Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi

Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark?
In today’s episode, SEO expert Louis Smith joins Chris and Nick to discuss the future of SEO for DTC brands, the importance of combining brand-building with SEO, and how AI and digital PR are reshaping SEO strategies. Louis highlights Google’s e-commerce focus, the essential role of product and collection pages in DTC success, and the surprising growth that can come from leveraging PR and smart keyword segmentation.
Key Talking Points:
Evolving SEO for DTC Brands: Google’s changes make SEO for e-commerce more competitive and demand smarter, intent-focused strategies.
Impact of AI on SEO: Louis explains how AI helps analyze reviews, optimize content, and improve internal processes, providing insights that drive effective customer interactions and engagement.
Digital PR vs. Traditional Link-Building: Louis shares why investing in high-quality PR links is more valuable than relying on bulk guest posts, providing more authority and lasting SEO impact.
Importance of Customer Journey: Successful brands target specific keywords and optimize user experience by building out segmented collection pages, product attributes, and customized journeys.
Using AI for Product Page Optimization: AI can help DTC brands deliver realistic images and product descriptions across various customer demographics, enhancing the customer experience.
Link-Building Tips: A balanced approach to link-building with PR, niche edits, and relevant guest posts drives SEO, but PR is critical to building brand authority and visibility.
Challenges and Strategies in Digital PR: Educating clients on the value of PR, obtaining high-authority features, and establishing lasting credibility can elevate a brand’s presence.
About Our GuestLouis Smith is a seasoned SEO specialist who has helped DTC brands drive over $80 million in revenue. With a decade of SEO experience, Louis is passionate about advancing SEO practices and scaling e-commerce brands by prioritizing user experience, AI integration, and digital PR to build lasting brand credibility.
👉️ Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈
Set up a call with us now: ☎️ calendly.com/linkifi/pr.
👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, where we explore the intersection of branding and SEO. In this episode, hosts Chris Panteli and Nick Biggs sit down with David Hunter, CEO of Local Falcon, to dive deep into local SEO strategies. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to leveraging reviews and backlinks, this episode is packed with actionable insights for small businesses looking to dominate their local market.
David shares his journey, from struggling as a financial advisor to building a thriving digital marketing agency and acquiring Local Falcon, a powerful local SEO tool. Together, they explore best practices for getting your business noticed on Google and maintaining high local rankings. Topics like the importance of reviews, content creation, and how to use AI for personalized SEO advice are just the beginning.
Key Takeaways:
David's Journey: From Merrill Lynch to founding Local Falcon and Epic Web Studios.
Local SEO Evolution: How Google has shifted focus to local intent and Google Business Profiles.
Optimizing Your Profile: Why choosing the right category and maintaining consistency is critical.
Importance of Reviews: Strategies for getting 5-star reviews and responding to negative feedback.
Competitor Insights: How analyzing competitors' reviews can reveal opportunities for improvement.
The Role of Backlinks: Building local backlinks to strengthen authority and rankings.
Service Area Businesses: Challenges faced by SABs and how to compete without a physical location.
Falcon AI and Future of Local SEO: Using AI to provide tailored SEO insights and strategies.
🎙️ Local SEO is not a "set it and forget it" strategy. Learn how to stay ahead of the competition with ongoing content, proper category selection, and smart use of reviews.
👉️ Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈
Set up a call with us now: ☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.
👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder, Nick Biggs.
Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark?
We’re thrilled to welcome Hazem Khattab, SEO Manager at Fantastic Services, a home services franchise company. With 15 years of digital marketing experience, Hazem shares key insights into SEO strategies that fuel Fantastic Services' growth. Together, we explore the intricacies of local SEO, content strategies, and link-building techniques that help service-based businesses dominate in competitive markets. Hazem also discusses the critical role of speed in customer conversion and the growing influence of AI on search results.
Key topics covered in this episode:
Hazem Khattab's journey from sales to SEO management
Fantastic Services’ business model and franchise network growth
Creating over 13,000 pages and 2,000 blog posts to support local SEO
Strategies for ranking local home services pages
The importance of personalized and location-specific content for local SEO
How AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini are influencing search results
The role of backlinks and the concept of "link fatigue"
Using SEO and paid ads in tandem to optimize cost and rankings
Building trust with reviews and managing customer satisfaction
The increasing importance of speed across the customer journey
The changing dynamics of buyer intent in digital marketing
Hazem also highlights Fantastic Services' foray into private tutoring and the success they've seen by adapting their local SEO expertise to this new niche.
Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi? 🔥📈
Set up a call with us now:
☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.
👉️ Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
👉️ Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I'm Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, joined by my co-host and Co-Founder, Nick Biggs.
In today's episode, we welcome Brandon Leibowitz, Founder of SEO Optimizers and a digital marketing expert with over 15 years of experience. Specializing in helping real estate businesses boost their online visibility, Brandon shares expert strategies to help real estate professionals leverage SEO for lead generation in a competitive marketplace. We discuss local map listings, content creation, and the evolving role of AI in digital marketing.
