

The Edward Show
Edward Sturm
Daily SEO advice, hacks, and interviews with some of the top voices in search engine optimization, as well as sit-downs with many undiscovered talents.
Episodes
Mentioned books

4 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 52min
How Direct Mail Became a Secret Weapon in the Digital Age (And How To Do a Campaign)
Wilson Zehr, founder of Zairmail and a veteran in direct mail, sheds light on the surprising comeback of physical mail in today’s tech-driven world. He explains how his company makes direct mail as efficient as email, using tools like Speedy. Wilson dives into the essentials of launching a campaign, targeting the right audience, and measuring ROI. He shares strategies for effective list selection, optimal formats, and creative approaches, along with real-world success stories, highlighting when to use direct mail versus email.

20 snips
Oct 9, 2025 • 10min
Ranking Social Media Platforms by How Well They Rank on Google (Parasite SEO Explained)
Discover how social media platforms stack up in Google search rankings! Learn the ins and outs of parasite SEO versus transparent brand posting. YouTube leads the pack, while Instagram and TikTok offer quick ranking benefits with strategic keyword placement. Reddit and LinkedIn also hold strong in the search landscape, with unique opportunities and challenges. Gain practical tips for optimizing posts across these platforms, allowing creators and businesses to thrive without a website!

Oct 8, 2025 • 10min
How to Do AI-Generated SEO Blog Content (the Right Way)
Discover the intriguing world of AI-generated SEO blog content! Learn about the three levels of AI content—from unedited slop to fully human-reviewed pieces. Uncover tips to humanize AI writing and avoid obvious markers that scream 'robot.' Explore Search Engine Land’s innovative workflow using AI tools alongside human editors to create quality guides. Plus, find out where it's best to publish AI content to keep your readers and Google happy. This discussion is packed with valuable insights for anyone looking to enhance their writing strategy with AI!

23 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 1h 36min
Why Big Blogs Are Collapsing (And How to Fix Them) - Lars Lofgren
Lars Lofgren, an SEO expert and former growth marketer for Neil Patel, dives into the decline of big blogs due to issues like content bloat and lazy SEO practices. He reveals why traditional SEO 'moats' are no longer effective and shares the challenging reality of recovering from years of neglect. Lars explains the importance of topical authority, how to find profitable content clusters, and when to rebuild versus starting anew. He also critiques the role of AI in SEO, urging a return to quality over quantity in content creation.

11 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 9min
Google's AI Is Rewriting Meta Descriptions (And Killing Top-of-Funnel SEO)
A significant shift in SEO is looming as Google introduces AI-generated meta descriptions tailored to user intent. This change threatens top-of-funnel content, leading to fewer clicks and increased competition for attention. The discussion highlights the need for deep content that goes beyond superficial summaries and emphasizes the importance of targeting bottom-of-funnel keywords. Strategies to adapt include focusing on transactional terms that are less susceptible to AI influence, ensuring that on-page SEO practices remain a priority despite evolving algorithms.

7 snips
Oct 5, 2025 • 10min
SEO Is an Enigma? Breaking Down Backlink Myths & Real Strategies
SEO can feel like a maze, but there are key strategies to navigate it! Forget chasing domain authority; instead, focus on building genuine relationships for link exchanges. Discover why relevant links that attract qualified traffic are more impactful than mere clicks. Page speed matters, but not at the expense of broader relevance and authority. Explore practical backlinking methods like guest posts and local citations. Get ready to elevate your SEO game by cutting through the noise and honing in on tactics that truly deliver results!

4 snips
Oct 4, 2025 • 10min
Is Reddit Dead for SEO & ChatGPT? The Truth About AI Citations
Discover how Reddit's influence on SEO has dramatically shifted, with citations in ChatGPT plummeting from 14% to just 1%. Explore the impact of Google’s recent changes on search dynamics and what it means for digital marketing strategies. Edward discusses practical tactics for leveraging Reddit effectively, including optimizing titles for visibility. Plus, dive into the contentious world of manipulation on the platform and discover predictions about Reddit's future role in AI search results. Is Reddit truly out of the game? Tune in to find out!

Oct 3, 2025 • 10min
Slop as a Service: The Guaranteed SEO Collapse?
The rise of AI-generated SEO content is examined, revealing alarming collapses, like Ramp's drop in keywords post-Google's spam update. Experts highlight the fleeting success of 'slop as a service' and warn against unchecked AI content that can jeopardize businesses. Insights on the declining citations from Reddit in ChatGPT and the pitfalls of AI without human oversight are shared. Long-term, durable strategies with human-reviewed content are emphasized as the way forward, cautioning against risky SEO shortcuts.

4 snips
Oct 2, 2025 • 13min
Why HubSpot Lost 20M Clicks (and How They Plan to Recover)
HubSpot’s organic traffic plummeted dramatically from 24M to just 3.6M clicks. Discover the reasons their top-of-funnel strategy failed and their exciting pivot to product-focused content. Learn how pruning irrelevant pages and using experiment tracking can lead to better SEO results. HubSpot is shifting their focus to down-funnel keywords and new success metrics like brand mentions and sentiment. Tune in for insights on where SEO is headed and how to avoid the missteps of even the biggest brands.

Oct 1, 2025 • 12min
ChatGPT Checkouts Are Here (SEO Goldmine or AI Fail?)
ChatGPT introduces Instant Checkouts with Etsy, Shopify, and Stripe, sparking debate about the future of e-commerce. The Agentic Commerce Protocol aims to streamline purchases, but concerns arise regarding fraud and incorrect product recommendations. SEO experts weigh in, suggesting this could be a huge opportunity for small sellers. Discussions highlight the necessity for citation accuracy in recommendations and the potential for sponsored listings to emerge. Will AI-driven shopping be a game changer or a disaster? Tune in for these insights!


