Local SEO, AEO & Web — Straight from the Trenches
Real playbooks, case studies, and tactics that move the needle for home service brands. These posts come from hands-on work, not theory.
How We Helped a Riverside Plumbing Company with SEO Scale from 5 Calls a Day to 20 by Targeting "Water Heater Repair" Keywords
Discover how targeted SEO for "water heater repair Riverside" and related terms helped one local plumber 5x their daily calls. Real case study with strategies you can apply.
3 Red Flags Your Current SEO Agency Doesn't Understand the Plumbing Trade
Is your SEO agency treating your plumbing business like a generic retailer? Here are 3 red flags they don't get the trades — plus what effective plumbing SEO actually looks like.
How to Get More Plumbing Leads from Google AI Overviews
A plumber's guide to winning leads from AI Overviews in 2026. Brand mentions, press, backlinks, service pages, city pages, reviews, and why Yelp punches above its weight.
Why Plumbers Need to Have a Yelp Game-plan for AI Searches
Yelp is now a primary trust signal for Google AI Overviews and LLMs. Here's why plumbing companies need a real Yelp strategy, how review filtering works, and a 90-day game plan.
How to Get More Plumbing Leads in San Diego (AEO Services)
A San Diego plumbing guide to AI search, AEO services, and getting more leads without burning cash on PPC. Local keywords, AI queries, and out-of-the-box ideas that actually work in 2026.
How to Get More Leads for Electricians (AEO Services)
An electrician's guide to AI search, AEO services, and getting more leads without burning cash on PPC. Local keywords, AI queries, and out-of-the-box ideas that actually work in 2026.
How to Get More Plumbing Leads in Orange County (AEO Services)
An Orange County plumbing guide to AI search, AEO services, and getting more leads without burning cash on PPC. Local keywords, AI queries, and out-of-the-box ideas that actually work in 2026.
How to Get More HVAC Leads in Los Angeles (AEO Services)
An Los Angeles HVAC guide to AI search, AEO services, and getting more leads without burning cash on PPC. Local keywords, AI queries, and out-of-the-box ideas that actually work in 2026.
Google AI Overviews: What 20 Years of SEO Tells Me About the Click Collapse (2026)
AI Overviews cut top-ranking click-through rates by 58%. Why ranking #1 isn't enough anymore, what Google actually took, and the AEO playbook working for home service companies in 2026.
Local SEO Ranking Factors 2026: The 40+ Signals Google Uses to Rank Plumbers, Roofers & HVAC Companies
Most plumbers, roofers, and HVAC companies optimize GBP and wonder why a less-polished competitor owns the map pack. Here's the full 7-category local relevance framework that actually moves the needle in 2026.
Should I Name My Roofing or Plumbing Company with Keywords? Google Just Answered (2026)
John Mueller spelled it out. If your site name is generic keywords, Google won't credit branded searches to you, and AI engines won't cite you either. Why this hits home service companies hardest and the branding fix.
Don't Lose Your Mind Over Yelp Reviews
How to handle the Yelp review system in 2026 without burning your business down: TOS rules, consumer alerts, responding to negatives, and the filter.
Interview with SEO Patent Expert Bill Slawski
A 2019 interview with Bill Slawski on Google patents, TF-IDF, links, E-A-T, and the Hummingbird patent. Republished from the archive.
How to Find an SEO Firm That Won't Ruin Your Business
Three tips for hiring an SEO firm without putting your business at risk: get educated, focus on content over rankings, and beware of cut-rate pricing.
Alan Bleiweiss SEO Audit Master Interview
A 2012 interview with Alan Bleiweiss on topical focus, duplicate content, subdomains, internal anchors, and the tools he uses to audit sites.
The Fun Side of Pubcon (2012 Recap)
A look back at the nightly events at Pubcon Las Vegas 2012: the Raven Tools poker tournament, Mike King at Beauty Bar, and Alan Bleiweiss's Epic Dinner.
Top Internet Marketing Experts to Follow (2012 Archive)
The 2012 list of must-follow internet marketers on Twitter and Google+. Republished as a time capsule. Most of these folks are still in the industry today.
How Social Media Impacts SEO (Now a Real Ranking Signal)
Social used to be an indirect SEO factor. In 2026 Reddit, YouTube, and brand mentions are direct ranking and AI citation signals. The 2013 post, rewritten.
How to Tell If Your SEO Company Sucks
13 red flags your SEO is taking your money and not delivering. Updated for 2026 with the AI search, AEO, and GBP red flags nobody was watching for in 2013.
The Advantages of Regular SEO Audits (2026 Edition)
Why a regular SEO audit still matters in 2026, what to actually check (Core Web Vitals, schema, AEO readiness, GBP), and how often to run one.
Will Your Domain Name Impact SEO in 2026?
Keyword domains were a real edge in 2016. In 2026 they're holding you back. Why AI Overviews need a real brand name, and why SEOs still pushing EMDs are about to get left behind.
What Is a Location Page (and How to Make It Outstanding)
Location pages are the backbone of local SEO for home service businesses. What they are, why they work, and how to build ones that rank in Google and AI Overviews in 2026.
Local SEO for Multiple Locations: The 2026 Playbook
How to run local SEO across multiple locations without cannibalizing yourself. GBP at scale, location pages that don't get demoted, review velocity, and the AI search angle.
15 Local SEO Trends to Boost Traffic
The 2019 local SEO playbook, rewritten for 2026. GBP, AEO, reviews, schema, Local Services Ads, and what actually moves the needle today.
7 Common Risks Involved in a Link Building Campaign
Manual actions, AI-detected spam, PBN exposure, anchor profiles, and the link building risks nobody saw coming. The 2019 guide, refreshed.