SEO 101

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive deep into AI-assisted SEO competitor analysis, the Ghost Citation Problem in AI search results, and evolving strategies for brand mentions versus citations. They also discuss Google’s “Read More” links, Bing Webmaster Tools’ new AI reporting features, click-through rates with AI overviews, and Google’s back button hijacking crackdown.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte cover the March 2026 Google Core Update, Google’s crackdown on back button hijacking, a Search Console impressions bug, changes to spam report policies, and quirky new review guidelines. They also discuss local SEO post updates, Data Studio’s rebranding, and the mysterious 418 "I'm a teapot" error.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive into the March 2026 Google core and spam updates, the surge of AI bot traffic, optimizing for AI agents, ChatGPT ad revenue, citation trends in AI search, Google’s crawling limits, Gemini-powered Ask Maps, location sharing features, and a new service to remove unfair Google reviews.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive into the decline of publisher search traffic, impacts of Google’s AI mode, ChatGPT ads management, Google cracking down on self-promotional listicles, and the ease of ranking misinformation. They also cover Google’s personal intelligence expansion and the removal of the "What People Suggest" health search feature.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

 In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte share a cautionary tale of SEO disaster during website redesigns, discuss new branded queries filters in Google Search Console, break down stats on AI assistant search volume, cover Amazon blocking Perplexity’s shopping bot, explore Google Maps’ new conversational AI feature, and highlight updates to AI-powered recipe results.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss findings that 44% of ChatGPT citations come from the first third of content, review the strategies four sites used to recover from Google’s December 2025 core update, and share tips for Google Business Profile setup. They also discuss entity richness, content quality, and optimizing for AI citations.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive deep into AI's impact on SEO, the rise and fall of ads in AI platforms, and Google’s Discover Core update. They discuss significant changes to local search features, Bing AI performance reports, new Google Search Console updates, and examples highlighting the importance of expert-led SEO over relying solely on AI.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the SEO 101 Podcast, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive into Google's AI Overviews, shifting search behaviors, and declining organic clicks. They discuss Gemini 3's global rollout, AI's growing influence on user queries, crawling and indexing challenges, Googlebot file limits, and potential crackdowns on self-promotional listicles, while emphasizing strategies for visibility amidst these major changes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the SEO 101 Podcast, Scott Van Achte covers the latest on ChatGPT paid ads, organic search traffic trends, and the impact of AI overviews; especially misinformation in health topics. He discusses local keyword search behavior in ChatGPT, core web vitals' limited effect on AI rankings, LLMs.txt usage, and key insights on impressions in Google Search Console.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of the SEO 101 podcast, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte review their 2025 SEO predictions, discuss Google's December 2025 core update, analyze the growing impact of AI on search and content creation, address local SEO challenges, the evolution of search layouts, and share key predictions and practical advice for thriving in the rapidly changing SEO landscape for 2026.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive into the rapid evolution of AI in SEO, Google's underinvestment in AI, core SEO quality factors for AI search, AI overviews in search results, and their impact on click-through rates. They also discuss local SEO issues, Google business profile review bugs, and actionable strategies for small business success in 2026.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Scott Van Achte covers the December 2025 Google core update, ongoing search ranking volatility, and changes to Google Search Console including AI-powered configuration and new social insights. He also discusses the relevance of LLMs.txt, a study on AI mode and transactional queries, and best practices for structured data in Google Shopping.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss Adobe’s intent to acquire SEMRush, the shifting landscape of AI-related SEO terminology, and Google’s new features in Gemini and Maps. They also critique anonymous reviews, explain new Google Business Profile tools, highlight recent SEO news, and share rants on cluttered search results and evolving industry terminology.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte are joined by Steve Wiidemann to explore evolving SEO fundamentals amid AI hype, the role of content creation and strategy for small businesses, the importance of off-page mentions and citations, practical approaches to technical audits, and ongoing challenges in motivating clients to create unique, high-value content for search visibility.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore the impact of AI Overviews on organic and paid search click-through rates, Google's controversial ad changes, removal of lesser-used search features, and recent experiments with AI mode. They also highlight actionable tips for adding AI-generated multimedia to content, and discuss the evolving role of SEOs in the AI era.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte share a comprehensive guide to maintaining SEO rankings during a site redesign, including backup strategies, content audits, URL management, and redirects. They also discuss Chrome’s upcoming HTTP warnings, AI-powered browsers, new Google Search Console features, local SEO news, and the evolution of ranking algorithms with AI advancements.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte cover the WPBakery vulnerability, Google’s changes to ranking report tools, optimization tips for AI and generative search, LLM visibility tracker accuracy, local SEO updates for Bing Places and Google Local Pack, the impact of fake dates on AI rankings, and best practices for content credibility.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte dive into ChatGPT’s instant checkout, answer engine optimization trends, ranking report disruptions, ChatGPT’s growing referral traffic for retailers, YouTube’s dominance in AI search, Google’s August spam update, AI overviews impacting local packs, Google’s ongoing review spam struggles, and domain history affecting SEO results.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Scott Van Achte covers improvements to core web vitals across major CMS platforms, Google removing support for certain structured data types, Apple’s plans for an AI-powered search engine, the latest on Google’s AI Mode, LLM traffic conversion rates, and how ChatGPT compares to Google and Bing as a traffic source.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Scott Van Achte covers the August 2025 Google spam update, Ahrefs’ new traffic tracker comparing LLMs and search engines, Googlebot crawling issues, practical Search Console tips for duplicate content, a survey on AI Overviews and zero-click searches, and advice for recovering from website hacks and strengthening site security best practices.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte cover Perplexity’s bold bid for Chrome, Google’s new Preferred Sources feature, the impact of AI on SEO conversions, attribution challenges, behavioral shifts toward Reddit and YouTube, GPT-5’s rocky rollout, a hilarious Gemini bug, and Google’s claims about AI-driven search trends and website traffic.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte cover critical WordPress plugin vulnerabilities, ChatGPT conversations appearing in Google Search, the rise of generative engine optimization, AI’s impact on visibility, local SEO review issues, Google’s Query Fan Out technique, ChatGPT sourcing Google data, and Bing’s lastmod tag recommendation for AI indexing.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte break down the June 2025 Google core update, discuss AI Overviews eroding web clicks, share updates on Core Web Vitals data in Search Console, cover OpenAI’s crawling behavior, CSS and image best practices for SEO, product pricing by state, and Google’s latest advice for handling event pages and AI-driven search.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte discuss the June 2025 Google core update, its impact on local SEO, new Google Search Console features, possible Core Web Vitals bugs, issues with online reviews, disavow file relevance, AI-generated content in rankings, and best practices for site indexing and high-quality content creation.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, we explore practical uses for the Google Search Console URL Inspection Tool, including indexing checks and troubleshooting page rendering. We also discuss Google's new guidelines on service area businesses, prohibiting the addition of countries or states, and analyze the recent decline in AI Overviews' search rankings, exploring the implications for SEO strategies. Stay informed on these critical updates to enhance your SEO efforts!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, we explore the latest SEO developments, including Yoast plugin support for LLMs.txt, Google's removal of seven structured data markups, and the integration of AI Mode traffic data in Search Console. We also address a question from a viewer about niche blogging strategies, emphasizing the benefits of focused content and multimedia for better engagement. Tune in for essential insights to enhance your website's visibility and performance in search results!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of The SEO 101 Podcast, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte interview SEO expert, friend, host of Webcology on WMR.FM, owner of Digital Always Media and StepForth’s first employee, Jim Hedger. The topics discussed range from the early days of SEO to Jim’s predictions for generative engine optimization over the coming years and what business types can succeed.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

