HOW TO KNOW GOOGLE SEO BETTER THAN GOOGLERS
SPECIAL EDITION #1
Every Monday at 7AM GMT, I meet with Dixon Jones to talk about SEO Myths and urban legends.
We cover one single topic, and the video lasts between 10 and 20 minutes.
On other days of the Week, I will fly solo or invite a special guest to cover a wide variety of topics with no time constraint.
Today, I have the great pleasure of chatting SEO with Kristine Schachinger, one of the most influential characters in the SEO industry and Digital Marketing. Based in Las Vegas, USA, Kristine Schachinger is an OG.
She started around the same time as me, around 2004.
She is one of the most knowledgeable SEO professionals in the world.
Especially when It’s all about breaking down Google’s algorithms, not many people can understand what’s going on better than her.
Kristine has high-level skills in Technical SEO and Digital Marketing.
Still, she also knows very well how Black Hat SEO works as well as link building.
Her powerful professional experience is reinforced by the mental drive that makes the difference between average and Rockstar level SEO: NEVER GIVE UP.
Besides being the Queen of Google Algorithmic Penalty Recovery, she is also one of the most prolific authors in the SEO community.
Over the years, she published in every significant SEO publication and spoke at every major SEO event.
In this video, we cover many topics, ranging from Google Penalty Recovery to the May 2020 Core Update and what the industry is up to nowadays.
There is a lot to learn if you know you to listen. Kristine is a pure No BS SEO, and she has the track record to prove it.
Do you want to get a glimpse of what it takes to be one of the best in the SEO industry?
Get inspired by how Kristine Schachinger achieved to produce results for clients and put her mark in the history of Search Engine Optimization and Digital Marketing.
Watch the video:
Who Is Kristine Schachinger?
Kristine’s SEO journey started in the early 2000s, but her background in web design and development dates back to 1998. Combining her technical expertise with a creative mindset, she’s built a career as one of the most respected SEOs in the industry. Her ability to analyze, troubleshoot, and recover websites has earned her a reputation as the “SEO of last resort.”
Kristine explains, “My responsibility is to my clients, not Google. That means being honest about what works, even when Google’s guidance is unclear or contradictory.”
SEO Myths and Urban Legends
The LSI Keyword Myth
Kristine debunks one of the most persistent myths in SEO: Latent Semantic Indexing (LSI). While LSI was once a valid academic concept, it’s not used by Google in search rankings.
“People cling to this myth because Google acquired a company specializing in LSA (Latent Semantic Analysis). What they miss is that this technology was applied to Google AdSense, not organic search,” Kristine explains.
Core Updates and Content Accuracy
Many SEOs claim that Google’s core updates evaluate content accuracy or author credentials. Kristine refutes this, noting that such processes are neither scalable nor practical for a search engine of Google’s size.
“Google’s core updates are about aligning ranking factors to provide better query matches—not fact-checking every piece of content on the web.”
The Realities of Technical SEO
Technical SEO remains a cornerstone of Kristine’s approach. She emphasizes that if a site isn’t crawlable or indexable, even the best content won’t perform.
Key lessons from Kristine:
- Page Speed Matters: “I’ve seen sites gain 200,000 daily visits just by improving page load times. It’s not just about user experience; it’s about making your site easier for Google to crawl.”
- Rendering Challenges: Google’s decision to render pages as a browser is costly but necessary. “They’re not just looking at raw HTML; they need to see the layout, interactivity, and hidden elements like JavaScript.”
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: From redirect loops to XSS vulnerabilities, technical issues can silently sabotage your rankings.
Google’s Machine Learning: Friend or Foe?
Google’s reliance on machine learning and AI has revolutionized search but not without drawbacks. Kristine observes:
- Loss of Finesse: “Search results aren’t as nuanced as they were. Machine learning often misses the subtlety in user intent, leading to irrelevant results.”
- The Danger of Overgeneralization: “Google’s obsession with predictive AI sacrifices accuracy. Users end up refining searches repeatedly just to find what they need.”
A Love-Hate Relationship with Google
Kristine doesn’t shy away from critiquing Google’s impact on businesses, especially small ones. Updates that cause traffic drops of 70% or more can be devastating.
“Google often seems tone-deaf to the real-world consequences of its changes. For small businesses already struggling, these updates can be the final blow.”
However, Kristine also acknowledges Google’s role in shaping her career: “This industry has given me freedom, opportunities, and a global network. I’m grateful, but that doesn’t mean I’ll stop holding Google accountable.”
The Future of SEO
Where is SEO headed?
- Machine Learning Will Evolve: Kristine predicts Google will eventually refine its algorithms to better balance nuance and scale.
- Bing’s Resurgence: With its proactive engagement with SEOs, Bing could become a stronger player.
- SEO’s Staying Power: Despite constant predictions of its demise, SEO remains the most cost-effective way to capture high-intent traffic.
Never Give Up
Kristine’s parting advice for aspiring SEOs: Never give up.
Stay tuned for more insightful conversations on SEOconspiracy.com!