Meredith's Husband | SEO for People Who Don't Like SEO
SEO for people who don't like SEO. I run an SEO agency. My wife Meredith is a family photographer. Our podcast explains how I got Meredith's website to the top of Google and answers questions from photographers about SEO and website marketing.Â
The Rise of AI in Our Daily Lives (2025 Statistics)
In this episode, Meredith's husband previews an upcoming mini-course on how to get your website into AI search results, following new guidance from Google and SEMrush. He also shares surprising 2025 AI adoption statistics, including global usage trends, industry applications, and AI's educational impact.Â
Timestamps
[0:24] Pre-announcement: AI Mini-Course for Website Owners
[0:56] Google’s First Guidance on AI Search Results
[1:46] Updated AI Usage Statistics for 2025
[3:36] Global AI Adoption Surpasses Mobile
[4:34] Emerging Economies Outpacing Advanced Ones in AI Usage
[6:23] Generational Gaps in AI Expertise
[7:23] AI Use Cases: Teachers, Smart Homes, and...
Squarespace SEO Advice
In this episode, Meredith's husband critiques Squarespace's recent SEO update, describing it as a mostly superficial improvement without real functional value, masking the same ineffective SEO advice previously offered by Squarespace. He offers a couple of tips for Squarespace and a free trial for the Squarespace FundamentalsÂ
Chapter Markers
[0:24] Frustration with the original Squarespace SEO episode
[1:45] Visual updates to Squarespace’s SEO tools—no real improvements
[2:22] Comparing Squarespace to Yelp in terms of user support
[3:18] Inconsistent rollout of new SEO UI across Squarespace accounts
[4:20] Why the original episode was scrapped in fa...
The Goldilocks Problem of SEO
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss the importance of consistency—rather than constant effort—when it comes to SEO. The key takeaway: long-term, sustainable progress in SEO comes from finding a manageable rhythm and sticking to it consistently, rather than trying to do everything all at once.
Chapter Markers
[0:24] Squarespace Changes Again
[1:03] Superficial SEO Improvements by Squarespace
[1:30] The Goldilocks Problem of SEO
[2:03] Constant vs. Consistent SEO
[2:33] The Gym in January Analogy
[4:00] The Pitfall of Undercommitting
[5:00] Finding a Sustainable SEO Rhythm
[6:00] A Baseball Story: Effort Over...
SEO Fundamentals part 2 (Squarespace)
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss the pros and cons of using Squarespace as a website platform, particularly focusing on its limitations for SEO. While Squarespace is praised for its ease of use, it’s not recommended for long-term business growth due to its technical limitations. They suggest exploring Wix as a more SEO-friendly alternative. The episode introduces a “fundamentals” mini-course to help Squarespace users avoid common pitfalls and make more strategic platform decisions.
Timestamps
[0:24] Sexy Voice and Intro
 [0:44] Who This Episode Is For
 [1:24] Core Issue with Squarespace: SEO Limitati...
SEO Fundamentals part 1 (Showit)
What began as a quick SEO tip while Meredith was swimming with whales in Tonga evolved into a comprehensive Fundamentals Series ShowIt, WordPress, and Squarespace users.
Visit the Fundamentals Series
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/welcome-fundamentals
In this episode...
[0:24] Origin of the Fundamentals series for Showit users
[1:08] Why Showit needs specific SEO guidance
[2:37] What is WYSIWYG and Showit’s visual interface
[4:03] How Showit splits sites between Showit and WordPress
[5:00] The unique problem of dual sitemaps
[5:20] Configuring Yoast properly for Showit blogs
[5:54] Co...
Google Announces "The Future of Search" [Insider's Inbox]
Google's recent I/O event unveiled dramatic changes to search as 'AI mode' was declared "The Future of Search"Â and prominently featured as the first tab in Google search results. The shift represents Google's adaptation to new AI technologies and changing user behaviors.
KEY POINTS:
AI mode creates two key challenges for website owners: decreased traffic and untrackable AI-driven visits"Agentic search" will soon allow Google to create personalized result canvases rather than structured listsFuture capabilities will include trying clothes on your photo and purchasing directly through GoogleThese changes will dramatically impact the SEO industry but w...Preparing for Increased Competition from AI
This episode we discover how easily AI can now create convincing fake videos of well-known figures, complete with realistic voice synthesis that fooled even our resident voice recognition expert.
Document. Don't Create. (more AI advice)
In this episode, Meredith’s husband explains how to strategically use AI to support—not replace—your content creation for SEO. Instead of relying on generic AI tools that promise top rankings, he advocates for a smarter, more personal approach: creating helpful blog content by documenting what you do. By targeting less competitive, specific SEO issues that real users search for (like SEMrush errors), website owners can provide valuable resources and build long-term traffic.
