Search with Candour is a weekly podcast hosted by Jack Chambers-Ward that features in-depth conversations with SEO experts from around the world. Episodes cover a wide range of search marketing topics, from attribution in GA4 to networking tips for introverts. It is designed to help listeners kickstart their working week with practical insights and industry perspectives. More information is available at withcandour.co.uk/podcast.
Episodes
E-commerce Transactions Up 553%! AI Search vs Google: Do Buyers Convert More?
Chris Walsh joins Search With Candour to discuss how AI search is affecting e-commerce and whether AI search users convert at higher rates than traditional search.IDHL’s State of AI Search study shows rapid growth in AI referral sessions, AI-attributed revenue, and transactions from AI search. So what does this mean for ecommerce businesses?Follow Chris:Website: https://www.idhlagency.com/ LinkedI
Debunking AI Search Myths: Measurement, “Direct” Traffic, and Location Signals (with André Pitì)
Jack is joined by SEOritmo’s André Pitì to bust common AI search myths.Topics discussed and myths busted:Why AI visibility metrics are modelled estimates rather than exact numbers.How tools infer AI Overview and AI platform volumes Why spikes in direct traffic don’t automatically indicate AI trafficHow to investigate direct traffic by URL patternsSegmenting AI-related signals by geographyAnd moreF
Can you automate an SEO agency with AI? How to build Claude skills and agent workflows for SEO
John Morabito is the founder of Winston Digital Marketing and SVP of Search Innovation at Stellar Rising.Expect to learn how to automate SEO work using AI, including Claude skills, connectors, and multi-agent workflows. John shares experiments where agents create and publish content from call transcripts and other inputs, driving major traffic growth and increased leads, while stressing the need f
AI search with Nathan Gotch: Citations vs rankings, GEO vs SEO demand and AI SEO for dummies
Nathan Gotch joins Search with Candour to discuss the state of AI search in 2026.Topics include:how the demand for GEO and AI search optimisation has grown recentlyhow much traditional SEO rankings and AI search citations crossoverthe fragmentation of search across different AI search enginesFollow Nathan:Get Nathan’s book ‘AI SEO for dummies’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/AI-SEO-Dummies-Nathan-Gotch/
Ditch hustle culture to build career longevity (Live podcast at Komedia in Brighton - 7 October 2026)
This live podcast event brings together The SEO Mindset and Search with Candour podcasts at Komedia in Brighton.The trio of hosts explore mixed feelings about hustle culture, its long-term harm, burnout and disconnection and redefining success beyond productivity.They also share practical steps for career longevity: intentional planning, setting boundaries, routines, self-reflection, and listening
SEO vs GEO: Which Traditional SEO Tactics Still Work for AI Search? (with Charlie Whitworth)
Welcome to season 5 of Search with Candour!Jack sits down with SEO veteran Charlie Whitworth to discuss whether SEO and “GEO” are essentially the same and which traditional SEO strategies still work for AI search.Follow CharlieWhitworth SEO: https://www.whitworthseo.com/HIVE MCR: https://hive-mcr.co.uk/AIR SEO: https://www.whitworthseo.com/air-seo-ai-ready-seo-campaigns/LinkedIn: https://www.linke
SEO and AI News Roundup: Google’s /goto Redirects, GSC AI Reports, PAA Goes AI & Publisher Payment Pilot Program
Recorded the day after the first SearchNorwichXL, this episode recaps the last four weeks of SEO news from the Core Updates newsletter:Google rolling out google.com/goto pass-through URLs to deter scraping amid the SERP API lawsuit (with rank-tracking tools finding workarounds); Google Search Console’s generative AI performance reporting rolling out globally, showing impressions for AI Overviews/A
Building a Personal Brand (Without Being Cringe) | Search With Candour x Indie Business Club
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a crossover episode of Search With Candour with Mel Barfield from Indie Business Club, discussing personal branding through shared interests, authenticity, and community.The conversation covers balancing personal brand with employed work, using hobbies (ranging from board games and films to music and cheese) to create relatable connections, and how small signals like prese
Automating SEO With ChatGPT + Python (Seb Atkinson) & Google Exploit Insights (Mark Williams-Cook) | Search with Candour
🌟 SearchNorwichXL - 24 September 2026: https://searchnorwich.org/🎟️Get your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/searchnorwichxl-a-one-day-seo-conference-with-world-class-speakers-tickets-1985283700992?discount=podcastJack Chambers-Ward previews SearchNorwichXLand shares two talks from past SearchNorwich events:First, Seb Atkinson shows how ChatGPT’s Code Interpreter is the cheat code you need
