The Edward Show

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

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

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

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

E906: I sit down with Shaun Anderson (Hobo Web), one of the most respected SEOs in the industry - someone who has been working in search since the early 2000s and has firsthand experience with every major Google shift, from early link-based ranking to AI-driven systems. We look at what the Google API Leak actually showed, what Google has been consistent about for years, and where SEO narratives have gone wrong. This is a technical, honest conversation focused on how Google really evaluates websites today. Topics covered: - Why Google wasn't lying about how rankings work - What the Google API Leak confirmed about ranking systems - How Google evaluates trust at the site level - Why trust can override traditional authority metrics - How links still matter and what they actually represent - How Google determines who owns and operates a website - Why responsibility and transparency matter for rankings - How E-E-A-T works in practice, not theory - Why monetization changes how a page is evaluated - When affiliate sites can rank successfully - Why some affiliate sites collapse while others grow - The difference between informational intent and commercial intent - What "helpful content" actually means to Google - Why some pages never get indexed - How site-wide quality issues block indexing - How to quickly identify technical vs content vs authority problems - Why publishing velocity can trigger ranking corrections - Why removing low-quality pages still works - Lessons from major updates like Google Penguin - What the Helpful Content Update changed long term - What "content effort" means and how it's evaluated - Why AI-generated content often fails - How AI should be used responsibly in SEO - What SEO tasks should never be handed fully to AI - Why SEO strategy still requires human judgment - Why entity SEO matters more than most people realize - The role of Google Business Profiles for trust - Why authorship, policies, and disclosures matter - How domain-wide signals are applied across pages Who this episode is for: - SEOs working on long-term, legitimate businesses - Founders who rely on organic search - Affiliate site owners navigating post-HCU SEO - Anyone confused by recent Google updates - Anyone whose "good content" isn't ranking This episode is not about tricks or shortcuts. It's about how Google actually evaluates websites based on trust, responsibility, and real-world experience. New episodes every day. Subscribe for more in-depth conversations on SEO, search, and growth. ⭐️ Shaun Anderson at Hobo SEO blog - https://www.hobo-web.co.uk/shaun-anderson/ ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on 𝕏 - https://x.com/hobo_web ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@hobo_web ⭐️ Shaun Anderson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-anderson-hobo/ ⭐️ Shout out to Metehan Yesilyurt on 𝕏 - https://x.com/metehan777 ⭐️ Shout out to Koray Tuğberk GÜBÜR on 𝕏 - https://x.com/KorayGubur 💎 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 02:01 Journey into SEO: Early Days and Achievements 09:54 SEO Challenges and Overcoming Penalties 30:03 Understanding E-EA-T and Its Importance 58:00 AI in SEO: Tools and Techniques 01:03:57 SEO Tasks AI Shouldn't Handle 01:04:48 Creative Backlink Strategies 01:08:38 Controlling a Niche with Exact Match Domains 01:13:57 Diagnosing SEO Traffic Problems 01:18:35 Entity SEO and Google Business Profiles 01:37:07 More Insights from the Google API Leak 02:03:49 Final Thoughts and Reflections The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/ #searchengineoptimization #eeatseo #seotips #googleapileak