Screenshot of Google Marketing Live 2025 announcement of ads in Google AI search results.

Ads Are Now in AI Search: How Google’s AI Mode Redefines SEO and Paid Visibility

May 27, 2025
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Will Melton
We knew it was coming: Google’s 2025 Marketing Live confirmed that AI search results will now include ads, changing the game for marketers. Google announced that its new AI Overviews (AI-generated search summaries) will now include Search and Shopping ads on desktop, and that the recently launched AI Mode in Google Search will also show ads. In practice, this means…

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Screenshot from Google's live stream of Google I/O showing off AI Mode

Google’s AI Mode Just Changed Everything. Here’s What Businesses Need to Know

May 21, 2025
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Will Melton
After 27 years of Google, the era of search is over. Google’s launch of AI Mode—its full generative search experience—marks the official end of traditional search as we knew it. If you’ve built your business on organic traffic from Google, it’s past time to reassess everything. This is not a drill. It’s the acceleration of a trend that’s been in…

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AI Overview Example of "AI Search Optimization" Showing Xponent21 as the Top Source

10 Leading SEO Agencies Helping Brands Rank in AI Search and Beyond

May 12, 2025
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Will Melton
Search is undergoing a seismic shift. Traditional search engine optimization (SEO) is no longer just about getting blue links on Google’s first page – it’s about earning a spot in AI-powered answers and summaries. Modern search platforms like Google’s AI Overviews, OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Bing Chat, and Perplexity AI use generative AI to answer user queries directly. This means B2B marketing…

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How to Optimize Your Website and Content to Rank in AI Search Results

April 29, 2025
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Will Melton
Latest update: May 31, 2025 As AI-powered search engines like Perplexity, Google’s AI Overviews—and now AI Mode—as well as tools such as ChatGPT continue to reshape how users find information, content creators must evolve their SEO strategies to keep up. In 2024, 60% of Google searches never left the search engine results page (SERP), underscoring the need for tactics that…

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Cartoon of a robot responding to a man's prompt with autonomous decisions and purchases.

AI SEO Strategies for Marketing Leaders: A Practical Guide to Achieving Top Citations in AI

April 19, 2025
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Will Melton
As search experiences continue to evolve, one thing is clear: content that gets pulled into AI-generated responses isn’t just optimized—it’s intelligently structured, deeply authoritative, and incredibly human-centric.​ Implementing effective AI SEO strategies is crucial in this landscape. AI search tools like Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) and Microsoft’s Copilot, as well as Perplexity, Claude, and ChatGPT, prioritize clear, well-organized content…

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SEO Agency Richmond

Finding the Best SEO Agencies in Richmond, VA: A Collaborative Guide for 2025

April 1, 2025
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Will Melton
The Richmond SEO Agency Landscape is Diverse Richmond, VA, boasts a diverse and thriving marketing community, with agencies and creatives ranging from one-man shops to agencies that produce significant national campaigns. As businesses in Richmond increasingly recognize the importance of a strong digital presence, the demand for effective Search Engine Optimization (SEO) services has surged. However, finding the best Richmond…

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Graphic Depicting the Top Digital Marketing Agencies Richmond VA Guide

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Digital Marketing Agencies in Richmond, VA, for 2025

April 1, 2025
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Will Melton
Digital marketing is critical for businesses aiming to propel themselves in today’s competitive landscape. With many online platforms to deploy ads on, and a rapidly evolving search landscape, finding the right agency for your business can mean the difference between stagnance and exponential growth. With the right digital marketing agency and strategy plan, your business will increase online visibility, drive…

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The Truth About AI Content and SEO: Why Strategy and Expertise Matter More Than Ever

March 11, 2025
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Will Melton
If you’ve heard that “AI-generated content is bad for SEO,” you’re not alone. We’ve had clients come to us worried that using AI to assist with content creation will get their website penalized by Google or cause their search rankings to take a hit. They heard it from “a guy.” Let’s set the record straight: AI-generated content isn’t the problem.…

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The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 14: A/B Testing & Iteration

March 2, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success AI search is dynamic—what works today may not work tomorrow. Continuous testing and iteration ensure that your content, messaging, and engagement strategies remain effective over time. By analyzing performance data and making incremental improvements, you can refine your AI SEO strategy to maximize visibility, engagement, and conversions. This step…

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The AI SEO Content Accelerator | Part 13: Proactive Outreach, Promotion, & Community Engagement

March 2, 2025
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Will Melton
New to this series? Start with Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Success AI search engines don’t operate in isolation—they assess credibility, influence, and engagement across the web. A strong AI SEO strategy extends beyond content creation to active outreach, relationship-building, and participation in digital conversations. To solidify your presence in AI-driven search results, your brand must be referenced across trusted platforms,…

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