Chapter Markers
[0:24] Why “document, don’t create” isn’t a full SEO strategy
[1:49] The toughest SEO question: What should you blo...
The Content Multiplier: AI's Hidden Power for SEO
In this episode, Meredith’s husband discusses how he uses AI as a powerful assistant in his SEO workflow—not as a shortcut, but as a support tool. He emphasizes that while many AI tools claim to automate SEO, real value comes from using AI to repurpose original content into summaries, blog posts, clips, and workshop recaps. His approach helps website owners efficiently scale their content without sacrificing quality or originality.
Timestamps
[0:24] Why I'm Critical of AI SEO Tools
[1:30] The Challenge of Creating Content
[2:05] Using AI to Transform Daily Reco...
ChatGPT vs. Google AI Mode {Head-to-Head Comparison}
Google has officially released its AI mode for search, transforming Google's functionality to more closely resemble ChatGPT. In this episode we test some results against each other
• Google's AI mode is now official and available to free Gmail accounts
• The new feature appears as an "AI mode" option at the top of Google search
• First test: Naming bite-sized learning content (neither excelled, Google slightly better)
• Second test: Blog topics for a children's photographer (Google provided more detail)
• Third test: SEO tips for local businesses (both accurate, ChatGPT friendlier, Google more comprehensive)
• Google's integration...
The Email Decision: Spam or Opportunity?
We examine the world of unsolicited business emails and when they might actually be worth responding to instead of immediately deleting.
• Most "link to us" or "publish our content" emails are spam designed for SEO purposes
• Well-written, personalized emails with legitimate contact info may deserve a second look
• Some seemingly sketchy opportunities (like early Clutch.co) can evolve into valuable platforms
• Consider responding with a counter-request for reciprocal value rather than immediate rejection
• Protect yourself by not clicking suspicious links directly - copy domain names and visit separately
• Ask what they can offer you in...
The Insider's Inbox - News from a Pro SEO
We explore the concept of an "SEO insider's inbox," sharing noteworthy updates from Google and discussing digital ownership strategies for content creators.
In this episode:
Google Business Profile emails reminding owners to follow policiesIntroduction of Google's experimental AI modeBuilding content on YouTube vs your own siteHow building your presence on "rented ground" (social platforms) creates vulnerabilityReal experience with Google Business Profile suspensionImprovements in Google's appeal processPrevalence of SEO spam emails offering SEO servicesStay tuned for a follow-up episode where we'll document the entire Google Business Profile appeal process and timeline.
<...
New from Squarespace: The AI SEO Tool
Check out the bonus lesson we created showing exactly how to make the most of Squarespace's new SEO tool for your website.
👉 Watch > How to use the SQSP AI SEO tool
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/staging/using-the-squarespace-ai-seo-tool-db9485ab-bcbc-45a1-8d41-5aa9ba6c09fc
Episode Summary
The new Squarespace AI SEO tool offers limited but potentially useful features for beginners, focusing primarily on generating metadata and image alt text. While not a comprehensive solution for serious SEO efforts, it provides a decent starting point for those wit...
Google Just Changed How It Ranks Websites & Your Traffic Could Be Affected
Google's recent core update completed March 27th represents a shift in how websites are ranked, potentially causing dramatic changes in traffic for sites not following best practices.
Link to the lesson mentioned during this episode:
Watch > How to use Google Search Console
In this episode, we discuss...Â
Google's "Core updates" evaluate a website's general approach to SEO, not specific elementsThese larger updates happen only once or twice yearly, compared to hundreds of routine updatesSmall business owners and DIY SEO practitioners are most vulnerable to negative impactsGoogle Search Console i...Avoid (SEO) Penalties for "Private" Pages
We explore the complexities of managing hidden pages on your website while safeguarding your SEO. Understanding the implications of unlinked and private pages is crucial for maintaining visibility and optimizing performance.Â
Resources mentioned:
How to "no-index" pages
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/member-resources/how-to-no-index-pages-a6501739-f26b-448d-8ced-fcf47a07e376
How to "de-index pages
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/member-resources/how-to-remove-pages-from-google-52de78eb-de2c-4317-9696-3e21b7ff1c71
TIMESTAMPS:
[0:39] Introduction
[1:31] Why Create Private Pages for ClientsÂ
[2:15] SEO Issues Re...
SEO MOMENTUM (3 ways to get some)
This episode explores the relationship between simply making an effort and the serendipitous successes that can occur and provides...
