In this episode, we sit down with Jesse Ringer, Founder and CEO of Method + Metric, to explore the evolving world of SEO and digital marketing. Jesse shares insights on how his diverse background in marketing, PR, and video production shapes his unique approach to SEO—moving beyond technical tactics to a holistic strategy that drives real business results. We discuss the ever-present "SEO is dead" debate, the rise of AI in search, and why trust and transparency are crucial in an industry filled with shady tactics. Jesse emphasizes the power of content, digital PR, and business strategy over shortcuts, highlighting how conversion rate optimization (CRO) is just as vital as traffic generation. For businesses looking to stand out, Jesse provides actionable advice on building authority, leveraging YouTube, and using LinkedIn for growth. He also shares SEO strategies for unique cases like luxury lighting brands, AI betting tools, and affiliate marketplaces, stressing the importance of niche targeting and audience understanding. If you’re an affiliate marketer, SEO enthusiast, or business owner, this episode is packed with real-world strategies to help you navigate the ever-changing digital landscape. Podcast Key Takeaways with Time Stamps [00:00:00] Introduction to Jesse Ringer – Founder of Method + Metric, an SEO agency based in Vancouver. His background spans marketing, PR, social media, and video production. [00:01:00] SEO is More Than Just Technical Work – Jesse emphasizes the need for a holistic marketing approach, combining content, PR, and business strategy. [00:02:14] "SEO is Dead" Myth in 2025 – Jesse discusses how SEO has been declared dead for years, but as long as search engines exist, SEO will remain essential. [00:03:01] Transparency in SEO Matters – Jesse believes in sharing knowledge freely, rather than hoarding SEO secrets, to create a better industry standard. [00:04:08] Shady SEO Tactics Create Distrust – Many agencies overpromise and underdeliver, making it crucial to prove expertise through case studies and transparency. [00:06:03] Leveraging LinkedIn & Other Platforms – LinkedIn has evolved beyond job hunting—it’s now a powerful marketing and networking tool. [00:07:13] SEO Community Helps Navigate Algorithm Changes – With frequent Google updates, staying engaged with the SEO community helps businesses adapt and pivot. [00:10:12] Case Study: AI Betting Website Struggling with SEO – Jesse advises focusing on content, value proposition, and user trust rather than just AI as a selling point. [00:14:28] Case Study: Luxury Lighting Business – Instead of chasing high rankings, PR, link-building, and influencer marketing in design and architecture spaces are more effective. [00:19:00] E-commerce vs. Affiliate SEO – SEO trends show that e-commerce is gaining priority, meaning affiliate marketers need to adapt and innovate to stay competitive. [00:21:05] Building an M&A Marketplace for Affiliate Websites – Jesse suggests prioritizing SEO, content marketing, and buyer-focused messaging for success. [00:24:10] Ranking as #3 is Still Profitable – You don’t need to be #1—even ranking third or fourth can be highly lucrative in competitive industries. [00:29:42] The Untapped Opportunity in Podcast SEO – Many niches, like slots and gambling, lack strong podcast content, making it a great SEO play for ranking and link-building. [00:32:58] Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO) is Critical for SEO – More traffic doesn’t equal more sales. Optimizing for conversions is just as important as ranking. [00:34:38] The Hidden SEO Killer: Broken Forms & Poor UX – Jesse shares a real-life example where a company’s contact form was broken, leading to massive revenue loss. [00:36:09] Google Ads Complexity is Intentional – Ad platforms like Google Ads make it deliberately difficult to optimize efficiently, pushing businesses to spend more. [00:38:04] The Future of Affiliate Marketing & Business Intelligence – Trust is more important than ever. Authenticity and credibility are key to long-term success. [00:39:50] Affiliate Marketing vs. Big Publishers – Large media outlets like NYT & Fortune dominate rankings, but their affiliate efforts lack genuine product knowledge. [00:40:28] The Real Key to Affiliate Success: Trust & Transparency – Building trust with an audience is the best way to succeed in affiliate marketing, despite algorithmic shifts. [00:41:11] Where to Find Jesse Ringer – Jesse is active on LinkedIn and shares valuable SEO resources at MethodMetric.com.
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