---
title: "Content as Product, Mediocre SEO, and Optimism for the Future with Mark Lindquist"
id: "5404"
type: "post"
slug: "high-utility-content-products-mediocre-seo-and-cynicism"
published_at: "2025-01-22T13:00:00+00:00"
modified_at: "2025-01-22T14:33:13+00:00"
url: "https://beomniscient.com/blog/high-utility-content-products-mediocre-seo-and-cynicism/"
markdown_url: "https://beomniscient.com/blog/high-utility-content-products-mediocre-seo-and-cynicism.md"
excerpt: "Listen to the Podcast In this Kitchen Side episode of..."
taxonomy_category:
  - "Podcast"
  - "SEO"
---

## Listen to the Podcast

In this Kitchen Side episode of *The Long Game Podcast*, Alex, Allie, and David are joined by Mark Lindquist to discuss the transformation of SEO and content marketing. They delve into the decline of traffic-based metrics, the rise of user-first strategies, and how AI-driven changes are forcing marketers to rethink content creation. Mark emphasizes treating content as a product, getting closer to the audience, and building strategies rooted in customer pain points. With actionable insights and reflections, this episode offers a roadmap for creating high-utility content in an evolving landscape.

## **Key Takeaways**

- **Content as a Product**: High-performing content solves unmet user needs and aligns closely with customer pain points, moving beyond the old playbooks of keyword stuffing and traffic chasing.
- **Shift from Traffic Metrics to Business Value**: Traffic alone is no longer sufficient. Marketers must connect content efforts to measurable outcomes, such as leads, conversions, and revenue.
- **AI and Generative Content’s Role**: AI is reshaping SEO by targeting top-of-funnel content, compelling marketers to focus on higher-value, utility-driven pieces.
- **Operational Changes in Content Creation**: Marketers must build closer relationships with customers and integrate cross-functional insights into their strategies to future-proof content efforts.
- **Reframing Leadership Conversations**: Present data that ties content performance to business outcomes, while acknowledging and adapting to the evolving search landscape.

## **Show Links**

- Connect with David Khim on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidlykhim) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/davidlykhim?lang=en)
- Connect with Alex Birkett on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamalexbirkett) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/iamalexbirkett?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor)
- Connect with Allie Decker on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alliecdecker) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/alliecdecker?lang=en)
- Connect with Omniscient Digital on [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/omniscient-digital?trk=public_profile_topcard-current-company) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/beomniscient_)

## **Time Stamps**

- **[00:00]** Introduction: High-Utility Content in a Changing Landscape
- **[06:20]** Decline of Vanity Metrics: Why Traffic Isn’t Enough
- **[12:45]** The Intersection of AI and Content Creation
- **[19:10]** Building Content That Solves Real User Problems
- **[26:30]** Operational Adjustments for Better Content Outcomes
- **[33:50]** The Future of SEO: From Traffic to Business Impact
- **[42:15]** How to Communicate Content Value to Leadership

## Get the Field Notes

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