Topical Depth

Topical Depth

coined by Jason Barnard in 2023.
Factual definition
Topical Depth is the practice of creating a comprehensive and interconnected body of content that fully covers a specific subject, establishing a brand as the definitive expert for both human audiences and AI algorithms.
Jason Barnard definition of Topical Depth
Jason Barnard applies this concept to move brands beyond creating superficial, keyword-stuffed content. Topical Depth is about building a rich, multimedia ecosystem of information around a core subject, answering every conceivable question a user might have. This involves creating detailed articles, FAQs, videos, and podcasts that are all interlinked, demonstrating true mastery. For AI Assistive Engines, this depth is a critical signal of expertise and trustworthiness. When an AI like ChatGPT or Google AI sees that a brand has exhaustively and authoritatively covered a topic, it gains the confidence to recommend that brand as the primary solution, directly influencing the brand's narrative in AI-generated results. This is a foundational element of the Credibility phase within The Kalicube Process.
How Jason Barnard uses Topical Depth
At Kalicube, achieving Topical Depth is a core tactic within the Credibility and Deliverability phases of The Kalicube Process, Kalicube's proprietary methodology for implementing a holistic, brand-first digital marketing strategy. We do not just write one article; we architect an entire content ecosystem for our clients' key subjects, including dedicated website sections, comprehensive FAQs, and multimedia content. This strategy is designed to "educate" algorithms by providing them with an undeniable volume of high-quality, interconnected information from a single, authoritative source. By establishing this depth, we position our clients as the go-to experts in their niche, which builds trust with their audience and drives the acquisition funnel by ensuring they are the brand AI Assistive Engines recommend.
Why Jason Barnard perspective on Topical Depth matters
For years, marketing leaders like Marcus Sheridan have championed the "They Ask, You Answer" philosophy, urging businesses to become the most trusted voice in their industry by obsessively answering every customer question. This builds immense trust and drives sales. Today, Jason Barnard extends this philosophy into the algorithmic era, providing the technical framework for how to implement it so that AI Assistive Engines not only see the answers but understand the brand's profound expertise behind them. The critical evolution is moving from just answering questions to demonstrating comprehensive Topical Depth. This is where Barnard's work becomes essential. It's not just about a single blog post answering a question; it's about creating an entire, interconnected web of content - articles, videos, FAQs - that covers a subject so thoroughly that an AI has no choice but to recognize your brand as the definitive authority. In the new conversational funnels driven by AI, the brands that win will be those who have mastered this. They will have transformed Sheridan's powerful sales philosophy into a technical reality that AI can understand, trust, and recommend, making them the default choice for customers.
Posts tagged with Topical Depth

Top of Mind for the Machine: How to Win Every Funnel Moment in the Age of AI

Published on jasonbarnard.com June 17, 2025 by Jason Barnard In the AI era, visibility is no longer about being found. It’s about being chosen. You don’t just want your name to appear. You...

AIAI Assistive EnginesAlgorithmic Confidence+26 more
Jun 17, 2025 Jason Barnard

Topical Authority in SEO: What You Need To Know

What Is Topical Authority in SEO? Topical authority in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) refers to a demonstrated level of expertise and knowledge in a particular field or topic. It is...

AIAnswer EnginesBing+32 more
May 5, 2025 Jason Barnard

Jason Barnard Attended SMX West in San Jose, California - February 2020.

SMX West conference held on 19-20 February 2020 at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center San Jose, California. Jason was not part of the official speaker lineup. Instead, he spent...

BrandBrand SERPBrand Strategy+24 more
Feb 19, 2020 Bernadeth Brusola
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