Search with Candour

Candour
  • 4.0 (4)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Every Monday, Jack Chambers-Ward has in-depth conversations with SEO experts from around the world. Covering topics from attribution in GA4 to networking tips for introverts and everything in between. Search With Candour is the perfect way to kickstart your working week! https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast

  1. 2D AGO

    7 Biggest SEO News Stories So Far in 2026 (Google UCP, Business Agent, Personal Intelligence)

    Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a solo episode of Search With Candour recapping seven major SEO and digital marketing news stories from the first six weeks of 2026, previously covered in the Core Updates newsletter. He highlights Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for agentic commerce and checkout capabilities, Google’s Business Agent for brand-voice shopper conversations, and Google’s Personal Intelligence initiative that personalises experiences by connecting Gemini to apps like Gmail, YouTube, Photos, and Search. He also covers Gemini-powered AI Insights in Google Trends, Chrome’s agentic “auto browse” features that can complete multi-step tasks, a SparkToro study showing AI/LLM recommendations are highly inconsistent, and the February 2026 Google Discover core update aimed at reducing sensational clickbait, improving local relevance, and addressing self-promotional “self-ranking” listicles. Jack notes plans for ongoing monthly news recap episodes and points viewers to links in the show notes for all sources. Links to resources/references: https://developers.googleblog.com/under-the-hood-universal-commerce-protocol-ucp/https://support.google.com/brandprofile/answer/16410382https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/gemini-app/personal-intelligence/https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/google-trends-explore-with-ai/https://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/chrome/gemini-3-auto-browse/https://sparktoro.com/blog/new-research-ais-are-highly-inconsistent-when-recommending-brands-or-products-marketers-should-take-care-when-tracking-ai-visibility/https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2026/02/discover-core-update00:00 Introduction 02:34 Candour Website Builds: Why SEO Must Be Baked In From Day One 04:17 Story #1: Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for Agentic Commerce 08:52 Story #2: Google Business Agent - Branded AI Chat for Retailers 11:50 Story #3: “Personal Intelligence” and the Start of Fully Personalised Search 15:09 Story #4: Gemini-Powered Google Trends Insights 17:02 Story #5: Chrome “Auto Browse” & Gemini in the Browser 22:54 Story #6: SparkToro Study: Why AI Brand Recommendations Are Inconsistent 31:51 Story #7: February 2026 Google Discover Core Update 34:35 Wrap-Up and upcoming episode

    36 min

  2. FEB 9

    How businesses can optimise for AI search

    Join Jack Chambers-Ward as he sits down with Alex Dees, co-founder and CEO of Meridian, to discuss how to optimise your brand and sites for AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, AI Mode, and Perplexity. Discover strategies and insights on increasing visibility in the age of AI, if “chunking” your content works, and the future of e-commerce and agentic commerce.Follow Alex: Website: https://trymeridian.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dees 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 01:22 Guest Introduction: Alex Dees 01:47 The Rise of AI in Search 02:18 Optimising for AI Search 03:58 The Future of SEO and AI 11:55 Measuring Success in AI Search 16:38 Strategies for Effective AI Marketing 17:45 Content Structuring and Chunking 27:20 Combining Data for Better Insights 30:15 AI in E-commerce 31:31 The Future of E-commerce and AI 32:17 The Role of Structured Data in AI 33:41 Agentic Commerce: Trends and Insights 35:23 Google's Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) 36:04 Challenges and Opportunities in Agentic Commerce 44:23 The Impact of AI on Small vs. Big Businesses 46:53 The Growing Importance of Video Content 49:17 Actionable Recommendations for AI Search 52:59 Final Thoughts and Recommendations

    59 min

  3. FEB 2

    SEO Trends & Insights from the Web Almanac 2025

    In this episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by SEO experts Chris Green and Amaka Chukwuma to discuss the SEO chapter of the Web Almanac 2025. Together, they delve into the process behind writing the chapter, trends in SEO, impacts of AI and LLM crawlers, structured data adoption, and the importance of resisting hype in the SEO industry. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 00:27 Discussing the Web Almanac 2025 01:38 Welcoming the Guests 03:15 SEO Chapter Insights 04:09 Data Analysis and Process 11:37 SEO Trends and Surprises 20:11 Robots.txt and Web Standards 30:11 Bing Bot and AI Crawlers 35:50 Legacy SEO Practices and Their Impact 38:16 The Rise of AI Crawlers 39:58 Adoption and Implementation of LLMs 48:59 Structured Data and Schema Markup 56:36 The Future of SEO and the Web 01:03:12 Closing Thoughts and Upcoming Topics 📖 The SEO Chapter of the web almanac 2025: https://almanac.httparchive.org/en/2025/seo Follow Amaka: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amaka-chukwuma-jubilee/ Follow Chris: 🔗 Website: https://www.torquepartnership.com/ 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisgreenseo/ 🔗 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/chris-green.net

