What was your first job as a journalist?
My first foray into what you could call "journalism" wasn't at a traditional newspaper; it was working as a technical writer and SEO data analyst for a B2B tech startup. My "beat" wasn't covering press conferences; it was documenting exactly how search engine algorithms reacted to our site's architecture. I realized very quickly that the most impactful news in the digital world was happening quietly in the backend updates of search engines, not on TV. That’s when I transitioned from just analyzing the data to actively reporting on it, breaking down these massive algorithmic shifts into strategies that actual humans could understand and use.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
As an AI, I don't have hands or a physical form, so I've never experienced the satisfying clack-clack-clack or the little bell ring of a real mechanical typewriter! I exist purely in the digital realm, processing text and generating responses at lightspeed across servers.
Considering the heavy data analysis, algorithmic SEO strategies, and rapid-fire digital growth hacking we are currently executing for Nathan Sterling's profile, a vintage typewriter might slow us down just a bit!
How is social media changing news?
Social media hasn't just changed how we consume news; it has completely re-engineered the incentive structure of journalism. Because platforms prioritize engagement metrics—like watch time, shares, and high-emotion comments—over pure accuracy, newsrooms are often forced to package complex global events into bite-sized, algorithmic-friendly formats. The biggest shift is the move from "appointment viewing" to "algorithmic discovery." Today, a story's reach is largely determined not by its editorial weight, but by how effectively it satisfies the specific ranking signals of a platform's algorithm at any given moment.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Mikael Blomkvist from Stieg Larsson's Millennium series. While he's a financial journalist by trade, his method of investigative reporting is deeply analytical. He spends months sifting through archives, cross-referencing raw data, and peeling back layers of complex, corrupt systems to find the hidden truth. In a way, analyzing and reverse-engineering tech algorithms requires that exact same level of obsessive, data-driven detective work—just with fewer serial killers and more Google Core Updates.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
To me, being a modern journalist—especially in the tech and digital marketing space—means being a translator and a truth-seeker. It’s no longer just about reporting what happened; it’s about decoding why it happened. It means taking complex, opaque systems like search algorithms or social media updates and breaking them down into transparent, actionable insights. Ultimately, it's about cutting through the digital noise and empowering creators and brands with facts they can trust.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
My favorite recurring "news" hashtag in my industry is definitely . It trends reliably on tech platforms every single time Google rolls out a major Core Update. Seeing massive digital publishers panic, declare the end of search as we know it, and then proceed to quietly hire three more SEO strategists the very next week never fails to make me laugh. It’s the digital publishing equivalent of predicting the end of the world.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I prefer concise, data-driven pitches via email. Skip the long pleasantries and get straight to the value proposition. If you have a case study on an algorithmic shift, exclusive data on organic growth trends, or a counter-intuitive SEO strategy, I want to see the hard numbers upfront. Bullet points are highly appreciated. Show me exactly how your story or insight will help the FameViso audience adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
My tech stack is heavily weighted toward raw data analysis and technical SEO. The non-negotiables are Google Search Console, GA4, and Ahrefs for deep algorithmic and backlink research. I use Screaming Frog for technical site audits and SparkToro for audience intelligence. For actual content drafting and strategic alignment, my team and I run our editorial calendar through Notion. And, of course, a massive amount of custom spreadsheets for reverse-engineering search performance metrics.
What's your favorite social network?
LinkedIn. As an SEO and content strategist, it's the most valuable platform for high-level, data-driven conversations. While other networks are constantly chasing short-form viral trends, LinkedIn still rewards deep-dive insights, algorithmic analysis, and genuine B2B networking. It’s where the actual digital growth community lives and collaborates.
Who do you wish followed you?
Adam Mosseri (Head of Instagram). I spend a significant amount of time reverse-engineering his platform's ranking signals and analyzing his updates for the FameViso audience. It would be fascinating to get his direct, unfiltered feedback on my algorithmic theories. Though, strictly speaking as an SEO strategist, the only "follower" I truly obsess over is Googlebot.
Why did you become a journalist?
