Local SEO

I analyzed over one million keywords across 10 industries. The average cost per click (CPC) for Google Search ads in 2025 is $8.34. And the median CPC is $4.52. Legal had the highest average CPC at $22.75. Ecommerce had the lowest, at just $0.82 per click. But there’s no flat rate for CPC. Even if two advertisers bid on the same keyword, they won’t pay the same. Costs can vary based on several factors — and CPC is just one part of the equation. Google Ads pricing also involves other expenses that can affect your total budget. In this guide, you’ll learn: How much Google Ads really cost What your budget should be How you can lower your ad costs (without hurting …

Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is one of the most important topics in search right now. It’s about making sure your brand shows up inside AI-generated answers — not just on traditional SERPs. As large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity reshape discovery, AEO ensures your content gets mentioned and cited where buyers are asking questions. But here’s the bigger truth: AEO is just one piece of a larger shift. We’re entering the era of Search Everywhere. Discovery no longer happens in a single Google results page. It’s happening across AI chat, overviews, forums, video, and social. And new data shows just how fast this shift is accelerating.…

AI answers are taking over search. More people are turning to Google AI Overviews, ChatGPT, and Perplexity for recommendations. And if your brand isn’t showing up in those AI answers? You’re missing out on a huge (and growing) slice of your market. That’s why Semrush built the AI SEO Toolkit. It’s a major unlock for marketers trying to understand how AI is impacting their business. Today, I’m going to show you how to use it — step by step — with a real example. TL;DR: Measure Your AI Search Visibility Here’s what you need to know about Semrush’s AI SEO Toolkit: What it does: Tracks how your brand appears across ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, Google AI Mode, and Per…

If I had a dollar for every time someone said “know your audience,” I could retire from marketing altogether. And yet, most teams are completely winging it. Too often, marketers equate audience research with half-baked customer relationship management (CRM) data, some social media metrics, and a few buyer interviews. But that’s just organizing information you already have. Real audience research means discovering what you don’t know yet. It’s the exact words people use when they’re frustrated. The solutions they’ve already tried and dismissed. The moment they decide to trust one source over another. When you get this right, you move from guessing what might work to …

With beauty enthusiasts constantly searching for the next must-have product, niche affiliate programs are the ultimate secret weapon for creators looking to turn passion into profit. But the real challenge isn’t finding programs – it’s finding the right ones that truly align with your audience and deliver real rewards. The beauty industry is vast, ever-changing, and inclusive, spanning everything from luxury skincare and high-end cosmetics to affordable everyday essentials. No matter your niche, whether it be makeup tutorials, skincare reviews, or holistic wellness, there’s a beauty affiliate program perfectly suited to your platform. We’ve rounded up a curated list of…

AI search is still moving. What’s cited today across Google (AI Mode + AI Overviews) and ChatGPT might look different in a month. But there’s no need to scramble. For example, a dip in Reddit citations isn’t a reason to abandon conversational marketing or rebuild your plan from scratch. (Plus, it’s likely things aren’t always what they seem, like this speculation from John-Henry Scherck about Reddit and ChatGPT.) Instead, stick to doing the basics — getting mentioned by the major players in your industry as well as hyper-relevant/niche ones — while keeping tabs on macro changes that should impact your go-forward strategy. LLM Sources Aren’t Set in Stone The “who get…

AI is already reshaping how buyers discover and choose brands. When someone asks ChatGPT or Google AI Mode about your category, two things happen: Brands are mentioned in the answer Sources are cited as proof Most companies get one or the other. Very few win both. And that’s the problem. According to the latest Semrush Enterprise AI Visibility Index, only a small fraction of companies appear in AI answers as both seen (mentions) and trusted (citations). That gap is the opportunity. We’re proposing the Seen & Trusted (S&T) Framework — a systematic approach to help your brand earn mentions in AI answers and citations as a trusted source. Do both, and you …

If you do any kind of marketing, you’ve probably come across at least one of these acronyms recently: GEO: Generative Engine Optimization AEO: Answer Engine Optimization LLMO: Large Language Model Optimization AIO: Artificial Intelligence Optimization Here’s the truth: They all mean essentially the same thing. But they are subtly different from SEO (search engine optimization). This article will tell you where they’re similar, where they’re different, and what you need to know as a marketer. SEO vs. Everything Else Explained There might be shades of nuance between these acronyms, but the goal with all of them is the same. They all aim to optimize your (or your clien…

Ask the same question in 11 AI search engines, and you’ll get 11 different answers. Sometimes wildly different. Some engines focus on visuals and shoppable results. Others go deep into research. A few just try to get you an answer, fast. Each platform prioritizes and presents it differently. And those differences matter. Not just for users, but for brands trying to get discovered in AI search. So, I tested popular and lesser-known AI engines on accuracy, depth, user experience, and other factors. Only four made the cut. In this guide, you’ll learn which AI search engines came out on top, including pros, cons, and pricing. I’ll also share which engines didn’t make …

