How Do I Build Links?

Links can be built internally, by linking two of your own pages together, or externally, by connecting links with content from other websites. Of the two, external link building is decidedly more complex but can result in better domain authority. To build internal links, all someone needs to do is include the URL of one page in either the site’s menu or within the content of a page. This allows users, as well as Google, to understand the relationship between different pages on a site. As for external link building, look for authoritative figures in related industries who would benefit from linking your content on their website, and inquire about building a connection of links.

How is SEO Different from Paid Ads?

SEO, or organic results, differs from paid ads, or Pay-Per-Click, in two main ways. First, the position of organic results differs from ad results on a search engine results page (SERP). Ad results always appear at the very top and very bottom of the SERP. On average, around 2-3 will populate in these spots depending on the search. Organic results appear in between the paid ads. The second biggest difference is the cost of visitor traffic. PPC ads have a pre-determined cost that the site owner must pay Google each time a user clicks on one of their ads. Organic traffic, on the other hand, has no direct costs associated with the number of visitors that click on their site.

Why Does a 404 or Technical Error Affect Rankings?

404’s and other technical errors are a common and unavoidable occurrence on the internet. Typically, having a few 404 errors will not impact a site’s rankings in any significant way. However, if a site has too many 404 errors, search engines may develop a negative impression of the site and stop indexing this site’s pages. This can result in two serious issues: loss of traffic volume and dead links. Visitor traffic is one important factor in SERP rankings, and a considerable decrease can drop a site’s rankings by a large amount. 404 pages also do not pass on backlink authority, so any quality links from a page that 404’s will no longer contribute to the site’s authority and hurt rankings as well.

Does Social Media Affect SEO Actual Rankings?

Social media can affect SEO actual rankings but not directly. Google has stated in 2014 that direct social signals, such as likes and shares through social media platforms, does not affect actual rankings on the search engine results page (SERP). What social media can do, however, is be an amplifier for other important SEO factors, such as backlinks, click-through rate (CTR) and content quality and authority. Producing high-quality, consistent content that receives attention through the various social media platforms allows for better online visibility for your brand, and subsequently, your website. This helps create more backlinks if your content is being shared, and more visits to your website directly from a social post.

Google News Archives

Google Enforces New Review Policies: What Law Firms Need to Know About Client Feedback

Google has introduced new policies that directly impact how law firms request and manage client reviews. The updated guidelines make it clear: businesses can no longer pressure employees to generate reviews or encourage feedback that specifically mentions individual staff members....

Google Maps Tightens Security Against Fake Reviews

Google Maps is ramping up its efforts to eliminate fake reviews and misleading business profiles, and for law firms, this shift could directly impact your online reputation and client intake. In its latest safety report, Google revealed it blocked 292...

What Happened to the Call Button on Google Maps?

For years, the call button on Google’s Map Pack was one of the fastest ways for potential clients to connect with law firms. With a single tap, a prospective client could immediately reach out for a consultation. However, since early...

How Google’s AI-Generated Headlines Are Changing Search Results for Law Firms

Google is currently testing AI-generated headline changes in search results, a development that could significantly impact how law firms are represented in organic search listings. The experiment mirrors changes implemented in Google Discover, where AI-driven headline rewrites became a permanent...

Google Maps Is Getting Smarter With Gemini: What Law Firms Need to Know

Google Maps is evolving far beyond simple navigation. With the introduction of “Ask Maps,” powered by Google’s latest AI model, Gemini, users can now ask detailed, conversational questions, not just search for directions. Instead of typing “law firm near me,”...

Google Experiments With AI-Driven Responses to Client Reviews: What It Means for Law Firms

Google is quietly testing an AI-driven tool that could change how law firms respond to online reviews. Through Google Business Profile (GBP), Google is experimenting with AI-generated suggestions for replies to client feedback. While this tool allows business owners to...

Google AI Overviews + Gemini 3: What Changed and What It Means for Law Firm Marketing

On January 27, 2026, Google announced that Gemini 3 became the default model powering AI Overviews in Search, and that users can ask follow-up questions directly from an AI Overview and continue into a conversational experience. Not long after, SE...

ChatGPT vs Google: What This Shift Means for Law Firm Marketing in 2026

ChatGPT has become a daily habit for a massive number of users. As of mid-2025 estimates, ChatGPT receives roughly 2.5 billion prompts per day, while Google processes around 13.7 billion searches per day (based on Google’s stated annual search volume)....

Google’s Shift to AI Mode Could Hurt Law Firm Website Traffic

Google has officially rolled out a major change to how users interact with AI-generated results, which could have significant implications for law firms that rely on organic search traffic. The tech giant now launches users directly into “AI Mode” when...

Why The December 2025 Google Core Update Is A Bigger Deal Than You Might Think

Search rankings are shifting again, and many businesses are already seeing changes in their organic traffic. Now Google’s December 2025 core update marks the third major algorithm update of the year and represents the fourth officially confirmed change overall. This...