We talk with Joe Hall, Founder & Principal Analyst at Hall Analysis. We cover how he began his SEO career, moving from web development into full-time SEO consulting, his time at agencies, greatest successes and failures, his experience with impostor syndrome, his favorite programming language, personal branding, and much more.
In Episode 52 of the Page 2 Podcast, technical SEO veteran Joe Hall of Hall Analysis joins Jacob Stoops and Jeff Louella for a refreshingly candid deep dive into the SEO industry.Â
From his early days in web development to running his own consulting business, Joe shares the behind-the-scenes realities of agency vs. freelance life, SEO implementation struggles, and his evolution as both a strategist and a brand.Â
We also explore his take on personal branding, client psychology, imposter syndrome, and how success in SEO is rarely about having all the answers—and often about how you present them.
🔍 In this episode:
• Joe’s transition from web developer to technical SEO consultant
• The origin of the “Honey Badger” nickname and thoughts on personal branding
• How being “a little obnoxious” can actually drive SEO leads
• The tension between technical expertise and marketing polish
• Real talk about imposter syndrome and how Joe reframes it
• Why implementation—not strategy—is the biggest SEO challenge
• His most memorable wins, including a 12M-link plugin success story
• Why he prefers PHP and how it still powers 30% of the internet
• Dealing with CEOs, dev teams, and organizational politics
• What makes a good SEO consultant (and what leads to burnout)
Whether you're new to SEO or a seasoned strategist, this episode delivers a blend of tough truths, humor, and actionable insights to keep your mindset sharp and your strategies real.
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