In this interview, Rand Fishkin, the legendary founder of Moz and SparkToro, discusses the evolution of digital marketing and the shift toward a more holistic, brand-focused strategy. He emphasizes that modern success relies on audience influence and impressions rather than just traditional traffic metrics, particularly as AI overviews and zero-click searches transform the search landscape.

Fishkin shares insights into his data-driven approach for his new venture, Snackbar Studio, revealing how specialized research can dictate product direction and launch timing. He argues that while marketing has become more crowded, it is also easier due to the vast array of reachable channels like LinkedIn, Threads, and newsletters. The conversation highlights the critical importance of engagement and social signals over legacy factors like backlinks in current algorithms.
Ultimately, Fishkin suggests that the most effective marketers prioritize providing value and building authority across diverse platforms to naturally guide consumer behavior.