[J Paul Hendricks]

Thanks, Spencer!! Great learning opp! And thanks, everyone, for the healthy competition!

[J Paul Hendricks]

That’s a wrap! This was a really fun and fruitful undertaking. Thanks, Spencer!
We definitely were hit by the algo changes (but later than many others have been). However, as planned and expected, I could take away interesting test results, process improvements and knowledge wins.

Traffic metrics were… not good… Users 153 (-10%), Total Organic 167 (+16%) and GSC Clicks 84 (-10%) respectively. Total posts are at 149, up from 121. A mixed picture. BUT… March 14th… was Hammer Day.

We had been trending up into the last month. I was really pleased with the progress. We were still not on pace to win, but we were doing some of our best numbers into the start of the month. Then Ggl traffic fell off a cliff on March 14. Everything was still indexed but we just got seriously deranked. So, that was that.

I would be interested to hear what dates you saw big changes (bc it does not seem to line up with their public announcements).

I talk about some other details and takeaways in the video but a big one is: I am now launching a second saas app based on an idea I came across in this challenge! And would never have considered it if it were not for this AI site challenge. So… a different sort of WIN.

1. How well did your website perform during this 6 month challenge?
For a brand new site, getting treated to a mixed bag of writing apps, untried SOPs, new team members, etc I’d say it was ok. Not great or even really good.

2. What strategies worked well? What strategies didn’t work well?
Good: Mixed formats (info + story/bio + quote lists yielded some nice surprises).
Bad: Waiting to initiate certain tactics was NG. No reward for waiting… Go fast and break things!!

3. What will you do with your website now that the challenge is over?
I’ll keep using it as a test site and to trial new talent and tools.

4. What additional thoughts or opinions would you like to share as it relates to this AI project?
AI remains incredibly powerful. We have only just started to know how big the impact can be for marketers . And I mean that in a (mostly) positive way!

Good luck to everyone! Feel free to reach out to me (I am J Paul Hendricks on most platforms). Let’s keep in touch!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Hi all!! OK, here we go…

Site metrics took an unexpected (and unhappy) pause in growth. Users 169 (basically unchanged from 168), Total Organic 144 (-19%) and GSC Clicks 93 (-27%) respectively. Total posts are at 121, up from 96. Sprint 3 is well underway as we also continue making improvements on existing articles.

Overall average position is ~31.6 (down from the previous month’s record best). We continue to rank for more keywords. Despite the downtick in some metrics, impressions were up slightly. Top 5 pages by impressions are at an average position of 25.4, down from ~20.

Of those, GSC shows a mixed picture. The best 2 pages have avg positions of 8.5 and 8.7, down slightly but pulling in more clicks overall. The 3rd best page in terms of impressions has an average position of 68.2 but ranked for 67 KWs in Feb. This was a primary pillar page from launch and has stubbornly under-performed until now; it’s suddenly showing signs of life. My hope is that this pick up in impressions and KWs is an indication of positive things to come.

The off-page efforts continued. Early in the month I published some articles on Medium. I also managed to get a few other solid external link placements as well. In my experience it takes time for new links to have an effect but I’m hoping the recent core update treats the site well.

YouTube video publishing continues but engagement is low and this is expected (I think). These are relatively short (~3 mins) headless videos. So, while I doubt YT will help in this final lap of the race, it’s a no-brainer for a site in this niche to have a channel.

We are nowhere near the front-runners in this marathon. But, despite a dip in sessions in February, it looks like we will end strong. The last week’s numbers imply March will be our best month ever. I’ll be happy if we claw back into the top 20.

As noted before, it’s really been about the testing and validation of new processes and SOPs. On that front we have already won! Reminder that I revealed the site last month…

To see the site yourself just google: motivation pay ai coach app

[J Paul Hendricks]

PR experiment complete… I built an AI web app (like a GPT but directly on the site) and then found a research study to write about. It all went into a press release, which yielded over 300 links. Yay. And I’m now going public with the site, so you can check it out. 😅

Just google: Motivation Pay AI coach app

Towards the end of the month the YouTube channel also launched in earnest. 6 videos completed; go-live in progress. We did YT embeds on all the posts as well (which had not been part of the SOP previously).

Traffic metrics for the challenge are all up again… Users 168 (+102%), Total Organic 177 (+79%) and GSC Clicks 128 (+137%). Total posts are at 96, up from 79. Sprint 3 is about to begin and we’ll continue to make improvements on existing articles as well.

Overall average position is ~24.9, a new best (big uptick from 31.8). We continue to rank for more keywords. Impressions were also up big (+142%). Top 5 pages by impressions are at an average position of 20.4, just a slight improvement.

GSC shows a positive change among the top posts, with much more valuable pages/keywords taking the lead, with avg positions of 7.5, 7.5 and 14.5. Careful internal linking and the PR campaign seem to be working.

Despite this, we are still way behind. Well, it’s about the journey…onward! Month 5, here we come!! 🤞

[J Paul Hendricks]

🤩 {excitedly waiting to see the latest rankings!}

[J Paul Hendricks]

Traffic metrics for the challenge are all up (+73% to +86%…83, 99 and 54 respectively). Total posts are at 79 and rising, up from 51. We also continue to make improvements on existing articles. Overall average position is ~31.8 (down a bit from 29). This seems to be because we have started ranking for a bunch more keywords. Having said that, total impressions were 3.79K, up only slightly from 3.32K. 😬

Top 5 pages by impressions are at an average position of 20.8, a slight improvement from 21.3. Of those, GSC shows the best pages are little changed at avg positions of 10.1, 10.7 and 11. There are some decent KWs now consistently in the top 5, but these top pages are still out of striking distance. Me thinks we need links. 🔗

The Youtube launch is overdue but happening in Jan, along with some light link-building type activities (web 2, etc). And… There is a major PR experiment in the works. If it’s a success we should see a big boost in traffic and inbound links. Maybe then we can get up near the front of the pack. 🤞

[J Paul Hendricks]

Here is mine… Progress is slow as measured by users/sessions/clicks, but there are good signs under the hood! We are learning lots and refining SOPs so.. that’s a win, regardless. Good luck, all!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Hi Spencer, will the NEW site challenge update form be shared soon? Making sure I didn’t miss an email. Thanks!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Deadline is almost upon us! 😅

[J Paul Hendricks]

We’ve got things moving and picking up steam. Very few clicks but G knows we exist and is getting to know the site. I have not hit all my personal goals but the team is doing great and I’m feeling pretty good! Lots planned for November. Onward and upward!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Hi Spencer!

Will there be another thread spawned for the next update? Or will it just be a form emailed out to us?

Thanks!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Oct 7 update form and video JUST submitted (with ~30 minutes to spare, I believe). 😥

It should have been easy with so many numbers that start and end with 0. 😅

Hope everyone is doing well, wherever you are in the process!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Well done on the pinterest traffic… We have been pushing hard there but very little progress. Good tips from Troy above!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Health first.. Stay well!

[J Paul Hendricks]

“…slow start to a big finish!” hoping for you and us all!

[J Paul Hendricks]

My initial KW planning was sub-par too…

The server tinkering.. LOL!

Love the niche btw! Keep pushing!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Hey Ian, thanks for the update.

I know of the “Poe” from Quora… I assume this is a different Poe you are talking about?

[J Paul Hendricks]

Always cute, you two. Nice update!

[J Paul Hendricks]

Nice progress! Adorable assistant!

[J Paul Hendricks]

I am officially cheering for your unofficial participation. I thought about doing the same thing. Anyway.. go for it!

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