August 2026 SEO and AI News: EU AI transparency law, Claude watermarks, Google’s anti-scraping URLs
Topics discussed:New EU transparency rules requiring clear labelling of AI-generated or AI-altered content across formatsMicrosoft Clarity is adding branded vs non-branded segmentation for AI query/citation reporting and share of authorityAnthropic’s Claude embedding watermarks/metadataGoogle is expanding AI Mode with interactive visualisations, quizzes, Lens learning features, and Notebook/Gemini
SearchNorwichXL Preview: SEO talks from Arnout Hellemans and Brendan Bennett
Jack Chambers-Ward continues the hype for SearchNorwichXL by highlighting talks from Arnout Hellemans and Brendan Bennett, who will be speaking at SearchNorwichXL.Arnout’s talk from SearchNorwich 16 is titled ‘How to work on your SEO without paying for tools’, and Brendan’s talk from SearchNorwich 19 is titled ‘It’s not me, it’s you: Why your SEO or agency (probably) hates you’🎟️ Get 25% off Searc
The big SearchNorwichXL 2026 preview
Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook present a preview of SearchNorwichXL, their upcoming conference on 24 September 2026.Mark and Jack discuss the talks they’re looking forward to and give a preview of what to expect on the day.Use ‘MONDAYSWC’ to get 20% off your tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/searchnorwichxl-tickets-1985283700992?discount=mondayswcFor more information about Searc
SEO, design and brand in the age of AI | Search With Candour
Candour’s Principal SEO Consultant, Brendan Bennett and Design Lead Mark Salisbury join Search with Candour to discuss the growing overlap between SEO, design, UX, and brand, and how AI/LLMs and emerging agentic experiences affect the way we build and use websites.The Candour trio also explore what brand means beyond just a logo, how third-party signals like reviews, Reddit, and search results sha
AI Search & SEO News (July 2026): Google Trends Update, ChatGPT + Yelp, AI Mode Ads & New Studies
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a July 2026 AI search and SEO news roundup on Search With Candour.This episode covers everything from new Google Trends features and social media data tracking in Google Search Console to research about ads in Google AI Mode and if Google punishes AI-generated content.Links to articleshttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/analyzing-search-interest-just-got-more-powerful-share-747
Turn client expertise into SEO gold | Search with Liv Day and Ellie Wraith
Liv Day and Ellie Wraith from Digitaloft join Search with Candour to explain how to turn client expertise into SEO gold and why you need to create content your competitors can’t copy.They explain why unique, non-commodity content matters more in the AI era, how to extract insights from hesitant clients, and how to build processes (checklists, writer access to experts, ongoing client questions) to
June 2026 SEO News: Google is in legal trouble for AI Overviews, AI traffic reports in Google and Bing
Jack Chambers-Ward recaps the biggest SEO news from June 2026 on Search With Candour.Jack covers Google’s “Preferred Sources” expanding from Discover into AI Mode and AI Overviews, the new Search Console generative AI performance reporting and contrasts it with Bing Webmaster Tools’ expanded AI visibility reporting.He also highlights the new ability to connect Google Business Profile to GA4 for ri
Navigating SEO in the Age of AI and Misinformation
Sean Barber joins Search with Candour to discuss fighting misinformation in the health industry.Misinformation has been exacerbated with the growth of LLMs and AI, which increasingly cite piecemeal sources in ways that can mislead or endanger users.Sean and Jack share examples such as incorrect CPR guidance and confusing emergency and non-emergency phone numbers.Follow Sean:Website: https://www.se
How to rank in ChatGPT and AI search: Get AI traffic with listicles
Léo Poitevin, founder and CEO of Astrak Agency, joins Search with Candour to discuss why your competitors may be recommended in ChatGPT and other AI search tools while you are not.Topics discussed:Why AI search engines are easier to manipulate than GoogleHow to identify competitors in AI searchHow to build trust signals for AI searchHow to use listicles and guest posts to rank in AI searchThe risk
Search with Josh Bachynski | The ethics of AI SEO, the new ranking factors & evidence-based marketing
Host: Jack Chambers-Ward | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jlwchambers/ | He/himIn this episode of Search with Candour, I’m joined by Josh Bachynski, CEO at Be Found Everywhere. With over 20 years of experience, Josh shares insights on ethical marketing and why an evidence-based approach to SEO is important for AI search optimisation.Topics discussed:Why AI Mode is the biggest change in search since 1
