If your traffic fell off a cliff after recent Google updates and AI answers, you’re not alone—especially if you’re a recipe, YMYL (Your Money or Your Life), or niche blogger who used to win with long posts and ads. But SEO isn’t dead—it’s evolved.

In my latest Blogger Genius Podcast episode, I'm talk to SEO strategist, Steven Schneider, who breaks down exactly how creators can still win in 2025: build visible authority, earn strategic backlinks, improve UX, and shift revenue toward newsletters and products.

Show Notes:

• MiloTree Free Plan
• Steven Schneider
• 6 Purchasing Triggers Test
• Join The Blogger Genius Newsletter
• Become a Blogger Genius Facebook Group

Subscribe to the Blogger Genius Podcast:

• iTunes
• YouTube
• Spotify

The Problem Creators Are Facing in 2025

• AI is answering queries and compressing clicks—brutal for “quick-answer” niches like recipes.
• Google is rewarding authority (E-E-A-T) and punishing thin UX (endless scroll, intrusive ads, fluff).
• Old playbooks (publish more posts, stuff in keywords, hope for ad RPM) don’t move the needle.

Solution in a sentence: Treat search like a brand + authority channel, not a traffic lottery. Build proof of expertise on every page, earn real mentions/links, and turn all attention into owned audiences and product revenue.

---

What’s Working Now (According to Steven)

1) Authority > everything

Add clear E-E-A-T signals on every post and key page (not just your About page):

• Real author byline + headshot
• 2–3 credential links (culinary school, certifications, LinkedIn)
• Awards/press mentions (linked)
• Concise author bio block on each post
  This helps Google and readers trust that a human expert wrote it.

2) Backlinks with intent (no spray-and-pray)

• Guest on podcasts (links in show notes = high-quality, relevant).
• Offer expert quotes to other bloggers/journalists; pitch quick 2–3 sentence tips they can drop in with a link.
• Vary anchor text (brand, URL, topical phrases) and use reciprocal links sparingly.
• Paying for “time” vs “links” is a gray area—be selective and ethical.

3) UX that respects the reader

• Stop the 4,000-word detours; give the answer fast and add optional depth.
• Keep one H1 per page, logical H2/H3s, strong internal linking, and basic schema hygiene.
• Recipes/how-to: lead with the steps; put the story below.

4) BOFU content (not just top-of-funnel)

Steven’s agency prioritizes bottom-of-funnel, high-intent topics that convert to leads or sales—because SEO must tie to revenue.

5) Newsletter > ad RPM

Clicks are down, but email still converts. Build a free newsletter, nurture weekly, and sell your own offers (ebooks, mini-courses, templates, memberships).

---

7-Step Action Plan (Do this in the next 14 days)

1. Add E-E-A-T blocks site-wide
   Byline, headshot, 2–3 credential links, “Reviewed by” where relevant.
2. Fix on-page structure
   One H1, clean headings, scannable sections, strong internal links among related posts.
3. Create one “wow” asset (lead magnet or calculator)
   Examples:
   • Gluten-free flour swap chart (instant, high-value)
   • Meal-prep planner (fillable PDF)
   • ROI/Cost calculator (tools get links + emails)
4. Pitch 10 podcasts in your niche
   Offer 3 topic angles, a short bio, and a value-packed outline; request a site link in show notes.
5. Run a “quote outreach” sprint
   Identify 25 relevant posts; email the author a ready-to-paste 2–3 sentence expert tip + your preferred link target (vary anchors).
6. Publish 3 BOFU posts
   Bottom-of-funnel queries aligned to your product (e.g., “Meal-prep templates,” “Gluten-free baking guide PDF,” “One-hour blogging audit”).
7. Launch or revive your newsletter
   Weekly format: 1 tip, 1 tool, 1 template. Soft-pitch your product/freebie in each send.

---

Make This Easy (and Free) with MiloTree

With the MiloTree Free Plan, you can:

• Sell one digital product (ebook, template, workshop replay)
• Offer a freebie/lead magnet with automatic delivery
• Add a social pop-up to grow followers while you sleep
• Spin up AI-generated pages (sales + opt-in) in minutes

👉 Start free: set up your product or freebie and start collecting subscribers + sales today. (No tech headaches, no credit card required.)

<