Search with Candour

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 l...

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 t...

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...

Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Irina Papuc, co-founder of Galactic Fed, to discuss the intricacies of creating content that ranks well in LLMs and AI search engines. Irina has an extensive background in digital marketing (and even worked at CERN on the Large Hadron Collider!), offers valuable insights into optimising content for AI search and the future landscape of SEO. They discuss topics like...

Join Jack Chambers-Ward in this episode of Search with Candour as he sits down with Tom Winter from SEO Wind to discuss the future of SEO and AI agents. Discover how AI agents can optimise your workflow and solve problems using multiple tools. Tom breaks down the technical aspects and practical applications of AI in SEO, touching on keyword clustering, internal linking, and content creation. Plus,...

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by returning guest Matt Kohli. In his third appearance, Matt details his journey from being a freelancer to starting his own marketing agency, Fortitude Marketing. The conversation covers the challenges of transitioning roles, the importance of building a reliable team, learning to trust others, and not overpromising t...

Disclaimer: Sorry for the audio quality, technical difficulties meant we had to use our backup audio! Jack tried his best to fix it - we hope you can still enjoy the episode! Search with Candour and The SEO Mindset podcast bring you another amazing podcast event, live from Brighton! Sarah, Tazmin and Jack will be giving actionable tips and advice on authentic personal branding as well as sharing t...

Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by guest Grace Frohlich, SEO Senior Manager at Brainlabs, to explore how to map user journeys and understand customer paths in search.  Grace also shares insights into using AI to create detailed user personas and map motivations behind searches and practical steps for tracking user journeys and keyword tagging to enhance search strategies. Follow Grace Brainlabs: http...

Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss the excitement and preparations for April’s BrightonSEO. Mark gives a preview of his talk, the duo pick some of the talks they’re looking forward to as well as the live podcast Jack is co-hosting with Sarah and Tazmin from the SEO Mindset podcast. The episode also delves into Dr. Pete Myers’ article on the increasing volatility of Google updates, w...

Kaspar Szymanski, a former senior member of the Google Search Quality Team, joins Jack Chambers-Ward to discuss what’s important in SEO in 2025. They discuss cutting through the noise to focus on impactful strategies for businesses and cover topics ranging from the hidden value of server logs to a holistic approach to SEO. Links to follow Kaspar: Website: https://www.searchbrothers.com/ LinkedIn:...

In this episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward discusses the impact of AI on content creation with guest Erika Varangouli. They discuss how to stand out in an oversaturated market, the importance of brand consistency across channels, and the role of humour and distinct voice in marketing. The episode also touches on the challenges and opportunities LLMs pose, ethical consideration...

Join host Jack Chambers Ward as he sits down with Sam Torres and Tory Gray of Gray Dot Company. They delve into the intricacies of JavaScript and its impact on website migrations, discussing common issues, best practices, and how to navigate the technical landscape. This episode also touches on the existential dread that comes with the future of AI in search engines, learning JavaScript for SEO, a...

In this week's episode of Search With Candour, Jack Chambers Ward & Mordy Oberstein from Unify Brand Marketing cover how brands can set themselves apart in an increasingly noisy digital landscape. They discuss how brands can effectively manage their SERPs and audience perceptions. The episode explores the significance of brand mentions, scepticism in digital content, and why solid brand id...

In this episode of Search with Candour, Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook discuss best practices for SEO pagination, a Google patent that targets spam tactics and a theory by Tabby Farrar about gaining links via citations in LLMs. Links 👉 Follow Jack 👉 Follow Mark 👉 Check out AlsoAsked Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:08 AlsoAsked Merchandise and BrightonSEO Sponsorship 04:40 Can You Gain...

Join host Jack Chambers-Ward as he sits down with SEO consultant and trainer Dani Leitner to discuss the complex world of building topical authority in the eyes of Google. Dani & Jack explore how Google might measure topical authority in the future, discuss the importance of recognising and addressing your audience's education level, and break down strategic ways to demonstrate your author...

In this episode of the Search with Candour podcast, Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by special guest, @ItamarBlauer , Host of SEO Unplugged and Senior SEO Director at StudioHawk. They delve into the evolving landscape of search, focusing on Google’s recent challenges and the rise of AI-driven search platforms. Amidst the rapid advancements and shifting user behaviours, they explore the critical role...

In this episode of the Search With Candour podcast, host Jack Chambers-Ward and guest Stephen Schneider cover the importance of strong site structure, internal links, and conversion rate optimisation (CRO). They also discuss the role of user experience (UX) and how to leverage tools like Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and AI to enhance your content marketing efforts. Additionally, Jack and Stephen explo...

In this week's episode of Search with Candour, hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook share insights and initiate debates surrounding critical SEO topics. The dynamic duo discusses the role of consensus in SEO, particularly scrutinising how its interpretation affects how much users trust search engines. They delve into the value of technical SEO, especially for small businesses, and q...

Jack Chambers-Ward and Anu Adegbola, an international PPC consultant and paid media editor at Search Engine Land discuss the significance of SEO and PPC team communication and collaboration. They explore strategies for sharing insights, tools, and data, as well as aligning goals to navigate Google updates and improve overall digital marketing results. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:37 Sponsored by...

In this episode of Search With Candour, host Jack Chambers-Ward discusses the evolving value of backlinks in 2025 with guest Tamara Novitovic from Bazoom Group. They explore how link building strategies need to adapt, the impact of AI on SEO, and why backlinks remain crucial. The conversation covers which metrics matter for link-building and future trends that will shape the SEO landscape. Whether...

In the first episode of 2025, host Jack Chambers-Ward is joined by Jamie Indigo, an expert in technical SEO and an overall delightful human being. Jamie guides Jack through the findings from the 2024 Web Almanac's SEO chapter including technical data changes over recent years, offering insights and predictions for the future. Jamie also highlights AI's rising influence, the importance of robots.tx...

In this special episode of Search With Candour, hosts Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook sit down with guests Arnout Hellemans , Yagmur Simsek , and Begum Kaya . Recorded in a brand new studio to celebrate the finale of Season 3, the panel discusses SEO industry highlights from 2024, and makes some SEO predictions for 2025. Topics include the rise of AI, shifts in search engine market share...

Jack Chambers-Ward and Mark Williams-Cook follow up on Mark's popular Search Norwich talk about conceptual models for SEO and his recent Google exploit discovery. Mark & Jack explore the details of the fascinating Google exploit, dissect the talk's key points, and answer questions from the community. The duo also preview next week’s big episode featuring three special guests and discuss the re...

Jack Chambers Ward celebrates the near end of the year with a Spotify Wrapped-style recap of the podcast's top episodes from 2024. Jack highlights the top 10 most watched and listened to episodes, along with honourable mentions from throughout season 3. Sponsors ⁠Experience the evolution of SE Ranking⁠ ⁠Try Optmyzr - Made by PPC people, for PPC people Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:42 Upcoming Epi...

Join Jack Chambers-Ward as he discusses storytelling, copywriting, and content strategy with Will Slater, the creative content specialist at 43 Clicks North. Will uses his experience as a writer and photographer to explain how even bad ideas lead to great ones, the importance of curiosity, and the intricacies of creating content that resonates emotionally with your audience. Jack & Will explor...