What SEOs should learn about UX from web designers
Laura Iancu joins Search with Candour to talk about the growing crossover between SEO and UX and how we should all thinking about “search experience optimisation” (SXO) instead of traditional SEO.Follow Laura:Searchpedia: https://searchpedia.co.uk/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-iancu-seo/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/searchpedia.bsky.socialTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@searchped
Buying Links vs Digital PR: Risks, Costs, and What Actually Works (with Vince Nero from BuzzStream)
Host: Jack Chambers-Ward (he/him)Vince Nero, BuzzStream’s Director of Content Marketing, joins Search with Candour to discuss whether paying for digital PR is the same as buying links.Vince shares research on link marketplaces, noting many sites have zero organic traffic and only a tiny fraction qualify as high-quality. With some top-tier paid placements averaging thousands of dollars per link, of
AI for Human SEO + “Maybe It Isn’t JavaScript” (Crystal Carter & Martin Splitt) | SearchNorwich highlights
Host Jack Chambers Ward shares a special episode of Search With Candour highlighting two talks from SearchNorwich 18 ahead of the first SearchNorwichXL conference on 24 September 2026.🎟️SearchNorwichXL tickets: https://searchnorwich.org/In the first talk, Crystal Carter (Wix) discusses using AI tools for “actual intelligence” in SEO by emphasizing human experience, real examples, and opinion, noti
May 2026 SEO News Recap: Google I/O, AI Traffic in GA4 & the May 2026 Core Update
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a solo episode to recap the biggest SEO news from May 2026, including Google IO, AI traffic reporting in GA4 and the May 2026 core update.Links to news storieshttps://blog.google/products-and-platforms/products/search/explore-web-generative-ai-search/https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7458539598885867520/https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundament
Does Answering People Also Ask Questions Improve Rankings? (SEO Study w/ Chris Green)
Chris Green joins Search with Candour to share his study on whether answering Google’s “People Also Ask” (PAA) questions correlates with higher organic rankings. 📖 Read the study in full: https://alsoasked.com/insights/paa-ranking-correlation Key takeaways📈Across the top 5 positions, pages that fully answer more PAA questions tend to rank higher.📊Commercial and transactional queries show the stron
HiveMCR 2026 Recap - SEO talks, AI Search panel, live comedy and more
Jack Chambers-Ward gives a recap of his experience at HiveMCR 2026 including all of the talks, panels and events over the two-day event hosted by Charlie Whitworth.The event included live music, stand up comedy and talks from Jono Alderson, Dawn Anderson, Alex Moss, Sophie Brannon and many more.Sponsored by Trendos - the AI search visibility tool.With Trendos, you can see who’s buying ads in your
Conversation with Adam Gent | How Google's index actually works and why indexing matters
Adam Gent returns to Search with Candour to discuss how Google’s indexing works and why large websites should monitor it closely.Adam explains that statuses like “URL unknown to Google” can mean Google has deprioritised and effectively forgotten pages, and that Search Console may misreport or fail to alert when pages are actively de-indexed. He describes a “130-day rule” for indexing, where low pa
SEO News Recap (April–May 2026): Google AI Mode in SERPs, How to Build Agent-Friendly Websites & Gemini in Chrome
Jack Chambers-Ward delivers an SEO news recap covering key stories from April 2026 into early May.He highlights Google testing AI Mode directly in the “All” tab, AI Mode’s agentic restaurant bookings, AI Mode side-by-side browsing in Chrome desktop (US), and Google’s Audio Overviews appearing on SERPs beyond Search Labs.He also discusses Google’s official guidance on building agent-friendly websit
The Efficiency Paradox: Why AI Isn’t Actually Making Your Life Easier (Live at Ironworks Studios in Brighton)
In this eighth live collaboration between SEO Mindset and Search with Candour, the hosts discuss the “efficiency paradox” and why AI can increase overwhelm rather than make life easier.Jack Chambers-Ward, Sarah McDowell and Tazmin Suleman debate the pressure to use AI, environmental and job concerns, hallucinations and misuse for legal/medical advice, de-skilling, declining human interaction, and
Conversation with Mark Williams-Cook | Do People Also Ask Questions Improve Rankings? + Google’s Crackdown on Self-Promo “Best” Listicles
Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook are back in the Candour studio to discuss if People Also Ask questions improve rankings and Google’s recent crackdown on self-promotional listicles.Sponsored by TrendosNo demo required. No paywall. Free plan available.Check your brand’s AI visibility now → Trendos.comThey discuss a Chris Green study using AlsoAsked API, SERP scraping, and OpenAI to score w
