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Your guide to SEO, website optimization, and digital marketing. Expert interviews and insights brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s cutting-edge website optimization platform at lumar.io
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
Host Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO, Lumar) sits down with Kayley Dempsey, Digital Marketing Operations Lead at Manifesto, to tackle the realities of workplace anxiety in fast-paced SEO and digital marketing careers. They dive into actionable strategies for managing personal and team-wide work stress.
Whether you’re a seasoned digital marketing leader, a team manager, just getting started in your career, or a parent navigating work-life balance, this conversation offers relatable perspectives on digital marketing jobs and advice to help you stay happy and healthy at work this year.
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Episode Timestamps:
- 00:00:11 – Introduction to Human-First Digital
- 00:00:16 – Managing Anxiety in the Workplace
- 00:03:49 – Transitioning to Agency Life
- 00:05:07 – Insights on Managing Anxiety
- 00:09:27 – Balancing Work and Parenting
- 00:11:50 – The Importance of Company Culture
- 00:18:00 – How Managers Can Support Their Team’s Mental Health
- 00:20:50 – Finding Joy and Switching Off
- 00:24:28 – Community and Mental Health Support
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About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast:
In this podcast, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and digital optimization.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Kayley Dempsey on LinkedIn.
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn.
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn.
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform here: lumar.io
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Further Learning:
- SEO Career Development Guides [Lumar Website Intelligence Academy]
- SEO Project Management Guides [Lumar Website Intelligence Academy]
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
Thursday Dec 19, 2024
This week on Lumar’s Human-First Digital Podcast, we're discussing how to use custom extractions (and XPath) — an often overlooked tool in SEOs’ arsenal — to turbo-charge your website crawls, SEO projects, and provide support for broader marketing efforts. Our guest this week is David Gossage, an e-commerce technical SEO expert and SEO manager at Click Consult.
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“I’ve found that knowing how to extract things is a very good way of making friends with a lot of people,” says Chris Spann, host of Human-First Digital.
“A simple example of where it will benefit non-tech teams: Say you’ve got a list of other websites that you want to target for backlinks. You can crawl a site and go, ‘Well, actually, all of the outbound links of this site are ‘nofollow’ — you can do that using XPath,” explains Gossage.
Explore how custom extractions can benefit SEO, content, paid search teams, and broader digital marketing efforts in the full episode.
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Episode Timestamps:
- 00:00:11 — Welcome to Human-First Digital, a Lumar podcast
- 00:00:29 — Meet David Gossage, Technical SEO Manager for E-Commerce Websites
- 00:05:20 — Understanding XPath Basics
- 00:07:27 — Overcoming XPath Challenges
- 00:11:36 — How Custom Extractions Enable Collaboration Across Web Teams
- 00:14:12 — Key Takeaways & Final Thoughts
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Episode Links:
Follow guest David Gossage on LinkedIn.
Follow host Chris Spann on LinkedIn.
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn.
Explore Lumar’s technical SEO and website optimization platform.
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Further Reading on Custom Extractions:
- How to create XPaths for almost any Custom Extraction (by David Gossage)
- Lumar Webinar On-Demand: Advanced SEO Crawling Techniques – How to Use Custom Extractions
- Getting the Most Out of Lumar with Custom Extractions
- Custom Extraction Use Cases
- Explore Lumar’s Technical SEO Analytics
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About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast:
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and digital optimization.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and our robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
Thursday Dec 05, 2024
“My job is to make SEO faster, better, easier, or just simpler,” says SEO R&D Specialist Wojciech Urban of Delante.
In this conversation with Lumar’s Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO Specialist and host of the Human-First Digital Podcast), Urban explores how he uses Google Search Console data in conjunction with Looker Studio get SEO insights.
This pair of SEO pros discuss how Looker Studio can help you expand beyond the native reports in Search Console, the challenges of dealing with large datasets in Looker, how to simplify your Looker Studio reports to speed up the platform’s performance, and when you may need to consider bringing in more powerful tools for big data and business intelligence.
Plus: Get Urban’s recommendations for free learning resources to help you master Looker Studio.
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Episode Timestamps:
- 00:00:11 – Introduction to Lumar’s Human-First Digital Podcast
- 00:00:16 – Wojciech’s Journey into SEO
- 00:05:04 – Learning Looker Studio
- 00:07:06 – Challenges with Looker Studio
- 00:11:33 – Tips for Efficient Reporting
- 00:13:32 – Final Thoughts
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About Lumar’s Human-First Digital (HFD) Podcast:
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in SEO and digital optimization.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and robust suite of enterprise-scale SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Wojciech Urban on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/w-urban/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io
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Further Learning:
- [HFD Podcast] How to Structure & Streamline SEO Reporting — with Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries
- Explore Lumar’s Looker Studio Connector
- Explore Lumar’s Technical SEO Analytics
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
Thursday Nov 21, 2024
This week, we're discussing YMYL ("Your Money or Your Life") websites and how to optimize EEAT ("Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness") factors for better SEO results on websites that operate in YMYL industries like financial services and healthcare.
Lumar's Chris Spann is joined by Amanda Walls, Founder and Director of Cedarwood Digital, a Manchester-based digital marketing and SEO agency. Amanda shares her journey from journalism to owning a digital marketing agency and offers her insights on the evolution of SEO for YMYL websites.
Chris and Amanda discuss the significance of E-E-A-T in YMYL sectors and highlight the impact of recent Google algorithm updates. They discuss the importance of structured data and how it can enhance website authority. Amanda also shares insights on creating quality content, maintaining a strong reputation, and the role of website security.
Whether you're an SEO veteran or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways on navigating the complexities of SEO for YMYL sites. Tune in to discover how to optimize your strategies for better search rankings and user trust.
