×
  • Leading Digital Marketing Agency
  • 900+ Websites Launched
  • $100M+ Client Revenue Generated








    855.686.4649 ext.707 Get A Proposal

    Tag: Search Engine Optimization

    Feeding Data to ChatGPT: Practical Ways to Use Your Own Data for Better Outputs

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    For businesses and creators looking to stay competitive, asking ChatGPT a generic question is no longer enough. When you’re feeding data to ChatGPT, you create specific, brand-aligned results. Why would you want to do this? There’s value in this because ChatGPT will give you insights on how to update your content for AI search. This process is the cornerstone of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): it’s a new frontier in digital strategy. 

    Is GEO important for marketers today? Yes! You benefit by building campaigns with GEO in mind so you’ll have a better chance of being found in ChatGPT searches for your content and products.

    Key point: By choosing to feed ChatGPT with your own data, you give it a “temporary memory” to reference for your task. This prevents it from relying on its own general training data.

    a woman working using chatgpt

    Feeding Data to ChatGPT: How to Use Your Own Data for Better Outputs + GEO

    When we talk about “feeding” data to an AI, it refers to providing the model with your specific content, like PDFs, spreadsheets, product catalogs, or brand guidelines, to guide its reasoning. It is not the same as “training” the model. Training happens at the foundational level by ChatGPT’s owner and developer, OpenAI (or other companies if the model is other than ChatGPT). 

    The 4 Types of Feeding Data to ChatGPT

    1. Direct Prompting (fastest)

    The simplest way to feed ChatGPT with your own data is to copy and paste text directly into the chat interface. This is ideal for short-form content, such as a single-page article.

    2. File Uploads (best for documents and batches)

    For more extensive datasets, use the file upload feature (available in Plus, Team, and Enterprise versions—Free users have limited access). You can upload PDFs, CSVs, or Word documents. This is the most efficient way of feeding data to ChatGPT.

    3. Custom GPTs (best for repeatable workflows)

    You can “hardwire” specific data into the GPT’s knowledge base so it will understand your brand voice, your technical specifications, and your internal terminology without you having to re-upload files.

    4. API Connections / Product Feeds (best for scale + freshness)

    For enterprises, connecting ChatGPT to your data via API allows for real-time data exchange. If you have a shifting product catalog, an API ensures you are feeding data to ChatGPT that is live and accurate.

    How Feeding Data Improves Results (What Gets Better, Specifically)

    • Accuracy and relevance: When you provide the source material, the AI doesn’t guess. It pulls facts directly from your documents.
    • Consistency across teams and channels: By using a centralized set of data (like a brand bible), you ensure that all team members generate content that sounds like it came from the same person.
    • Speed without sacrificing quality: Generate a month’s worth of social media posts in minutes since the AI already has your campaign strategy and product specs “in mind.”
    • Better structured outputs: If you feed the AI a template or a CSV of how you want data organized, it can transform raw information into tables, JSON code, or formatted reports.
    geo targeting for seo

    Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): Where “Feeding” Fits

    By feeding data to ChatGPT, you help refine how the AI understands your brand.

    This allows testing of how AI perceives unique selling propositions (USPs). It also helps give you ideas so you can generate high-authority, data-rich content. This is the type of content AI engines such as ChatGPT seek when finding sources to cite.

    How ChatGPT Helps GEO for Ecommerce Businesses

    Improve your GEO visibility opportunities by having ChatGPT help you structure your content. Feeding it your information guides ChatGPT to give you insights on how to do that.

    1. Sentiment Analysis: Feed ChatGPT customer reviews to identify what people like.
    2. Schema Markup: Use ChatGPT to turn product descriptions into structured data that search engines and AI crawlers can easily digest.
    3. Content Gap Analysis: Feed ChatGPT with your own data alongside competitor data to see what product pages are missing that would make an AI consider a brand a “top authority” in its category.
    Ads campaign

    Successful ChatGPT-Focused Campaigns Start with Trek Marketing

    Better inputs mean better outputs and stronger GEO. Pick one method, choose one category, run a pilot, and measure outcomes. If this sounds a bit challenging for you, don’t worry. You can amp up your Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) with Trek Marketing’s expert GPT-focused campaigns. 

    Don’t wait. Your competitors are already leveraging ChatGPT to help them be found in AI search. Contact us (855.686.4649 ext. 707) now for a free online marketing proposal.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What does “feeding data to ChatGPT” actually mean?

    A: It is different than training the model. Feeding means providing your own documents, text, or database access to the AI so it can use that as context for its answers, rather than relying on its general knowledge.

    Q: Can I feed ChatGPT with my own data safely?

    A: Use Team, Enterprise, or Edu versions; they exclude data from training by default. On Free or Plus accounts, you must manually toggle off “Improve the model for everyone” in Settings > Data Controls.

    Q: Does ChatGPT permanently learn my business when I upload files?

    A: In a standard chat, no. In a Custom GPT, uploaded files become part of its persistent knowledge base, so it references them across sessions for that GPT only. The underlying model does not ‘learn’ or change permanently.

    Q: What’s the best way to feed ChatGPT a product catalog?

    A: For small catalogs, a CSV or Excel file upload works best. For large, frequently changing catalogs, an API connection is preferred.

    Q: What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), and how is it different from SEO?

    A: SEO focuses on ranking in search engine results pages. GEO focuses on making sure a brand is mentioned, cited, and recommended by generative AI models in their conversational responses.

    Q: How does feeding ChatGPT improve GEO for e-commerce?

    A: It helps marketers create accurate, data-backed content that matches the specific citations AI models look for.

    ChatGPT Ads in Canada: What Canadians Should Watch For

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    Does ChatGPT Have Ads?

    As of February 2026, OpenAI officially began testing ads within ChatGPT. For Canadians, ChatGPT is ad-free for now. Ad tests are localized to the United States at this time, meaning Canadian users won’t see sponsored content in their daily chats just yet. ChatGPT is running this U.S. pilot program to preview their ad platform before rolling it out more broadly.

    The rollout is also tiered based on your subscription model. Currently, ads are being tested primarily for users on the Free and Go plans. If you are a subscriber to ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Team, Enterprise, or Edu, your interface remains ad-free. 

    This creates a clear distinction: while the public will likely interact with sponsored suggestions, premium and corporate users retain a “clean,” uninterrupted AI experience. This is similar to other platforms, though, such as X, which limits or removes ads depending on your subscription tier.

    a woman working using chatgpt

    What Counts as ChatGPT Ads

    Distinguishing between an AI’s “opinion” and a paid placement is vital. ChatGPT search ads appear as clearly labeled sponsored links or placements within a conversation. OpenAI says that the core answers will stay independent. ChatGPT ads will be shown as supplementary suggestions. For example, if you ask for a dinner recipe, the AI might suggest a specific brand of olive oil or a local grocery delivery service available in your area.

    ChatGPT Search shopping results are not ads. These are organic citations generated when the AI crawls the web to help you find products. They look like product listings; they are based on relevance and web data, not a paid model. This can help Canadian businesses that want to ensure their products appear in AI search results without necessarily buying ad space.

    ChatGPT Ads in Canada

    Usually, major tech rollouts migrate to Canada shortly after a successful U.S. pilot, so Canadian businesses should watch for rollout updates throughout late 2026. Because Canada has unique bilingual requirements and privacy standards (like PIPEDA), the localized version may feature specific adjustments for the Canadian market.

    What Canadian advertisers should prepare (before any rollout)

    Canadian businesses that want to advertise on ChatGPT don’t have to wait to get ready. Now is a good time to review your website’s metadata and product descriptions to ensure they are clear and structured. Canadian brands can prepare bilingual ad copy (English and French) so that they’re ready to capture intent across all provinces once ChatGPT ads are available in Canada.

    ChatGPT ads

    ChatGPT Search Ads: The New Battleground for Intent

    Why “search” inside ChatGPT changes the funnel

    Traditional search ads on Google rely on keywords, but ChatGPT ads focus on intent. When a user asks, “How do I fix a leaky faucet in a Toronto winter?” They want answers because they’re in the “problem-solving” phase. So, instead of catching a user who is just browsing, advertisers can present themselves as the immediate solution to the problem, so query to conversion can potentially happen more directly.

    The ChatGPT Ad Creator Playbook (For Canadians Running Google Ads)

    Even while waiting for internal ChatGPT ad inventory, many Canadian marketers are already using ChatGPT itself as an ad creator, having the tool create chatGPT prompts for Google ads. While ChatGPT doesn’t have its own dedicated ad creator, people use the platform for assistance, so they refer to using it that way as having a chatgpt ad creator. 

    So while some businesses use ChatGPT to create Google Ads, they might want a few ideas to get the most out of it. Here are additional tips you can use to make ChatGPT help you create effective ads.

    What ChatGPT Is Best At For Ad Creation

    Offer Angles & Hooks: Use ChatGPT to brainstorm various angles, such as “reliability for Canadian winters” versus “cost-saving benefits.”

    Variant Generation at Scale: Quickly generate hundreds of Responsive Search Ad (RSA) assets, sitelinks, and callout extensions that match your brand voice.

    Landing Page Alignment: Ensure your “message match” is perfect by having the AI analyze your ad copy and suggest landing page headlines.

    Can You Buy ChatGPT Ads Today?

    While you cannot launch a campaign specifically targeting Canadian users yet, OpenAI is actively testing ads and has opened pathways for advertiser interest. Marketers in Canada are ramping up for ChatGPT ads. You can use the recommendations we provided above to get your website ready when it’s time to launch your ChatGPT ads.

    Trek-HR-Logo

    Contact Trek Marketing to Build a ChatGPT Strategy

    Stay tuned for further updates on the availability of chat gpt ads in Canada by contacting Trek Marketing. While we’re waiting for ChatGPT ads to roll out in Canada, Trek Marketing can provide you with a free website analysis. This will point out and prioritize site updates that can be made to streamline your ad visitors’ experience once they arrive on your site. Plus, we can review your site’s content and help you build it out to signal to ChatGPT that you are an authority in your industry.

    Contact Trek Marketing now (855.686.4649 ext.707) for your free strategy call.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Does ChatGPT have ads?

    A: Yes, OpenAI began a limited rollout of advertisements in early 2026 for specific user groups and regions.

    Q: Are there ads in ChatGPT in Canada?

    A: Not yet in Canada, but they should roll out on or before summer 2026 after the US pilot test is done.

    Q: What do “ads in ChatGPT” look like?

    A: Ads appear as clearly labeled “Sponsored” cards or tinted boxes located below the AI’s organic conversational response.

    Q: Do ads influence ChatGPT’s answers?

    A: No, OpenAI maintains “answer independence,” ensuring that paid advertisements do not affect the content or accuracy of responses.

    Q: What plans show ads?

    A: Ads will be displayed to users on the free tier and the $8 per month ChatGPT Go plan.

    Q: What about ChatGPT Search—are shopping results ads?

    A: ChatGPT Search includes sponsored results that are contextually matched to user queries but remain visually distinct from organic data.

    Q: How do I create ads with ChatGPT?

    A: Users can use ChatGPT to generate ad copy, headlines, and creative strategies, but it is not an ad-buying platform.

    Q: How do I run ads on ChatGPT?

    A:  Currently, there is no self-serve manager; advertisers must coordinate directly with OpenAI, often requiring a significant minimum commitment.

    How Reviews and Reputation Impact GEO Visibility

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    AI powers much of what we see online. It likes grabbing details from reviews to decide what to recommend or summarize. Your company’s online reputation doesn’t just help with traditional rankings. You’ll discover in a moment how it plays a big part in being mentioned in AI search. 

    So, while SEO is still relevant, and we still want to create great content for people, not just for search, we recognize how AI-driven generative engine optimization (GEO) is changing things. Digital marketing isn’t mainly focused anymore on keywords and links. It was never only about those, although they’re important. AI search visibility is built on what real customers are saying about you. 

    ecommerce with AI

    How Reviews Influence AI Search Results

    How do you get found in AI search? Try searching for a nearby restaurant; AI might highlight one with 4.8 stars and dozens of fresh comments over one with barely any feedback. These are the points it uses to find what it deems a trustworthy, reliable business:

    • AI pays attention to quantity; more reviews usually mean more credibility.
    • It looks at quality; detailed, positive comments carry more weight than short one-star rants.
    • Recency matters a lot; fresh reviews signal that your business is delivering good experiences.

    It literally pays to respond to reviews. You want to do that anyway, as it’s good customer service. When you reply (especially to negative ones), AI sees it as a sign of care and engagement. 

    geo targeting for seo

    Online Reputation Management for GEO

    One of the main ways you can build your online reputation is through your Google Business Profile (GBP). GBP is one asset that many businesses don’t spend time on. A well-optimized GBP profile with consistent positive feedback helps you rank higher in maps and local packs, and it feeds into AI results. 

    Managing your online reputation SEO starts with putting these strategies into practice:

    • Claim and fully fill out your Google Business Profile; accurate hours, photos, and categories all help.
    • Ask happy customers for reviews right after a good experience (via email, text, or in person).
    • Respond to every review, good or bad; polite, professional replies show you’re attentive.
    • Keep an eye on other platforms (Yelp, Facebook, etc.) and encourage consistent feedback across them.

    When you stay on top of this, AI notices. It favors businesses that demonstrate that they’re trustworthy.

    Trust Signals in AI Search

    AI search uses reviews and other clues to decide which businesses seem reliable. It looks for patterns, so focus on building up these trust points:

    • High average star rating (4.5+ is ideal for standing out)
    • A good mix of recent and older reviews
    • Authentic-looking feedback (not generic or suspicious patterns)
    • Quick, thoughtful responses from the business

    You want to show people that you’re a trustworthy business. That comes first. When you’ve established that, you can request reviews and encourage people to leave feedback when they’ve had a good experience.

    customer review good rating concept smiling face

    Review Signals for Generative Search

    Reputation signals for AI search mean that AI reads the actual text in reviews to learn about your business. 

    To get the most out of this:

    • Encourage reviews that mention specific details (“great coffee and quick service in downtown”).
    • Keep reviews coming steadily; AI favors businesses that stay relevant with fresh input.
    • Avoid fake or overly promotional reviews; AI is getting better at noticing those.

    Positive reviews help AI describe your business in an accurate way for local queries.

    AI-Driven Search Recommendations

    So, the way to have AI search notice your business is to do what you already would do to please your customers. That good customer service and staying on top of getting positive review feedback can help you boost your credibility.

    searching-on-the-internet

    Credibility Signals for AI Engines

    A business with lots of authentic, positive feedback builds a strong credibility profile. 

    It’s all about being genuine in your customer interactions and following up with reviews:

    • Focus on genuine customer experiences rather than shortcuts.
    • Handle negative reviews professionally.
    • Build a steady stream of feedback over time.

    When your credibility is solid, AI engines are more likely to feature you prominently in GEO results.

    Trek Marketing’s GEO Campaigns Drive Traffic and Revenue

    Now that you know a bit more about how GEO works and what it takes to boost your online visibility in generative search, it’s time to put that knowledge into practice. Trek Marketing offers a deep understanding of all facets of GEO. We can optimize your existing content and create new content assets that will increase your authority, so humans and search engines trust you. Higher trust levels give you the best opportunity to build relationships and generate sales.

    Don’t stand still while your competitors position themselves in this new GEO landscape. Contact Trek Marketing now for your free GEO audit. Call us (855.686.4649 ext. 707) or contact us online today.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Do reviews affect AI search results?

    A: Yes, positive reviews boost visibility and influence AI recommendations by signaling trustworthiness.

    Q: How does AI evaluate online reviews?

    A: AI analyzes sentiment, quantity, recency, and authenticity to determine business credibility and relevance.

    Q: Are reviews important for GEO?

    A: Absolutely, reviews enhance local prominence, improving rankings in GEO-targeted search results.

    Q: How does reputation impact AI recommendations?

    A: Strong reputation leads to favorable AI suggestions, increasing visibility based on trust signals.

    Q: Can reviews influence generative search visibility?

    A: Yes, detailed positive reviews shape AI-generated summaries, enhancing overall search exposure.

    Ultimate Guide for Product SEO

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    What is Product SEO?

    You might think that adding HTML titles and meta descriptions, and maybe a short on-page blurb for each item, will be enough for product page optimization. Actually, there’s a whole category of search engine optimization called product SEO that can help connect your products with people searching for them. 

    Product SEO is the practice of optimizing individual product pages to rank higher in search results and drive qualified traffic to online stores. General ecommerce SEO mostly focuses on category pages and site architecture; product page optimization targets specific items shoppers are ready to buy. 

    What should you do to upgrade the product SEO for your online store? It’s a combination strategy that’s proven: Effective SEO for online stores leverages technical precision, user-focused content, and authority signals to improve ecommerce search rankings and drive conversions.

    Keywords targeting

    Keyword Research for Product Pages

    The goal is to identify what users are searching for. Transactional intent “buy iPhone 16 Pro 256GB black” means people are ready to buy, while something like “iPhone 16 Pro vs 15 Pro” attracts researchers. Be sure to include model names, sizes, and colors, like “waterproof winter jacket, women’s size 10, navy.” 

    Tools like Google Keyword Planner, Ahrefs, or Semrush can help you research exact search volumes and low-competition opportunities.

    ecommerce products

    Optimizing On-Page Product Elements

    Product titles (naming conventions)

    Every title must be unique, because if not, your pages may compete against each other and Google may write a title for you based on on-page elements. Go for 50–60 characters (including spaces) for the HTML title: [Brand] + [Product Name] + [Key Feature] + [Size/Color/Variant]. 

    Meta descriptions & structured data

    Write them under 155 characters, and include the main keyword and a call to action. Implement product schema markup to enable Google rich snippets.

    Product descriptions & unique content

    Optimize all your on-page product descriptions with natural keyword placement, bullet-point benefits, technical specs, and emotional storytelling. 

    Key in on common buyer questions (you can find these in People Also Asked sections on Google – and there are tools that compile these). Include targeted phrases in H2/H3 headings.

    High-quality visuals, alt text, and videos

    Use multiple high-resolution images. Write descriptive alt text with keywords (alt=“Nike Air Max 270 black white men’s running shoes”). Embed product videos.

    Website Speed

    Enhancing User Experience

    People want a fast, trusted, easy-to-use shopping experience. Provide it by delivering:

    • Pages that load fast
    • Mobile responsiveness
    • Easy-to-use navigation
    • Highly visible add-to-cart buttons
    • Trust signals (SSL certificates, transparent policies, awards) are important for credibility and to influence people to buy.

    Google’s Core Web Vitals (loading performance, interactivity, and visual stability) are a must to demonstrate that you provide a seamless, trustworthy shopping site.

    Internal Linking for Product SEO

    Present multiple related products, accessories, and “frequently bought together” items. You’ll benefit from this by: 

    • Improved User Experience (UX): Customers like to quickly find what they need so they don’t have to search elsewhere.
    • Increased Average Order Value (AOV): Cross-selling and upselling significantly boost the total value of each transaction.
    • Enhanced Keyword Context: Linking with the anchor text “durable carrying case” on a camera product page helps Google understand the function and relationship of both items.

    Backlink Strategies for eCommerce

    Product pages rarely attract natural links on their own. You have to earn them via influencer outreach, product placement on blogs, guest posts, and PR campaigns. 

    Spend time creating linkable assets like detailed buying guides that naturally reference your products. 

    Reviews & UGC Optimization

    Reviews are a must. Follow up with customers right away to ask for reviews. People like telling about their product experiences. Request user-generated photos and videos. Display reviews prominently and implement review schema markup, so star ratings appear in search results. 

    Boost Your Product SEO Success with Trek Marketing

    Trek Marketing’s cutting-edge product SEO can help attract qualified traffic to your site, resulting in more sales. Our experts have optimized hundreds of product pages, boosting them in Google rankings and enticing people to click through and buy.
    Don’t leave your campaigns to chance. Now is the time to upgrade your product SEO. Contact the experts at Trek Marketing (855.686.4649 ext.707) for your free SEO proposal.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: Should product pages target long-tail keywords?

    A: They have less competition, so do use them, as they attract buyers closer to purchase. Work them in where they fit naturally.

    Q: How does page speed affect product SEO?

    A: It’s a direct ranking factor, which will help you gain mobile conversions and lower bounce rates.

    Q: Does structured data help product pages rank higher?

    A: It doesn’t directly boost rankings, but it can help increase click-through rates via Google’s rich snippets.

    Q: How important are product reviews for SEO?

    A: They’re a good source of fresh content, plus they can help you get schema-enabled star ratings, and they provide strong trust signals.

    Adapting to Zero-Click Searches: Thriving in an Evolving SEO Landscape

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    Search behaviors are shifting dramatically as users increasingly seek instant answers without clicking through to websites. This is known as zero-click searches. These no-click search results are becoming more prominent on the search engine results page (SERP), where Google provides direct responses via rich features like People Also Asked, AI Overviews and more. For businesses, this means rethinking traditional SEO tactics. But what to do if the well-known list of blue links leading to websites gets fewer clicks than it used to?

    Strategy is evolving into what’s called search engine results page optimization. To get into how to do this, we’ll look at some of Google’s zero-click elements and how to use them via a zero-click SEO strategy. 

    SEO Local Search

    Understanding Zero-Click SERP Features

    Suppose a consumer searches for “how much sugar to put in brownie mix.” Instead of having to select from search results, they might find a quick answer right in a Google AI Overview. This is a great time saver for consumers, but might cost a recipe website a click through. That business may want to create expert content to help build authority and claim SERP real estate.

    Google’s mission is to satisfy queries efficiently, increasingly delivering answers right on the SERPs page. How do you get a piece of this new SERP action if people aren’t clicking through to your site?

    featured snippets

    Featured Snippets

    Featured Snippets SEO involves optimizing for concise, boxed answers at the top of SERPs. These pull from high-authority content. This can include lists, paragraphs, or tables. Build in question-based headings and scannable formats into your content to get found in these sections.

    people also ask

    People Also Ask (PAA)

    Ever see those People Also Asked (PAA) sections in Google? You can create authoritative content that helps answer those questions. One way to tackle PAA optimization is by creating in-depth FAQ sections with natural, conversational answers.

    knowledge panel

    Knowledge Panels

    Right-side panels in search results show details about brands, people, or places. To work on claiming one, update your Google My Business profile and build authority through detailed, trustworthy content.

    local pack

    Local Pack

    For location-based queries, the Local Pack shows maps and business listings. Claim and enrich your Google Business Profile with photos, reviews, and posts to build visibility in this three-pack result.

    Your Google My Business (GMB) profile is a vital part of your online presence. Trek Marketing’s local SEO experts can help you stand out with an optimized GMB profile.

    Quick Answer Boxes and Calculators

    Integrate interactive elements and schema markup SEO to enable Google to embed your calculators directly into SERPs.

    Why Zero-Click Searches Are Important to Businesses

    Zero-click searches can lead to traffic loss, yet, can be a plus via increased SERP prominence. This “implied endorsement” from Google can indirectly boost your conversions. Ignoring zero-clicks risks obscurity. Embrace them via tactics that focus on how to increase SERP visibility. Doing so can help you gain trust.

    How to Identify Zero-Click Opportunities

    Here’s how to use research and turn it into an actionable zero-click SEO strategy: Start with a benchmark on how you and your competitors show up in SERPs (PAA, AI Overviews, etc.) for your keywords. Track over time, and note where you can deliver better answers to user questions, and build content around that. 

    Answer user questions better than your competition does, so you become the expert in your space.

    CRO-conversion

    Leveraging Zero-Click to Drive Conversions

    Users will visit your site to access content built around their interests. Once they arrive on your site, have hubs of related content ready to keep them exploring. Look for ways to personalize your content, such as with specific, custom calls to action: “Get a personalized plan for your retirement. Check out our tool below.” 