    1h 5m
  4. Top SEO Conferences of 2025 & What to Look Forward to in 2026 | Search With Candour

    JAN 26

    Top SEO Conferences of 2025 & What to Look Forward to in 2026 | Search With Candour

    Join Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook for a special episode of Search With Candour, where they recap the top SEO conferences of 2025 and share their most anticipated events for 2026. From Brighton SEO to the SEO Brein Meetup, they discuss the highlights, unique features, and what makes each conference a must-attend. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into the upcoming SearchNorwich XL… Don't miss out on insights, networking tips, and the banter you’ve come to expect from Search with Candour! Best SEO conferences of 2025: https://brightonseo.com/https://croatiaseosummit.com/https://hub.seofomo.co/events/https://tech-seo-summit.com/https://searchnstuff.co.uk/search-n-stuff-antalya-conference-2026/ SEO conferences to look forward to in 2026: https://www.womenintechseo.com/conference/london/https://www.seobrein.nl/meetuphttps://hive-mcr.co.uk/https://searchnstuff.co.uk/search-n-stuff-london-conference-2026/Coming soon... https://searchnorwich.org/ 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 00:20 Conference Highlights and Reflections 01:57 The Importance of Networking 04:30 Top Conferences of 2025 04:48 Brighton SEO 08:50 Zagreb SEO Summit 15:13 SEO FOMO Meetups 19:46 Tech SEO Summit 23:55 Search and Stuff Antalya 26:46 The Importance of Preparation for Conferences 27:23 Navigating Language Barriers at International Conferences 28:07 The Value of Speaker-Audience Interaction 29:35 Upcoming Conferences in 2026 30:18 WTSFest London 33:50 SEO Brien Meetups 35:39 Hive MCR 39:33 Search and Stuff London 41:43 SearchNorwich XL 49:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    51 min
  5. Video content is essential for success in 2026

    JAN 19

    Video content is essential for success in 2026

    Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Georgie Kemp, the SEO lead at Veed. Together, they delve into the limitless potential of video as a channel for marketers, discussing how video content can be repurposed and its SEO advantages. Georgie emphasises the importance of authenticity and the human element in creating engaging video content. Jack and Georgie also explore the evolution of search, integrating video into SEO strategies, and leveraging AI while maintaining a human touch. Follow Georgie: Website: https://www.veed.ioLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgie-kemp/ Veed on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/veedstudioVeed on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/veedstudio/ Resources https://sell.g2.com/resources/webinars/capturing-demand-in-the-llm-ecosystemhttps://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7388499289389572097/https://sparktoro.com/blog/its-still-seo-search-everywhere-optimization/ Veed guides for video marketing: https://www.veed.io/learn/video-marketing-guide https://www.veed.io/learn/ai-tools-for-video-editinghttps://www.veed.io/learn/ai-video-production Georgie’s recommendations https://www.granola.ai/https://misotasty.com/recipes/miso-brown-butter-banana-bread-recipe Time stamps 00:00 The Limitless Potential of Video Marketing 01:22 Introduction 03:26 Sponsor Message 05:13 Interview with Georgie Kemp 06:50 The Evolution of Search and Video Content 20:47 Community Engagement and Authenticity in SEO 34:47 Monitoring Brand Sentiment 35:12 The Party Analogy 35:49 Honesty in Product Comparisons 36:46 Community-Centric Content Strategy 37:55 Success in Video Generation and Editing 38:55 Comparison-Based Content 42:17 Brand Management and Visibility 48:17 AI's Role in Content Creation 55:21 Recommendations and Final Thoughts

