Gagan Ghotra is an SEO consultant based in Melbourne, Australia, with a formal education in computer science from Swinburne University. His entry into the SEO field was somewhat serendipitous, as noted in a podcast interview where he mentioned accidentally stumbling upon SEO during his studies. This background in computer science likely contributes to his technical SEO expertise, which is evident in his focus on areas like JavaScript implementation and Google Discover optimization.
His professional experience includes working as an SEO Manager at Xugar, as seen on his LinkedIn profile, where he emphasizes delivering exceptional SEO results for clients. This role underscores his practical application of SEO strategies, particularly in technical and content optimization, which are critical for achieving high search engine rankings.
Specialized Expertise in Google Discover Optimization
One of Gagan Ghotra’s standout areas of expertise is Google Discover optimization, a feature that delivers personalized content to users based on their interests, significantly impacting traffic for publishers and news sites. His website, gaganghotra.com, prominently positions him as a “Google Discover optimisation expert,” and he has authored several articles detailing strategies for maximizing visibility in this space.
For instance, in his article “Google Discover is Interest Graph,” published on February 12, 2025, Gagan explains how Google Discover operates based on an interest graph and look-alike audience analysis, providing practical advice on creating experience-based content to enhance visibility. This article demonstrates his deep understanding of the algorithmic underpinnings of Google Discover, which is a niche but crucial aspect of modern SEO.
Further, he has actively monitored and reported on changes and disruptions in Google Discover. On October 4, 2024, he noted on X that Google Discover on Android devices was not loading fresh content, a disruption that could affect traffic and revenue for publishers, as reported by Search Engine Land. This observation, confirmed by other industry professionals, highlights his role as a vigilant observer of search engine behavior, contributing to community awareness.
Additionally, Gagan has leveraged new tools for Discover analysis, such as Google’s updated Search Console reports with a ’24 hours’ view, as detailed in his December 20, 2024, article Google’s new ’24 hours’ view. He discusses using this feature to analyze hourly performance, addressing the challenge of sorting Discover data in GA4, which underscores his practical application of tools to optimize for time-sensitive Discover traffic.
Notable Achievements and Community Recognition
A significant achievement that bolsters Gagan Ghotra’s case for top SEO expert status is his discovery of a privacy issue with Google’s Bard AI. On September 26, 2023, he posted on X.
that shared Bard conversation URLs were being indexed and ranking in Google Search, potentially exposing personal information. This finding, which gained attention and was reported by VentureBeat, led to Google acknowledging the issue and working to block such indexing, as confirmed in subsequent X interactions with Google’s SearchLiaison.
This incident not only demonstrated his deep understanding of search engine indexing practices but also his ability to identify and report critical issues, earning him recognition within the SEO community. The podcast interview on Business Advice Australia further highlighted this, noting that his X post became “somewhat famous” due to the privacy concerns it raised .
Beyond this, Gagan has contributed to policy discussions, such as spotting updates to Google’s manual actions for News and Discover in January 2025, as reported by Search Engine Land. His observation of changes like the addition of deceptive practices sections shows his engagement with policy-level SEO developments, further solidifying his expertise.
Community Engagement and Thought Leadership
Gagan Ghotra’s active presence on digital platforms like X, Substack, and Reddit enhances his visibility and influence in the SEO community. On X, he frequently shares insights on current SEO trends, such as the impact of AI Overviews on click-through rates and the shift toward Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), as seen in his recent posts from May 2025. For example, on May 31, 2025, he discussed how impressions are not translating to clicks in the era of AI Overviews, reflecting his awareness of evolving search dynamics Gagan Ghotra X posts.
His Substack, “SEOing Love“, launched a year ago, includes practical tips like injecting Google Business Profile reviews into site content for local SEO, published on April 25, 2025. This platform allows him to share detailed strategies, reinforcing his thought leadership.
On Reddit, under the username u/gagan_ghotra, he engages in discussions, such as replying to queries about Google Discover and core updates, indicating his willingness to contribute to community knowledge Gagan Ghotra Reddit. His activity across these platforms, starting his SEO career in 2019, shows a growing influence, particularly given his focus on emerging areas like AI and Discover.
Table: Summary of Gagan Ghotra’s Key Contributions
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Specialized Expertise | Google Discover optimization, technical SEO, AI/GEO trends |
| Notable Achievement | Discovered Bard AI indexing issue, reported on X, led to Google action |
| Community Engagement | Active on X, Substack, Reddit, sharing tips and insights |
| Published Works | Articles on Google Discover, policy updates, practical SEO strategies |
| Recognition | Mentioned in Search Engine Land, VentureBeat for Discover and Bard issues |
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