AI SEO: Meet Apple iPadOS 26 Local Capture and Etheo.co; AI Visibility Tool with SEO Expert, Favour Obasi-ike

🤔 AI SEO: Local Capture, Etheo.co, and Podcast Strategy with SEO Expert, Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS

In this episode, ⁠Favour Obasi-ike, MBA, MS⁠ discusses SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and its evolving landscape, particularly in the realm of AI (Artificial Intelligence) and voice search with a new tool!

I introduce a "trio" of concepts: Local Capture, Etheo (GEO - Generative Engine Optimization), and Podcast SEO. 

Local Capture is presented as a new feature within iPadOS 26 enabling high-quality local recording, suggesting its potential for podcast creation as an alternative to professional studio tools. 

Etheo is introduced as an AI visibility tool that tracks how a brand is mentioned by AI language models like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, emphasizing the importance of a strong web presence to rank on these new platforms.

The discussion also highlights how podcast optimization through strategic use of keywords and a connected website is crucial for discoverability in the modern voice SEO environment.

1. What is Local Capture and how does it relate to podcasting?

Local Capture is a new feature introduced with iPadOS 26, exclusively available on iPads. It allows users to record high-quality audio and video directly on their device, effectively turning their iPad into a portable recording studio for podcasts. Unlike more established professional platforms like Riverside, Local Capture is an in-built feature, making it highly convenient for users to produce content on the go, akin to using a phone for voice memos or notes.

While it doesn't currently offer features like transcription or extensive editing tools (like Riverside), it focuses on providing a direct and high-quality local recording solution for content creators, particularly podcasters, to easily capture raw material.

2. How does the new iOS 26 enhance the user experience, beyond Local Capture?

The new iOS 26 introduces several significant changes and enhancements to the Apple user experience. One notable aesthetic change is a "3D kind of glass effect styleesque" across the phone interface, making elements like call buttons appear with a transparent, multifaceted look.

Functionally, AI integration allows for new features such as caller identification that prompts the caller to state their identity before you pick up, and a cleaner message list that filters out transactional or telemarketing calls into a separate junk folder.

For Apple Podcast users specifically, iOS 26 brings voice enhancement for clearer listening, increased playback speeds up to 3x (from 2x), and a redesigned "Browse" section, now called "New," which offers a more visually appealing and intuitive way to discover new and popular podcasts.

3. Why is having a website crucial for podcasts in the era of voice SEO and AI?

The website acts as a "fortress," providing a dedicated domain where listeners can find more information and where potential traffic from podcast directories can be directed. Without a website, a podcast is unlikely to show up on AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini.