When Google announces a major “Core Update,” the most recent one documented here, my inbox typically receives a question from concerned business owners and C-Suite executives. The common anxiety is that Google is fundamentally changing the rules of the game or that “Search” as we know it is breaking. I
Having worked with hundreds of businesses—from global manufacturers to specialized professional services—I have developed a disciplined eye for what constitutes a “professional” brand image. For a long time, that discipline was rooted in my background in traditional television. In that world, there were rules. You never, under any circumstances, allowed
For ten years, I have led the strategy process for every incoming client at KWSM Digital. In that time, I have seen search engines evolve from simple keyword matchers to sophisticated systems that attempt to understand human intent. Google’s February 2026 Core Update aims at reducing gimmicks and Domain Authority
If there’s one sure thing in digital marketing, we often suffer from its “shiny object syndrome.” Right now, the shiniest object in the room is undoubtedly search driven by Artificial Intelligence. Every marketing newsletter, LinkedIn post, and boardroom discussion is dominated by ChatGPT, Gemini, and the “death of search.” While
For the last 10 years, I have led the strategy process for every incoming client here at KWSM Digital. I have worked with hundreds of businesses, ranging from local service providers to massive global manufacturers. Over that decade, I have watched the digital landscape shift and evolve, but I have
One misstep I often see is businesses chasing the SEO squirrel. They jump on the newest tactic, or even worse, hack, and burn through it until the algorithm catches up and diminishes their efforts. It’s understandable. In this dynamic environment, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends
As the owner or C-suite of a mid-sized business, your focus is on a clear path to growth. You build budgets around tangible outcomes and direct your teams toward channels that promise a measurable return. It’s why requests like “We need a powerful e-commerce platform” or “Let’s double down on
As KWSM’s VP of Strategy, I’ve seen firsthand the anxieties that arise with shifts in the digital marketing world. There’s a lot of chatter out there about the demise of SEO, especially with the rise of AI Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Co-Pilot and Google’s own Gemini and