Conversation with Jasmine Granton | The mental health crisis in SEO & digital marketing (and how to fix it)
Jasmine Granton joins Search with Candour to discuss the mental health crisis in SEO and digital marketing. Jasmine’s experience as both a digital PR professional and a qualified psychotherapeutic counsellor means she’s especially qualified to discuss this topic.They explore how always-on culture, Slack urgency, KPIs, AI-driven expectations, and perfectionism keep marketers in fight-or-flight, red
Social media SEO: Keyword research, search intent & content strategy (with Annie-Mai Hodge from Girl Power Marketing)
Annie-Mai Hodge, founder of Girl Power Marketing and creator of the Social Tea newsletter, makes her triumphant return to Search with Candour to discuss how to do SEO for social media.Annie-Mai explains practical keyword research for social using tools such as TikTok Creator Search Insights and AlsoAsked, and existing SEO tools, then consolidating ideas into a simple spreadsheet and testing perfor
SEO News Recap: Google Discover & Core Updates, Bing AI Performance Metrics, Web MCP & UCP (Agentic Commerce)
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a solo episode of Search With Candour, recapping the last 6 weeks of SEO news from the Core Updates newsletter.Jack covers Google’s February 2026 Discover update, a fast March spam update, and the ongoing March 2026 core update.He then highlights Bing Webmaster Tools, adding AI Performance reporting, Google’s WebMCP new UCP features.📧 Core Updates: https://coreupdates.com/
How to get technical SEO tickets prioritised & shipped | Alison Moss
Alison Moss joins Search with Candour to discuss how to prioritise technical SEO fixes and get development tickets actioned.Together, they cover common pitfalls like lack of buy-in and unclear requirements, emphasising translating SEO needs into business outcomes and developer-friendly acceptance criteria, using ticket templates, and providing references.Alison explains prioritising by impact vers
The key to client partnerships in SEO | Jessica Bettis
Jack Chambers Ward is joined by Jessica Bettis, Candour’s Director of Strategy, to discuss what makes a strong collaboration between SEO specialists and client partnership/account management.Jack and Jessica discuss their experience of working with clients together, and Jessica explains how client partners define success, translate work into business impact, manage resources and expectations, and
GA4 for 2026: Attribution, AI Search Metrics & Digital Archaeology with Bengü Sarıca Dinçer | Search With Candour
Jack Chambers Ward welcomes SEO consultant and Designmodo SEO Manager Bengü Sarıca Dinçer to discuss what marketers should track in GA4 as search shifts across AI summaries, social platforms, newsletters, communities, and private sharing.Bengü argues classic metrics like rankings and organic sessions are incomplete and recommends focusing on influence signals such as assisted conversions, branded
Using AI responsibly in digital marketing and podcasting | Sarah McDowell
Jack Chambers Ward welcomes returning guest Sarah McDowell from The SEO Mindset Podcast to discuss AI and LLMs and how they’re responsibly integrating them into their work processes.Jack & Sarah share AI usage stats, note the split between adopters and non-adopters, and cover concerns including environmental impact, big tech/data issues, hallucinations and fabricated reporting, and the need fo
Future-Proofing E-Commerce for AI Search (Product Feeds, Schema, UGC & Agentic Commerce) | Dena Warren
Jack Chambers Ward hosts Search with Candour with guest Dena Warren, SEO Lead at Techquity, to discuss how e-commerce brands can prepare for AI search and LLMs.They cover how the importance of consistent product data across on-site content, feeds, and maximising structured data (product, FAQ, reviews).Dena highlights using user-generated content, avoiding duplicate manufacturer copy, and ensuring
Creating the perfect content campaign for International Women's Day
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts Search With Candour with guest Faezeh Shafiee, a freelance international SEO content specialist, to discuss how to build an interview-based content campaign with the assistance of AI.During this campaign, Faezeh used expert interviews to create a multi-channel content campaign, turning an initial plan into interviews with three women leaders in sustainability. Faezeh expla
7 Biggest SEO News Stories So Far in 2026 (Google UCP, Business Agent, Personal Intelligence)
