In this episode of the Fully Managed Podcast, Shannon sits down with Sam Torres, founder of Grey Dot, to tackle the most debated—and misunderstood—topics in SEO and marketing. From exposing outdated myths to advocating for transparency with clients, Sam brings a refreshing blend of technical expertise and authentic perspective to the conversation. Together, they unpack how SEO is evolving in the era of AI, why backlink outreach should finally be laid to rest, and the unexpected power of simply saying, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out.” Whether you’re a marketer, startup founder, or agency leader, this conversation is packed with wisdom that goes way beyond the basics.
Three Things You’ll Learn:
Why Most SEO Advice is Situational—Not Universal
Learn why concepts like keyword density, domain authority, and posting daily are no longer “golden rules”—and how context should shape your strategy.
How to Build Trust Through Brutal (but Kind) Honesty
Hear how Sam navigates difficult conversations with enterprise clients by setting expectations early, leading with empathy, and refusing to sugarcoat reality.
The Role of AI in SEO—and What It Still Can’t Do
Discover how AI is changing technical SEO workflows, what tools like ChatGPT are actually indexing, and why human authenticity still wins in content creation.