The Edward Show

E1042: Breaking down the exact 22 Claude Cowork prompts used by a 40-person SEO agency every day to rank local businesses faster.
Sarvesh Shrivastava joins the show!
Three months ago, he said he could take almost any local service business to $100,000/month in 90 days using Claude. Now, after refining the system across dozens of clients, he says that was an understatement.
This is a walkthrough of the real prompt stack Sarvesh's 40-person agency uses internally, including the outputs, the reasoning behind them, and how business owners can use them without hiring an SEO agency.
We cover:
- How to build a "huge brain" inside Claude so it stops giving generic SEO advice
- The onboarding prompt that feeds Claude everything about your business, competitors, and target keywords
- Google Business Profile category audits and how to identify ranking gaps
- GBP attribute analysis (wheelchair access, LGBTQ-friendly, service tags, etc.)
- Competitor review teardown (velocity, service mentions, response strategy)
- Photo audit and posting frequency analysis
- Keyword gap audits
- Backlink gap analysis using Ahrefs through Claude
- Identifying spam links and understanding DR tiers
- On-page SEO audits that generate full implementation instructions
- Title tag, meta description, and H1 fixes with impact timelines
- Page structure recommendations (H1-H3 hierarchy, FAQs, subtopics)
- NLP entity coverage analysis
- Eight-week Google Business Profile posting plans
- Service section optimization for GBP
- Google Search Console export and analysis
- Fact-checking outputs to reduce hallucinations
- Giving Claude controlled access to WordPress and Chrome
- Risks, safeguards, and how to prevent mistakes
- How prompt refinement evolved over three months
- The difference between Claude Cowork and Claude Code
- How AI is reducing agency timelines from five months to three
We also discuss:
- Whether AI can replace an SEO agency
- Why experience still matters when interpreting outputs
- How to use Claude responsibly with access to email, files, and browser sessions
- How Sarvesh uses Claude for YouTube, 𝕏, and content strategy
- How he built a 280K+ Instagram account using AI-generated videos
- Why eliminating repetitive work improves team performance
If you run a local business, work in SEO, or want to understand how agencies are using AI behind the scenes, this is a detailed breakdown of the system.
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's Claude Cowork prompts - https://alventramarketing.com/claude-prompts/
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on 𝕏 - https://x.com/bloggersarvesh
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarvesh-shrivastava-blogger/
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/marketingwithsarvesh/
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bloggersarvesh
⭐️ Sarvesh Shrivastava's agency, Alventra Marketing - https://alventramarketing.com/
🚀 My AI system for getting local news backlinks - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/articles_ai-system-find-journalists-earn-high-authority-backlinks/
💎 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 Claude Cowork Hype Check
01:31 Prompt Stack Giveaway
03:02 Build a Business Brain
05:13 Project Setup Walkthrough
07:53 GBP Category Audit
13:48 GBP Attributes Research
18:24 Backlink Gap Analysis
24:22 On Page SEO Audit PDF
27:48 Fixing On Page SEO
28:30 WordPress Implementation Tips
31:03 Prompt Pack Overview
32:13 Competitor Reviews Breakdown
33:16 GBP Posting Plan
33:51 Services And Photos Audit
35:19 Search Console Automation
35:48 Results And Team Impact
37:03 Fact Checking AI Output
39:30 Claude Cowork Vs Code
41:16 Safety And Privacy Concerns
43:03 Personal Workflow Wins
45:13 Social Media With Claude
47:51 AI Instagram Growth Story
50:21 Final Thanks And Wrap Up
The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
#searchengineoptimization #localseo #seo #localmarketing

E1041: Google just officially killed FAQ schema support in Google Search.
But the bigger story is this:
Most SEO advice is still telling people to prioritize FAQ schema anyway.
We break down:
- What Google actually deprecated
- Why this changes almost nothing for most websites
- How schema became overhyped in SEO
- Why ChatGPT still recommends outdated SEO tactics
- How to use critical thinking instead of blindly following SEO advice
- What actually drives rankings and conversions in modern SEO
Topics covered:
- Google removing FAQ rich results
- Why FAQ schema stopped mattering years ago
- How to evaluate schema types yourself
- SERP features vs. actual ranking factors
- Why LLMs don't really need schema
- The difference between relevance and authority
- How to identify better SEO keywords
- A simple 3-question framework for writing SEO content that converts
- Why most SEO content fails search intent
Key takeaway:
If a schema type does not create a visible SERP advantage for your target keyword, it is probably not worth obsessing over.
The fundamentals still matter most:
- Relevant content
- Search intent alignment
- Authority
- Useful pages that satisfy users better than competing results
This episode also includes:
- A real example from a startup I'm funding
- Why relying entirely on ChatGPT for SEO can backfire
- The exact exercise that improved content quality immediately
⭐️ The announcement from Google - https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/structured-data/faqpage
⭐️ Previous schema types being deprecated - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-drops-support-structured-data-types-40386.html
⭐️ The Reddit thread - https://www.reddit.com/r/TechSEO/comments/1t7ccqv/comment/okobz8c/?context=1
⭐️ Lily Ray's post - https://x.com/lilyraynyc/status/2052788585070215286
⭐️ Do LLMs Actually Use Schema? The Duck Test That Broke SEO - Ep 956 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nTqaG3GKLk
🚀 Edward's SEO Articles - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/search-engine-optimization/
💎 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 FAQ Schema Deprecated
00:22 What Google Announced
00:43 Why It Barely Matters
01:51 Schema Keeps Changing
02:12 Pick Schema With SERPs
03:35 LLM Advice Can Mislead
05:22 Focus On Relevance
06:06 Three Question Content Trick
06:22 Real Keyword Targeting Story
08:29 Better Keywords, Better Content, Better Authority
10:45 Final Takeaways And Goodbye
The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
#searchengineoptimization #technicalseo #seo #digitalmarketing