Jack Chambers-Ward hosts a solo episode of Search With Candour recapping seven major SEO and digital marketing news stories from the first six weeks of 2026, previously covered in the Core Updates newsletter. He highlights Google’s Universal Commerce Protocol (UCP) for agentic commerce and checkout capabilities, Google’s Business Agent for brand-voice shopper conversations, and Google’s Personal I
How businesses can optimise for AI search
Join Jack Chambers-Ward as he sits down with Alex Dees, co-founder and CEO of Meridian, to discuss how to optimise your brand and sites for AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, AI Mode, and Perplexity.Discover strategies and insights on increasing visibility in the age of AI, if “chunking” your content works, and the future of e-commerce and agentic commerce.Follow Alex:Website: https://trymerid
SEO Trends & Insights from the Web Almanac 2025
In this episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by SEO experts Chris Green and Amaka Chukwuma to discuss the SEO chapter of the Web Almanac 2025.Together, they delve into the process behind writing the chapter, trends in SEO, impacts of AI and LLM crawlers, structured data adoption, and the importance of resisting hype in the SEO industry.00:00 Introduction and Guest Intr
Top SEO Conferences of 2025 & What to Look Forward to in 2026 | Search With Candour
Join Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook for a special episode of Search With Candour, where they recap the top SEO conferences of 2025 and share their most anticipated events for 2026.From Brighton SEO to the SEO Brein Meetup, they discuss the highlights, unique features, and what makes each conference a must-attend. Plus, get an exclusive sneak peek into the upcoming SearchNorwich XL…Don&#
Video content is essential for success in 2026
Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Georgie Kemp, the SEO lead at Veed.Together, they delve into the limitless potential of video as a channel for marketers, discussing how video content can be repurposed and its SEO advantages.Georgie emphasises the importance of authenticity and the human element in creating engaging video content. Jack and Georgie also explore the evolution of search, integrating v
Why AI makes long-tail keywords MORE powerful
In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward welcomes Nicole Lee to discuss the significance of long tail keywords in SEO and content marketing.Jack and Nicole delve into how these keywords become even more crucial in the age of AI, focusing on creating personalised, bottom-of-funnel content.The episode also covers Nicole's strategies for programmatic SEO, the challeng
What happened in SEO in 2025? SEO Predictions for 2026
In the first episode of 2026, hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss the major SEO news stories of 2025 and make predictions for the upcoming year.They reflect on their predictions from last year, including the impact of zero-click searches on organic click-through rates, the rise of video and visual search elements, and the importance of community and real marketing.The episode a
The secrets to earning great HARO links with Greg Heilers
In the final episode of Search with Candour for 2025, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Greg Heilers to delve into the evolving landscape of digital PR. They discuss the current state and future of HARO (Help A Reporter Out), the impact of AI and LLMs on SEO and PR, and the growing influence of brand mentions in the age of global SEO.Greg also shares insights about the challenges and opportunities i
The truth about digital PR: Sentiment is more important than links
Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Abi Bennetts to discuss the evolution of digital PR, the importance of brand building, and the impact of AI and LLMs on the PR landscape.Together, they explore strategies for creating authentic, relevant content and the significance of measuring brand sentiment and awareness. Abi also shares insights on how startups can leverage digital PR effectively and predicts t
Stop using keywords, start using topics for SEO with Amanda King
Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Amanda King for an in-depth conversation about the evolving landscape of SEO and the implications of AI-generated content.Amanda shares insights from her 15 years in the industry, discussing the challenges of maintaining relevant, high-quality content in a world where AI is increasingly prevalent. The episode covers a range of topics, including content consolidation
Strategy vs tactics in SEO with Derek Hobson
Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this episode of Search With Candour as he discusses the critical difference between strategy and tactics in SEO with special guest Derek Hobson from Brain Labs.Jack and Derek get super nerdy using everything from The Avengers to adult diapers to explore how to effectively structure your thinking around SEO strategies and tactics. They also discuss the importance of ongoi
Balancing Punk Rock Ethics and Marketing with Ade Holder | Search With Candour
