Jon Almas

Does SEO still matter now that AI answers the questions?

Yes. More than before, and Google said so itself. In June 2026, Google updated its public guidance on hiring an SEO. Two additions stood out. A plain warning that no third-party tool is “Google-approved” or has access to internal ranking data. And a new section on generative AI that points back to the same quality guidance that has always governed search.

Can you buy your way into AI answers?

No. There is no paid door, and the tactics pretending otherwise are first in line for the spam update analysts expect Google to aim at AI search manipulation. When it lands, gains built these ways reverse. Gains built on owned assets and earned authority hold. Red Flag “Guaranteed placement in AI answers” Inclusion is earned through the same signals as ranking.

How do local businesses get found on Google and in AI search?

These principles come from running real campaigns for contractors, trades, and local companies, then keeping what the data proved. Not theory. Field notes.

How do you show up in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews?

Five layers, in priority order: get into the data AI reads, earn inclusion, shape sentiment, lock down your facts, then build the consensus that overcomes big-brand bias. Skipping ahead doesn’t work. Each layer depends on the one before it. 1 Indexability Get into the data AI actually reads. If crawlers and data sets can’t find you, nothing else matters, no matter how good the content is.

What results does holistic SEO get for local businesses?

Real ones, from the agency side of my work. Every result below was built on owned pages, earned authority, and verified conversion tracking. The durable way, not the shortcut. 150% More leads in six months A local plumbing company, after rebuilding its service pages and running the SEO and content system with no paid ads carrying the load.