Interviews, podcasts, media coverage, and conversations about SEO, Google, and AI search.
I’m Cyrus Shepard, founder of Zyppy, former SEO lead at Moz, and an SEO and AI consultant.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to share research, experiments, and perscpectives with some of the leading voices in search marketing.
Here are selected interviews and podcast appearances, and media mentions.
Featured Interviews & Conversations
2026
SEO Confidential: Clicks Still Count!
Roberto Serra | September 2026
An interview about the changing search landscape, AI-generated content, why original information matters, and how brands can continue attracting traffic from Google.
Brand Signals, Disavow Tests, and De-Optimizing Sites
The Unscripted SEO Interview Podcast — Jeremy Rivera | September 15, 2026
Exploring backlink experiments, branded anchor text, Google’s Helpful Content Update, and why removing some traditional SEO optimization can sometimes improve a website.
What Local Brand Actually Means to Google and AI
The Near Memo — Greg Sterling & Mike Blumenthal | July 2026
How Google and AI systems understand brands and entities, the importance of branded search, and practical strategies for strengthening local business visibility.
Traffic Recovery Is Often a Business Problem
Adsy Talks — Anthony Fedosenko | June 2026
A discussion of organic traffic recovery, Google updates, changing user behavior, and why successful SEO increasingly requires thinking beyond rankings.
400 Sites, 5 Features: What Google Actually Rewards in 2026
The High Stakes Growth Show — Odys | June 2026
Exploring findings from an analysis of more than 400 websites, including the differences between sites gaining and losing Google traffic, the importance of proprietary information, and why traditional SEO tactics can sometimes backfire.
2025
Decoding Google’s Updates: What Truly Drives Visibility Today
The Search Session — Gianluca Fiorelli / Advanced Web Ranking | December 2025
A wide-ranging conversation about Google’s algorithm updates, brand authority, SEO experimentation, authentic content, and the challenges of measuring AI search visibility.
What Has Changed in SEO? Whiteboard Friday Revisited
Moz — with Jo Cameron | June 2025
Revisiting earlier SEO advice to examine what’s changed, what still works, and why earning organic traffic remains important in an AI-driven search environment.
Cyrus Shepard Disavowed His Entire Site: Here’s What Happened
Siege Media — Content and Conversation | February 2025
Discussing the results of an experiment disavowing an entire backlink profile, the limitations of common SEO assumptions, and the growing importance of brand signals and real-world experience.
Brand Signals, Disavow Tests, and De-Optimizing Sites
The Unscripted SEO Interview Podcast — Jeremy Rivera | January 2025
Exploring backlink experiments, branded anchor text, Google’s Helpful Content Update, and why removing some traditional SEO optimization can sometimes improve a website.
2024 and Earlier
What Really Matters for SEO in 2024
How to Sell More | January 2024
A discussion about my experience working as a Google Search Quality Rater, how page quality is evaluated, and what Google’s quality guidelines can teach SEO professionals.
The Recipe for SEO Success — Kate Toon | 2023
Predictions and practical observations about emerging search trends, Google updates, and the changing SEO landscape.
SEO From the Eyes of a Google Quality Rater
The Unscripted SEO Podcast | December 2023
A conversation about my experience as a Google Search Quality Rater, the Quality Rater Guidelines, E-E-A-T, user satisfaction, and what these concepts mean for SEO.
Listen to the original podcast episode
Moz’s Top SEO — Cyrus Shepard Spills His Best SEO Tips and Experiments
SEO Podcast by Olga Zarr | September 2023
An interview about my SEO career, lessons from Moz, experiments, and techniques for evaluating what actually works in organic search.
The Top 10 SEO Changes in 2022
The Recipe for SEO Success — Kate Toon | November 2022
Reviewing Google’s most consequential changes of the year, including the Helpful Content Update, indexing, search appearance, and technical SEO developments.
Inbound After Hours — Avidly
A conversation about my career at Moz, advice for aspiring SEO professionals, and emerging opportunities in search marketing.
Yours in Marketing: Cyrus Shepard
Directive Consulting | 2019
Discussing SEO, entrepreneurship, the transition from agency and in-house work to independent consulting, and building a business around search.
In the News: Research & Media Coverage
Selected coverage of my research and work at Zyppy in independent search industry publications.
Google’s Top Ranking Factors, According to 131 SEO Professionals
Search Engine Land — Danny Goodwin | September 2026
Coverage of Zyppy’s Google Ranking Factors Expert Survey, featuring 131 SEO professionals and their assessments of 103 potential ranking factors.
Google Changed 76% of Title Tags in Q1 2025 — Here’s What That Means
Search Engine Land — John McAlpin | May 2025
An independent study of Google’s title rewrites that references my earlier research into how Google changes HTML title tags in search results.
Cyrus Shepard — Search Engine Land Coverage Archive
Search Engine Land
An ongoing collection of articles and industry coverage referencing my research, commentary, and work in search.
Speaking & Conferences
I’ve spoken at SEO and digital marketing conferences internationally, including MozCon, SearchLove, Marketing Festival, and Sydney SEO Conference.
My presentations focus on SEO research, Google’s ranking systems, search experiments, and the evolving relationship between traditional search and AI.
View my speaking experience and booking information
More About Cyrus Shepard
I founded Zyppy to help businesses grow through practical, evidence-backed SEO and AI search strategies. My work focuses on search experiments, ranking factors, content quality, brand authority, and understanding how search engines evaluate and recommend information.
You can find more of my original research and analysis through Zyppy and my newsletter, Zyppy Signal.
For speaking invitations, podcast interviews, media commentary, or consulting inquiries, please get in touch.