SEO
SEO Questions From The Field – Answered By Experts With 20+ Years In Australia
Two Decades of Australian SEO Experience
Search engine optimisation in Australia has distinct characteristics that separate it from other markets. These answers are based on over 20 years of SEO implementation across Australian businesses, from local service providers to national brands operating across multiple cities.
Addressing Real Australian Business Challenges
The questions here reflect actual challenges faced by Australian companies. Local search dynamics in Sydney differ from Melbourne, Brisbane, or Perth. National businesses face different optimisation requirements than location-specific operations. Industry sectors from professional services to retail, hospitality to trades each present unique SEO considerations.
These responses address those specific scenarios based on proven results across hundreds of Australian websites and campaigns.
Strategic and Technical Depth
The content covers both strategic SEO direction and technical implementation. Questions range from fundamental ranking factors through to complex technical issues, local search optimisation for specific Australian markets, competitive analysis, algorithm update impacts, and industry-specific strategies.
Each answer is written for business owners, marketing managers, and decision-makers who need to understand what will actually move their search rankings and drive qualified traffic. The focus is on strategies that have demonstrated results in the Australian market, not theoretical approaches or overseas case studies with limited local relevance.
This is professional SEO guidance from practitioners who have optimised Australian websites since before Google dominated the market.
Can I rank in Sydney if my business is based in Melbourne?
Yes, you can rank in Sydney even with a Melbourne-based business, but it relies on demonstrating relevance to Sydney-based searchers through Google’s understanding of your
How do I compete with Yelp, True Local, and Product Review in Australian search?
Competing with established review platforms in Australian search results requires leveraging Google’s Business Profile (GBP) ecosystem, specifically its integration with Google Search and Google Maps,
My Google Business Profile isn’t showing in local search – what’s wrong?
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) may not be appearing in local search results because Google’s local ranking system, powered by the broader Google Search algorithm,
How do I rank for “near me” searches across multiple Australian cities?
Ranking for “near me” searches across multiple Australian cities relies heavily on optimising your Google Business Profile (GBP) and leveraging Google’s Local Services Ads (LSA)
Do I need a .com.au domain to rank in Google Australia or will .com work?
You do not *need* a .com.au domain to rank in Google Australia, however, Google uses country code top-level domains (ccTLDs) like .com.au as a strong
How can I get my .com.au website on first page of Google search?
Achieving a first-page ranking on Google for Australian searches relies heavily on demonstrating relevance and authority to Google’s search algorithms, and currently, Google’s Search Generative
Should I invest in SEO or pivot to AI platform optimization for 2026?
As of December 2025, both Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and AI platform optimisation are distinct approaches to improving online visibility, but their mechanisms are diverging
How will Google’s AI Overviews affect my website traffic in 2026?
Google’s AI Overviews, as of December 2025, function by directly answering search queries within the Google Search Results Page (SERP) using generative AI, potentially reducing
What SEO tactics from 2025 will stop working in 2026?
Keyword stuffing and exact-match anchor text, while still yielding *some* results as of December 2025, will significantly decrease in effectiveness in 2026 due to Google’s
Is traditional SEO dying or evolving in 2026?
Traditional SEO isn’t dying, but it’s fundamentally evolving in 2026 as search engines increasingly rely on semantic understanding and AI-powered ranking factors, shifting focus from
How do I optimize for ChatGPT Search and AI answer engines in 2026?
Optimizing for ChatGPT Search and other AI answer engines in 2026 centres on structured data markup and comprehensive knowledge graphs, allowing these engines to directly
How should Australian businesses optimise for Google AI search?
Optimising for Google AI search, as of December 2025, primarily involves ensuring your website content is structured with schema markup and adheres to Google’s Search
Does Google AI reduce website traffic in Australia?
Google’s AI features, particularly those integrated into Search Generative Experience (SGE) and AI Overviews, can alter how Australians find information and, consequently, website traffic patterns,
How many Australians are exposed to Google AI in search results?
As of December 2025, a significant majority of Google Search users in Australia – estimated to be over 90% of the approximately 21 million monthly
Is Google AI replacing traditional Google search?
No, Google AI isn’t directly *replacing* traditional Google Search as of December 2025, but is evolving how search results are presented, primarily through AI Overviews
What is Google AI Overviews and how does it work in Australia?
Google AI Overviews are AI-powered summaries appearing at the top of Google Search results, designed to provide quick answers to user queries. They function by
Will AI completely replace Google search by 2026?
As of December 2025, AI will not completely replace Google Search by 2026, but it is fundamentally changing *how* people access information. Google’s Search Generative
What are the most important ranking factors in 2026 for Australia?
In 2026, Google’s ranking algorithms for Australian search results will heavily prioritise ‘helpful content’ determined by its systems, alongside established factors like mobile-friendliness and Core
What are the best SEO tips for 2026?
In 2026, a core SEO focus will be leveraging Google’s AI-powered Search Generative Experience (SGE) and its increasing reliance on structured data for understanding content
How long until I see ROI from my SEO investment?
Determining a precise timeframe for SEO return on investment (ROI) is complex, as it relies on factors like website authority, competition, and search algorithm updates;