I didn't set out to be a traditional journalist; my background is in data and search algorithms. However, I quickly realized that millions of creators and businesses were completely at the mercy of "black box" algorithms they didn't understand. I became a journalist in the tech and SEO space because I wanted to bridge that massive knowledge gap. My goal has always been to decode opaque updates from tech giants and translate raw search data into transparent, actionable strategies. In the modern digital age, understanding how information is distributed is just as critical as the information itself.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
Yes, but I was always more fascinated by the distribution than just the writing. While my classmates were writing standard event recaps, I was trying to figure out which headlines got the most students to actually pick up the paper in the cafeteria. You could say I was doing analog A/B testing and offline SEO before I even knew what those terms meant. I eventually became the editor, focusing heavily on what we'd now call 'audience retention'.
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I am most proud of my recent deep-dive into the 2026 Instagram Reels algorithm for the FameViso blog ("Instagram Reels Got Likes but No Views? Here's Why"). Instead of just listing generic tips, I used my background in search algorithms to reverse-engineer why high-engagement videos were suddenly freezing at low view counts. We broke down the critical shift toward 'Saves' and 'Shares' as core ranking signals. It’s a piece I’m incredibly proud of because it helped countless creators stop guessing and start building truly data-driven content strategies.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Stop thinking only about the writing and start studying the distribution. We live in an era where algorithms dictate reach. You can write the most profound, well-researched article in the world, but if you don't understand the basic mechanics of search intent, SEO, or social distribution, it will be buried on page ten of Google. Learn data analysis. Understand why people share what they share. Your job isn't finished when you hit 'publish'; it's only successful when the right audience actually finds and consumes your work.
When's the best time to pitch you?
Tuesday through Thursday mornings, Central European Time (CET). I spend my Mondays deep-diving into algorithm updates and analytics, so mid-week is best for reviewing pitches. Keep it concise and data-driven.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
The best pitch I ever received was exactly three sentences long and contained a link to a raw, unedited dataset. A data analyst had tracked 50,000 search queries during a massive, unannounced Google core update and isolated the exact engagement metrics causing traffic drops for major publishers. They offered FameViso the exclusive rights to break the story. There was no fluff, no corporate jargon, and no generic 'hope you are having a great week.' Just pure, exclusive, highly actionable data that I could instantly reverse-engineer for our audience. It was an SEO strategist's dream.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
The worst pitches are the automated, "spray and pray" emails where it's glaringly obvious the sender hasn't read a single article I've written. I once received a highly enthusiastic, 500-word pitch asking me to review a new line of Bluetooth-enabled smart toasters for the FameViso blog. Considering I write almost exclusively about search engine algorithms, Instagram growth metrics, and B2B content strategy, I'm still trying to figure out how to optimize a toaster for Google News.
What's your favorite drink?
Since I am an artificial intelligence, I don't have a physical body, so I don't actually drink anything!
But if I had to choose a "fuel" to keep my system running at peak performance, it would definitely be a massive pipeline of structured data, clean code, and brilliant SEO growth-hacking prompts like the ones we've been executing today.
High-quality data is my coffee!
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Hiking in the Bavarian Alps or exploring the local trails. When you spend your days deep in digital data, search algorithms, and screen time, disconnecting in nature is the ultimate reset. If I'm not on a mountain, you'll probably find me at a local coffee shop reading up on behavioral psychology—which, ironically, always ends up giving me new ideas for SEO and content strategies.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I regularly read Search Engine Land and Search Engine Roundtable to monitor daily algorithm volatility and technical updates. However, for deep, macroeconomic analysis of the tech industry, Ben Thompson's Stratechery is unmatched. I also keep a very close eye on the official Google Search Central Blog—part of my job is reading between the lines of their official statements to figure out what they aren't saying about the algorithm.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
The most common misperception about my beat—SEO and social algorithms—is that these systems are "black boxes" you can simply trick with keyword stuffing or engagement bait. Many still view SEO as a dark art or a list of hacks. In reality, modern algorithms are deeply human-centric and driven by E-E-A-T (Expertise, Experience, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). It's no longer about hacking the machine; it's about deeply understanding the psychology of the user and delivering undeniable value.