[5:45] 3 strategies that require minimal time for maximum impact
[6:21] Enhancing your Google Business Profile
[7:55] Optimizing calls to action with testingÂ
[8:43] Revamping old blog postsÂ
Have questions about SEO? Follow this link to send it to me!Â
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/questions/
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Hungryroot » Personalized meal plansThe easiest way to eat healthy.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purc...
The 'AI Search Fallacy' & Future of SEO
The episode explores misconceptions about SEO's relevance in the face of AI advancements, particularly in light of new search technologies like ChatGPT. It emphasizes the importance of SEO in adapting to AI developments and highlights examples showcasing the co-existence of search engines and AI functionality.
[0:24] A recent encounter with another SEO practitionerÂ
[3:01] The concept of the 'AI Search Fallacy' and misunderstandingsÂ
[3:37] Comparative analysis of search results from ChatGPT and BingÂ
[7:09]Â Predictions for SEO's evolution alongside AI Â
[10:04] Encouragement for adaptation rather than fear of obsolescence
The easiest way to eat...
How to Spot (Fake) AI Reviews
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https://g.page/r/CVs16A3t1J44EAI/review
This episode delves into the critical issue of fake reviews in the digital shopping landscape, emphasizing the growing prevalence and impact on consumer decision-making. We uncover insights from a study analyzing 73 million reviews, share tips to spot AI-generated reviews, and address the phenomenon of review hijacking affecting local businesses.
The significance of reviews in modern purchasing decisions  The rise of AI-generated reviews and implications for consumersOverview of the study and its findings on review fraud Ti...From Side Project to Launch: The SEIQ Platform
VOTE HERE
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BNM9PZS
Meredith and her husband reflect on the podcast's evolution over the past two years, sharing the challenges and achievements. With new targets being set for 2025, listeners are invited to vote on bonus content that will accompany our upcoming courses. ~ ChatGPT
Timestamps
[0:24] Today's Episode
[6:01] How is the new Course different from the Podcast
[8:28] VOTE...Â
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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com
How to get your website into Chat GPT & Gemini
This episode explores the evolving landscape of AI in search engines, specifically focusing on how ChatGPT and Google's Gemini utilize SEO to generate responses. Meredith and her husband discuss the significance of E-A-T in determining trustworthy sources for AI results and announce an upcoming course to further guide listeners in optimizing their online presence.
Key Points
[0:33] Getting your site into ChatGPT (Bing)Â
[2:25] Where ChatGPT search results come from
[3:30] Google's Gemini vs. ChatGPTÂ
[5:01] How AI searches work
[6:00] Where ChatGPT wins...Â
[6:28] How do you get your website into AI search results?
ChatGPT + Bing vs. Google
The episode explores the relationship between ChatGPT and Bing, investigating how Bing powers ChatGPT's search results and the implications for Google and SEO. We delve into the criteria ChatGPT utilizes for selecting content and the adaptive nature of SEO amidst these changes.Â
[0:24] ChatGPT + Bing vs. Google
[3:22] Does Bing use Google?
[4:38] Hey Google, please shut up
[5:33] ChatGPT vs. Google & other AI Tools
[6:33] SEO is Dead?
[7:00] How Does ChatGPT Search Work?
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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com
Google is Dead. The future is...
This episode examines the impact of AI technologies like ChatGPT on traditional search engines, particularly Google's dominance. We explore SEO strategies, the potential for adaptation, and the ongoing conversation around the future of search in the digital landscape.
[0:24] Discussion of life events leading to sporadic episodesÂ
[0:58] Analysis of ChatGPT's new search capabilitiesÂ
[2:12] Explore whether ChatGPT could replace GoogleÂ
[5:37] Importance of maintaining SEO practices amidst changesÂ
[6:09] ChatGPT Search and AI
[6:39] Strategies for optimizing websites for both search enginesÂ
[6:56] Insights on ensuring content authority and trustworthinessÂ
[7:36] Closing thoughts on the future of AI sea...
Suspensions: Google Business Profile: Tips & Advice
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss issues surrounding Google Business Profile suspensions, offering strategies to prevent suspensions and steps to take for reinstatement. They explain common triggers, like address-related issues and frequent user-edit suggestions, and emphasize the importance of monitoring business listings closely. They recommend tools like WhiteSpark to manage citations effectively, which helps Google verify business information. These tips can help business owners maintain visibility and avoid common pitfalls in Google's local search system.
Resources:
https://whitespark.ca/local-platform
https://support.google.com/business/answer/4569145
Chapters
<...
