If more than half the web runs on a content management system, then the majority of technical SEO standards are being positively shaped before an SEO even starts work on it. That’s the lens I took into the 2025 Web Almanac SEO chapter (for clarity, I co-authored the 2025 Web Almanac SEO chapter referenced in … Read more
tag) is an HTML element that provides a webpage title that can show up in places like: Search engine results pages (SERPs): As the SEO title—the clickable headline in a search result Link previews: As the text that appears when users share a link via social media or messaging apps Browser tabs: As the text … Read more
High-converting landing pages focus on elements like clear headers, a consistent call-to-action, and a strong value proposition. From effective design elements to optimization tips, here’s what you need to know to create successful landing pages. When it comes to paid search, the ad itself is only part of the equation. Once you get that coveted … Read more
Keyword research tools help you find, analyze, and prioritize the search terms people actually use. So you can build content and campaigns that drive visibility, traffic, and conversions. This article compares eight free and paid keyword research tools to help you find the best option for your needs. Before we cover the keyword research tools … Read more
The December 2025 core update had a significant impact on a large number of sites. Each of the sites below that have done well are either long term clients, past clients or sites that I have done a site review for. While we can never say with certainty what changed as the result of a … Read more
Most SEO professionals give Google too much credit. We assume Google understands content the way we do — that it reads our pages, grasps nuance, evaluates expertise, and rewards quality in some deeply intelligent way. The DOJ antitrust trial told a different story. Under oath, Google VP of Search Pandu Nayak described a first-stage retrieval … Read more
Search Console is a free gift from Google for SEO professionals that tells you how your website is performing. It’s the closest thing to X-ray vision we can get. With data-packed amenities, SEO professionals can scavenge through to locate stashes of hidden nuggets like clicks and impressions from search queries, Core Web Vitals, and whatever … Read more
SEO is a fast-moving, marketing-centric industry that will always keep you on your toes. If you’re just getting started, it can feel overwhelming without a guide. There are many facets and specializations in SEO that come later in a career — local, technical, content, digital PR, UX, ecommerce, media — the list goes on. But … Read more
Information retrieval systems are designed to satisfy a user. To make a user happy with the quality of their recall. It’s important we understand that. Every system and its inputs and outputs are designed to provide the best user experience. From the training data to similarity scoring and the machine’s ability to “understand” our tired, sad … Read more
We all use LLMs daily. Most of us use them at work. Many of us use them heavily. People in tech — yes, you — use LLMs at twice the rate of the general population. Many of us spend more than a full day each week using them — yes, me. Even those of us … Read more