The Edward Show

Edward Sturm

Founder and go-to-market stories from the lens of a world-class marketer.

  1. 7 HR AGO

    Why "Easy SEO" Beats Fancy SEO (And Always Has)

    E914: Cody See joins the show. We break down why simple, fundamentals-driven SEO consistently outperforms complicated, "advanced" tactics - and why that's been true for over a decade. We talk through real-world experience running affiliate sites, agencies, and client campaigns, and explain why most SEO failures come from overengineering, ego, or chasing shortcuts instead of focusing on what actually converts. This is a practical, honest conversation about how SEO works today. Topics covered: - Why "easy SEO" isn't lazy SEO - and why it works - The difference between ranking for ego vs ranking for revenue - How picking the right keywords matters more than advanced tactics - Bottom-of-funnel keywords vs high-volume vanity keywords - Why link building isn't always necessary to rank - White hat SEO vs risky shortcuts and why shortcuts usually fail - How SEO results are often faster today than they were years ago - What changed about Google's "sandbox" (and why it barely exists now) - Real examples of backlinks that actually moved rankings - Why referral traffic matters more than links alone - How simple SEO scales better for agencies and niche businesses - Why most people overestimate the value of technical complexity We also discuss: - How AI-generated content is eroding traditional trust signals - Why authority is shifting back to reputation and real relationships - How outreach, PR, and networking have changed post-AI - Why being direct and human now beats polished outreach - How automation can support SEO without replacing judgment CMS & platform discussion: - Wix Studio vs WordPress from an SEO perspective - What Wix has improved - and where it still falls short - SEO features that matter and ones that don't - Why starting with clean fundamentals saves problems later This episode is for: - SEOs who are tired of overcomplicated advice - Agency owners who want repeatable results - Builders starting new sites who want clarity instead of noise - Anyone who wants SEO to support a real business, not just rankings ⭐️ Cody See on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamcodysee/ ⭐️ The Agency Growth Podcast - https://www.agencygrowthpod.com ⭐️ The Agency After Hours Discord - https://discord.com/invite/uvHRRRFVRD ⭐️ Cody's podcast interview with Wix Studio -  https://www.agencygrowthpod.com/episodes/wix-wants-agencies-were-listening-ft-kobi-gamliel-w-wix-studio-112 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Catching Up and Personal Updates 00:31 Launching a New Website on Wix 00:50 Discussing Wix's SEO Challenges 01:00 Cody's Podcast Interview with Wix's Head of Partnerships 03:39 SEO Strategies and Techniques 15:18 The Importance of Keyword Selection 19:11 Personal SEO Journey and Experiences 22:51 Building and Scaling an SEO Agency 24:54 Niche SEO Success Stories 27:35 Exploring PPC and Local Service Ads 36:40 The Future of AI in SEO and Networking 38:26 Challenges in Modern Communication 38:59 AI's Impact on Outreach 40:00 Trust Signals in Networking 41:27 Dealing with AI-Generated Messages 43:34 Effective Outreach Strategies 44:59 Understanding Your Audience 47:11 SEO and Website Platforms 48:10 Wix vs. WordPress: A Detailed Comparison 54:23 Automating SEO Tasks 58:24 Wix Studio's SEO Challenges 01:13:28 Final Thoughts and Contact Information The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing #wixstudio #seo