    Build Authority and Revenue in a Zero-Click Search World with Trek Marketing

    Trek Marketing’s user-aligned SEO strategies can help position you as the authority so you capture traffic that you might otherwise miss. While others worry about missing out on clicks, you can benefit from a zero-click-specific methodology. Search engine results page optimization isn’t only about volume; it’s about strategic influence. Contact us (855.686.4649 ext.707) today for a free strategy consultation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Q: What causes zero-click searches?

    A: Google’s AI today prioritizes instant answers using structured data and user intent for efficient query handling.

    Q: Are zero-click searches bad for SEO?

    A: No, they actually enhance brand authority and visibility, though they reduce direct traffic if not optimized strategically.

    Q: How can I optimize my content for zero-click search features?

    A: Incorporate these tactics within your content: question-based headings, concise answers, and schema markup to target snippets, PAA, and knowledge panels.

    Q: How do I measure success with zero-click strategies?

    A: Track SERP impressions, branded queries, and indirect metrics like brand mentions or conversion attribution from features.

    The Death (or Rebirth) of SEO in the Age of AI

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    Every time shifts in search trends occur, there’s a rapid move to blow taps over SEO. And each time, SEO continues on, because there will always be a need to understand and work with search engine algorithms, so websites can be more easily found. 

    Even though there is a change in how people search due to AI (asking questions is becoming more frequent), we still have our laser focus on what is currently driving the most clicks to your website: (organic search results). But we also want the brand mentions and citations AI search results can provide. In other words, SEO isn’t going anywhere; it’s expanding and becoming more important.

    [Most of our discussion here will focus on Google AI Overviews, but the implication is to also create authoritative content for all answer engines.]

    From Search to Answers—How Generative AI Is Changing User Behavior

    What’s been happening over the last few years is that people have moved to asking more questions vs. key phrase search. These questions reveal their intent (informational, navigational, or transactional). It’s our job to figure out what the user wants and to provide the very best answer to their questions. If we do that, we have the opportunity to be featured in search results (top organic positions, AI mentions, local packs, and more).

    What is GEO? (and how is this affecting the search result?)

    AI is an added feature within Google search that gives quick, specific answers right on the results page, mixed with the familiar list of links. What has become apparent is the degradation of click value of a high-ranking organic result. That’s because organic results are now competing with AI Overviews, with clicks to high organic results declining when an AI Overview is shown (they aren’t shown for every search query). 

    Key point: Generative engine optimization (GEO) is a part of SEO that can help marketers build their visibility in AI search. Even though organic search still delivers the most clickthroughs to websites, this degradation of clicks to top organic results gives marketers the opportunity, through GEO, to try and capture additional SERP real estate.

    How Does GEO Work? 

    1. It focuses on creating content that explains complex topics clearly, and aligns content to top user question search prompts. 
    2. GEO is not only for new content. It provides an excellent opportunity to audit your site and realign existing content with trending user questions.
    3. Different answer engines apply unique algorithms that value GEO-focused resources.
    SEO factors

    Reasons Why Traditional SEO Is Flatlining (and What’s Replacing It)

    There has been some rush to judgment about SEO’s future; we even pointed to fewer clicks on high-ranking organic search results due to AI Overviews. But SEO isn’t dying; far from it. Tactics like keyword optimization and backlink acquisition not only continue to build SEO organic positions, but also contribute to potential presence in AI search.

    How to Win at GEO: Build on Top of SEO Strategies

    Leverage Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

    Your GBP is a critical component of local SEO and GEO. Optimizing this profile includes:

    • Accurate business information (name, address, phone number)
    • High-quality images
    • Positive customer reviews
    • Regular updates and posts

    Even if you already have a GBP, it needs to be kept up to date with the signals that human users, organic and AI search require. Contact us now for a Google Business Profile audit and proposal.

    Align GEO with E-E-A-T Principles

    In 2023, when Google stated “…Those seeking success in Google Search should be looking to produce original, high-quality, people-first content demonstrating qualities E-E-A-T,” they gave us their roadmap for creating great content. That focus hasn’t changed; in fact, it is even more important, today.

    Focus your content for the new GEO age and strengthen organic and AI overview opportunities by following these guidelines:

    • Context-rich: AI engines prioritize content that provides comprehensive, nuanced answers.
    • Semantically structured: Use headings and bullet points to help AI understand your content.
    • Authoritative and trustworthy: Cite credible sources and include expert opinions.
    • Answer questions directly: Use FAQ sections and Q&A formats.
    • Use natural language: Write in a conversational tone that matches how users speak.
    • Incorporate structured data: Use schema.org markup to make your content machine-readable.
    • AI engines favor fresh, up-to-date information.

    These strategies will help with both organic and AI search visibility.

    business-presentation-seo-training-and-communicating

    How to Future-Proof Your Brand for the AI Search Era (GEO Principles)

    Review your digital assets and align with these strategies:

    • Keep current on top questions in your space and create content around those that answers the questions better than your competitors do.
    • Optimize for services beyond Google, such as Claude and Grok, by implementing structured data for diverse query types.
    • Use analytics for “AI visibility” evaluations; several new tools are providing insights into where and how your site shows up in AI search, and how you stack up vs. competitors.

    Trek Marketing Can Lead You to Success in this New GEO Era

    SEO isn’t dead. It’s just becoming smarter. The goal is to continue with white-hat SEO; from link building, to content creation, to site speed and crawlability. These are not changing and take on even greater importance today. GEO is a new adaptation of SEO, and it’s still evolving. Trek Marketing understands this new framework, which can strengthen your visibility in both traditional and AI search.

    Contact Trek Marketing for your custom marketing proposal.

    From Keywords to Reviews: How SEO Powers Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    If you aren’t maximizing the online reach you can get with a free Google Business Profile yet, or if you want to optimize Google Business Profile categories, photos, descriptions and more, check out our tips to help you punch up your local presence on Google. 

    For those of you who don’t have a GBP yet, Trek Marketing can easily set one up for you. Please contact us, as while this can be done yourself, getting it right is super important, so you get the best opportunity to gain the traffic you want.