 In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn and Scott Van Achte explore key updates in the SEO landscape, including Google's testing of recently viewed labels in search results and the significant launch of AI Mode for U.S. searchers. They also discuss insights on managing crawl budgets effectively for improved indexing. Tune in for valuable strategies and the latest developments that could impact your SEO practices and web publishing success!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Join us for the 500th episode of SEO 101, a special celebration of our journey together! In this milestone episode, we reflect on key moments, including significant Google updates, essential SEO best practices, and memorable guest interviews.We share personal insights and stories that highlight our growth and connection with you, our loyal listeners. Whether you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, you won’t want to miss this celebration of our shared passion!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this solo episode of SEO 101, Scott Van Achte explores Google's recent core update that impacts organic ranking overlaps and highlights the importance of high-quality content. He reviews the updated Quality Raters Guidelines, discusses AI's influence on search visibility, and shares actionable strategies to enhance engagement and optimize for AI-driven searches.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 robots file called LLM.text.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 practical tips to enhance your online presence. Tune in for expert advice!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

 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 accuracy in search engines and its implications for digital content creators.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In this episode of SEO 101, hosts Ross Dunn 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 volatility, emphasizing the need for diverse content to improve visibility in evolving search landscapes. Tune in to learn how to adapt your SEO strategy for better visibility!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 listings on organic results, the benefits of audio versions for SEO, and review count bug fixes. Don't miss these essential takeaways!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 reviews. Tune in for insights on these critical SEO developments and their implications.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 offering coding assistance. Tune in for essential SEO insights!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 content, along with best practices for optimizing your website.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 available to free users, highlighting its usefulness for research and its limitations for commercial queries.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

 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 what Project Mariner may mean for search in 2025. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 essential tips for a successful domain rebranding transition. Tune in for essential tips to navigate these critical SEO developments!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 best practices for maintaining strong website rankings.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

 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 a fundamental tip on how to be found with SearchGPT. Tune in for practical insights to enhance your SEO strategy and improve your website's visibility in search engines!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 insights into the evolving landscape of SEO best practices.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 panels, and John Mueller’s insights on Core Web Vitals and ideal content length.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 Martin Splitt on multilingual SEO. Tune in for valuable updates!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 with best practices for their use.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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 no-archive meta tag, provide insights on Bing's generative search experience, and highlight warnings about JavaScript-generated product markup in SEO strategies. Stay informed on the latest trends!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Explore the latest Google updates in SEO, including the recognition of content creators in search results, fixes in the Google Search Console, removal of the cache feature, warnings about fake reviews on Google Maps that will likely prove disastrous, and the display of blue map pins in search snippets.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Discover the latest from Google with AI image labeling updates and insights into optimizing for user intent. Learn about the EXIF data in SEO, more Google bugs, the results of a deep dive into AI Overviews, and other optimization insights in this episode.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy