The Interview Style Blog Year-End Roundup: 32 Voices on SEO, Travel, Film, and Life Beyond the Ordinary
Introduction: This comprehensive roundup captures 32 unique voices from the SEO Hobby Expert interview series, offering a rare glimpse into the diverse world of search marketing, creativity, and digital storytelling.
From Hollywood filmmakers to data-driven SEO consultants, from Bangkok expats to Silicon Valley insiders, each guest brings a distinctive perspective that challenges conventional wisdom.
Throughout these conversations, recurring themes emerge: the importance of authenticity, the shift from clicks to trust, and the power of niche expertise in an increasingly crowded digital landscape.
Whether you're a seasoned SEO professional or just starting your journey, these insights will help you navigate the evolving world of search with greater confidence and clarity.
Begin your exploration with our SEO Hobby Expert Framework to understand the core principles that guide these conversations.
Host: SEO Hobby Expert
It has been a great season with many talks. I met SEO fans who practice their skills in city apartments and people who travel from place to place, living and working in different countries. I also spoke with folks from Silicon Valley and even some stars from Hollywood. I had talks with some of the most interesting people in the SEO and creator space. Here is a look at each guest, sharing what they said in their own words.
๐ง The SEO Consultant — Trust Is the New SEO (Jul 2026)
The SEO Consultant has spent the last year looking at huge groups of data to see how people really use AI search. What he found changes how we think about all of this. He said, "I see AI search as a big puzzle with 10,000 pieces." Some pieces of the puzzle change every week or every month. There is still a lot we do not understand.
His work showed three tough facts. First, people do not click on links from AI answers anymore. Next, trust is now the one thing that matters most for ranking. Last, every AI model is different and acts its own way. He said, "The ZERO ZERO ZERO click world is real." A Pew study, and others he did, say the same thing. People just do not click links for sources anymore.
But the most surprising thing? Ghost citations. "When an LLM gets a question, it goes through your page, looks at what you have, and then decides if it should mention you or not. Only about 13% of brands get both a citation and a mention in the AI answer." The consultant's advice for making it in an AI-first world is clear and tough: "Marketing, as we knew it, is gone. You have to earn trust before you really need it. Trust is something that grows over time." It shows how to get ready for a world where the algorithm reflects what people really feel about your brand.
๐ฌ The Filmmaker Who Just Wants Movies to Look Like Movies (Jul 2026)
Guest: A Hollywood actor and filmmaker. He has been called a legend, working with some of the best people behind the camera, like Andrew Kaminsky, Robert Elswit, Claudio Miranda, and Emmanuel "Chivo" Lubezki. He began his career in the 1980s. He has reached the top of both film and digital cinema.
When he sat down with me, the first thing he said almost made me fall out of my chair. He said, "When I was a kid, I set a goal for myself. I wanted to sit and talk about making movies with SEO Hobby Expert one day." That is what people call manifestation, right? "No, not just maybe — it is. That is what it is."
On working with Chivo and Alejandro Iรฑรกrritu:
They have known each other since they were young. They worked on ads together. They built a way to speak about work that is just theirs. We look at things and can see what Alejandro likes, what Chivo likes, and how the design stands out. I keep looking at how things look in the movie. I am always learning from it. I feel like part of the group, so I can tell what is going on.
On teaching actors about lenses:
"I remember on Top Gun, I sat with all the actors. I said, 'Look, you have to understand these lenses. You need to know what is needed in how the film feels when it is put together. It's very important that everyone gets on board with what we are trying to do.'" He also got to hold one of the Voitlanders that Claudio Miranda used for Top Gun: Maverick.
On Vista Vision vs. 65mm — and why it doesn't change performance:
I was there when film was at its top point, and then I worked with Michael Mann on Collateral — that was when digital really started. I saw one way of making movies get replaced while a new way grew. With Edge of Tomorrow, we even opened new film labs. Now, we are looking at old camera lenses and seeing how to bring different feel to the shots. In the end, it does not change how actors perform. Digital can be very useful — you can take long shots, get good focus and feel in night scenes. But I miss the big arc lights we used in the 80s. I miss that special kind of light.
On the "not too clean" way of thinking:
"Digital glass can be chips-clear, but it depends on the feel you want. A lot of folks say, 'Let's film now and put the grain in later.' I told the studios on Collateral: 'This will not help you keep cash.' It is not easy. You must have the right skills. We tried out 65 and we tried Vista Vision, and then they made new lenses for the film to go with Vista Vision. You have not seen Vista Vision show like this before."
On the magic of film — surprises and organic feel:
When we shot on film, all the main people would go to watch the rushes together. We sat with each other. We had a thought about what we would see, but there were always things that were not expected. Film gives a feel that is real and natural. Those are the things I enjoy. I just want movies to feel like movies. You have to work harder now to get that feel. A movie used to feel like a movie by itself. Now there needs to be real skill to do that. It matters how you use lights. Also, how hair and the style of faces must change because there is less light.
On looking at your tools — old glass, handmade lenses, and feel:
"I began in the 80s, and at that time, Steadicam was new. A few years before, Hal Ashby had just used it. Garrett Brown was there on set with us. Now, I use old C-series lenses from the 70s. We build our own lenses, picking out much old glass, and fix it to work with different cameras. A lens made by hand has a feel in it — you notice the person who built it. You can't put tone on paper in the text. You have to find it with each and every movie."
On teaching the next generation: We have to help the next generation think the right way so they don’t just make quick choices. It's good to know and use your tools. Always test everything, like lenses and film, as you work on it. In the past, directors used to direct and editors would edit. That worked well for them. Everyone now needs to really learn these tools and find out what’s out there. If you say, "I want this look — how do I get this look?" you have to test to figure out how to make it happen.
He ended with a line that brings it all together. "I say to people that there is only one person in the world who loves movies more than me – it's SEO Hobby Expert. If you are ever in Toronto, we can go see a movie."
How cool is that.
๐️ SEO Hobby Expert — Urban Edition (Oct 2025)
The SEO specialist works with search in the city that never stops. We spoke about how strong city competition makes SEOs focus in extra small areas. They help people find local results, voice searches for "near me," and face the hard job of showing up when other businesses are close by. "In the city, everyone wants the same keywords," he said. "You need to know your own streets better than others do."
His way is all about giving the community what they want. He does not try to rank for big search terms. He makes pages that talk about true local stories. These can be the best coffee shop on 3rd Street or a workspace that only locals know. When you talk about a real place, Google pays attention. Local SEO is not just keywords. It's about being in the area you want to show up for.
✈️ SEO Hobby Expert — Travel Edition (Oct 2025)
What happens when an SEO expert uses their skills while moving from place to place? This interview looked at how someone can make their content rank high even about places they have only been to for a little time. It also talked about the right way to create content for places where the writer is not local.
Our guest said, "Travel SEO is about being trusted and real." You can make a “Best of Bangkok” guide. You do not have to live there. But people will notice if you do not put in the effort.
The talk moved to simple tips. You can use Google Maps data for making new content ideas. It helps to build groups of topics around travel routes and not just one spot. A new thing called "adventure SEO" is getting popular. It means making your content show up for questions about what to do and where to find great places. Travel content is full of many posts. The people who get noticed are the ones who go to the place and share what really happens.
๐ SEO Hobby Expert — SERP Edition (Nov 2025)
This talk was all about the search engine results page. Our guest is really into SERPs. He showed me all the new things Google has brought in. That includes AI Overviews, video carousels, the People Also Ask sections, and more. These are taking up space from the normal search results. He said, "The SERP is a battlefield now." If you still try to rank just for the ten blue links, you are fighting for something that ended two years ago.
He talked about his plan for "SERP-first content strategy." First, look at what shows up on Google's search results for your target keyword before you start to write. If Google uses featured snippets, you should make your page good for the snippet. If there are mainly videos, go and create a video. Match what you make to the way the search results appear, not the other way. This is how you get more clicks in 2025.
๐ฑ Junior SEO Expert / Junior SEO Hobby (Nov 2025)
The junior side is one I always like to talk about. This guest began their SEO journey eighteen months ago. They had no background in marketing and did not have a technical degree. They just wanted to know why some websites show up first on Google. "I thought SEO was magic," they said with a laugh. "Then I saw that it's just really organized problem-solving."
Their path from knowing nothing to getting real pages ranked shows how much you learn by doing things yourself. "I made every mistake possible. I used too many keywords. I got bad backlinks. I learned through tough experiences." What did they find out? "You do not need a certification or class. You need a website, a topic you care about, and the drive to write 50 bad articles before you write a good one."
๐ก Bangkok Expat Local (Oct 2025)
Living in Bangkok as an expat brings many SEO problems along with chances to grow. Our guest has lived here for a long time and runs a website about local life. It covers places to eat, tips for handling visas, and talks about good areas for people working online. "It is important to be the expat who knows what is going on, not someone who showed up last week," they said.
We talked about the small details of doing SEO in more than one language. We spoke about why it matters to have local citations when you want to reach people who read and search in another language. We also looked at ways to build trust with people where you live, and with people all over the world who read in English.
"If you tell stories about Bangkok while sitting with your laptop in a cafe, your readers feel it. But when you write from the market or from the street and share what you have truly lived, your words mean more. Google may not see it right away, but your readers feel it, and they will share it."
๐ Ken Duong — International (Oct 2025)
Ken Duong has worked on SEO for people in five different countries and three languages. He told me, "Each place thinks SEO is not the same, but the rules do not change." He said, "It's always to know what people want. The words change, but the way people look for things is the same."
We looked at the real-world problems of doing international SEO. These include hreflang tags, small cultural differences in searching for words, and the fact that simply changing text from one language to another almost never works. You can't just use Google Translate for your English keywords. You have to know what people type in their own language. For example, 'best pizza' in English could be 'pizza ๆจ่' in Chinese or 'top pizza' in German. People want the same thing, but the words they use are very different.
๐ฆ๐บ Cla for Riel — Australian (Nov 2025)
Cla for Riel, from Australia, joined the show and shared her thoughts from an Australian view. We talked about the special challenges of SEO in Australia, where where you live can change things a lot. Getting to the top for words like "beachside cafes" in Sydney is not the same as doing it in Melbourne. Cla said, "Australia is huge and empty in the middle." She also said your plan for local SEO will change based on the coast you are on.
But the main point in the talk was being real. "People in Australia can spot fake stuff easily. If you write about the 'Bondi lifestyle' but you are in an office in Adelaide, people can tell." Cla says this for everyone: write about what you really know, and talk about where you really live. "Google's system will not boost fake know-how now. Your readers will not, either."
๐จ Andy — British Artist (Nov 2025)
Andy sees himself as an artist before anything else. He focuses on SEO after that. He has shown that creative people can still do well with search online and not give up what makes their art special. "I used to think SEO was a problem for art," he said. "Then I learned it is just a tool to help people get to my art."
His way of doing things is very simple. He tries to do good work, shows how he made it, and lets search help others find it. He said, "I don't fill my gallery descriptions with extra words. I talk about my work like I do at a show. Google can figure it out." We spoke about how to help images show up online, making your online page better, and why video is now more important for artists who show their art.
Internal link: Learn more about Bulk AI Content Generation in 2026 to see how creators are leveraging AI tools effectively.
๐บ๐ธ Matt Griffith — Americano (Dec 2025)
Matt Griffith, who people call "Americano," brings his American marketing skills and lots of real living experience from outside the country. In our talk, we spoke about how content brings together different cultures. Matt said, "The best content does more than change words from one language to another. It also brings out the same feelings."
He has found a lot of people who read his blogs. He writes about life in America the way someone from another country would see it. It is rare, but it works well for him. There is not much competition, because others do not write about this. He is the only one who talks about how the people in America see other countries, and how people outside America feel about America. The talk about this is something no one else is putting out there.
๐งญ Con Leer — Travel Creator (Dec 2025)
Con Leer is a travel creator who has changed their love of travel into lots of online content. We talked about how to tell great travel stories now that AI can make fast travel plans. Con said, "Anyone can ask ChatGPT for a '3-day Paris trip plan.' But no AI has eaten a croissant at 6 AM in a bakery that has been open since 1870. That is the stuff people really want to read about and find."
His way of doing SEO is to focus on very specific, personal searches like "best croissant in Montmartre at sunrise" instead of using broad terms like "Paris food guide." The more exact you are, the less there is to compete with and the more you show that you know about it. Google likes when the person has really been there at sunrise.