    1h 15m
  2. 1 DAY AGO

    Stop Guessing SEO: How to Let Google Tell You What to Rank For

    E913: Practical, repeatable ways to use Google Search Console to make better SEO decisions without guessing. Instead of relying on assumptions, third-party tools, or long content cycles, this conversation focuses on using Google's own data to identify what your site is already eligible to rank for - and how to expand from there. We cover real workflows you can apply immediately, whether you're working on a small site or managing SEO at scale. David Quaid joins the show! We cover: - How to use Regex in Google Search Console to analyze branded vs non-branded searches - Why Search Console withholds data and how to work with wider query sets to get more accurate insights - How to identify question-based queries Google already associates with your site - Using Search Console to find page-two keywords that signal topical readiness - Turning "People Also Ask"-style queries into scalable FAQ and content structures - How internal linking and subfolders transfer topical authority across related pages - When expanding topical authority helps - and when it starts to hurt - A low-risk method for publishing many small pages to test ranking potential - How to use AI to speed up content production without committing to long editorial cycles - Deciding which pages are worth improving after Google shows you what ranks This episode is focused on process, not theory - how to reduce uncertainty, shorten feedback loops, and let Google's behavior guide your SEO strategy. ⭐️ David Quaid on 𝕏 - https://x.com/DavidGQuaid ⭐️ David Quaid on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquaid/ ⭐️ David Quaid's agency - https://primaryposition.com/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Welcome Back, David Quaid! 00:49 Using Regex in Google Search Console 01:34 Understanding Branded vs. Non-Branded Searches 06:30 Privacy Concerns in Search Queries 11:08 Expanding Topical Authority with Regex 15:49 Implementing GEO SEO Strategies 19:54 SEO Keyword Strategy 20:16 Leveraging Topical Authority 20:21 Linking Strategies for SEO 20:59 Creating Hub Pages 21:45 Content Types and Formats 22:12 Local SEO Insights 23:08 Understanding Google's Ranking Factors 24:24 Expanding Topical Authority 26:08 Managing Content Decay 27:02 Using AI for Content Creation 31:41 Optimizing Content for Rankings 36:24 Final Thoughts and Farewell The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #keywordresearch #searchengineoptimization #googlesearchconsole #seo

    38 min
  3. 1 DAY AGO

    How Perplexity Ranks Content (And What LLMs Really Care About)

    E912: New research explains how Perplexity evaluates, ranks, and even discards content. If you want your content to be shown, cited, or recommended by large language models, understanding how one major AI answer engine works gives you insight into how the rest likely operate. We walk through research that analyzes Perplexity's ranking systems, including entity re-ranking, manual domain boosts, early engagement signals, and freshness requirements. While the research is currently unverified, the findings closely align with what we already know about how AI search and answer engines prioritize content. This is especially relevant for anyone working in SEO, content marketing, or generative engine optimization who wants to improve visibility in AI answers, AI overviews, and LLM-driven search experiences. What this covers: - How Perplexity retrieves and re-ranks content using multi-layer machine learning systems - Why topical authority and semantic relevance matter more than keyword matching alone - How entity searches (people, companies, concepts) are handled differently - The role of early user engagement in long-term visibility - Manual authority boosts for certain domains and what that means for content strategy - How YouTube titles and trending queries may influence AI visibility - Why fresh content and regular updates matter for LLM recommendations - Negative signals that can suppress or bury underperforming content - Why these ranking systems closely resemble SEO fundamentals Key takeaways: - Keyword optimization still matters, but it is not sufficient on its own - Content must be comprehensive, relevant, and supported by topical authority - Early performance can determine whether content continues to be surfaced - Interlinked content clusters perform better than isolated pages - AI answer engines favor quality, clarity, and usefulness over tactics designed to game rankings ⭐️ How Perplexity ranks content: Research uncovers core ranking factors and systems - https://searchengineland.com/how-perplexity-ranks-content-research-460031 ⭐️ Metehan Yesilyurt on 𝕏 - https://x.com/metehan777 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Overview 00:57 Research Insights on Perplexity's Ranking 02:36 Entity Search Re-Ranking System 03:36 Authoritative Domains and Parasite SEO 04:51 YouTube Synchronization and Keyword Optimization 06:34 Core Ranking Factors 08:41 Conclusion and Final Thoughts The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #answerengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #seo