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Episode Links:
Follow Amanda Walls on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandajwalls/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io
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Further Reading:
- The New “E” in Google’s E-E-A-T: Why Experience Matters for SEO Content
- Human-First Content for SEO: ChatGPT, EEAT, HCU, & Google’s “Hidden Gems”
- SEO Strategies for Healthcare, Wellness, and Medical Websites
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About Human-First Digital (HFD):
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
Thursday Nov 07, 2024
Thursday Nov 07, 2024
How your website content renders impacts your SEO performance… Learn rendering best practices for better search engine rankings in this episode of Lumar’s Human-First Digital podcast.
Recorded at BrightonSEO, Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO, Lumar) is joined by Mark Stanford-Janes, Senior Organic Performance Manager at ROAST. Their discussion delves into the intricate world of rendering and its pivotal role in SEO.
Mark and Chris explore common rendering issues, particularly the challenges posed by JavaScript and dynamic content, and emphasize the importance of understanding web fundamentals for technical SEO success.
** Further Reading: Client-Side vs Server-Side Rendering: The Hamburger Analogy (JavaScript SEO Explainer) – on the Lumar blog **
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Episode Timestamps:
00:00:11 – Introduction to Human-First Digital
00:02:06 – Why Rendering Matters in SEO and Common JavaScript Rendering Issues
00:08:43 – Learning About Rendering
00:13:04 – Innovations in Rendering Techniques
00:13:35 – Evaluating Server-Side vs. Client-Side Rendering
00:14:35 — Resource Costs of Rendering
00:15:13 – Closing Thoughts & Lumar’s SEO and Website Optimization Platform
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About Human-First Digital (HFD):
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Tech SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Mark Stanford-Janes on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-stanford-janes-4357a7129/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io
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Thursday Oct 24, 2024
Thursday Oct 24, 2024
In this episode, Senior Technical SEO Chris Spann of Lumar (formerly Deepcrawl) is joined by Beth Woodcock, Technical SEO Specialist at Clicky™.
The two discuss various paths to technical SEO careers, how to get started with public speaking at SEO conferences, the power of working with log files to uncover how Google is accessing your website, and the need to educate clients and stakeholders about the importance of technical SEO.
Beth also shares her mission to make technical SEO more accessible and understandable for everyone, regardless of their background. Listen in for insights on teaching technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders and the importance of clear communication in your SEO strategy.
Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or just starting out, this episode offers valuable takeaways on leveraging log files and improving your technical SEO practices.
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About Human-First Digital (HFD):
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Beth Woodcock on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrwtaylor/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io
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Episode Timestamps:
00:00:15 – Introduction
00:02:48 – Paths to technical SEO Careers
00:05:37 – Embracing log files for technical SEO
00:10:20 – Using log files to uncover malicious activity on your website
00:14:25 – Teaching clients and stakeholders about technical SEO
00:16:12 – About the Human-First Digital podcast and the Lumar platform
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
Thursday Oct 10, 2024
Technical SEO experts Chris Spann (Lumar) and Dan Taylor (Salt.agency) discuss AI search, why marketing leaders need to understand Google's AI Overviews / SGE, and how EEAT and structured data/schema markup play a role in optimizing your website content for AI search.
Written Episode Recap: https://www.lumar.io/blog/podcast/podcast-ai-search-eeat-structured-data-with-dan-taylor-head-of-technical-seo/
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Episode Timestamps:
00:00:32 – Building a Career in Technical SEO
00:07:48 – Google SGE & AI Overviews
00:09:15 – Different Approaches to Managing AI in Search
00:09:57 – Structured Data for AI Search; Going Beyond Rich Snippets
00:11:09 – "SERP Decorations" and Schema Markup
00:12:03 – EEAT and How to Communicate Expertise to Google
00:13:15 – Author Authority and Schema Markup
00:14:35 – Entity Identification in Search
00:15:56 – Importance of Trust and EEAT for Securing AI Overviews
00:19:03 – Optimizing Images for the Future of Search
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About Human-First Digital (HFD):
In this podcast series, website optimization expert Chris Spann (Senior Technical SEO at Lumar) speaks to the brightest minds in the world of SEO and websites.
The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full website optimization platform and suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Dan Taylor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielrwtaylor/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s SEO and website optimization platform: lumar.io
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
Thursday Sep 26, 2024
In this episode, Lumar host (& Senior Technical SEO) Chris Spann discusses SEO reporting best practices with Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries, Director of Organic Growth at Flywheel Digital.
Better SEO reporting isn't necessarily about complex math but about aligning with client goals and simplifying the process. Natasha discusses the importance of focusing on what truly matters for clients or stakeholders — and how to educate them on interpreting SEO data correctly.
Tune in to hear Natasha's insights on building better SEO reports and the importance of being a strategic partner to clients.
About Human-First Digital:
In this podcast series, SEO expert Chris Spann speaks to the brightest minds in the world of website optimization. The HFD podcast is brought to you by Lumar. Learn more about Lumar’s full suite of SEO, web accessibility, and site speed tools at lumar.io
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Episode Links:
Follow Natasha Burtenshaw-deVries on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashaburtenshawdevries/
Follow Chris Spann on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisspann/
Follow Lumar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lumarhq/
Explore Lumar’s website optimization platform: lumar.io
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Episode Timestamps:
00:00:07 – Introduction to Human-First Digital
00:03:28 – The Essence of Better SEO Reporting
00:08:06 – Understanding Client Needs for SEO Reports
00:10:28 – Simplifying SEO Reports for Better Insights
00:13:55 – Building Stronger Client Relationships