E1040: Discussing Unichannel SEO - the idea that you can build and scale an entire company primarily through Google.
David Quaid and I record this in person on an NYC balcony, with the Manhattan skyline behind us, breaking down why SEO remains the largest and most dependable acquisition channel for B2B, SaaS, and tech companies.
David shares real numbers from companies he's worked with, including one that grew digital-driven revenue from 6% to 70% before being acquired for $325 million.
We cover:
- Why SEO can function as a primary growth channel
- Why many B2B companies get 75% or more of their leads from Google
- Why waiting for rankings is a mistake
- When and how to start link building
- Cornerstoning and building authority properly
- How to identify high-value search terms competitors are paying for
- Using paid search data to shape organic strategy
- Building links before you rank
- How remarketing improved close rates on six-figure deals
- The difference between brand marketing and search intent
- How to get your first SEO clients
- Why networking groups and local meetups can generate long-term backlinks
- Why domain authority alone is not a useful metric
- The role of YouTube as the second largest search engine
- Whether AI and ChatGPT are meaningfully impacting search traffic
We also break down:
- The strategy behind ranking for high-CPC cybersecurity keywords
- How competitor analysis shaped page structure
- Why SEO is not passive marketing
- What early Matt Cutts videos still teach about how Google works
- How to approach agencies for referrals when starting out
- Why solving problems builds long-term authority and trust
If you're building a SaaS company, running an agency, or trying to grow through search, this episode focuses on execution and measurable outcomes.
Recorded in New York City.
⭐️ 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/
🚀 Learn SEO for free - https://freeseoknowledge.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 David Returns in NYC
00:19 Why Google Still Wins
02:00 Brand vs Search Intent
02:56 Startup Channel Mix
04:10 Link Building Early
06:17 Stop Waiting for Rankings
07:30 SEO to $325M Exit
09:36 Insights SEO Playbook
11:14 Paid Keywords to Cornerstones
11:59 Remarketing Gap Fill
12:37 SEO Learning Roadmap
13:26 Partner Link Building
14:28 Landing Your First Clients
15:36 Trust Through Overdelivery
17:30 Networking Group Flywheel
19:00 Meetup Links That Pay
21:31 SEO as a Unichannel
22:54 Google Isn't the Enemy
23:23 Closing Thanks and Wrap
The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
#searchengineoptimization #seo #performancemarketing #digitalmarketing

