The StepForth Web Marketing Blog
Informing on SEO, SEM, and PPC since 2001
SEO 101 Ep 408: Google’s June Core Update and a MUM Discussion
Google has rolled out part 1 of a 2 part Core update as of June 2nd. The hosts discuss what is known about the update and specific insights. Amidst news on cumulative layout shift (CLS) and other updates to Google Search Console, the hosts dig into what is known about...
SEO 101 Ep 407: What is Schema and Structured Data for SEO and Why it is Important
While discussing Schema.org’s launch of its new schema markup validator tool, Ross and Scott explain what schema and structured markup is, how it helps with SEO and site usability, and a plugin that can help with implementation. They also cover changes to Google...
SEO 101 Episode 394: Google Passages and the Future of Search with Barry Schwartz
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 394 John and Ross welcome the one and only Barry Schwartz on the show - finally! Barry is the founder and editor of Search Engine Roundtable, CEO of RustyBrick, and News Editor at Search Engine Land. The show first touches on Barry’s origin...
SEO 101 Episode 393: Key Takeaways from the Google SearchOn Event
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 393 John and Ross discuss a few pieces of search news before diving into the important news that came out of the recent SearchOn event by Google. Discussed was the ground breaking news about “passages” that Google will be releasing in the...
SEO 101 Episode 392: Trouble with the Indexation Request Tool, Google Bugs, WordPress APO, Google Goes Mobile-Only, How Caffeine Works and More
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 392 Google causes concern for many as it turns off the indexation request tool to make infrastructure updates. John and Ross speculate the updates are partly due to some recently publicized Google bugs while sharing those details. Ross...
SEO 101 Episode 391: Google’s Relationship with SEOs, Rare Bing News, and Local SEO Updates
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 391 The hosts discuss the meeting between the excellent Barry Schwartz from Search Engine Round Table and Martin Splitt from Google about Google’s relationship with the SEO community. They also delve into rare updates from that other search...
SEO 101 Episode 390: HTTP2 Update for Googlebot, More Google My Business Issues and Mueller Files
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 390 Guest co-host, Scott Van Achte discusses the latest SEO news with Ross Dunn such as upgrades to Googlebot, support for regional schema in videos, and another glitch with Google My Business Insights. The hosts also discuss a number of...
SEO 101 Episode 389: Google Algorithm Weirdness, Mueller Files, and SEO Questions Answered
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 389 From the Google local algorithm to Google Discover, Ross and John discuss the algorithmic glitches and weirdness over the past few weeks. They also talk about picking the best domain for a rebranding, the nosnippet tag, the pros and cons...
SEO 101 Episode 388: People Cards, Google Glitches, a WordPress Warning, and a Question Answered
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 388 Google is launching People Cards in India to allow individuals to create their own rolodex-like listing in Google (shades of authorship?), Google suffered a massive indexing glitch, Firefox renews with Google and you won’t believe how...
How To Write The Perfect Blog Post!
Writing high-quality content plays an important role in marketing your business; however, the design and layout are just as important to leave a lasting impression online. There is no secret formula to creating a fully packaged article, but here are several tips on...
SEO 101 Episode 387: Mobile-First Deadline Extended, Google My Business Tests Paid Profiles, and more.
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 387 Google has extended it’s mobile-first deadline in order to minimize negative impacts on many sites during the pandemic. Google My Business has begun testing the inevitable paid upgrade to Google My Business listings. John and Ross also...
SEO 101 Episode 386: Google’s New “Off the Record” Podcast, Structured Data Insights, and an SEO Question Answered
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 386 John and Ross discuss the feasibility of “algorithm-proofing” a website, insight into the past indexing issues with Google, and news on the increased use of descriptive text with images in search. They follow-up with insights from the...
SEO 101 Episode 385: Google Agrees to Pay for News Content, More Google Properties Closing, and Local SEO News
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 385 John and Ross discuss Google’s amazing acquiescence towards paying news organizations for the right to use their content. A sure game-changer for anyone in the news market. The SEOs next discuss an assortment of Google News from the...
SEO 101 Episode 384: Google’s Page Experience Update and How to Leverage the Web When Re-Opening During COVID-19
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 384 Scott and Ross discuss the Google Page Experience Update and what it means to website owners, followed by tips on re-opening during COVID and how to attract business during this difficult time. The Local SEO component of the show delved...
SEO 101 Episode 383: Carcutt is Back, Core Web Vitals by Google, More News on the Latest Core Algorithm Update, and Much More
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 383 Ross and John cover Core Web Vitals as a ranking signal, more news on Google’s May Core algorithm update, indexing issues, and the impact of COVID-19 on SEO agencies. We follow this info with local SEO news, a Mueller file, and answers...
SEO 101 Episode 382: Latest Broad Core Google Algorithmic Update, Tips for Business During COVID-19
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 382 Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte welcome a surprise guest before discussing the recent broad core update from Google that has significantly affected a large number of websites. Ross shares examples of how businesses can make the most of the...
SEO 101 Episode 381: Bad Advice, JavaScript Don’ts, and Common Issues Found During SEO Audits
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 381 Scott and Ross discuss John Mueller’s hilarious “Quick, The moderators are all busy, post bad advice!” on Reddit, an overview of a few 101 tips on using JavaScript properly for SEO, followed by Ross’s recent SEO 101 tips from his recent...
SEO 101 Episode 380: More Conferences Go Online, EAT Not a Ranking Factor, The Importance of Calls to Action, and SEO Questions Answered
Summary of SEO 101 Episode 380 Scott and Ross discuss a wide variety of news in this episode. From Google’s latest conference video series and dissuading people from believing EAT is in the algorithm, to a reminder that calls to action are a key component of web...