🏏 From BBC Journalist to SEO Thought Leader—Andrew Cock-Starkey on Community Building, Client Wins, and Staying Curious - Episode #38

The SEO Podcast: Page 2 Podcast Hosted by Jon Clark & Joe DeVita

In Episode 38 of The Page 2 Podcast, hosts Jacob Stoops and Jeff Louella sit down with Andrew Cock-Starkey, better known online as Optimisey—a freelance SEO consultant, educator, and the creator of one of the most active local SEO events in the UK.

Andrew’s SEO journey is anything but traditional. He started as a broadcast journalist at the BBC, focusing on cricket and football (the British kind), and slowly fell in love with content optimization and user behavior through real-time headline testing. That spark led him through web editing, running the Marylebone Cricket Club’s digital presence, and eventually launching his own consultancy.

🎙️ In this episode:

• The intersection of journalism and SEO—and what journalists get right about traffic
• How running the MCC’s site helped Andrew develop a sharp, test-and-learn SEO style
• Starting the Optimisey Meetup and turning it into a career-launching platform
• Why launching an event without an agenda (literally) can still succeed
• Andrew’s thoughts on Google dropping duplicate listings with featured snippets
• Schema and data vocabulary: why it’s time to ditch the outdated markup
• Tips for running local events, attracting speakers, and dealing with… snack complaints
• Andrew’s favorite overlooked SEO fundamentals (spoiler: it starts with Analytics)

Whether you're a veteran looking to give back or a new SEO trying to find your voice, Andrew’s story proves that generosity, curiosity, and community can open more doors than any single tactic.

🔔 Subscribe for more episodes with SEO professionals who blend strategy, storytelling, and impact.

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