These are the random thoughts on SEO, Content, and LinkedIn that actually made it into blog posts - there are a whole load more still in my head or over on LinkedIn
SEO Myths Debunked: More Google reviews = better rankings!
Somewhere along the line, businesses got it into their heads that having hundreds of generic “great service!” Google reviews would boost their rankings. If that’s you, I’m going to ask you very gently to rethink. And if you don’t listen, I’m going to ask you very loudly to STOP COLLECTING… Read More
SEO Myth Debunked: You need exact match backlink anchor text!
Another myth from the ‘make everything look completely unnatural’ school of SEO. If all the backlinks to your website say exactly the same thing, you might as well wave a massive red flag at Google saying “I’m manipulating links!” Natural link profiles have variety. Some use your brand name, some… Read More
What the fuck is GEO? (And why the SEO industry needs to stop making up terms)
Every five years or so, our industry decides it needs a rebrand. Some clever marketing type invents a shiny new acronym, and suddenly everyone’s scrambling to become an “expert” in something that didn’t exist last Tuesday. The latest offender? GEO – Generative Experience Optimisation. GEO is marketing bollocks invented by… Read More
Who Really Owns Your Google Accounts? (Hint: It Might Not Be You)
When you try to log into your Google Search Console, do you find yourself staring blankly at the password field with no idea what to enter? Or worse, has your web developer vanished – along with access to all your Google accounts? This situation is amazingly common. Businesses routinely lose… Read More
Google’s human side, expert rip-offs, and don’t be a fool with your rankings
(This is the 01/04/2025 issue of my newsletter – subscribe here) Hey hey you lovely people – welcome to April! The internet may be awash with brands making unfunny ‘jokes’ this morning, but I can assure you that this newsletter is as serious as I get – I’m talking about SEO… Read More
The Humans Behind Google’s Algorithm and What That Means for your Website
When Google’s John Mueller speaks, (smart) SEOs listen. At the recent Search Central Live NYC event, he shared some invaluable insights about how Google actually evaluates websites. Turns out, it’s a lot more human than most people realise (I mean, I’ve been telling you that for ages, right?). Let’s take… Read More
The March 2025 Google Update is over – what now?
So Google’s latest core update has been and gone, leaving the usual trail of panic, confusion and frantic Reddit posts in its wake. Your analytics are going mad, your rankings are bouncing around like a toddler on a sugar high, and everyone’s asking what the bloody hell is going on…. Read More
Are You Stuck in a LinkedIn Echo Chamber? It Could be Costing you Business
When was the last time you posted something on LinkedIn that attracted comments from people who might actually hire you? If you’re scratching your head trying to remember, you might be trapped in a LinkedIn echo chamber. What Exactly Is a LinkedIn Echo Chamber? A LinkedIn echo chamber forms when… Read More
SEO Myths Debunked: You must use exact emotion-marking HTML tags!
Just when you think you’ve seen every SEO nonsense tactic, someone starts adding <happy> and <excited> tags to their content. Let me be absolutely clear – these tags aren’t real. They don’t do anything. They’ve never done anything. It’s like trying to make your car go faster by painting racing… Read More
Does Server Speed Affect SEO?
The short answer? Yes. The long one? Bloody hell yes. 🔵 Google’s Core Web Vitals make server speed a direct ranking factor, especially for mobile-first indexing.🔵 Slow servers get fewer pages crawled and indexed due to Google’s limited crawl budget allocation.🔵 53% of mobile users abandon sites taking over 3… Read More
SEO Myth Debunked: Longer content always ranks better
The idea that every piece of content needs to be as long as War and Peace is absolute nonsense. 500-word pages regularly outrank 5,000-word essays because they actually answer the bloody question. Your recipe for beans on toast doesn’t need three paragraphs about your grandmother’s cottage in Cornwall. Quality Trumps… Read More
April Content Ideas for your Blog & LinkedIn
If you’re looking at April’s calendar and wondering how to create content that doesn’t just scream “EASTER!” or “CHOCOLATE!” like everyone else, you’re in the right place. Grab yourself a Cadbury’s Creme Egg and let’s plan your content strategy for the month ahead. April is absolutely rammed with opps beyond… Read More