    If you want to set it up yourself and then have us manage it for you – an ongoing process that’s definitely worth it for reaching out to and staying in touch with local customers – we can do that, too!)

    google update

    Why Google Business Profile SEO Matters

    Being found locally on every device means you must be found on Google. Google Business Profile ranking starts with ensuring your business description includes relevant, researched keywords. You’ll want to be clear and specific. Perhaps you offer organic lawn treatments that encourage native plants and grasses. Whatever your unique selling point is, describe it fully and accurately, and include researched keywords that will match users’ search intent (more on that in a moment).

    Be Careful with How You Present Your Contact Information

    Display your business name, address, phone number (NAP) using the same structure and spelling everywhere (website, GBP, local directories): variations like street vs. St.; Suite vs. Ste., confuse Google. This important local SEO tip can help you be found online. 

    Keywords. SEO, Search engine optimization and internet marketing concept on screen.

    Keywords: The Foundation of SEO for Google Business Profile

    Importance of Keywords for Google Business Profile

    What you want to highlight in your GBP are keywords that reflect what people are actually searching for. 

    Example: You want to be found for “Vancouver family restaurant.” You serve burgers, sandwiches, and desserts. If local customers are mainly searching for hamburger and sandwich shops, you’ll want to optimize your GBP for those keywords to connect with your customers. Focus on the things they are searching for. You can also mention that you are a family restaurant.

    Be sure to research keyword synonyms. Ever notice the many words for couch? Sofa, davenport, lounge, sectional…the list goes on. Your local SEO for GBP should include multiple synonyms for what you sell that are highly searched, so you bring in traffic for all those search terms. 

    With keywords, you need to mostly use the ones that signal intent to convert. It’s great to attract people who may only be curious about you, but if you target buying intent keywords, you’ll likely bring in some new or casual visitors too, and be able to connect with them, anyway. 

    Let our experts conduct your keyword research so you don’t miss any opportunities to reach your target audience.

    Add Pictures and Videos to GBP

    It’s essential to include lots of pictures and videos in your GBP, as they can help build trust and familiarity. They should be high quality, and show people what your business looks like inside and out, what your products look like, and examples of your creations or team performing your services. Google has a few guidelines, such as videos being only up to 30 seconds long. It’s proven that good visual content in a GBP can get you more click-throughs and engagement.

    How to Get More Customer Reviews for your eCommerce Website according to our eCommerce marketing agency

    This is a Must! Actively Solicit and Connect with Customers via Google Reviews 

    GBP review management is one of the top ways you can interact with current customers, and potentially influence new customers to try your services. The best review strategy is to be proactive. Check your reviews at least several times per week, or ask your SEO company to assist you with review management.

    The best way to get people to provide reviews is to make it easy for them to do so. Generate a review link from your GBP dashboard. Go ahead and share it on social media and other channels. Put it in your text messages, emails, and everywhere you make contact with customers. 

    Track your reviews and be as proactive with responding as you are with requesting reviews. Thank people for their reviews and if there’s a negative comment, politely acknowledge it, apologize and offer a personalized resolution offline.

    sticky notes words related to content marketing

    Maximize Your Local Reach with Trek Marketing

    There is a lot more involved in developing and maintaining GBP, but our tips will get you started. You can do it! And if you’re too busy or want to really maximize your reach, that’s what Trek Marketing is here for! Our experts offer the latest local SEO knowledge and skills. Make sure you connect with everyone looking locally for you. Contact Trek Marketing today for your free local SEO proposal.

    What’s Included in a Professional SEO Audit (And Why It Matters)

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    A professional SEO audit evaluates a website’s search engine optimization health, and its effectiveness in converting visitors (to make a purchase, contact you, download a file). It identifies what’s working, weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. The audit breaks down findings into several categories: technical, on-page, off-page, and user experience factors. Both small businesses and larger companies can benefit from an SEO audit service. The result is that the audit provides actionable insights, which can be especially helpful for businesses targeting specific regions. For example, a company can order an SEO audit, Vancouver region focused, so it can work on strategies to reach more local customers. 

    Everything found in an audit should be weighed against these criteria: whether they improve humans’ and search engines’ ability to use, navigate, and understand the website.

    engineer-teamwork-meeting-drawing-working-on-blue

    1. Technical SEO Audit

    A technical SEO audit examines factors that make a website accessible, indexable, and user-friendly for search engines. How to conduct a technical SEO site audit begins with going through the site for anything that could block search engines from crawling it. It checks the presence or lack of various types of essential website code, such as robots.txt files, crawl errors, broken links, and redirects (301s, 302s, redirect chains) that may impede search engine bots. 

    The audit includes search engine indexability checks. It analyzes noindex tags, canonical issues, and XML sitemaps (all these are various coding factors) to confirm pages are properly indexed. Site speed and more website performance features are reviewed, too, to ensure fast load times and a smooth user experience. Security is included in the check, as it’s important for trustworthy and secure site visits and transactions. This includes checks for HTTPS (secure communication between website and web browser). Mobile-friendliness and responsive design are tested to confirm compatibility across devices. Structured data/schema markup are also checked to see if they are present or need updating (these tell search engines what your pages are about).

    You might wonder, even if you request an SEO site audit, why invest in professional technical SEO audit tools? They can give you indications about the health of your website, and help you to know when you should call in experts to help.

    2. On-Page SEO Audit

    An on-page SEO audit focuses on multiple criteria, including header tag structure (H1, H2, etc.), keyword usage and relevance and content depth and quality. The key is to gauge if pages provide valuable, comprehensive information to increase user engagement and drive better search performance.

    3. Off-Page SEO Audit

    This is an analysis of external factors influencing your site’s authority and trustworthiness. A link building audit is the main part of this, which reviews the quantity and quality of inbound links. Toxic/spammy link identification flags harmful links that could trigger penalties. Domain authority and referring domains are measured to gauge your site’s credibility. It’s also important to conduct a competitor backlink comparison, so opportunities can be found to close gaps with rivals. 

    4. Local SEO Audit

    Especially if you want to compete in your local area, a local SEO audit is critical. This involves checking that your Google Business Profile ranks well in local searches. NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across directories prevents confusion and boosts credibility. The local audit also checks local directory presence and performance in location-specific searches. Customer review signals are another key point this part of the audit covers.

