EDGE of the Web - The Best SEO Podcast for Today's Digital Marketer Erin Sparks

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! 
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: Site Strategics
[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: InLinks
Barry Blast from Search Engine Roundtable:
[00:41:48] Google Search Tests Custom Filters & 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 https://edgeofthewebradio.com/site    
Inlinks https://edgeofthewebradio.com/inlinks
Follow Us:
Twitter: @ErinSparks
Twitter: @MichelFortin
Twitter: @TheMann00
Twitter: @EDGEWebRadio
Resources: 
3 key observations about the Google March 2024 core update Google, DOJ make closing arguments in antitrust trial New ways we’re tackling spammy, low-quality content on Search Google SGE AI Answers Now Cost 80% Less To Generate OpenAI To Show Content & Links In Response To Queries Google Gemini Stops Linking To Most Sources? 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 Randy Travis just released his first new song in over a decade, using A Automatically create step-by-step tutorials with AI Ask questions and hear answers, available on iOS for Pro users Google Search Tests Custom Filters & Templates Google Search Tests Showing Only Local Listing For Near Me Queries Google SGE Says Drink Urine To Pass Kidney Stones Quickly #StandwithUkraine edgeofthewebradio.com/ukraine

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 (or should we call it E-E-A-A-T-T) you should be centralizing your focus towards. 
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? 
[00:09:54] What Must Brands Do to Stand Out In The Future? 
[00:12:47] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics
[00:15:28] How Can Brands Take a Community Approach to User Experience Optimization?  
[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 Wix
[00:32:50] What is AI Unable to Replace? 
[00:35:17] How Can We Utilize AI in Our Marketing Efforts? 
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  
Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix
Riverside: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/riverside
Follow Our Guest
Twitter: https://twitter.com/michelfortin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelguyfortin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michelguyfortin/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MichelFortinSEO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michelguyfortin/
Resources
https://michelfortin.com/
https://www.musora.com/
https://www.drumeo.com/
https://www.piano.com/ 

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] Bill requiring TikTok sale or ban becomes law in U.S.
[00:13:29] Google March 2024 Core Update Officially Completed A Week Ago
[00:20:46] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: Site Strategics
[00:22:26] Google Warns Of “New Reality” As Search Engine Stumbles
[00:30:41] EDGE of the Web Sponsor: InLinks

This week's guest is Michel Fortin, VP of Growth Marketing at Musora Media. 
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!  
Key Segments:
[00:03:33] Introducing Michel Fortin
[00:04:58] What’s Michel Been Up To Since His Last Appearance? 
[00:06:53] How Michel’s Background in Music Ties to SEO
[00:09:12] The Application of Moore’s Law to Artificial Intelligence 
[00:17:16] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics
[00:18:11] Where Does the ‘Human Element’ Fit Into an Artificial Intelligence World? 
[00:23:50] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix
[00:25:01] What is Augmented Virtuality?

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! 
Key Segments:
[00:03:27] Reintroducing Joy Hawkins
[00:08:38] Were There Any Major Changes in Local SEO in 2023? 
[00:10:52] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics
[00:14:06] What Makes Local Service Ads Unique? 
[00:16:10] Steer Clear of This LSA Scam!
[00:20:20] Should Google Be Increasing Their Customer Support Network 
Without AI? 
[00:22:58] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix
[00:24:40] Joy’s Thoughts On The Rise of AI 
[00:30:52] How Should SEOs Be Focusing on UX?
[00:33:33] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Riverside.fm
[00:35:16] Have Google Updates Favored User Generated Content? 
[00:35:59] Implementing Crisis Management For Negative Online Mentions
[00:37:06] Can Video Boost Your Local SEO?
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  
Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix
Follow Our Guest
Twitter:https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins
LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhawkins/?originalSubdomain=ca Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sterlingskyinc/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2824225650936424YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SterlingSkyInc/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sterlingskyseo
Resources
Sterling Sky
Core Updates, Forums, and More Webinar
Local Search Forum

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!
Give our new sponsor a try! Riverside.fm has a special deal for our listeners!  Use our link and the code "Edgeoftheweb" for a 15% discount of their podcast recording service!
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 
[00:08:15] EDGE of the Web Title Sponsor: Site Strategics
[00:09:29] SEO vs. Local SEO 
[00:13:24] Valuable Tactics in Local SEO
[00:18:13] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Riverside.fm
[00:20:18] Why User-Generated Content is Such a Major Factor in Today’s SEO
[00:24:27] How Do We Know That Citation Platforms Aren’t Being Indexed on Google?  
[00:25:59] Entering Into Niche Markets 
[00:31:57] EDGE of the Web Sponsor Wix
[00:33:08] Why do Operating Hours Affect Rankings? 
[00:37:37] Local SEO Recommendations For a Small Budget
Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Site Strategics: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/site  
Wix: http://edgeofthewebradio.com/wix
Riverside: https://edgeofthewebradio.com/riverside
Follow Our Guest
Twitter:https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyhawkins/?originalSubdomain=ca