In this episode, Jack Chambers-Ward interviews Ade Holder, frontman of Phinius Gage and owner of 427 Marketing. They explore how punk values can influence business practices, the challenges of maintaining authenticity, and the importance of constructive capitalism. Ade shares insights from his experience in marketing and as a musician, highlighting the intersection between creativity and analytica
SEO strategies that make money | Ben Goodey on Search with Candour
In this episode of Search with Candour, Ben Goodey, founder of Spicy Margarita, joins Jack to discuss how to create revenue-driven SEO strategies.The discussion explores how effective audience research impacts conversion rates, differentiating between top-of-funnel and bottom-of-funnel content, and the evolving role of SEO in the age of AI.Ben shares his insights on creating revenue-driving strate
Sustainable Marketing in 2025: Environmental & Personal Sustainability with Leah Hart | Search With Candour
In this week's episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Leah Hart to explore the future of sustainable marketing in 2025.They delve into the importance of both environmentally and personally sustainable practices. Topics include the pitfalls of greenwashing, the energy costs of AI tools like ChatGPT, and effective ways to avoid burnout and maintain personal well-bei
What to do when you lose 95% of your website traffic | Jacob Cass
Join Jack Chambers-Ward as he sits down with the award-winning brand consultant and designer Jacob Cass.Jacob recounts the harrowing experience of losing 95% of his site traffic and the strategies he employed for recovery.Jacob and Jack discuss practical brand-building exercises, the relevance of maintaining consistency across different platforms, and the indispensable tools and techniques to thri
MUVERA and the future of backlinks | Egor Golovin from Serpzilla
In this episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward discusses the impact of Google's MUVERA (multi-vector retrieval system) on link building with guest Egor Golovin, Chief Commercial Officer at Serpzilla.Together, they explore how MUVERA recontextualises backlinks, emphasising the importance of context, relevance, and trust over raw volume.Egor shares his insights on current and fu
Exploring Social Health & Career Growth | The SEO Mindset & Search with Candour Live from Brighton
Join us LIVE from Brighton as the teams from @SEOMindsetPodcast and Search with Candour come together for an engaging and informative podcast.In this special episode, the trio of hosts explore the importance of intentional social connections for career progression, and practical tips on maintaining good social health.The episode also features insights from the audience, real-life stories, and a
Build your brand or get left behind | Yordan Dimitrov | Search with Candour
Jack Chambers-Ward dives into the evolving world of SEO, AI, and branding with guest Yordan Dimitrov, SEO Manager at Reflect Digital. They discuss the importance of brand consistency, the role of LLMs (Large Language Models) like ChatGPT in shaping user experiences, and the pivotal strategies for maintaining visibility and relevance in an ever-changing digital landscape. If you're curious abou
BrightonSEO October 2025 recommendations | Mark Williams-Cook | Search with Candour
In this bonus episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook share their top recommendations for talks at the upcoming Brighton SEO conference.Candour’s dynamic duo discusses talks that cover the value of human connection in digital PR, and explore the intricacies of AI, machine learning, and attribution models in SEO.Whether you're attending Brighton SEO or simply i
Zero click SEO: What do we do now? | Pablo López
In this episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward hosts Pablo Lopez to discuss the future of clickless SERPs and their impact on SEO.They delve into the widespread adoption of AI in search engines like ChatGPT and Google's AI Mode, the effects on user journeys, and the shift from traditional SEO tactics to strategies focused on direct traffic and brand loyalty.Pablo shares valuable in
Measure Your Website's Performance for AI Search | Manuel Madeddu
In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Manuel Madeddu to discuss the importance of a holistic approach to web performance.They delve into the significance of connecting various elements such as SEO, user experience, and sustainability for optimal web performance.Manuel shares his insights on adapting to the evolving search landscape, the critical metrics t
Personas for AI keyword research | Google breaks rank trackers | Search with Candour with Mark Williams-Cook