3 Steps to Better Title Tags
DOWNLOAD
Title Tag Cheat Sheet + Tutorial
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/member-resources/how-to-create-title-tags-7bc81428-441c-49b4-a772-7b2e4267b688
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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com
Announcement: Showit SEO
I'm calling all ShowIt users to participate by temporarily sharing Google Search Console data. This isn’t just a chance for some free SEO advice—your input will also help craft an upcoming episode about SEO settings for Showit websites.
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Meredith's Husband
https://www.meredithshusband.com
Use Your Blog to Be Happy
This episode explores how blogging can go beyond just improving SEO and be a way to explore personal passions and focus more on the aspects of your business that make you happy.
Resources mentioned in this episode
Niche Blogging DEMO:
https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/resources/niche-blog-topics
Timestamps
[0:00] Use Your Blog to Be Happy
[0:23] Use your blog to do things that make you happy
[5:33] Explore potential new services
[6:07] The parts of your business you like the most
[6:42] Another benefit of niche blogging
[7:43] The...
The Biggest SEO Myth
In this podcast, Meredith's husband shares a powerful story from Atomic Habits by James Clear, connecting it to the challenges of SEO. He recounts the story of the British cycling team, which, after decades of mediocrity, improved dramatically by focusing on small, incremental gains of 1% in all areas. These minor improvements accumulated, leading to significant success, including winning multiple Tour de France titles and Olympic gold medals.
Timestamps
[2:09] The new Performance Coach
[3:52] The result of 1% gains
[4:48] The Most Persistent SEO Myth
[5:35] How SEO actually works
[6:56] A Case Study
[8:03] Building...
How AI Continues to Change SEO
In this podcast episode, Meredith's husband addresses the impact of AI on SEO, offering practical advice for website owners on how to adapt their SEO strategies to remain effective in an AI-driven landscape.
Timestamps
[0:00] How AI Continues to Change SEO
[0:35] How is AI changing SEO?
[1:57] A couple of certain changes...
[4:02] The internet is littered with affiliate websites
[5:06] Less traffic will be going to affiliate sites
[5:25] Focus on specific keywords?
[6:19] Using related language
[7:54] My point... specific words are becoming less important
[8:27] You still DO want to include...
Turning a Sh*t Blog into a Good Blog (part 2)
How to shift the perspective of a blog from being "salesy" to actually being valuable to readers, using one of Meredith's blogs as an example.
Resources Mentioned
The Ultimate Blog Checklist
(https://seiq.meredithshusband.com/c/resources/blog-seo-checklist-ddf0dc7c-af76-41f2-9915-ec4c83c87a6d)
Timestamps
[0:25] Last Week Recap
[2:35] The purpose of your blog...
[4:08] Changing the Perspective
[7:14] Creating image captions and Alt Tags
[8:54] Who is your blog audience?
[11:15] Linking blogs to the rest of your site
...
Case Study: Turning a Sh*t Blog into a Good Blog (part 1)
Meredith and her husband discuss her recent blogs and how to make them stronger. Meredith's husband reviews a single blog, noting that while the content is good, it's better suited to be content for the main website rather than a blog post. He explains how to adjust the blog to provide more value and engage readers without being overly sales-oriented.
Additional Resources:
Episode 9: Tips & Ideas to Create Useful Blogs
Episode 42: How to link your blog for better SEO
Episode 97: The Ultimate Blog SEO Checklist
Timestamps:
[1:56] Bad Blog...
Hire Meredith's Husband for your SEO
In this episode, Meredith’s husband answers a question he hears a lot: “Can I hire you to do my SEO?”Â
Although he enjoys working directly with business owners, he usually has to decline these requests.
Instead, he presents options in the episode to “...work with you” vs. "...work for you".
Timestamps
[0:24] Can you hire me to do your SEO?
[0:59] My Own Clients
[1:52] How Marketing Agencies Build a Team
[2:35] I work WITH clients - not FOR them.Â
[4:03] How you CAN hire me - FOR FREE
[4:55] T...
Time for an SEO Refresh? Here's How.
