The StepForth Web Marketing Blog
Informing on SEO, SEM, and PPC since 2001SEO 101 Episode 498 – Ranking Volatility, Reddit’s AI Advantage, Introducing LLM.txt
In this episode, we explore signs of a potential Google core update affecting rankings, Reddit's sneaky ranking successes using AI, and Google's new AI-generated summaries in Knowledge Panels. We also discuss an exciting opportunity for an AI crawler version of the...
SEO 101 Episode 497 – Adapting SEO for 2025 and Optimizing for AI Overviews
In this solo episode, Ross Dunn explores the key insights from Google's March 2025 Core Update, including the effects of AI on search strategies. He discusses how to adapt to the latest changes and compares selling on marketplaces versus your own website, offering...
SEO 101 Episode 496 – March 2025 Core Update, a Little Known Mistake to Avoid, and AI Errors
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss Google's March 2025 core update and its focus on quality content. They explain a mistake that can cause search engine result click-through rates to plummet, and they address the challenges of AI...
SEO 101 Episode 495 – Google Search Decline: AI Preferences, User Trust, and Ranking Volatility
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dun and Scott Van Achte explore the recent VOX Media survey revealing declining trust in Google Search, with a shift toward AI tools. They discuss Google's updates for personal info removal, local SEO strategies, and AI ranking...
SEO 101 Episode 494 – Google Search Changes: ‘All Results’ Rename, Local Listing Drops, Audio SEO Insights, and Review Count Bug Fixes
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the recent Google search updates, including the renaming of the “All Results” feature, the removal of pagination numbers, and new image search capabilities. They discuss the impact of local...
SEO 101 Episode 493 – AI Overviews Impacting Click-Through Rates, Recipe Blog User Experience Guidelines, and Local Reviews Bug Fixes
In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the significant decline in click-through rates due to Google's AI Overviews. They discuss new guidelines for recipe blogs to enhance user experience, and address a recent bug affecting local...
SEO 101 Episode 492 – Google Breadcrumb Removal, JavaScript Tool Disruptions, AI News and Enforcement Updates
In this episode of the SEO 101 Podcast, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss Google’s removal of mobile breadcrumbs, disruptions to SEO tools from JavaScript requirements, DeepSeek updates, site reputation abuse enforcement in Germany, and Google AI Overviews...
SEO 101 Episode 491 – Spam Impact, Continuous Scroll Return, and Blogging Benefits
In this solo episode of SEO 101, Scott analyzes the December 2024 Google Spam Update and its effects on site rankings. He discusses the reintroduction of continuous scroll for Image and Video results and explores the importance of blogging for authority and fresh...
SEO 101 Episode 490 – 2025 Predictions, Google December Core Update, and ChatGPT Search for Free Users: Features and Insights
In this episode of SEO 101, Ross and Scott share their predictions for 2025, and Bing's removal of the cache link and Google's December 2024 core update; analyzing their potential impacts on search rankings. They also explore the features of ChatGPT Search now...
SEO 101 Episode 489 – Exploring ChatGPT Search, Google’s Gemini 2, and Project Mariner
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore key insights from ChatGPT's search results, discuss ongoing volatility following Google's core update, and examine recent indexing issues. We also cover the importance of long-form content, local SEO, and Google's Gemini 2.0 and...
SEO 101 Episode 488 – Google’s November Update, Search Console Recommendations, Rebranding Tips, and SEO Strategies
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss the ongoing November Core Update and its ranking volatility, the recently launched Google Search Console Recommendations that suggest SEO actions, and John Mueller's insights on why generic names struggle to rank. We also provide...
101 Episode 487 – Google Analytics Glitches, Ranking Signals Explained, and New Reputation Abuse Policies
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss recent Google Analytics data issues, the importance of both page-level and site-wide ranking signals, and the updated policies against site reputation abuse. Tune in for insights on how these changes impact SEO strategies and...
SEO 101 Episode 486 – A Big SearchGPT Ranking Tip, Maximizing Crawl Budget and Outdated SEO Practices
In this episode of SEO 101, we discuss the November 2024 Core Update's impact on search results, updated crawl budget guidelines for mobile and desktop sites, and six outdated SEO practices to abandon. We also cover the implications of the FTC's new review policy and...
SEO 101 Episode 485 – Helpful Content Update Bad News, Search Console Bug Panic, and ChatGPT Search Launch
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore Google’s upcoming search ranking update and the frustrations voiced by content creators affected by the Helpful Content Update. We discuss a recent Google Search Console bug that caused panic among site owners and provide...
SEO 101 Episode 484 – October SEO Volatility, Penalty for Fortune Recommends, & Content Length Insights
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore October's search ranking volatility, potential penalties for Fortune Recommends due to site reputation abuse, and the removal of the sitelinks search box. We also discuss Google's new "People's Insights," expandable knowledge...
SEO 101 Episode 483 – A Major Acquisition, Bing and Google Accused of Stealing Recipe Content
In this episode, we discuss SEMRush's acquisition of Third Door Media, including Search Engine Land. We explore the pending uproar around Google and Bing using recipes without permission, the removal of key fields from Google Business Profiles, and insights from...
SEO 101 Episode 482 – Impact of Google’s Breakup Talks and Interstitials on SEO
In this episode of SEO 101, we analyze the Department of Justice's discussions on breaking up Google and what it could mean for SEO. We also examine a case study that highlights the severe negative impact of interstitials on organic traffic and keyword rankings, along...
SEO 101 Episode 481 – Google’s Questionable Use of Chrome, Mobile-First Indexing Challenges, and Bing’s Generative AI Search Update
In this episode of SEO 101, we explore Google’s controversial data practices and the implications of mobile-first indexing. We discuss the phasing out of the noarchive meta tag, provide insights on Bing's generative search experience, and highlight warnings about...