Information gain: How top content leaders win at SEO
Dive into my analysis of information gain in SEO, featuring interviews with content leaders who drive millions in organic traffic monthly.
Topic: Cyrus Shepard
How to become the answer in AI search: The ASC framework
What does AI say about your brand? Analysis, SEO, and content turn that answer into a practical visibility plan.
Google’s top ranking factors, according to 131 SEO professionals
Search intent ranks highest, backlinks remain influential, and original research outperforms scaled AI content in perceived ranking impact.
Why the traditional link building model no longer works for AI search
High-DR links, paid mentions, and link exchanges can look authoritative without giving AI systems enough credibility to recommend your brand.
What six perspectives reveal about demand generation in AI search
SEO, PR, analyst relations, and publishers are solving the same AI measurement problem from different angles. Here's what they agree on.
New SEO KPIs you’re missing: How to measure SEO beyond clicks
Discover the new SEO KPIs that matter beyond clicks and rankings like AI mentions, user interactions, conversions, and the tools that make it possible.
What 75 SEO thought leaders reveal about volatility in the GEO debate [Research]
AI search sentiment is positive, but consistency isn’t. Data shows why volatility – not acronyms – is the real risk.
Timeless SEO rules AI can’t override: 11 unshakeable fundamentals
AI is reshaping search, but some SEO rules never change. Learn the timeless principles—content quality, site structure, and trust—that AI can’t override.
Google changed 76% of title tags in Q1 2025 – Here’s what that means
Google rewrites most title tags – but why? This data study breaks down when and how Google edits titles across industries and intents.
Experience a key factor during Google algorithm updates, analysis finds
An analysis of 50 sites finds strong correlations between features found on websites and Google algorithm update winners and losers.
Google to cut thousands of search quality rater jobs after dropping contract with Appen
Appen says the termination notice goes into affect on March 19, 2024.
9 ways to stay on top of the latest SEO trends
Enhance your SEO expertise with these reliable methods for staying updated on industry news and best practices.
DMCA request removes Moz from Google Search index
This shouldn't happen, but it did - and that is scary.
Advanced tactics for SEO title tag optimization
Moz' Cyrus Shepard offers top tips on boosting CTRs and earning more traffic with better title tags.
Wayback Machine adds ‘changes’ feature
Now you can compare the same URL but on different dates, to see what content was changed, added or deleted.
A favicon is worth a thousand keywords
SEOs predictably unhappy about shrinking distinction between paid and organic mobile search results — and, they’re not wrong.
Controversy over Google Featured Snippets stealing publisher traffic reignites
Google said it will take feedback into consideration.
SEO Industry Tweets Its Reactions To Google’s SSL Ranking Boost
The SEO industry is abuzz today with the news of Google’s latest ranking signal: Using SSL certificates will provide a boost in Google’s search rankings. (The web hosting industry is all abuzz, too, if you’re curious.) Google says it’s a “very lightweight signal” for now, but one that may become stronger over time because Google […]
Up Close @SMX Advanced: The Periodic Table Of SEO Elements
This SEO ranking factors session has become a much-anticipated tradition at SMX Advanced, as the substantial early morning crowd in attendance this year testified. Each year, a panel of SEO data experts present their up-to-date findings, test results, and best guesses as to what factors are primary in Google’s ranking algorithm. There are always surprises, […]
SearchCap: The Day In Search, January 13, 2014
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Ryanair CEO Claims Airline Is Working With Google On A Flight Search & Comparison Tool In an interview published by Irish Independent, Irish airlines Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary claims his airline […]
Bing Begins Supporting Separately SSL Search Site; No Referrers Pass
Bing now appears to be supporting secure search through the https://www.bing.com address. Previously, trying to use this address generated an error. If you conduct a search on Bing, while on the HTTPS URL, it will remain HTTPS and keep your searches secure. This is a new feature Bing quietly started supporting over the weekend. Cyrus Shepard […]
Confirmed: Google Reduces Authorship Rich Snippets In Search Results
The head of search spam at Google, Matt Cutts, has confirmed with us that Google has applied a 15% reduction in the amount of rich snippets displayed in the search results. Matt Cutts announced at PubCon a couple months ago that this would happen, saying that the ability to have and use rich snippets may […]
SearchCap: The Day In Search, October 23, 2013
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the Web. From Search Engine Land: Yahoo-Microsoft Search Tensions On Public Display In Court Ruling Microsoft has essentially had to sue Yahoo to get the company to fully comply with the terms of their 2010 “Search Alliance” […]
Moz Launches Google Alerts For New Links Named “Fresh Alerts”
Moz announced the launch of a new link and SEO tool feature called Fresh Alerts. Fresh Alerts is kind of like Google Alerts but specifically designed for SEOs and marketers to keep track of not just new web mentions but also new links pointing to your site or a competitor’s site. Moz’s Cyrus Shepard said […]
SearchCap: The Day In Search, November 7, 2011
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Brands & News Sites Among Winners From Google’s Freshness Algo Update, Report Says Major brands and a variety of news sites — from established outlets to internet-only gossip sites — are […]
Confirmed: Google Testing New “Sources” Display In Search Results
Google has confirmed that it’s testing a new content module in its search results that’s (currently) called “Sources.” The module appears to have been spotted first by Cyrus Shepard, who shared screenshots of the new display including this one from a search for pop singer Rihanna. (You can click for a slightly larger version.) As […]