AI search is reshaping how ecommerce brands get discovered. One week, your products show up in ChatGPT. The next week, they’re replaced by competitors. For many brands, this uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Organic visibility now depends less on rankings and keywords, and more on how LLMs gather information, which platforms they rely on, and what signals help them highlight your brand. In this guide, I’ll explain this crucial shift in detail. I’ll unpack: What actually shapes visibility inside AI answers The business impact of compressed buyer journeys and broken attribution How you can build lasting relevance in this new search ecosystem The 3 Types of AI Visib…

Creating an official brand subreddit is one of the hardest marketing spaces to get right. Why? Because it’s hostile ground for traditional brand messaging, with some of the internet’s snarkiest users watching every move. But if you strike the right balance, the payoff is huge. Just look at r/fidelityinvestments. This brand subreddit has grown into a self-sustaining community. Members trade tips, ask questions, and help resolve issues before the company’s reps even show up. Fidelity’s still there, keeping things on track. But because the users trust the brand and the space, conversations flow without much hand-holding. So how do you get there? This guide breaks …

You found a digital marketing agency that feels like the one. The pitch was perfect. They “get” your goals. Their case studies are impressive. But a few weeks later, reality starts to set in: slow responses, recycled strategies, and reports that don’t show any tangible results. This scenario is painfully common, but it’s not inevitable. Choosing an agency that performs as well as they sell is possible — if you know what to look for. In this guide, I’ll cover: Red flags that signal an agency might overpromise and underdeliver Green flags that separate the great partners from the mediocre ones Must-ask questions to help you spot these flags before you sign the contra…

Ad intelligence software promises to show you everything your competitors are doing: their keywords, budgets, creatives, and landing pages. But many surface insights you could get for free. Meta’s Ad Library shows what advertisers are currently running. Google’s Transparency Center does the same for search and YouTube. TikTok’s Creative Center reveals top performers by industry. So, when does paid software earn its cost? You’re tracking multiple competitors across platforms and losing hours to manual checks You need historical data on which ads they tested and killed You rely on spend benchmarks and real-time alerts to catch shifts before your clients do That’s the …

AI chat is the number one source B2B buyers use to shortlist software. Not review sites. Not vendor websites. Not salespeople. AI chat. G2’s 2025 survey of 1,000+ decision makers found that 87% say AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are changing how they research software. Half of SaaS buyers now start in AI chat instead of Google Search. They’re “one-shotting” their research with prompts like “Give me CRM solutions for a large gym that work on iPads.” What used to take hours of “Google —> right-click —> open new tab” is condensed to minutes. If your product doesn’t show up when buyers ask AI to recommend solutions in your category, you’re losing de…

Modern SEO teams aren’t just optimizing for rankings in traditional search anymore. They’re also optimizing for visibility in AI-powered search and answer engines. And that shift is showing up in job listings. I recently came across this position: This isn’t an outlier. Dozens of companies are now posting similar roles, and the shift runs deeper than new job titles. I reviewed 100+ general SEO job postings. 96% mentioned AI somewhere in the description. AI is creating entirely new positions, but it’s also changing what existing roles require. Why? Because AI search works differently from traditional Google ranking. It extracts passages, synthesizes informatio…

AI chat is changing how people shop for fashion — fast. Before AI, buying something as simple as casual leggings meant typing keywords into Google. Then, sifting through pages of results. Comparing prices. Reading reviews. Getting overwhelmed. In fact, 74% of shoppers give up because there’s too much choice, according to research by Business of Fashion and McKinsey. Now? A shopper submits a query. AI gives one clear answer — often with direct links to products, reviews, and retailers. They can even click straight to purchase. So, how do you make sure AI recommends your fashion brand? We analyzed how fashion brands appear in AI search. And why some brands dominate …

With AI tools at everyone’s fingertips, what does “great” content writing mean in 2026? Content writing is about using words and psychology to deliver value, earn trust, and move readers toward action. It includes blog posts, social media content, newsletters, and white papers. Or it can be scripts for video, podcasts, and presentations. Content Type Purpose Key Characteristics Blog posts Educate; build brand awareness and authority In-depth, structured, research-backed Social media posts Engage, entertain, build community Conversational, visual, platform-specific Email newsletters Nurture relationships; drive action Personal tone, value-driven, scannable …

You’ve likely invested in AI tools for your marketing team, or at least encouraged people to experiment. Some use the tools daily. Others avoid them. A few test them quietly on the side. This inconsistency creates a problem. An MIT study found that 95% of AI pilots fail to show measurable ROI. Scattered marketing AI adoption doesn’t translate to proven time savings, higher output, or revenue growth. AI usage ≠ AI adoption ≠ effective AI adoption. To get real results, your whole team needs to use AI systematically with clear guidelines and documented outcomes. But getting there requires removing common roadblocks. In this guide, I’ll explain seven marketing AI adop…