    10 min
  4. 3 DAYS AGO

    Google Says This Is the #1 SEO Rule Most People Ignore

    E911: I break down what Google's John Mueller has repeatedly said is the most important rule in SEO: consistency. Not shortcuts. Not trends. Just consistent execution over time. John Mueller has shared this advice for years without fully explaining why it matters. Barry Schwartz helped add context, and in this I explain how consistency impacts rankings, trust, and conversions across both technical SEO and content. This conversation focuses on why inconsistent implementation quietly holds back many websites, even when they are doing other things right. What you'll learn: - Why Google consistently emphasizes consistency as the foundation of SEO - How inconsistent technical signals create problems for search engines - Common technical SEO mistakes caused by inconsistency - Why weak pages can negatively affect how Google views an entire site - How trust and consistency are closely connected in SEO - Why ranking alone is not the real goal of search optimization - How consistent publishing compounds results over time - A realistic approach to content frequency that most teams can maintain - Why taking your time leads to better outcomes than rushing execution Practical SEO guidance covered: - Publish content on a schedule you can realistically sustain - Fix page titles and internal linking before chasing advanced tactics - Focus on bottom-of-funnel SEO pages that target buyers ready to convert - Use blog content to support topical authority - Build links gradually with small, repeatable daily actions - Improve quality across your entire site instead of ignoring weak pages ⭐️ John Mueller Of Google: SEO Lives & Dies With Consistency - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-seo-lives-dies-with-consistency-31319.html ⭐️ How I've 10x'd My Podcast Growth Year Over Year - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/10x-podcast-growth/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and New Year's Greetings 00:22 The Importance of Consistency in SEO 01:00 Personal Consistency Journey 01:26 John Mueller's SEO Advice 02:30 Technical Consistency in SEO 02:52 Content Consistency and Quality 03:40 Practical SEO Tips and Strategies 07:58 Consistency in Link Building 08:29 Final Thoughts and New Year Motivation The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seo #searchmarketing #digitalmarketing

    10 min
  5. 4 DAYS AGO

    How ChatGPT Actually Works (and How to Get Your Content Shown in AI Answers)

    E910: How ChatGPT and other large language models actually generate answers, based on widely shared research on how AI systems use search, training data, and real-time web results. If you're doing SEO in 2026 and beyond, understanding how AI decides when to search, what it pulls from the web, and why certain content gets shown in AI answers is no longer optional. This episode explains the mechanics behind ChatGPT, AI Overviews, and LLM recommendations - and how to adapt your SEO strategy so your content gets surfaced. What You'll Learn in This Episode - How ChatGPT really works behind the scenes - Why ChatGPT behaves more like a search engine than a "thinking" system - When ChatGPT decides to trigger a web search vs. using training data - How multiple models work together to evaluate, search, and generate answers - Why semantic relevance matters more than exact keywords - How ChatGPT pulls small snippets, not full articles - Why speed, cost, and page structure affect whether content is used - The role of freshness for timely, niche, or complex queries SEO Tactics to Get Shown in AI Answers - How clean structure and direct answers increase snippet eligibility - How long, rambling content gets ignored by AI systems - How to write content that is easier for LLMs to extract and reuse - Where clarity and formatting directly impact AI visibility Advanced AI SEO Strategies Covered - The press release tactic that influences ChatGPT and AI Overviews - How non-competitive and branded queries can be shaped with indexed PR content - Why certain "best X for Y" listicles are being repeated by LLMs - How self-published rankings and announcements affect AI recommendations How to See What ChatGPT Is Searching For - How to inspect ChatGPT's web queries using browser developer tools - How to find query fan-outs and reuse that language in your content - How to turn AI search queries into H2 sections or new pages Finding AI-Driven Searches in Google Tools - How to uncover natural language AI searches in Google Search Console - How to identify long-form queries used in AI Overviews and AI Mode - How to create content specifically for AI-assisted search behavior Tracking AI Traffic Accurately - How to see traffic from ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot in Google Analytics - Which pages AI tools are recommending - How to measure real AI-driven visits instead of guessing The Core Takeaway If AI systems rely on search for many prompts, the best way to influence them is still to do strong SEO - but with better structure, clearer answers, and content built around how AI actually retrieves and evaluates information. ⭐️ Lily Ray's TLDR - https://x.com/lilyraynyc/status/2003143387264749882?s=46 ⭐️ AI SEO/GEO/AEO: How to Get Shown in LLMs in 2026 - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/ai-seo-geo-aeo-get-shown-llms-2026/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction to AI and SEO 01:07 Understanding How ChatGPT Works 03:18 Influencing Large Language Models 04:02 SEO Tricks and Tips 06:23 Using Google Tools for AI SEO 07:13 Optimizing Content for AI 09:04 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