Meredith and her husband discuss the concept of an "SEO Refresh", which involves revisiting and improving past SEO efforts after a period of inactivity. Her husband outlines a five-step process for an effective SEO refresh:
Google Search Console: Use it to check performance, visibility, and identify which keywords and pages are gaining impressions.Sitemap Page: Ensure your sitemap is submitted and check for indexing issues.SEMrush Audit: Conduct a site audit to identify errors and issues that might be affecting your SEO.Blog Optimization: Focus on popular blog posts, improve...Take Advantage of the Google Leak (part 2)
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss the recent Google algorithm leak, and how local business owners might benefit from some of the new insights. This episode focuses on the importance of Google "entities" and how "mentions" are valuable for SEO, even if they don't provide a link. Â
Resources mentioned:
Episode 41: How to use your Google Business Listing
Timestamps
0:00 Introduction
[1:05] Clarification: Email landing pages for SEO
[2:15] No Measure of Importance
[3:34] The Importance of Google Entities
[5:04] Takeaway No. 1: Google Business Listings
[5:26] Takeaway No. 2: Mentions
Take Advantage of the Google Leak (part 1)
Meredith and her husband discuss the recent Google Leak, which shed light on some crucial elements of SEO. Meredith's husband explains that contrary to longstanding beliefs within the SEO industry, the value of links depends more on the traffic that the linking page receives rather than its own SEO "authority".
This insight reveals that website owners should focus on obtaining links from highly trafficked pages, even if those pages don't have many inbound links themselves.
Timestamps
0:41 The Google Leak is not a Nothing Burger
2:57 Clickstream Data
3:49 Chrome was...
The Google Algorithm has Leaked
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss the recent leak of the Google algorithm, revealing parts of the previously secretive system used for search rankings. They talk about the potential implications of the leak and how the news is being described in the media.Â
Timestamps
[1:36] The Google Algorithm Leaked
[2:27] The Google Lies (?)
[4:44] 15,000 Ranking Features
[6:07] The Google Leak: What we know so far
[7:42] Using Clicks to Determine Rankings
[9:21] The Google Sandbox
[10:44] Chrome and Privacy Browsers
[12:18] The Importance of Links
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Meredith's Husband
h...
Controversies at OpenAI & Protecting Your Images from AI
ChatGPT Opt-out form for images:
https://share.hsforms.com/1_OuT5tfFSpic89PqN6r1CQ4sk30
Episode Summary:
Meredith and her husband delve into the evolving landscape of AI and its impact on society, particularly focusing on OpenAI and Google's initiatives.
OpenAI Updates:
Google's AI Initiatives:
Introduction of Gemini...Power Struggles at Open AI: A Modern Tech Saga
Resources Mentioned:
[Article] "I lost trust": Why the OpenAI team in charge of safeguarding humanity imploded (https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2024/5/17/24158403/openai-resignations-ai-safety-ilya-sutskever-jan-leike-artificial-intelligence)
Key Moments
[1:12] The Story of Open AI and ChatGPT
[1:55] Open Source AI
[4:03] Sam Altman and Safety Measures at Open AI
[8:58] Most importantly, what does Elon Musk say?
Summary (yes, this was created by AI)
In this podcast episode, Meredith's husband unveils a concerning narrative of OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. He recounts a previous conversation where he hinted at...
Google I/O Announcements (hint: it's more AI stuff)
Links mentioned in this episode:
Catch the latest news from Google I/O (from google.com)
https://io.google/2024/
Google is putting AI in basically everything, including search (from vox.com)
https://www.vox.com/technology/2023/5/10/23718877/google-io-sundar-pichai-ai-conference-palm2-sge-mountain-view-openai-microsoft-generative
In this episode, Meredith and her husband discuss Google's AI developments showcased at the Google I/O event. The event focused on integrating AI across various Google products, including search results, Chromebooks, and Android phones. The "search generative experience" has been rebranded to "AI overview," enhancing informative searches with detailed...
AI is Coming to Google Search
Wondering how the latest AI advancements could affect your business's online visibility? Tune in as we dissect the transformative powers of Google's Search Generative Experience and its increasing dominance in search result displays. With a 65% surge in AI-generated responses, the traditional featured snippet is waving goodbye, and we're here to guide you through this seismic shift. As Google possibly gears up to move SGE out of beta at their upcoming IO event, we'll provide crucial insights for local business owners to navigate fluctuating website traffic.
Timestamps
[0:32] More AI in Google Search Results
[1:18] Featured...
Creating Basic Reports in Google Analytics
Here's the blog I mentioned at the end of this episode!
How to Create Basic Reports in Google Analytics
https://seiq.io/google-analytics-reports
Need to set up conversions ("Key Events") in Google Analytics?
https://support.google.com/analytics/answer/12844695?hl=en
TIMESTAMPS
[0:25] Meredith's Question about Google Analytics
[1:53] Common Questions about Website Visitors
[7:06] Creating Custom Reports in Google Analytics
[7:58] The Problem with Average Time on Site
[9:52] The Metrics I Pay Attention To
[10:37] Engagement Rate vs. Bounce Rate
[12:34] Measuring Conversions with...