Join hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook in this week's episode of Search with Candour as they discuss recent Google SERP changes and the impact of AI on keyword research.Discover why the SEO community is buzzing about Google changing the num100 parameter and how these modifications affect impressions and rank tracking.Additionally, the dynamic duo share conference experiences, and
The challenges of enterprise SEO with Jojo Furnival
In this episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward interviews Jojo Furnival, Marketing Manager at Sitebulb about the unique challenges of enterprise SEO.Jack & Jojo discuss issues such as the complexity and scale of large websites, resource allocation, and the importance of interdepartmental communication.Jojo shares insights on the value of automation and proactive management, as well
How UX affects SEO | Search with Candour podcast with Ian Ferguson
In this episode of Search with Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with freelance SEO consultant Ian Ferguson to discuss the delicate balance between user experience (UX) and search engine optimisation (SEO).They delve into the importance of integrating SEO at the start of web design processes, the impact of AI on SEO, and how to create valuable content that serves both users and search eng
How to build brand authority with digital PR | Matt Cayless | Search with Candour
Welcome to another episode of Search With Candour!This week, Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Matt Cayless to discuss brand authority and digital PR.Whether you’re an SEO pro, a digital marketer, or a brand builder, this episode is packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and expert advice on how to build lasting brand authority in 2025 and beyond.🔑 Key Talking Points:What is brand a
2025 is the worst time to rebrand | Interview with Krešimir Ćorluka | Search with Candour
In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward discusses the dynamic relationship between branding and SEO with Krešimir Ćorluka, co-founder of Canonical Agency and one of the organisers of Zagreb SEO Summit.Discover the potential pitfalls of bad branding, learn how to ensure your brand strategy supports your SEO efforts, and understand why knowing your customer base is cruc
Build better SEO strategies with keyword clustering | Seb Atkinson | Search with Candour
Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this week's episode of Search With Candour as he welcomes back SEO consultant Seb Atkinson for an in-depth discussion on masterful SEO strategies.Seb shares his journey, starting his own business, Atkinson Smith Digital, and key content strategies he uses with his clients.The conversation delves into practical insights on keyword clustering, creating revenue-driven m
Unlocking Revenue-Driven SEO Strategies with Alex Galinos
In this episode of Search with Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward interviews SEO expert Alex Galinos.Alex shares insights on how to shift from focusing solely on traffic and SEO metrics to a revenue-driven approach that aligns with business objectives.They discuss the integration of business intelligence with SEO, conversion rate optimisation, and the implications of AI and LLMs on SEO strategies.Al
Optimise Your Organic Shopping Feeds: SEO Insights with Alex Wright | Search With Candour
Are you getting the most out of your organic shopping feed?Join host Jack Chambers Ward as he sits down with returning guest Alex Wright, a managing partner for SEO at Dentsu, to uncover the untapped potential of organic shopping feeds in the ecommerce landscape.Learn about the importance of optimising your feeds, the pitfalls to avoid, and the bright future of agentic search in 2025.Follow Alex:W
In-Depth Discussion on Structured Data & Schema with Jarno van Driel
In this episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Jarno van Driel to discuss the nuances of structured data, its significance in SEO, and its broader applications beyond search.The conversation ranges from how schema works with AI and large language models to how structured data aids in internal communication, impacts e-commerce, and the evolving landscape of digital marketin
Why is AI search full of spam? Who will win the browser wars? | SEO podcast with Mark Williams-Cook
In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss the evolving landscape of search in the context of Large Language Models (LLMs), the challenges they bring, including A LOT of spam and how they are being manipulated in search.They talk about the potential future of AI search, and the implications for brands and consumers as well as the responsibi
Marketing Communication Skills That You Need To Know | Salvatore Manzi
Jack Chambers Ward dives into the critical nuances of internal communication with renowned communications coach Salvatore Manzi.Salvatore shares valuable insights on the 'rule of 10 seconds' in business meetings, the importance of structure in creating genuine connections, and the method of speaking to the shared interests of your audience.They also discuss practical tips for reducing cogn
