The Rankable Podcast
SEO is Relative: Modern Search Intent
Featuring Lyndon Nelson-Allen
In episode 116, Lyndon Nelson-Allen stops by the show to have an in-depth discussion about search intent.
Lyndon sheds light on what SEOs often misunderstand about search intent and provides insights into how Google approaches and evaluates intent using various signals and factors.
We also chat about the reasons why Google may not always provide the “best” answer and the challenges surrounding content quality on the web.
Episode Time Stamps
[0:00] Intro
[2:30] What Do SEOs Get Wrong About Search Intent?
[3:40] How Does Google Think About Intent?
[4:43] Signals and Factors
[6:25] How Should SEOs Approach Content?
[8:27] Why Doesn’t Google Provide the Best Answer?
[10:22] SEO is Relative
[11:58] Original Content vs Replication
[13:53] SERP Volatility
[15:55] Have Results Improved?
[17:48] Are We Being Retrained by Google?
[21:25] The Issue with Content Quality on the Web
[24:20] Creativity vs Information
[26:12] How SGE Will Impact Listicles
[28:33] Will Google Get Transactions for eCommerce Right?
[30:03] Rapid Fire Rankings
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This Week's guests
Lyndon Nelson-Allen
Title: Supreme Lord Emperor
Company: Rank Star
Bio: Independent Internet Business and Marketing consultant.
Over a decade of experience handling SEO/SMM/UX/CRO.
Specializing in handling issues others have failed to, (or caused).

Top 3 of anything:
- My kids
- Coconut
- Supernatural
Rank your best SEO marketing win:
16%+ CTR on Google Ads is likely my favorite (as it’s just such a stupidly high figure).
Rank your top 3 SEO tools:
Google Search Console
Semrush
PHP & MySQL
Rank your best SEO trick or tactic:
Building out content stacks.
Rank what you love most about SEO as an industry:
Winning!
Being able to apply knowledge/skills/experience from numerous jobs.
Rank your top 1-3 marketers:
- David Ogilvy
- Shaun Anderson (HoboWeb)
- Ann Smarty
Rank your best SEO learning resource:
Forums.
Rank your top cause or charity:
Twitter: @techseowomen

Host: Garrett Sussman
Title: Demand Generation Manager
Garrett loves SEO like the 90s loves slap bracelets.
Each week he interviews the most interesting people in the world (of SEO). When he’s not crafting content, he’s scouting the perfect ice coffee, devouring the newest graphic novels, and concocting a new recipe in the kitchen.
Get insights, stories, and strategies from a range of practitioners and executives leading the charge in SEO.
Enjoy this podcast? Check out Garrett’s video show round-up of everything search engine optimization: The SEO Weekly
- Don’t Burn The Environment With Your Digital Footprint ft Chris Butterworth – Rankable Ep. 127 - December 13, 2023
- An Optimist’s View on Generative AI, Content, and SEO ft. Ryan Law – Rankable Ep. 126 - December 6, 2023
- Your Brand, Search Intent, and the Content Arms Race ft. Victor Pan – Rankable Ep. 125 - November 29, 2023