    12 min
  6. 5 DAYS AGO

    Why AI Garbage Content Ranks in Google

    E909: When you search Google today, you'll often see obviously AI-generated, low-quality content ranking in the top results - sometimes even from big global brands. In this episode, I break down why that happens, what's actually going on inside Google's algorithms, and why copying what you see in the SERPs is often the wrong takeaway for long-term SEO. This isn't an episode about shortcuts or spam tactics. It's about understanding how search really works, where the leniency comes from, and how to think about SEO beyond "what ranks right now." We cover: - Why low-quality AI content can rank temporarily in Google - How algorithmic spam detection works (and why it often hits later, not immediately) - A real example of an AI-generated site that scaled fast - and then collapsed - Why big brands and high-authority domains get more algorithmic leniency - How domain authority changes the rules of what Google will tolerate - Why low-competition keywords allow "worse" SEO to rank - The overlooked opportunity in low-volume, high-intent keywords - Why ranking low-quality content is often meaningless if it doesn't convert - How obvious AI content can damage brand equity and repeat visitors - The difference between ranking signals and conversion signals - Why E-E-A-T still matters for trust and revenue, even if it's debated as a ranking factor - Why copying random big brands is a mistake - and who you should actually study instead Key takeaways: - SEO is contextual and nuanced. - What ranks for one site, brand, or keyword can fail badly for another. - Spam tactics often work until they don't - and when they fail, they fail fast. - If your goal is sustainable traffic, conversions, and brand trust, understanding why something ranks matters more than copying it. This is episode 909 of The Edward Show. If you're watching on YouTube, thanks for being here. If you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, thanks for listening. ⭐️ Ep906 - Google Wasn't Lying: What the Google API Leak Really Revealed About SEO - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYObbKZS-zA ⭐️ Ep903 - SEO Isn't Dead: The AI Search Holiday Special - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFWEpLPMl08 ⭐️ Ep839 - The Hidden Keyword Gaps Google Is Begging You to Fill - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS7zHS4Ant0 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction 00:23 Listener's Question on AI Content 01:35 SEO Nuances and Spam Tactics 03:28 Domain Authority and SEO Tactics 06:21 Importance of Legit Content 07:54 EEAT and Brand Equity 09:03 Big Brands and SEO Practices 11:24 Conclusion The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seotips #seocopywriting #digitalmarketing

    13 min
  7. 6 DAYS AGO

    Vibe Coding for SEO: Building Rankable Apps, Tools, and Revenue in Minutes

    E908: We break down how SEOs are using vibe coding and AI development tools to build rankable web apps, calculators, and tools that generate organic traffic and revenue faster than traditional content. Today's guest is Ram Berrouet, a longtime co-founder, friend, product builder, and founder of Relief, a Series A startup with hundreds of thousands of users. Ram explains how recent breakthroughs in AI models have fundamentally changed what's possible for SEO-driven businesses - from building full web apps in minutes to replacing large engineering teams with AI-assisted workflows. This episode is specifically for: - Niche site builders - Publishers losing organic visibility - SEOs tired of traffic volatility - Founders looking for faster MVPs - Marketers who want durable revenue - Anyone who wants to turn search demand into products What we cover: - How "vibe coding" works in real production environments - Why recent AI models now outperform junior and senior engineers for many tasks - How Ram replaced an 8-person engineering team using AI tools - Building rankable web apps instead of just blog posts - Turning bottom-of-funnel SEO keywords into revenue-generating tools - Creating calculators, widgets, and interactive assets that rank in Google - How fast iteration changes SEO strategy and monetization - Why SEO is becoming the most predictable distribution channel again - How to migrate large, high-ranking sites without losing SEO equity - Using AI to maintain metadata, internal links, canonicals, and site structure - Publishing new pages, tools, and blog posts using prompts instead of CMS editors - Why social distribution is getting harder - and how SEO fills the gap Tools and platforms discussed: - AI-powered IDEs and development agents - Gemini 3 and Claude Opus 4.5 models - Cursor and automated code review agents - Replit for no-code and low-code app development - AI-assisted site migrations and crawlers - Front-end SEO tools like calculators and widgets embedded on CMS platforms Key takeaway for SEOs: If you can already rank pages, you can now build products. AI has reduced the cost and complexity of building apps, tools, and interactive assets to near zero. That means SEOs can: - Create defensible assets - Target high-intent keywords - Monetize traffic directly - Reduce reliance on ads and affiliates - Build real products without engineering teams Subscribe for daily episodes on SEO, monetization, publishing, and building real businesses on top of organic traffic. ⭐️ Ram Berrouet on 𝕏 - https://x.com/RamBerrouet ⭐️ Ram Berrouet on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ram-berrouet/ ⭐️ Ram Berrouet app, Relief - https://www.relief.app/ 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 00:21 The Insanity of Vibe Coding 04:32 AI Breakthroughs in Development 12:05 Replacing Traditional Development Teams 17:55 Building Apps with No Technical Experience 23:11 SEO and Web App Development 32:42 Website Redesign and SEO Optimization 34:18 New Workflows with AI Tools 35:37 Voice Commands and Whisper Flow 37:58 Evolution of AI in Development 42:44 Social Media Strategies and Challenges 51:31 SEO vs. Social Media Content 53:39 Creating Web and Mobile Apps 55:50 Podcast Conclusion and Guest Information The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #linkableassets #linkbuilding #indiehackers