Key Takeaways:
SEO for Real Estate Agents: Target niche keywords and specific communities to bypass big competitors like Zillow. Focus on low-competition terms with high buyer intent.
Local Map Listings Optimization: Complete your Google Business Profile fully, and ensure consistency across various map platforms. Getting reviews and embedding the map on your site also helps build trust.
Keyword Strategy and Content Planning: Target long-tail keywords related to specific amenities or communities. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner to find search volume and avoid overly competitive terms.
Importance of Backlinks: Backlinks remain essential for ranking. Focus on high-quality, niche-relevant backlinks to boost credibility. Consider guest posts, podcasts, and digital PR outreach.
Utilizing AI for Content: AI tools can speed up content creation, but they require careful editing to avoid inaccuracies. The right balance between AI and human input can be key for scaling content production.
Future of Real Estate SEO: AI search platforms are emerging, but traditional SEO techniques still have strong potential. AI may affect informational content, but transactional queries will likely continue to rely on search engines like Google.
Connect with Brandon: Visit SEOOptimizers.com/gift for a special resource and free SEO training content.
Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?
Set up a call with us now:
https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn
Connect with Nick on LinkedIn

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Galinos, Head Of SEO and SEO Product Manager at Hoppa, a major travel aggregator. Alex shares his insights on building a scalable SEO strategy for a global business, focusing on high-ROI activities. He explains his combined approach to link-building through guest posting and digital PR, and how he integrates data from PPC campaigns to enhance his SEO efforts. Alex also touches on the challenges of attribution in SEO, how to prioritise pages for link-building, and the impact of Google updates on rankings.Here are some key talking points from the episode:Alex’s approach to building a balanced link profile through guest posting and digital PRHow he tracks SEO performance through custom Looker Studio reportsUsing PPC data to inform SEO strategy and prioritise high-value pagesInsights into managing link velocity and competition analysis in the travel nicheThe challenges of attribution and how organic search performs in comparison to other channelsThe future of SEO in the travel industry amid the rise of rich snippets and AI-driven search featuresAlex describes himself in his own words like this. “I empower companies to drive qualified traffic to their website, generate leads and increase revenue through SEO and Content Marketing. I approach SEO from a business perspective and in a data-driven, testing-oriented mindset, contributing a commercial understanding and prioritising actions bringing the highest organic revenue impact in the shortest amount of time.” 👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? It’s a pleasure to welcome Matthew Martin, SEO manager at Represent, a luxury British fashion retailer. Matthew shares how his targeted SEO strategies, including branded search, digital PR, and A/B testing, drove significant organic growth for Represents. He emphasises the power of building relationships with the press and nurturing a community of passionate customers. Matthew also discusses his approach to keyword research, collaboration with product teams, and the evolving role of AI in SEO. The conversation concludes with insights into his work with the Cadence brand and future growth plans.Here are some key talking points from the episode:Matthew's approach to driving organic growth at RepresentsThe power of branded searchThe role of physical presence and events in building the brand's visibilityMatthew's collaboration with the product team for keyword researchThe impact of A/B testing on product pagesCollaboration with other departmentsThe proportion of sales attributed to SEOMatthew describes himself in his own words: “I get the best brands in the world the converting organic traffic they deserve. I am building the blueprint for the best SEO strategy in fashion for my favourite brand in the world, Represent. I am applying what I have learned and refining my strategy for multiple side projects. I am a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black Belt in SEO. Ex-SEO for Myprotein UK, Ireland, India, Netherlands, Poland, Belgium, Greece, Cyprus, MP Activewear & MyPro.”👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? It’s a pleasure to welcome Nathan Gotch, CEO of Rankability and Founder and Head SEO Coach at Gotch SEO Academy. Join us as we discuss recent Google updates and the future of search engines and SEO. They cover topics such as the importance of relevant keywords, the integration of AI into SEO, content scaling, Google's core update, and the viability of traditional affiliate sites. We also delve into link-building strategies, local link-building, user signals, and the potential impact of AI on search. This insightful conversation provides valuable insights into the current state of SEO and the importance of quality content and link authority.Here are some key talking points from the episode:Introduction to Nathan Gotch's SEO journeyImpact of recent Google updates on SEOIntegration of AI into SEO processesContent scaling and qualityGoogle's core update and its impact on website rankingViability of traditional affiliate sitesImportance of links in boosting website rankingsLink-building strategies for different types of businessesNathan Gotch is the CEO of Rankability and the founder of GotchSEO.com. He is a leading voice and influential figure in the SEO industry. Starting with failed ventures in 2011, Nathan pivoted to SEO in 2012, creating TheUltimatePitcher.com and discovering the power of organic traffic. His journey led him to build GotchSEO into a leading SEO training platform, culminating in the launch of Gotch SEO Academy, now renowned for its excellence. Nathan’s achievements include generating six-figure revenues, reaching over 3 million YouTube views, and authoring the book The SEO Entrepreneur. In 2024, he expanded his influence by launching Rankability, a groundbreaking SaaS company. With a legacy of innovation and success, Nathan continues to shape the future of SEO and digital marketing.👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? It’s a pleasure to welcome Peter Shankman, Founder of Source of Sources and Advisor at Levl. Join us as we discuss Peter's entrepreneurial journey and his expertise in marketing, customer experience, and neurodiversity. Learn about the evolution of Haro into Connective and the exciting changes in the new platform. Get insider tips on maximising your chances of getting coverage and explore the plans for Connective. Don't miss out on this insightful conversation with an industry expert!Here are some key talking points from the episode:Introduction to Peter Shankman's background and the creation of HaroGrowth and acquisition of Haro by VocusChanges in the new platform, ConnectiveChallenges of building a two-sided marketplace and attracting sources to HaroFuture plans for ConnectiveTips to maximise chances of getting coverage and verificationConclusion and invitation to sign up for ConnectiveThe New York Times has called Peter Shankman "a rockstar who knows everything about social media and then some." He is a six-time best-selling author, entrepreneur, and corporate keynote speaker who focuses on customer service, the new and emerging customer, and the neurodiverse economy. He is recognised worldwide for his radically new ways of thinking about the customer experience, social media, PR, marketing, advertising, and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).In addition to his passion for helping people and companies find success, some of Peter's highlights also include:• Founder of HARO - Help A Reporter Out, which became the standard for thousands of journalists looking for sources before being acquired three years after launch• Faster than Normal - The Internet's #1 podcast on ADHD, focusing on the superpowers and gifts of having a "faster than normal brain”• The ShankMinds Breakthrough Network, which is an elite online mastermind of thought leaders, business experts, and change-makersFinally, Peter is a father, a two-time Ironman triathlete, a class B licensed skydiver, and an avid Peloton rider. He's based in NYC with his ten-year-old daughter and three-year-old dog, both of whom refuse to let him use the couch.👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? It’s a pleasure to welcome Aman Chopra, Digital Marketing Manager and Lead SEO at Stallion Express, Canada’s leading eCommerce shipping service. Join us as we discuss Aman's background, Stallion Express's growth, its SEO strategies, content creation, link building, the use of AI, and future plans for the company. This podcast is a must-listen if you're interested in learning about effective SEO techniques and the shipping industry.Here are some key talking points from the episode:Aman's Journey in MarketingLanding the Job at Stallion ExpressFocusing on SEO PillarsA Shift from PPC to SEOCrafting a Successful Content StrategyTips for a High-Value Link-Building StrategyUse of AI in MarketingSEO Strategies on the HorizonAdvice for Starting an SEO CareerAman is an experienced digital marketing professional with nearly a decade of experience in the industry, specializing in SEO and paid media. Currently serving as the Digital Marketing Manager—lead SEO at Stallion Express, Aman has successfully scaled multiple brands to seven figures and achieved SERP page 1 ranking for key terms within three months. He shares actionable tips and insights from his marketing experiments, focusing on organic growth and paid media strategies, aiming to help businesses thrive with transparent, no-fluff advice.👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so

Welcome to the Market Movers: Building Brands and Links with Linkifi podcast, your go-to spot for transforming your business into an unforgettable brand. Dive into the world where branding meets SEO and link-building, and unlock the secrets to becoming more visible, credible, and irresistible to your audience. I am Chris Panteli, Co-Founder and CEO at Linkifi, and I am joined by my co-host and Co-Founder and CEO, Nick Biggs.Ready to rise above the noise and make your mark? It’s a pleasure to welcome Vasilisa Marinova-Kaseva, SEO Manager at Merkle Bulgaria. Merkle provides global retailers with a single source of expertise, technology, and operational support. At Merkle, Vasilisa works with clients across various verticals to help companies scale their brand awareness through SEO.Vasilisa shares insights on using SEO to enhance brand awareness, emphasising the importance of keyword strategy, valuable content, and quality backlinks. She discusses metrics for measuring success, creating user-centric content, and the role of link-building in increasing visibility. She explains why enhancing user satisfaction remains a key strategy to drive SEO success.Here are some key talking points from the episode:Importance of brand awareness and its relation to SEOAssessing a brand's position and competitors for crafting effective SEO strategiesMetrics to measure the success of a brand-first SEO approachKeyword strategy and creating a keyword mapTelling the brand story through an SEO content strategyIntegrating the brand message into contentLink building and its role in increasing brand awarenessThe future of search and the importance of high-value contentVasilisa Marinova-Kaseva is an experienced SEO manager with over 13 years in the industry. She began her career as a seasonal worker, quickly developing a passion for SEO's dynamic and ever-changing nature. Vasilisa has worked with both agencies and in-house teams, specialising in building SEO strategies that enhance brand awareness. At Merkle, she collaborates with international clients, focusing on organic growth, brand recognition, and staying ahead of industry trends.👉 Linkifi secures high-authority backlinks and media coverage through digital PR, pitching journalists to earn links in reputable Tier-1 publications. Want to boost your brand visibility and domain authority, increasing search rankings and traffic with Linkifi?🔥📈Set up a call with us now:☎️ https://calendly.com/linkifi/pr.Market Movers: Building Brands & Links with Linkifi Podcast is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so