Contributor

Carolyn Shelby

SEO & AI Strategist

Company

Speaking Experience

About Carolyn Shelby

Carolyn Shelby is an SEO & AI Strategist at Yoast, a recognized international speaker, and a trusted authority in technical SEO, content optimization, and AI-driven search strategy. With over 20 years of experience, she helps brands navigate AI-driven search engines like ChatGPT, SearchGPT, and Google’s AI Overviews, guiding them to position their content as trusted, citable sources. Carolyn also leads CSHEL Search Strategies, a consultancy specializing in technical SEO and AI-powered search optimization.

Related topics

Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Technical optimization

Carolyn Shelby's latest articles

If-SEO-is-rocket-science-AI-SEO-is-astrophysics-1536x864

SEO

If SEO is rocket science, AI SEO is astrophysics

AI search runs on entity mass, not surface signals. See how citations and extractability shape AI Overviews and LLM visibility.

Carolyn Shelby | Feb 12, 2026 at 10:00 am ET

ChatGPT-Image-SEO-in-the-blackbbox-era-1536x864

SEO

SEO in the black box era: Why reports will look more like Mad Men than Search Console

Google’s num=100 change pushes SEO deeper into the black box. Learn how to stay accurate when the data no longer adds up.

Carolyn Shelby | Oct 20, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

Gating-in-an-AI-world-What-to-hide-what-to-show-and-why-1536x864

SEO

Gating in an AI world: What to hide, what to show, and why

Invisible content earns zero authority. Learn how to unlock visibility without giving away your best assets.

Carolyn Shelby | Sep 4, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

Gemini_Generated_Image_blogging-implosion-1536x864

SEO

The implosion of the blogging-for-dollars revenue model

Ad-first publishing is collapsing, reshaping search, hosting, and the tools behind the blogging boom. Here’s what’s coming next.

Carolyn Shelby | Aug 13, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

No-llms.txt-is-not-the-‘new-meta-keywords-1536x864

SEO

No, llms.txt is not the ‘new meta keywords’

SEOs ignored meta keywords for good reason, but llms.txt is different. Understanding how could shape your AI visibility tomorrow.

Carolyn Shelby | Jul 9, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

LLMS.txt-isnt-robots.txt-Its-a-treasure-map-for-AI-1536x864

SEO

llms.txt isn’t robots.txt: It’s a treasure map for AI

Not just another SEO file – llms.txt curates your site’s best AI-digestible content for inference. Here's how to use it.

Carolyn Shelby | Jun 5, 2025 at 10:00 am ET

Relevance-is-the-new-ranking-signal-How-AI-search-redefines-optimization-1536x864

SEO

Relevance is the new ranking signal: How AI search redefines optimization

In AI-driven search, retrieval beats ranking. Clarity, structure, and language alignment now decide if your content gets seen.

Carolyn Shelby | May 13, 2025 at 10:00 am ET

Do-exact-match-domains-have-value-in-2025

SEO

Do exact match domains have value in 2025?

Search engines favor authority and branding over keywords alone. Find out how to make your domain work for you.

Carolyn Shelby | Apr 3, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

How-to-use-OpenAIs-Deep-Research-for-smarter-search-strategies

SEO

How to use OpenAI’s Deep Research for smarter SEO strategies

ChatGPT is great, but Deep Research is next-level for SEO. Discover how it delivers real-time insights, citations, and competitive advantages.

Carolyn Shelby | Mar 6, 2025 at 9:00 am ET

Is-rank-tracking-dead-Why-Googles-new-rules-are-changing-the-game

SEO

Is rank tracking dead? Why Google’s new rules are changing the game

Google’s latest move forces SEOs to rethink how they measure success. Here’s what you should be focusing on now.

Carolyn Shelby | Feb 6, 2025 at 10:00 am ET

Does-schema-still-matter-in-AI-search

SEO

Does schema still matter in AI search?

Schema isn’t the magic SEO key in AI search. Learn why relevance, authority, consensus, and credibility are the new priorities.

Carolyn Shelby | Dec 17, 2024 at 9:00 am ET