SEO Services
The SEO world is in a flux because consumers are changing the way they look for products and services for their homes and businesses. Two years ago, people started dabbling with ChatGPT, Claude, and other AI platforms to solve everyday problems. On March 26, 2024, Downs Digital wrote a blog called “Popularity – The Thick Leg of SEO’s Three Legged Stool,” and asked ChatGPT to draw a three-legged stool. It could not. Now it can, and much more. The power of AI astounds most of us each day, and its use to analyze and conduct purchase decisions will only accelerate.
Yellow Pages forgot they were in the information business and thought they were in the printing business. Few people use the Yellow Pages now. Google knows they are in the information business. As of July 2025, Google commands an 89.57% global search market share — but that’s actually down from 91.47% just one year prior, representing the most significant annual drop in a decade. But that is still almost 90 percent of the market. So, traditional SEO practices still hold true, but with some changes. Smart, hi-tech companies that get ahead and build platforms that support how consumers use the web will dominate. We might not know who these companies are right now.
2026 SEO Focus
Downs Digital is committed to keeping our clients up to date with the latest technology. We plan to focus on the following in 2026 for our SEO clients:
- Optimize for AI-driven search: Make it easy for AI to find and recommend businesses. Clear website structure, consistent service descriptions, structured schema, and strong technical SEO help AI understand what products and services businesses offer.
- Build brand authority across channels: A company’s online presence goes beyond their website. AI also evaluates Google reviews, social profiles, and directory listings. Consistency and credibility across these channels increase a company’s chances of being recommended.
- Prepare for agentic commerce: AI is quickly moving from suggesting businesses to becoming an intelligent assistant for consumers that can book services and buy products. It will be like Apple’s Siri on steroids. Companies with clear services, pricing, and availability online will have the advantage.
- Avoid low-quality AI-generated content: Real expertise builds trust—and trust drives calls. Well-written, original content that builds authority and trust will help companies stand out in the markets they serve.