How Google Helps People Join Us at Church | An Interview with Paul McHardy

Paul McHardy was raised primarily in Columbus, Ohio, and moved to
Utah to earn a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism from
Brigham Young University and eventually a master's degree in
Professional Communication from Weber State University. Paul has
managed multiple omni-channel marketing teams (SEO, PPC, email,
social, and affiliates), and has experience with branding, market
research, user experience, and product development. In 2021 he took
the opportunity to specialize in search engine optimization by
joining Church employment as the Head of Global SEO. Paul currently
lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, with his wife, Aleta, and three
young daughters. He loves athletics, collecting trinkets, music,
and BYU sports. He has served in various callings over the years,
but has spent most of his adult life as either a Sunday School
teacher or in a Sunday School presidency, and currently serves in
his stake Sunday School presidency. Links There is already a
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Library Highlights This conversation delves into the importance of
search engine optimization (SEO) in ensuring accurate and positive
information about The Church is easily accessible online. Paul
explains how The Church's shift from using the term "Mormon" to has
impacted their online visibility and search rankings. The
conversation also explores the intricacies of local search
optimization for Church buildings, including the transition from
using the Angel Moroni icon to a cross icon on map listings. Paul
details the challenges of managing phone numbers for Church
listings and the efforts to improve data accuracy and visibility
for local congregations. He also emphasizes the significance of
engaging with online reviews and maintaining consistent and
up-to-date information across various platforms to enhance The
Church's online presence and accessibility for individuals seeking
to connect with local congregations. 00:02:07 - Discussion on SEO
and Church Communication 00:17:44 - Importance of Local Search
Optimization for Chapels 00:22:02 - Various Platforms for Local
Listings 00:28:03 - Transition from Angel Moroni to Cross Icon on
Listings 00:35:18 - Importance of Reviews and Responses for
Listings 00:40:55 - Integration of Meetinghouse Locator with Local
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