Voices of Search: Episode Summary Episode Title: Will Financial Literacy Content Outperform Comparison Pages in 2025?
Release Date: July 22, 2025
Host: Tyson Stockton
Guest: Zach Ali from Finder

Introduction

In this episode of Voices of Search, hosted by Tyson Stockton, the discussion centers around the evolving landscape of content strategies in the realm of personal finance websites. The pivotal question posed is whether financial literacy content will surpass comparison pages by the year 2025.

The Buy or Sell Lightning Round

**Timestamp [00:43] – **

The episode kicks off with Zach Ali introducing the lightning round, a segment designed to delve into rapid-fire questions that touch upon various themes. The first question sets the stage for the episode’s core debate:

Zach Ali:
"So are you buying or selling that financial literacy content will outperform product comparison pages for personal finance sites in 2025?"
[00:43]

Guest's Perspective on Content Performance

Timestamp [01:13] – [01:33]

The guest responds with a nuanced viewpoint, expressing skepticism about financial literacy content overtaking comparison pages in their current form:

Unnamed Guest:
"I am selling that financial literacy or outperform comparison. I think the only place where I see financial literacy outperforming comparison would be in video or on social media. But for actual learning, text-based learning, I think LLMs will do a fantastic job at helping educate folks in that same vein though."
[01:13]

Analysis: The guest emphasizes that while financial literacy content has its strengths, especially in multimedia formats like video and social platforms, text-based learning may not see the same level of dominance. Instead, the rise of Large Language Models (LLMs) will play a significant role in educating users, potentially leveling the playing field between different types of content.

The Impact of LLMs on Content Strategy

Timestamp [01:49] – [02:36]

Zach Ali probes deeper into the implications of LLMs on content placement and strategy:

Zach Ali:
"So with that happening within LLMs, would you still be looking for that placement and that kind of like billboard exposure from it, or would you just be like limited resources, pick another route?"
[01:49]

The guest elaborates on a hybrid approach to content strategy:

Unnamed Guest:
"A little of both. I definitely think it still helps to have the billboard, especially if you can take it to the next step. So there was a review we wrote and this is one instance that I know of where because we had the AIO, we saw traffic go up and it was because the AIO gave a very generic sort of answer and our title tag was like very like that's not the right. The whole answer. You need to come click on us to check out the rest of it. And we also had a really cool thumbnail. And so we've been treating title tags and thumbnails and meta descriptions almost like how people do it on YouTube to try and get that impression CTR rate up, which we've seen some success in. But I think if you're, if a user searching how to write a check, they probably don't need to go any further than that. And I don't even think you need to be the billboard for that."
[02:36]

Analysis: The guest advocates for a strategic blend of traditional SEO practices and innovative tactics inspired by platforms like YouTube. By optimizing title tags, thumbnails, and meta descriptions, they aim to enhance Click-Through Rates (CTR), effectively serving as a digital "billboard." However, the guest also acknowledges that for straightforward queries, such as "how to write a check," extensive billboard strategies may be unnecessary, as the information need is sufficiently met without additional content enticement.

Key Insights and Strategies

1. Hybrid Content Approach:

   • Combining financial literacy content with comparison pages can cater to diverse user intents.
   • Leveraging video and social media for financial education can enhance engagement and reach.

2. Optimizing for LLMs:

   • As LLMs become more prevalent, ensuring that content is accessible and informative through these models is crucial.
   • Text-based content must be well-structured and comprehensive to stand out in AI-generated responses.

3. Enhanced SEO Techniques:

   • Treating SEO elements like title tags and meta descriptions as visual hooks similar to YouTube thumbnails can improve visibility and CTR.
   • Crafting compelling and relevant metadata encourages users to click through from search results.

4. Resource Allocation:

   • Balancing efforts between being a dominant presence ("billboard") and optimizing content for AI-driven platforms ensures efficient use of resources.
   • Identifying which content types and strategies yield the best ROI based on user search behavior is essential.

Conclusion

In wrapping up, the guest from Finder underscores the importance of adaptability in content strategy. While financial literacy content holds significant value, especially in certain formats and platforms, comparison pages remain a strong contender in the SEO landscape. By integrating advanced SEO tactics and embracing the capabilities of LLMs, personal finance websites can effectively navigate the competitive terrain of 2025.

Zach Ali:
"Fair enough. All right, so that wraps up this episode of the Voice of Search podcast. Thanks to Zach Ali from Finder for joining us."
[02:36]

Final Thoughts

This episode of Voices of Search offers valuable perspectives on the future of content strategies in the personal finance sector. It highlights the need for a balanced approach that leverages both traditional SEO practices and innovative content delivery methods to stay ahead in the dynamic digital landscape.

For more insights and strategies on SEO and content marketing, subscribe to the Voices of Search podcast and stay updated with the latest trends and expert discussions.