Video Content is Crucial for SEO and Social Media Strategies in 2025
In this episode, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Harry Evans from Twelve Twenty Five to discuss the significance of incorporating video content into SEO and social media strategies for 2025.Together, they explore why video content is a game-changer, share practical tips to get started, and provide insights on engaging your audience effectively.The conversation covers real-world examples, acti
Redefining SEO: The Future of Search and Discoverability with Ramon Eijkemans
Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Ramon Eijkemanns to discuss how to calculate the value of SEO traffic and if SEO needs rebranding. They explore the value of SEO traffic, the potential need for rebranding within the industry, and how metrics like market share and opportunity cost are redefining the field.Ramon shares fascinating insights from his 20+ years in search marketing, including how to bett
Save Money on SEO & PPC Campaigns with Chris Ridley | Search With Candour
Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Chris Ridley from Evoluted to discuss an innovative solution for managing SEO and PPC campaigns simultaneously.They explore how this tool can help businesses save money by avoiding search term cannibalisation. Chris shares insights on balancing organic and paid strategies, the importance of understanding SERP competition, and the evolving role of AI in search mark
Is AI Killing the Job Market? | Search with Candour with Nick LeRoy
Jack Chambers-Ward sits down with Nick LerRoy to explore the landscape of SEO jobs in 2025.They discuss how job roles in the SEO industry have changed, the impact of AI, and key skills that will keep professionals relevant.Tune in for valuable insights on effective communication, personal branding, and navigating the job market in the ever-changing world of SEO.Links to follow NickNick’s site: htt
Common GA4 Mistakes to Avoid | Dana DiTomaso
Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Dana DiTomaso from Kick Point Playbook to discuss common mistakes seen in GA4 setups in 2025.Jack and Dana get into topics like the importance of proper tag manager setups, dealing with duplicate traffic, and strategies for better data filtering.Dana also shares horror stories from hundreds of GA4 audits and tips on improving GA4 configurations. Don't miss the pract
Making B2B Content Fun and Engaging with Owain Lloyd-Williams
Join Jack Chambers-Ward and guest Owain Lloyd-Williams on this week's episode of Search With Candour as they delve into transforming often dry and boring B2B content into fun and engaging material. They discuss the competitive nature of B2B industries, strategies for creating unique content, and the importance of thinking outside the box for impactful SEO. Jack and Owain also share their exper
The Future of SEO: All-star Expert Panel Discusses Google, AI Mode and more
Jack Chambers-Ward gathers an esteemed panel of SEO all-stars: Dawn Anderson, Jono Alderson, Myriam Jessier, and, the birthday boy himself, Chris Green.Together, they discuss the future of search, focusing on key topics such as the impact of AI mode, the evolution of search behaviour, and the transparency of data.Tune in for an insightful discussion from these industry experts about how they are n
Google Just Changed SEO Forever! The Big SEO News From Google I/O | Search with Candour with Mark Williams-Cook
Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook explore all the latest updates from Google I/O 2025. There were some HUGE announcements, including AI mode, personalisation in search, and agentic search.The discussion also covers the challenges of tracking traffic from AI Mode, ads in AI Overviews and AI Mode on ad revenue, and the future of content creation for informational websites. Plus, we answer li
Free Keyword Research Tools You Need To Know | Kobi Omenaka
Kobi Omenaka joins Jack Chambers-Ward to explore ways to find keywords for free. They discuss the benefits of using customer conversations, news trends, and various free tools like Google Keyword Planner and Search Console.The episode also delves into the importance of understanding search intent and maximising the impact of small, engaged communities. Tune in for actionable tips and strategies to
Will SEO & Google Ads be killed by AI search engines? | Search with Candour with Greg Finn
Join Jack Chambers-Ward for a conversation with Greg Finn, co-founder of Cypress North and co-host of the fantastic Marketing O-Clock and It's New podcasts.The lads discuss what the next five years will look like for PPC Google Ads, SEO, and digital marketing. Greg shares insights on the evolving landscape of AI in search, the growing integration of ads, and the importance of adapting to new
