We talk with Dawn Anderson, Managing Director at Bertey, International Technical SEO Consultant and Speaker. We discuss Google’s BERT and how it incorporates natural language understanding, AI, machine learning, and just what – if anything – you can do to optimize for it (spoiler: it’s not simple to optimize for).
In Episode 74 of the Page 2 Podcast, we talk with Dawn Anderson, Managing Director at Bertey, international SEO speaker, researcher, and lecturer. From running a construction company to becoming one of the industry’s most respected voices in technical SEO and information retrieval, Dawn shares a truly unconventional and deeply inspiring journey.Â
We discuss the power of self-taught curiosity, the role of formal education in digital marketing, and her academic dive into AI, NLP, and computer science. If you’ve ever wondered what makes Google's BERT tick—or what it’s like to learn SEO from the ground up—this episode delivers in every way.
🧬 In this episode:
• Dawn's transition from construction business owner to SEO expert
• How an information architect changed her perspective on web development
• Her academic pursuit of AI, machine learning, and information retrieval
• What Google's BERT algorithm actually does—and its real-world SEO impact
• Why passion and self-directed learning matter more than any degree
• The power of passage ranking, contextual relevance, and NLP in search
• A behind-the-scenes look at Dawn's experience speaking at BrightonSEO
• Public speaking advice for SEOs just starting out
• Misconceptions about traditional education and digital marketing careers
• Why understanding search engine architecture can change how you do SEO
Dawn’s journey proves that SEO isn’t just a skill—it’s a discipline where grit, learning, and curiosity win every time.
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