    5. Content Audit

    The quality, relevance, and performance of your website’s content are some of the most important parts of your SEO audit. Pages are reviewed for depth, readability, and uniqueness to avoid thin or duplicate content. Content freshness is a major point of concern; the analysis includes recommendations for updating outdated information to maintain relevance. Traffic and engagement is reviewed to identify top-performing and underperforming pages. Recommendations for new content to add to the site are often a part of this audit.

    6. User Experience (UX) & Conversion Audit

    A UX and conversion audit evaluates how users interact with your site. Page load experience, mobile usability issues, navigation, and site structure are reviewed to ensure users can easily find information. This audit identifies friction points that may deter conversions.

    7. Analytics & Tracking Review

    An analytics and tracking review looks at your Google Analytics setup and goals (or other tracking you have installed). This evaluation also looks at Google Search Console, Tag Manager, and other analytics, so your conversion goals can be analyzed over time. 

    8. Competitor SEO Analysis

    Your site’s strengths and weaknesses are compared to your competitors. While you have unique differentiators for your business, it’s important to analyze competitors, to find gaps in your own website technical and content areas. These findings can be evaluated for new website update and content creation opportunities.

    9. Audit Summary & Actionable Recommendations

    The audit concludes with a detailed summary. It presents findings by order of priority and provides action steps. The recommendations are tailored to your business goals. The action steps are designed to provide you with measurable results over time, so you can track your progress. 

    big data domain web page seo concept

    How Trek Marketing’s SEO Site Audit Services Can Help You

    Your website is more than a storefront. It provides a first impression of your company, and also plays a central role in how your target audience interacts with you and how search engines rank you against your competitors. It is vital that your website position you competitively, and to do that, it must be optimized and kept up to date.

    A professional SEO audit addresses technical, on-page, off-page, and local SEO factors, so you can unlock your site’s potential. These areas, while they are analyzed separately, are also reviewed in connection to each other to gauge how they influence search engine friendliness and human visitor usability.

    Trek Marketing provides years of experience analyzing websites of every size, in every industry. For expert guidance, call Trek Marketing (855.686.4649 ext.707) to schedule your comprehensive SEO audit, or contact us online.

    How to Use Customer Reviews to Boost Ecommerce SEO

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang

    Leveraging Customer Reviews for Ecommerce SEO in 2025

    Customer reviews are more than just social proof—they’re a dynamic asset for ecommerce SEO. As digital marketing grows increasingly competitive, savvy businesses are harnessing the power of user-generated content to improve search rankings, enhance trust, and drive conversions.

    feedback, checklist, job, good, satisfactory, bad, smiley, manage, block folder, drawn, work, opinion poll, customer, happy, unhappy, career, management, write a review, positive, negative, ok, analyze, satisfaction, review, feedback

    Why Customer Reviews Matter for SEO

    Reviews provide fresh, unique content that search engines love. Every new review adds valuable keywords, phrases, and long-tail search queries to your product pages. This helps ecommerce sites rank higher for relevant searches while increasing engagement metrics like time on page through effective blogs and content.

    Additionally, review-rich pages often feature higher click-through rates and lower bounce rates, signaling to Google that your site provides valuable information for users. Beyond these foundational benefits, customer reviews help diversify the language on your website, capturing real-world terms and product-specific details that your audience naturally uses. For example, a reviewer might mention how a product solves a particular problem or compare it to alternatives, resulting in organic keyword variations that extend your online reach. Discover more about optimizing for long-tail and organic traffic in our Ecommerce SEO Advantage guide.

    review, opinion, feedback, stars, evaluation, survey, customer, poll, assessment, satisfaction, rating, quality, business, online, reputation

    How to Encourage More Reviews from Your Customers

    Collecting reviews starts with creating a smooth process for customers. Here are some proven strategies:

    • Follow up with buyers: Send a friendly email 5-7 days after purchase asking for feedback.
    • Offer incentives: Small discounts or entries into giveaways can motivate customers to share their opinions.
    • Make reviewing easy: Use review platforms or built-in ecommerce tools with simple, mobile-friendly forms.

    Creating an effective review collection strategy involves more than automation. Personalized outreach, such as tailored thank-you messages and express gratitude for their input, can significantly boost participation. Additionally, social campaigns or community-building efforts, when a customer tags your brand or shares a photo or video, further increase engagement while enriching your review content. Ensuring a frictionless review process helps capture maximum feedback, particularly from small business owners or high-traffic stores where every minute counts. Learn how to integrate personal touch and automated sequences with our Email Marketing service.

    How to Get More Customer Reviews for your eCommerce Website according to our eCommerce marketing agency

    Best Practices for Showcasing Reviews on Your Site

    How you display reviews matters just as much as collecting them. Consider these tips:

    • Feature star ratings prominently: Display average ratings near product titles and prices.
    • Highlight top reviews: Showcase detailed, positive feedback to build trust.
    • Use schema markup: Implement review structured data to enable rich snippets in search results.

    Effective review presentation emphasizes both design and structure. Organizing feedback by sentiment, displaying visual content (such as user-generated photos and videos), and filtering reviews for relevancy can provide shoppers with a clear, real-world perspective on your product. Structured data support can improve your Google rankings; explore our SEO services.

    Engaging with Your Customers Through Review Responses

    Responding to reviews shows that you value customer feedback and helps build brand loyalty. Aim to:

    • Thank customers for positive reviews.
    • Address any concerns or issues raised in negative feedback promptly and professionally.
    • Invite reviewers to reach out for further support if needed.

    Proactively engaging with customer reviews fosters trust and loyalty. A thoughtful, sincere response can not only resolve concerns but also turn critical feedback into a positive, public demonstration of your commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. See how this fits into your broader brand loyalty strategy.

    Tracking the Impact of Reviews on Your Ecommerce Performance

    Monitor key metrics to understand how reviews are influencing your SEO and sales:

    • Organic traffic growth: See if your pages with reviews rank higher over time.
    • Conversion rate improvements: Track sales from visitors who engage with your review content.
    • Engagement signals: Higher session duration and lower bounce rates indicate better user experience.

