:22] Agentic search experiences [19:00] Summary: Four Key Points from Google -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Google's recent developer conference announced several updates worth paying attention to as a local business owner. This episode breaks down what those announcements mean for your website, including a new AI detection tool, changes to Google Business Profiles, a long-overdue update to Google Search Console, and key findings from an AHREFS study on how AI search engines actually send traffic, and how you can get cited more often. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] Overview of Google developer conference updates [1:05] AI-generated image detection and YouTube disclosure requirements [3:10] Google Gemini and Google Business Profiles [3:51] AI impressions now tracked in Google Search Console [4:45] AHREFS report: word count and AI citations [6:10] ChatGPT vs. Google: traffic comparison [7:20] How ChatGPT cites results for purchase-related searches [8:15] AI citations pulling from deeper in search results [9:10] Tips for getting cited in AI search and newsletter mention [10:05] Closing -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
A listener asks whether Ubersuggest's $290 lifetime plan is worth it as an alternative to Semrush. The answer covers the founder's reputation, why lifetime pricing at that level raises red flags, and what Adobe's $2 billion acquisition of Semrush might signal about the tool's long-term value. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:45] The question: Is Ubersuggest worth $290 lifetime? [0:57] What Ubersuggest claims to do [1:11] Neil Patel's history in the SEO industry [1:33] Why past reputation matters when choosing tools [3:17] The problem with lifetime subscription pricing [4:21] Adobe acquires Semrush for $2 billion [4:37] What that acquisition signals about Semrush's value [5:29] Recent changes to Semrush before the deal [6:42] Final recommendation on Ubersuggest -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Google's developer conference just delivered what may be the most significant shift in SEO in years. Meredith's Husband breaks down what Google announced about AI-powered search, why website traffic will decrease for most owners, and why that can be good news for photographers and small business owners who want more qualified visitors and fewer window shoppers. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:26] Why Google's announcement matters for SEO [1:23] The end of the 10-link search results page [2:20] What search results will look like instead [2:52] Critics say fewer options hurts consumers [3:30] Why Google was already making choices for you [4:47] How conversion rates will change with AI search [5:45] Is SEO still worth doing if traffic drops [6:10] What will actually change in how you do SEO [6:37] Final thoughts and what is coming next -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a potential client sees when searching your name, and most small business owners leave it incomplete. In this episode, Meredith's Husband walks through 12 must-do steps to optimize your profile, including why using a real address beats a service area every time, how to use the "From the Business" section to stand out, and why your reviews strategy matters more than you think. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [1:33] Two goals: stronger impressions and better local visibility [4:00] Step 1: Business name [4:15] Step 2: Cover photo [5:30] Step 3: Service area vs. address [8:45] Step 4: Logo [9:30] Step 5: Business phone number [10:45] Step 6: Products and prices [12:30] Step 7: Product categories [13:30] Step 8: From the business [15:50] Step 9: Updates [17:00] Step 10: Reviews [19:30] Step 11: Social media profiles [21:20] Step 12: Photos [24:30] Summary and what comes next Try WisprFlow https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHRIS37400 -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Your website navigation is doing more damage than you might think. Meredith's Husband walks through three common mistakes photographers and small business owners make with their main nav, why each one hurts both SEO and conversions, and what to do instead so that Google, AI search, and potential clients can all find exactly what they need without hunting for it. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:30] Why service pages are the foundation of your website [1:45] Mistake one: not having dedicated service pages [3:10] What a service page needs to include [4:30] Mistake two: hiding service pages in dropdown menus [5:45] Why AI search cannot interact with dropdown navigation [6:30] Where service pages should appear in your main nav [7:15] Mistake three: giving service pages clever or unclear names [8:20] Why boring navigation names help both users and Google [9:30] How to audit and fix your navigation -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Two common Google Search Console questions get answered in this episode: what it means when impressions are rising but average rankings stay flat, and whether keywords still matter for blog posts. The short answer on rankings might surprise you. And the advice around blogging and keywords could save your site from a problem that looks like progress while quietly making things worse. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:24] Listener question: impressions rising but rankings unchanged [0:49] What impressions and average rankings mean in Search Console [1:50] Why rising impressions with flat rankings is actually a good sign [2:20] How new keywords entering the index affect your average ranking [3:15] Why average ranking is a misleading metric to track [3:55] Meredith's question: are keywords still important for blogs [4:22] What bloggers offering "keyword-included" posts are actually doing [5:00] Keyword cannibalization explained [5:45] What the right keyword strategy for blogs actually looks like [6:35] Why keyword stuffing in blogs works against you Try WisprFlow https://wisprflow.ai/r?CHRIS37400 -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
Most photographers rely on AI tools that hand them the same baseline everyone else gets. This episode breaks down why that approach keeps you stuck in the crowd with mediocre results. Meredith's husband talks about how building a custom AI engine, using your own data, is the necessary first step in getting ahead of the crowd. Timestamps [0:00] Introduction [0:28] The problem with off-the-shelf AI SEO tools [1:15] Why generic AI output makes you like everyone else [2:02] Why AI needs your specific information to work [3:05] What data to collect and when in the program [4:10] What the AI system actually produces [5:00] How competitor research works and why it matters [6:18] AI versus consultant: speed, quality, and tradeoffs [7:30] Taking your own job before someone else does [8:45] Strategy vs. tactics: where AI gives you the real edge -- Send me your AI/SEO questions! https://www.meredithshusband.com/podcast
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Observed September 19, 2026. Cached outside the daily freshness window; the positions keep the date they were taken on.
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