E1039: Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is becoming one of the biggest topics in search, SEO, and AI marketing.
But is it actually safe?
Edward Sturm and Harpreet Singh break down what is really happening with GEO, Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), AI citations, and AI search visibility across tools like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Claude, Perplexity, and Bing.
They discuss why many GEO strategies are creating short-term traffic spikes that later collapse after Google algorithm updates, why "scaled content" tactics are risky, and how some companies are damaging their long-term organic visibility chasing AI traffic.
The conversation also covers practical strategies that actually improve visibility in AI search without destroying your website.
Topics covered:
- What GEO and AEO actually are
- How AI search engines retrieve information
- Why the "query fan out" matters
- The connection between Google rankings and AI citations
- Why scaled AI content can lead to "rank and tank" patterns
- How GEO agencies inflate AI visibility metrics
- Why many AI citation reports are misleading
- The risks of automated content generation
- Why Reddit strategies often fail
- How LLM training data differs from live web retrieval
- What influences ChatGPT without web search
- Why review sites like G2, Trustpilot, and Glassdoor matter
- How AI systems form opinions about brands
- Ethical vs risky GEO tactics
- Press release strategies that influence AI search
- How affiliate sites and listicles affect AI recommendations
- Why landing pages and product pages still work
- The role of video in AI search visibility
- Why branding and reputation matter more than most people realize
- How to evaluate GEO agencies before hiring them
- Questions every business owner should ask a GEO vendor
- What "scaled content abuse" means in Google's guidelines
- Why GEO is becoming a company-wide problem, not just an SEO problem
This episode is for:
- Founders
- Local businesses
- C-level executive
- SEO professionals
- Marketers
- SaaS companies
- Agencies
- Anyone trying to understand how AI search actually works
If you're interested in GEO, AEO, LLM optimization, SEO, AI search, ChatGPT optimization, or Google AI Overviews, this episode gives a grounded look at what is working right now and what is likely to fail over time.
⭐️ Harpreet Singh's Personal Site - https://harpsdigital.com 
⭐️ Harpreet on X - https://x.com/harpreetchatha_
⭐️ Harpreet's Newsletter - https://seoespresso.com
⭐️ Harpreet on LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/harpreetsingh8/
⭐️ Harpreet on TikTok - https://tiktok.com/@seoharp
⭐️ Harpreet on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@harpsdigital 
🚀 Edward's GEO Articles - https://edwardsturm.com/articles/search-engine-optimization/
💎 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 GEO Safety Stakes
00:38 Query Fanout Content Trap
01:53 Rank And Tank Reality
06:11 Why AI Needs Search
07:01 Training Data Mythbusting
08:56 Free Vs Paid ChatGPT
12:09 Optimize Offsite Sources
13:40 Comparison Pages Done Right
16:21 Case Studies Smoke Screens
19:31 Choosing A GEO Vendor
21:18 Reddit Mentions Red Flags
25:57 Video Social Strategy
28:32 Traffic Versus Revenue
32:02 Google Scaled Content Abuse
34:18 Five Questions To Ask
37:36 Influencing Training Data
38:37 Implementation Case Study
40:45 Multi Channel GEO Costs
41:27 Reviews Shape AI Sentiment
42:54 GEO Needs Whole Company
44:46 Query Fanout Tactics
46:16 Affiliate Listicle Plays
49:40 Ethics and Guest Posts
52:05 Landing Pages That Get Cited
55:19 Cheap Press Release Hack
01:01:27 Reverse Engineer LLM Queries
01:05:44 Review Platforms and G2
01:08:41 Web Reshuffle and AI Overviews
01:14:59 Bottom of Funnel Wins
01:18:51 GEO Research and Wrap Up
01:19:50 Final Summary and Outro
The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
#generativeengineoptimization #answerengineoptimization #searchengineoptimization #digitalmarketing

E1038: Breaking down one of the most dramatic SEO collapses in recent SaaS history.
ClickUp's blog went from 1.19 million organic visitors per month to just 28,000 in 15 months - a 97.6% decline.
This wasn't a single Google update. It wasn't just AI overviews. And it wasn't just "topical overreach."
It was a compounding series of strategic, editorial, and technical decisions that made each algorithm hit worse than the last.
We walk through the full timeline, what actually caused the collapse, and what serious SEO operators can learn from it.
This episode covers:
- The exact traffic timeline from peak to collapse
- Which Google updates hit - and why the damage compounded
- Why the blog fell 97.6% while the rest of the domain only dropped 27%
- Why backlinks were not the problem
- How ClickUp added 2,815 new posts during the decline
- The templated content structure repeated across 7,000+ URLs
- The promotional patterns that likely triggered quality classifiers
- Why core commercial keywords like "task management software" disappeared
- The technical SEO mistakes that were quietly hurting performance
- How Zapier ran a similar model but stabilized instead of collapsing
- Why AI Overviews do not fully explain what happened
- What this case reveals about intent, editorial integrity, and search alignment
We also compare ClickUp's ChatGPT alternatives page against Zapier's ranking page to show how editorial treatment, content structure, and intent matching can change outcomes - even when both companies promote their own products.
This is not a story about Google randomly punishing a brand.
It is a case study in what happens when:
- Conversion-first content overrides search intent
- Promotional density outweighs usefulness
- Scaling multiplies weaknesses
- Recovery efforts double down on the same structural problems
If you work in SEO, content strategy, or run a SaaS blog, this breakdown will help you understand:
- What not to industrialize
- How algorithm updates compound
- Why pruning sometimes matters more than publishing
- And how to align content with what searchers are actually trying to accomplish
⭐️ Full article - https://zkami.substack.com/p/how-clickups-blog-lost-976-of-its
🚀 Learn SEO for free - https://freeseoknowledge.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 ClickUp SEO Crash Intro
00:23 The 97 Percent Drop
01:57 Google Updates Timeline
04:36 Blog vs Domain Split
06:54 Topical Overreach Myth
08:21 ChatGPT Alternatives Autopsy
11:20 Promo Template Footprint
13:49 Doubling Down During Crash
16:38 Where the Traffic Went
17:57 Zapier Did It Right
22:14 Five Cent Root Cause
24:35 Wrap Up
The Edward Show. Your daily search engine optimization podcast: https://edwardsturm.com/the-edward-show/
#searchengineoptimization #seo #digitalmarketing #performancemarketing