    Review analytics tools such as TypeCast AI Reviews, Google Search Console, and built-in ecommerce dashboards allow you to track the impact of reviews on specific product pages, categories, or traffic sources. When analyzed collectively, these metrics help you refine your review strategy and prioritize high-impact efforts. Our Analytics and Reporting service can help you gather actionable insights.

    customer review good rating concept smiling face

    Maximizing Your SEO Strategy with Customer Reviews in 2025

    Customer reviews represent a valuable SEO asset for ecommerce brands. By actively collecting, showcasing, and engaging with reviews, you can enhance search visibility, build trust with potential buyers, and drive more sales. Start implementing these SEO strategies today to see results in 2025 and beyond. For a comprehensive approach to digital strategy, consider our Digital Strategy service to align your efforts effectively.

    Conclusion

    Customer reviews are a key component of a successful ecommerce SEO strategy, enhancing your site’s content, user experience, and conversion potential. To take your ecommerce business to the next level, contact us to learn how our expert digital marketing services can help you leverage customer feedback and maximize your online growth.

    Mastering Lead Generation for B2B Services: Proven Digital Strategies That Work

    Posted on by Bernadette Galang
    Business team planning digital marketing strategy on laptop

    B2B Lead Generation: Digital Strategies That Drive Results

    Why B2B Lead Generation Demands a Different Digital Strategy

    Lead generation is the lifeblood of any B2B service business, but the best strategies in 2025 look very different from even a few years ago. B2B buyers are more digitally savvy, research-driven, and selective than ever, meaning your digital marketing must be highly targeted, data-driven, and focused on building real trust. This guide breaks down the most effective, ROI-driven digital tactics for attracting high-quality leads in today’s competitive B2B landscape.

    Unlike traditional B2C marketing, where impulsive purchases can happen, B2B lead generation involves a longer sales cycle with multiple stakeholders. Buyers often spend weeks researching vendors, comparing options, and seeking third-party validation before ever talking to a sales rep. That’s why modern B2B strategies emphasize education, relationship-building, and nurturing leads at every stage—rather than quick wins or high-pressure tactics.

    Learn how a custom digital strategy can transform your B2B lead generation.

    A man giving a presentation to a group of people

    SEO for B2B: Attracting Decision-Makers with Smart Keyword Targeting

    SEO remains one of the most powerful lead generation channels for B2B firms—but only if you target the right keywords. The best opportunities are high-intent, low-competition keywords that your ideal clients are searching for, such as “IT services for law firms” or “Calgary B2B digital marketing.” Long-form content, case studies, and service pages optimized for these terms can bring decision-makers straight to your site.

    B2B keyword research requires a deep understanding of your audience’s pain points and industry lingo. Instead of broad terms like “IT support,” savvy B2B marketers focus on specific verticals, locations, and business outcomes. This not only drives better organic rankings but also attracts leads who are further along the buying journey and more likely to convert.

    Real-World Example

    A B2B IT company saw a 200% increase in leads after focusing their SEO on niche service keywords and publishing in-depth guides that answered their clients’ biggest questions.

    Case studies, detailed product comparisons, and FAQ content all help position your business as a trusted advisor. The key is to demonstrate your expertise and provide actionable insights that resonate with decision-makers—not generic blog posts or surface-level information.

    Discover how our SEO services can bring qualified leads to your B2B business.

    making-aa-team-and-corporate-network

    LinkedIn & Paid Social: Reaching Your Exact Target Audience

    Organic social can build brand awareness, but paid social—especially on LinkedIn—lets you put your message in front of your ideal client by job title, industry, and company size. Sponsored content, lead gen forms, and retargeting campaigns can fill your sales funnel with qualified prospects who are ready to talk business.

    LinkedIn advertising is uniquely effective for B2B because you can target decision-makers with incredible precision. Unlike broad display ads, a well-crafted LinkedIn campaign ensures every dollar is spent reaching the right accounts. Lead generation forms within LinkedIn streamline the process and lower barriers for prospects. Retargeting further boosts ROI by nurturing leads who have already interacted with your brand.

    Pro Tip

    Combine LinkedIn ads with remarketing on Facebook and Google to stay top-of-mind throughout the B2B buyer’s long decision process.

    Layering your ad strategy across multiple platforms increases brand touchpoints and keeps your company visible as prospects move from initial research to final decision. This multi-channel approach is especially important in industries with lengthy sales cycles.

    See how our social media marketing services can amplify your B2B reach.

    CRO-conversion

    Conversion Optimization: Turning Traffic into Qualified Leads

    Driving traffic is only half the battle. Your website must be designed to convert visitors into leads with clear calls to action, concise service descriptions, trust signals (like client logos and testimonials), and frictionless contact forms. A/B testing headlines, button text, and page layouts can dramatically improve your conversion rates.

    Key Elements of a High-Converting B2B Landing Page

    • Strong, benefit-focused headlines
    • Short, relevant case studies or testimonials
    • Mobile-friendly, easy-to-complete forms

    Every element on your site should reinforce your credibility and make it easy for prospects to take the next step—whether that’s booking a consultation or requesting a proposal.

    Our conversion optimization services help turn your website traffic into real business leads.

    How Trek.ca Builds Custom Lead Generation Funnels for B2B

    At Trek.ca, we help B2B service firms develop integrated lead generation strategies tailored to their ideal clients. Our team combines SEO, paid ads, LinkedIn marketing, and on-site CRO to ensure every stage of your digital funnel is optimized for results. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all solutions—every campaign is customized for your goals, industry, and target audience.

    We start by understanding your unique value proposition and mapping out the buyer journey. From there, we build a digital funnel that attracts, nurtures, and converts your highest-value prospects—backed by continuous data analysis and optimization. The result is a sustainable pipeline of high-quality leads, not just short-term traffic spikes.

    See our client success stories on our Work page or explore all our digital marketing services.

    Final Thoughts: Level Up Your B2B Lead Gen in 2025

    The most successful B2B firms in 2025 are those that treat digital lead generation as a holistic, continuously optimized process. By combining targeted SEO, precise paid social, and relentless conversion optimization, you can build a steady pipeline of high-quality leads. Ready to see what customized digital lead gen can do for your business? Contact Trek.ca for a free consultation and start attracting your ideal clients today.