AI is reshaping how content gets discovered, and many publishers are watching their traffic disappear. But here's what most don't realize: Google Discover now accounts for 65% of publisher traffic with CTRs 4x higher than traditional search.

John Shehata, founder of NewzDash and former global audience growth leader at Condé Nast (60+ brands), reveals the survival strategies publishers need right now. From query fan-out optimization to AI summarization buttons that actually increase engagement, John breaks down what's working in this new landscape.

Sites blaming AI for traffic decline often had deeper content and branding issues long before AI arrived. Smart publishers are pivoting to owned audience channels and passage-based optimization.

Listen to episode 517 of Marketing Speak to discover the frameworks that help content creators thrive as AI reshapes discovery and consumption.

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/517.

🚀 Most authors waste thousands chasing vanity metrics like Amazon “Best Seller” tags. In this Marketing Speak episode, Alex Strathdee takes a different approach—helping authors get their books into the right hands to generate leads, build authority, and drive real business growth.

With 1,000+ nonfiction books marketed, Alex shares why giving away free copies can sometimes be your smartest move—and how to use Amazon & Meta ads strategically to scale.

🎧 Listen now to learn how to turn your book into a lead-gen engine!

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/516.

💡 "Don't try to be like Apple unless you have Apple's brand authority" - Greg Merrilees

This insight from Episode 515 explains why so many premium service websites fail to convert.

Greg Merrilees, founder of Studio1 Design, just walked us through a case study that every business owner needs to hear. We transformed Quintessa (a high-end cosmetic surgery center) from a sparse, "clean" website into a conversion powerhouse.

Key breakthrough: When you have a high-ticket service, your brand MUST match that price point. Clean minimalism often reads as cheap or untrustworthy.

The strategic redesign included:

✅ Real team photos (not stock imagery)

✅ Social proof above the fold

✅ Strategic content organization

✅ Conversion-optimized user journeys

Result: Traffic doubled, keyword rankings soared, and lead quality improved dramatically.

Ready to stop leaving money on the table with an under-performing website?

🎧 Listen to the full teardown on Marketing Speak!

The show notes, including the transcript and checklist to this episode, are at marketingspeak.com/515.