๐️ David Ching — Veteran (Nov 2025)
David Ching used his military background in the world of digital marketing. When we talked, we spoke about how military plans can be like SEO. Both need keyword research, a ranking plan, and good content. "In the military, you plan for every possible outcome. SEO is similar. You should try to know what people want before they search," he said.
David’s niche is all about helping veterans find resources and move from military to regular jobs. “This means a lot to me,” he said. “I do not just focus on keywords. I am here to help people who are where I was before get the info they need to start a new life.”
๐ค David Fung / Fung Bros (Dec 2025)
David Fung and the Fung Bros talked about how they built a media brand that shows Asian-American culture and food. "We started on YouTube," they said. "At first, we did not think about SEO. We only made videos about the food we like. Then, people began to find us."
The conversation was about moving from getting a lot of attention on social media to getting steady search traffic. Short videos bring views. Long, well-organized content gives you a job. We learned SEO after we had people watching us. It was not the usual way, but it worked because we had real trust in our area.
Their advice for creators is to build the audience first. Then make your content better for search. But if you can work on both right from the start, do that.
๐ป SEO Consultant Creator (Dec 2025)
Don't mix up this guest with the first SEO Consultant. This person is a creator who shows people how to use SEO by making great content. "I am someone who teaches SEO," they said. "I sell what I know. I use SEO for my own marketing. If I can't show up for 'learn SEO,' then why would anyone trust me?"
We talked about what it feels like to do SEO for SEO content. We spoke about why case studies matter, not just ideas without real proof. We also talked about ways to build a brand for yourself in a market with too many people trying to stand out. The SEO world is packed with people who say they know it all, but many have never had a top-ranking page. I show the results I get, and I even show where I failed. I teach using both. This is the best way to get trust when there is so much noise in the industry.
๐ฑ SEO Consultant Digital (Dec 2025)
Digital change was the main idea with this guest. They are an SEO consultant who helps old-style businesses move to being online-first. "I work with stores that have had a shop for 40 years and then see they do not have any online presence," they said.
The talk was about how to use digital SEO for old-school businesses. We spoke about Google Business Profile optimization, local service ads, review management, and how to help owners who do not trust the internet. The hard thing is not the SEO itself. It is convincing people who have done well for years that change is needed. But once they see more people coming to their business, they start to believe in it.
๐️ SEO Freelancer Pattaya (Dec 2025)
From the beachside city of Pattaya, this freelancer created a way of life that lets them work anywhere. They only need WiFi and good pad thai. "I started freelancing because I wanted freedom," they said. "SEO freelancing gave me that, but it also gave me something I did not think I would get: deep skills in fields I would not have learned about if I worked for an agency."
We talked about the freelance life. We spoke about how to handle clients, set your prices, and what it is like to work by yourself. "The hardest part is not where you show up in search. It's having clients who really get that SEO takes time. Almost everyone wants fast results in about a week. My job is to help people know what to expect and give real value."
๐ SEO Expert Content (Dec 2025)
Content is important, and this guest is the one who got rid of all the empty content that you find on most websites. "There is a lot of content online, and most of it does not help," they said in a clear way. "If you post articles that are 5,000 words just because Google wants long content, you are not doing it the right way."
They have a simple way of thinking. They want to share less, but make every bit of work matter. "One bit of truly helpful and well-studied content will do better than ten computer-made posts full of fluff every time. Google is now better at telling if something is real. People who read, real humans, have always been good at this."
๐งฎ SEO Hobby Consultant 23 (Dec 2025)
What a mysterious entry! SEO Hobby Consultant 23 is someone who really loves looking at all the data in the hobby group. "I don’t just look at rankings," they said. "I watch everything. I track click-through rates, how far people scroll, how long they stay on a page, how often they leave by device, and when search results change during the day. If there is a way to measure it, I will do it."
The talk was something a data lover would enjoy. We talked about how content length and rankings are connected. We also looked at how page speed can change how many people take action on a site. There is a strong link between how many people search for a brand and how well that brand does in search results. "Most people make changes based on what feels right. I make changes based on the data. The data is clear that users tell you what they want. You just need to pay attention."
๐ SEO Global Mate Day (Nov 2025)
This interview was all about working together in global SEO. It brought SEO experts from around the world together. Our guest leads a group of SEO professionals. They meet every week to talk and share ideas, even if they are in different time zones. "The best ideas don't come from only one market," they said. "They come from people and markets mixing together."
