Interview With Also Asked Founder: Mark Williams-Cook

Guest Introduction

• Mark Williams-Cook: Director of Kanda (formerly Candour SEO agency)
• Creator of Also Asked, a search intent research tool
• Publisher of Core Updates Newsletter
• Host of SEO Patent Podcast
• 20+ years of SEO experience

Key Topics Covered

Current Google Search "Meta"

• Google's algorithm favors brand-like signals over traditional relevance
• Example: The Vatican website ranking for CBD gummies after being hacked
• Mark describes this as "a bandaid for the shortfalls that have been magnified in Google's algorithm because of Gen.ai"

Content Creation Strategy

• Video-first approach: "Start at video and work backwards" using transcription tools
• Particularly effective for client information: "If you are having to get information, especially from clients, sometimes trying to get clients to write an article is like getting blood out of a stone"
• Allows natural expertise to flow: "They will happily talk your ear off"
• Tools turn video into written content without "regurgitating stuff"

User Knowledge Levels

• Google has patents for understanding user expertise through search patterns
• Demonstrated in People Also Ask (PAA) results showing different questions based on perceived knowledge
• Example: Car dealership knowledge levels
  • Novice: "Red car under $20k near me"
  • Intermediate: "2024 Honda Civic MPG vs Toyota Corolla"
  • Expert: "Civic Type R torque curve comparison"

Google Query Classification

• Google classifies queries into distinct semantic categories
• These classifications determine which SERP features appear
• Additional classifiers like "local intent" and "explicit local intent" work alongside these categories
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