    1h 5m

  6. JAN 12

    Why AI makes long-tail keywords MORE powerful

    In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward welcomes Nicole Lee to discuss the significance of long tail keywords in SEO and content marketing. Jack and Nicole delve into how these keywords become even more crucial in the age of AI, focusing on creating personalised, bottom-of-funnel content. The episode also covers Nicole's strategies for programmatic SEO, the challenges of setting client expectations, and the importance of high-intent content. Follow Nicole Website: https://nicoleleemf.com/ Daydream: https://www.withdaydream.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelee-marketer/ Recommendations Corner Maps: https://get.corner.inc/Opal: https://www.opal.so/ Graphite AEO tools: https://graphite.io/five-percent/aeo-toolsThinking in Bets: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35957157-thinking-in-bets Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Long Tail Keywords 01:20 Welcome to Search with Candour 01:36 Meet Nicole Lee 08:16 The Importance of Long Tail Keywords in SEO 15:55 Balancing Informational and Transactional Content 29:42 Programmatic SEO Strategies 36:11 Setting Client Expectations for Leads 37:24 High-Value Conversions and Client Examples 38:28 User Behaviour and Educated Consumers 39:57 Specialised Content and High-Intent Articles 43:50 The Art of SEO and Product Marketing 49:08 Nicole’s Recommendations 55:58 Staying Curious and Recommended Tools 01:05:19 Upcoming Guests and Future Content

    1h 7m
  7. What happened in SEO in 2025? SEO Predictions for 2026

    JAN 5

    What happened in SEO in 2025? SEO Predictions for 2026

    In the first episode of 2026, hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss the major SEO news stories of 2025 and make predictions for the upcoming year. They reflect on their predictions from last year, including the impact of zero-click searches on organic click-through rates, the rise of video and visual search elements, and the importance of community and real marketing. The episode also covers Google's AI mode rollout, the challenges posed by automated advertising and privacy laws, and potential advancements in agentic search and browser-based AI. 00:00 Introduction and New Year Greetings 00:33 SEO Predictions for 2026 01:42 Zero Click Searches and AI Summarization 07:40 Trends in Video and Visual Search 12:30 The Return of Real Marketing 20:39 Biggest News Stories of 2025 22:32 AI Mode Rollout Timeline 23:30 Personal Use of AI Tools 25:26 Global Expansion of AI Mode 25:46 AI Mode and Search Functionality Predictions 27:11 Impact of AI on Click-Through Rates 31:12 Predictions for 2026 32:34 Automation and Data in SEO 35:37 Challenges with Scraping and Indexing 40:39 Agentic Search and Browser Integration 44:52 Concluding Thoughts and Future Episodes

    47 min
  8. The secrets to earning great HARO links with Greg Heilers

    12/29/2025

    The secrets to earning great HARO links with Greg Heilers

    In the final episode of Search with Candour for 2025, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Greg Heilers to delve into the evolving landscape of digital PR. They discuss the current state and future of HARO (Help A Reporter Out), the impact of AI and LLMs on SEO and PR, and the growing influence of brand mentions in the age of global SEO. Greg also shares insights about the challenges and opportunities in the industry, particularly in the Chinese market. Join us for an engaging discussion on how to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of digital PR and SEO. Follow Greg JollySEO: https://jollyseo.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregheilers/  Jolly SEO’s TL;DR: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLL3o9O1rRBcLKq-hSgerIS8i47HWdOAii Website: https://gregheilers.com/ Greg’s recommendations https://featured.com/https://www.airtable.com/ https://youtu.be/ETlOSBR92Fs?si=Syh4xBbQScA2UXYh 00:00 Introduction and Opening Remarks 01:14 The Evolution of HARO and Digital PR 04:09 The Role of AI and LLMs in SEO and PR 07:15 Challenges and Strategies in Link Building 12:38 Globalisation and Language Barriers in SEO 18:18 Future Trends and Industry Insights 37:36 SEO Relevancy and Authority 38:52 Pitch Twisting and Reactive PR 39:50 GEO Relevancy and Brand Mentions 46:23 Client Communication and Expertise Sharing 54:07 Weird and Wild Link Building Requests 58:55 Actionable Recommendations and Tools 01:02:55 Exploring Chinese Culture and Final Thoughts

    1h 9m
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4
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Every Monday, Jack Chambers-Ward has in-depth conversations with SEO experts from around the world. Covering topics from attribution in GA4 to networking tips for introverts and everything in between. Search With Candour is the perfect way to kickstart your working week! https://withcandour.co.uk/podcast

Information

  • Creator
    Candour
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    348
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Candour
  • Show Website
    Search with Candour

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