My Take

I was on Mordy Oberstein's SEO Rant podcast on Friday and I had a blast. We ranted about how SEO (aka Search Engine Optimization) isn't rocket science. Does it take time to learn and fully (as if you can ever fully understand it) SEO, yes. But you don't need to have a degree in rocketry and robotics to figure out how to get your site ranked in Google and the other search engines. You just don't. Anyone who makes it seem that way is full of bull poop.

As we discussed in the podcast, SEO is really about common sense. Write good content, make sure it's relevant, make sure you have your meta data correct and the search engines will find your content and rank it accordingly.

What baffles me is that people will keyword stuff their articles thinking that this helps. It might have in the past, but with the recent Helpful Content Update (aka HCU), it can actually hurt your chances more than help.

The best suggestion I have for people wanting to learn more about podcasts is to follow relevant people in the SEO space on social media. Also Read the industry blogs like Search Engine Roundtable, Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, etc.

Mordy is an excellent host and co-hosts two other great SEO podcasts that you should subscribe to: Edge of the Web Radio (with Erin Sparks) and SERPS UP (with Crystal Carter).

Web Finds

• Instagram Adds New Measures to Help Users Regain Access to Locked Accounts
  Take it from someone who has had their account stolen/hijacked on Instagram, this is a good thing.
• Meta Shuts Down Cameo-Like ‘Super’ App
  This is going to keep happening as big tech tries stuff and sees what sticks. This clearly did not stick.
• Twitter Shuts Down Revue Newsletter Platform Following ‘Twitter Files’ Response from Former CEO
  Many people I know liked the Revue Newsletter Platform, but anything owned by Twitter right now is risky to use in my opinion.
• Google releases December 2022 link spam update
  As Barry Schwartz says in the article, just as we thought the search giant is done with updates for the year, here's another one. This one is targeting unearned and non-natural links. This also effects all languages not just the English database. Pretty much, low quality, spammy links will lose any juice they had.
• E-E-A-T and major updates to Google’s quality rater guidelines
  One of my favorite SEOs, Lily Ray, has a piece in Search Engine Land talking about how Google has updated it's quality rater guidelines to include Experience to the E-A-T acronym. Now it's Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness. I think the first two are kind of redundant, but who am I to question the Google? 😜
• Instagram is beefing up its security including marking suspicious accounts as such. h/t Matt Navarra's Newsletter for this
  This will be helpful to avoid getting hacked, impersonated, and blackmailed (and much more).
• Want better engagement rates on Instagram? Hootsuite has some tips!
  Hootsuite has a good blog post with some great tips and a nifty calculator.
• Elon Musk Bans Several Journalists From Twitter After Reinstating Literal Nazis [Updated]
  I honestly am at a loss of words. Maybe not, this man is a horrible human and has too much money.
• Marco Rubio pushes TikTok ban in Congress
  I'm not sure this will pass, but it should be good to watch.
• Slow Modems
  Marketing genius Seth Godin's take on the federation of the web.
• Why Marketers, Creators, and Brands Should Start Using Mastodon ASAP
  I agree with Rand. But do it gracefully and don't just jump in. Respect the culture of the platform and realize that it isn't a Twitter clone. Mastodon is its own thing.
• 2023 predictions for SEO, Growth and Tech
  Some interesting predictions from SEO great Kevin Indig.
• Predicting the Next Opportunities for WordPress Innovation
  A good post on opportunities for new innovation in the WordPress space. The space is evolving rapidly so this is going to be an exciting time.

Newsletter of Note

A weekly email newsletter to help you grow your podcast, spread your message, and make money podcasting. I really enjoy this newsletter and it's put together by a friend of mine who knows the podcasting business.

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Until next week, stay curious!