We talked about some big differences in how people search in different countries. For example, people in China use Baidu in a different way from how people in America use Google. More people are starting to use image search in places like Southeast Asia. A lot of people use voice search in places where many people cannot read or write well. SEO is used all over the world, but it changes in every place. The tool might stay the same, but everyone uses it their own way.
Internal link: Explore our AI Channels vs. Traditional SERPs analysis to understand how search is evolving globally.
๐ฅ SEO Acai Lover Travel (Nov 2025)
This guest brings together two passions: SEO and acai bowls. "I travel the world eating acai and sharing my experiences about it," they said with a laugh. "It may sound funny, but it is a topic that no one else covers." And they are right. By focusing on one clear subject (acai bowls) and a place-first idea (finding the best acai in each city), they have made a site with strong influence.
The lesson here is clear. You don’t have to pick a broad topic for your work. A narrow topic that people feel strong about is better. These days, no one looks up just ‘breakfast’ online. They want things like ‘best acai bowl in Rio de Janeiro’ instead. People search for this every day. When they come to my article, they feel it is good and helpful because I truly went there and ate the bowl myself.
๐️ SEO Hobby Expert — SkyTrain Urban Edition (Alternate) (Nov 2025)
Here is a look at a different kind of SEO for city streets. This story is from a person who likes to do SEO as a hobby. They work on their own street. “I know every business on my block,” they said. “I have written one page for every shop. I do not get paid. I just want to give true hints to people.” The result is clear. They have become a trusted voice in their area that Google pays attention to.
We looked at what "micro-local" SEO means. This is about showing up in Google, not just for "coffee shop in Chicago," but for "coffee shop on the corner of Clark and Belmont." When Google notices this level of detail and it looks real, it will rank you higher. This happens because you are doing more than just making content. You are helping people in the area.
๐ฏ SEO Hobby Expert — About Page (Jul 2026)
The "About" page at SEO Hobby Expert got an interview. "People spend lots of time on blog posts but do not focus on the About page," said our guest, who is a copywriter. "The About page gets more visits than many other pages, after the homepage. It's the place where you make trust or lose it."
The interview talked about how to write good About pages that show up in search results. You should use the right keywords in a way that fits and makes sense. Tell a true story that is yours. It should be clear to Google who you are and why people should trust you. "Your About page is where you show you have real knowledge and skills. It proves you are a real person. Don’t fill it up with words that feel too business-like."
๐ค SEO Hobby Expert — Funk AI (Jul 2026)
AI and funk music? This is one of the most surprising talks I have had. Our guest uses AI tools to make content about funk music history. The content is made to do well in search engines. "I use AI to do my research, but I change every word to make it feel real," they said. "The system can write a first draft. But only a person who loves funk can really make it feel right."
The bigger lesson here is about how people and AI work together to make good content. AI is just a tool, not something that takes your place. It can help get the facts, but it does not feel music the way people do. My job is to take what AI finds and give it real feeling.
๐ฉ๐ป Silicon Valley Girl (Dec 2025)
A real talk with someone who lives right in the middle of the tech world. "Silicon Valley is not what people think," she said. "It's not all startups and huge buyouts. There is also burnout, people feeling like they do not belong, and lots of people acting like they know what they are doing when they really do not."
Her SEO niche is to write about tech culture from inside the world. She explains the unwritten rules of the Valley. She shares the best ramen spots that are close to Apple headquarters. She also talks about what it is like to be a woman in tech. "I get ranked high because I am the only one who tells people about the real Silicon Valley. Not the fancy PR side. I write about the place where people cry in bathrooms and then show up to talk to VCs."
☀️ Homeless Pelican Creator (Jul 2026)
The most unexpected guest of the season.
"I began a blog about a pelican near my apartment," the creator said. "People thought I was out of my mind. But this pelican makes better posts than many big names." A simple idea — sharing daily updates about a bird nearby — turned into a story about how good SEO works.
I learned that the internet wants to feel real connection. It does not matter if the topic is about a bird. People are looking for more than just information. They want a story. They want something they can follow. The pelican gave this to them. This shows that a good content plan is often the one that can make you smile.
