Voices of Search Podcast – September 23, 2025
Episode Title: Automated SEO reporting tools will replace human analysis within the next three years?
Host: Tyson Stockton
Guest: Tom (Crowd.com)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Tyson Stockton welcomes Tom from Crowd.com to debate a pressing topic in the SEO world: Will automated SEO reporting tools make human analysis obsolete in the next three years? Through a brisk lightning round, they examine the limits of AI-driven analytics and discuss the irreplaceable value of human context and organizational insight in SEO reporting.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Core Question: Automation vs. Human Insight in SEO

Tyson Stockton challenges Tom with a pivotal buy-or-sell question:
Will automated SEO reporting tools replace human analysts in the near future?

Tom’s Position:

• Firmly selling the idea:

  "I just don't see the tools being able to stitch together a compelling narrative without some sort of human analysis in context of, you know, the wider business industry or macro climate that we're operating in." – Tom [01:02]

• Emphasizes the importance of human context, narrative-building, and industry awareness that AI cannot replicate fully.

Tyson’s Perspective:

• Also selling:

  "It's a tough call because it depends on how you define that process... But then what do you do with that? Like how do you position it within the organization? How do you pick up on all these nuanced elements? Like it would be so difficult to include everything in the training model to then allow it to do those things." – Tyson Stockton [01:25]

• Acknowledges that while automated tools can handle raw data collection and initial analysis, the application and nuanced interpretation still rely heavily on human expertise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Tom's stance on AI's limits:

  "I just don't see the tools being able to stitch together a compelling narrative without some sort of human analysis..." [01:02]

• Tyson expands on organizational context:

  "...how do you position it within the organization? How do you pick up on all these nuanced elements? Like it would be so difficult to include everything in the training model to then allow it to do those things." [01:25]

• Agreement that the legwork can be automated, but not the strategic insight:

  "No, from just the like heavy leg work. Yes, agreed." – Tom [02:05]

Important Timestamps

• 00:36 – Lightning round introduction: Automation and human analysis in SEO
• 01:02 – Tom’s emphatic "sell" and rationale for the ongoing need for human insight
• 01:25 – Tyson echoes skepticism, diving into organizational and interpersonal nuances
• 02:05 – Agreement that data analysis can be automated, but not full end-to-end strategy

Conclusion

Both speakers agree that while automated tools are increasingly able to handle the heavy lifting of data collection and baseline analysis, genuine strategic insight—anchored in context, narrative, and human relationships—remains out of reach for AI in the foreseeable future. The synergy of AI for efficiency and human nuance for actionable insights is central to the future of SEO reporting.