Post. Share. Rank. Why Your Next SEO Win Starts Beyond the Hashtag
Social media might not be an official Google ranking factor—but it absolutely influences what ranks. In this fast-paced and entertaining session, WVU IMC adjunct professor and Alexia Vanides Outstanding Instructor Bob Bentz joins his talented nephew Jonathan “Bentz” Bentz as they break down the surprising ways your posts, videos, and engagement signals shape search visibility in 2026’s AI-driven landscape.
You’ll discover why Google AI Overviews, Answer Engine Optimization, and Generative Engine Optimization have changed the rules for creators, brands, and agencies. We’ll show how your content is being interpreted, summarized, and surfaced by AI tools—and how you can engineer your posts to earn visibility far beyond the hashtag.
Using real research, fresh 2025-26 data, and examples from Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Reddit, and more, we’ll reveal how social content indirectly boosts search rankings through increased traffic, stronger brand authority, higher dwell times, and faster indexing. You’ll also learn platform-specific playbooks to get your social content discovered in Google search results.
If you want to turn everyday posts into SEO wins, get more traction for creators and clients, and stay ahead of the AI content curve, this is the session you can’t afford to skip. Get ready to rethink how you create, distribute, and optimize content—and leave with practical strategies you can implement immediately.
Bio:
Jonathan “Bentz” Bentz is a 20-year SEO veteran and growth strategist at Direct Online Marketing. His career spans luxury travel, technology, and agency leadership, guiding everyone from startups to Inc. 5000 companies. A former sports blogger, church media director, and black belt, Bentz brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative storytelling to the evolving world of search. Known simply as “Bentz” to just about everyone, he helps brands navigate the intersection of social media, AI, and SEO by pairing deep industry knowledge with hands-on, practical strategy.