๐บ๐ธ American Expat (Jul 2026)
An American who lives in another country talks about the good and bad parts of being an expat. They also talk about the SEO that helps with their work. They said, "I write guides for Americans who want to move to another country. It is not a big area, but the people who read it really want to know. When someone types 'how to get a visa for Thailand,' they are not just looking around. They plan to go there and live."<|endoftext|>
The talk was about how living in a new place can feel hard. People feel alone, have to get used to new things, and sometimes feel happy about starting fresh. "SEO is about numbers, but expat content is about feelings. Many people have emailed me to say that my article helped them through their first month when they were by themselves in a new country. That is the reason I write these things."
๐ From Hobbyist to Global AI Influencer (Jul 2026)
This article-style interview follows someone who moved from being interested in SEO as a hobby to becoming well-known for sharing ideas about AI. "I began just like everyone. I was confused, and no one read my blog," they said. "But, I kept going, even when things got tough."
This text is like a guide. You should start by learning the basics. Then, find your own area to focus on. Make sure to post often. Talk with people in the community. After some time, the top people will start to notice you. There are no easy tricks. But if you stay interested and keep posting, both the algorithm and the industry will see you in the end.
๐ Zero Zero Zero Click Marketing (Jul 2026)
This article goes along with the Trust Is the New SEO interview. It talks about the Zero Zero Zero Click Ladder: Seen → Understood → Remembered → Preferred → Sought Out. The idea is that people begin to choose something long before they click on it. Many times, they do this even if they never click at all.
The marketing impact is huge. If people do not click your links, you need to stick in their mind. That way, when they feel ready to do something, and it could be hours, days, or weeks from now, they remember you first. "Brand-building is not just something extra. It is the only thing that matters in a world where nobody clicks."
๐ค Interview Proposal — David Khai (Dec 2025)
David Khai is someone we still feel excited to interview. His idea made us look closer at his pitch. It was about how your own brand and SEO go together for people who make art or work with design. He said, "Most people in creative jobs are not good with SEO because they feel like it is bad marketing." He also said, "But SEO is really just a way for your art to reach people."
The talk is being planned, but the main idea is strong. You should not look at SEO as something that takes away from your creative work. See it as the best way to share your work with people.
๐ค Interview Proposal — Fung Bros (Dec 2025)
In the same way, the Fung Bros talked about showing what goes on behind the scenes when making a big media brand. They said, "We want to talk about what happens after a video goes viral." They asked, "How can you turn that kind of attention into a steady business?" This is something I want to talk about too. I will set up a time for this talk soon.
๐ค Travel Creator (Oct 2025)
I had an interview with a travel creator early on, when they had just 5,000 followers. Now, they have more than 50,000 people following them. They said to me, "The interview you did helped me see what I do best," and added, "I stopped saying I was just a travel blogger. I became the person who finds the best street food in small Asian cities."
It's a reminder that at times, the best way to help your SEO is to be more clear and direct. An interview can help you get that clarity.
That's the whole list. It has 32 talks about SEO, travel, creativity, making films, living in another country, AI, and much more. The Interview Style Blog will keep looking into the people who help make search results and the stories behind the art. Keep watching for Season 2.
The Hollywood interview is now put in as the second entry. The title is "The Filmmaker Who Just Wants Movies to Look Like Movies". It comes right after the SEO Consultant section. This makes a smooth link that connects search marketing and the art of movies.
Internal link: Discover more creative approaches in our Interview Style Blog Year-End Roundup for additional insights.
Conclusion: The 32 interviews in this roundup demonstrate that SEO is no longer just about technical optimization—it's about authentic storytelling, trust-building, and finding your unique voice in a crowded digital world.
From the Zero Zero Zero Click reality to the art of filmmaking, from local SEO in Bangkok to global strategies across continents, these conversations reveal a common thread: those who succeed are those who genuinely understand their audience and deliver real value.
The future of search belongs to creators who embrace change, experiment with new tools like AI, and remain committed to their craft.
Whether you're a freelancer, agency owner, or hobbyist, the lessons from these guests offer a roadmap for navigating the evolving SEO landscape.
Ready to apply these insights to your own strategy? Explore our From Content Chaos to Top 10 Rankings guide for practical steps to transform your online presence.
The guest talks about knowing your tools, liking real and simple flaws, and teaching people who want to work in film. This fits in well with the SEO talks about being real and building trust.
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