    58 min
  8. 28/12/2025

    How One Blog a Week Took a Local Dentist to 130,000 Monthly Visits

    E907: An SEO copywriter quietly helped a single local dental office grow from almost zero traffic to 130,000 monthly organic visits - using nothing more than one blog post per week. No backlink campaigns. No complicated SEO frameworks. No content farm. Just consistent blogging, strong keyword choices, and writing that people actually want to read. That SEO copywriter is Tiffani Daniel. She joins us today and we break down exactly how this happened, why it worked, and what most people misunderstand about blogging, SEO, and conversion-focused content. What we cover: - How a local dentist grew from 0 to 130,000 monthly visits with one blog per week - Why cost-related and "price" keywords consistently outperform most SEO content - What Tiffany did instead of backlink building - and why it still worked - Why blogs don't need a perfect publishing cadence to rank - How to structure blogs so readers binge multiple posts in one session - The "TV show" approach to internal linking and content flow - Why short paragraphs, simple formatting, and skimmability matter more than word count - How to inject personality into SEO content without fluff or filler - Why answering the question immediately can increase trust and conversions - How to think about intent for informational vs. transactional keywords - When blog traffic helps sales - and when it doesn't - How email lists, phone calls, and brand trust fit into an SEO strategy - Why many SEO wins fail because the website copy is poorly written - How Tiffany approaches research when writing for industries she's not an expert in - Using Reddit, comments, and real questions to shape SEO content - Where AI helps (and where it hurts) in SEO writing - How to use transcripts and real speech patterns to make content sound human - Why authenticity matters more now than ever in search results This conversation goes deep into how SEO actually works in practice, especially for local businesses and service providers who don't need vanity traffic - they need real people, real trust, and real conversions. If you write blogs, manage SEO, run a local business, or are tired of generic content advice, this episode will give you a clearer way to think about content that compounds over time. ⭐️ Tiffani Daniel at Your Creative Content blog - https://www.yourcreativecontent.com/blog ⭐️ Tiffani Daniel on Threads - https://www.threads.net/@yourcreativecontent ⭐️ Tiffani Daniel on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@yourcreativecontent ⭐️ Tiffani Daniel on Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/yourcreativecontent/ ⭐️ Tiffani's SEO Copywriting Services - https://www.yourcreativecontent.com/copywriting-services ⭐️ Tiffani's SEO content membership, SEO Storytellers- https://www.yourcreativecontent.com/seo-storytellers 💎 Compact Keywords - My SEO Course - Get paying customers through SEO - Clear step-by-step video breakdowns - SEO templates to be copied and adapted for your products and services: https://compactkeywords.com/ 00:00 Welcome and Introduction 00:42 SEO Success Story: Dental Client's Journey 01:48 Content Strategy and Blogging Tips 05:12 Effective SEO Techniques and Client Examples 07:41 Storytelling in SEO and Content Creation 10:17 Using AI in SEO and Content Writing 15:41 Engaging Content and Conversion Strategies 35:49 Research and Writing for Diverse Topics 39:17 Leveraging Reddit for SEO 40:59 Instagram vs. TikTok SEO 41:46 Using Transcripts for Better Rankings 42:33 Exploring Descript for Video Editing 43:45 Rejection Therapy Challenge 49:34 Blogging Strategies and Tools 59:53 Creating Effective Sales Pages 01:07:44 Final Thoughts and Future Plans The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #seocopywriting #blogging #copywriting

    1h 12m

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Founder and go-to-market stories from the lens of a world-class marketer.

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