Stop Chasing Keywords.
Start Building a System.

I design organic search systems that drive growth with clear priorities, defined stopping points, and measurable outcomes.

Here's what typical SEO looks like

Monthly keyword chasing with no architecture
Content produced opportunistically, not strategically
No clear stop conditions - just "more"
Constant reaction to algorithm updates
Zero visibility into what's actually working

Work that decays faster than it compounds.

System design first

Before anything gets built, I define what needs to exist - what topics, in what order, and when to stop. Clear endpoints, not endless churn. Execution against a plan, not reaction to the algorithm.

Content Roadmap + Prioritization

Clear sequencing of what to build and in what order.

Completion Criteria

I tell you when you have enough. Not just what to make.

Tracking & Forecasting

Google rankings and LLM citations in one view.

Compounding Execution

Work that builds on itself instead of churning.

Everyone's worried about AI eating search

Google is still where the traffic is. For most brands, traditional search is 10-100x the opportunity of LLMs. That's not changing on any timeline that matters to you.

The work that gets you visible in LLMs is the same work that's always driven SEO. Solid content, technical health, authority.

There's no secret "LLM SEO." There's just good SEO, executed against a system that doesn't decay. I track both so you can see it's working.

10–100×

More opportunity in Google
than LLMs today

Two ways to work together

Projects

I design the system. You run it.

For companies with internal execution capacity. You get the architecture, your team builds against it.

  • Visibility audits
  • Content queue architecture
  • Technical SEO assessments
  • LLM citation analysis
  • Competitive gap analysis
  • Strategic roadmaps

Retainers

I design it and run it.

I build the system and execute against it. Durability, not churn.

  • System design (months 1–2)
  • Content brief production
  • On-page optimization
  • Technical monitoring
  • Monthly visibility reporting
  • Link procurement & distribution

Ian Howells

Ian

I've been publishing and monetizing web content since 2001, and leading digital marketing teams since 2007. After running SEO in-house at places like Opendoor, LendingTree, and Red Ventures, I know what the landscape looks like from your seat.

I co-founded Traffic Think Tank in 2017 and sold it to Semrush in 2023. Now I'm building personal projects and consulting with a small number of clients.

System First

No content produced until the queue is designed.

Honest Assessment

SEO only goes as far as your brand supports. I'll be honest about your current ceiling.

Clear Completion Criteria

I tell you when to stop, not just what to do.

Durability

If it can't survive the next platform shift, it doesn't ship.

Let's Talk

Ready to build something that compounds?

[email protected]