# How Claude Code Ranked Me FIRST on Google (It's OVER for SEO Agencies)

Tom Brewer
Table of Contents

These notes are based on the YouTube video by Greg Isenberg


Introduction to Boring Businesses and AI

The concept of “boring businesses” refers to companies that operate outside of the tech and startup industries, often in local markets. These businesses can be less competitive and more susceptible to disruption through the use of AI tools. The “Boring Marketer” shares his experience of partnering with a friend to create a mobile diesel repair service website using Claude Code, achieving significant improvements in Google rankings over time.

Identifying Keywords and Search Intent

To optimize a website for local search, it’s essential to identify relevant keywords and search intent. The Boring Marketer used Claude Code to analyze the website and find keywords, then categorized them into:

  • Emergency keywords
  • Service keywords
  • Problem keywords
  • Local keywords He focused on high-intent keywords where people are ready to take action, such as “mobile diesel mechanic Charlotte.” Claude Code’s capabilities in keyword research, including clustering by intent, were instrumental in this process.

SEO Audit and Technical Optimizations

The Boring Marketer performed an SEO audit using Claude Code, which identified technical issues such as:

  • Missing files (e.g., robots.txt, XML sitemap)
  • Slow page loading speed
  • Lack of schema markup He used Claude Code to suggest fixes for these issues, including compressing images and converting them to WebP format, which can improve the website’s performance score on Google PageSpeed Insights. However, it’s crucial to note that while Claude Code can automate some technical optimizations, human review and validation are essential to ensure that AI-generated code or recommendations are correctly implemented.

Content Optimization and Internal Linking

The Boring Marketer used Claude Code to create detailed location pages, including information about local landmarks, common issues, and frequently asked questions. He also set up internal linking between relevant pages, which improved the website’s SEO. AI tools like Claude are particularly useful for generating location-specific content and suggesting internal linking strategies.

Google Business Profile and Local Search Rankings

The Boring Marketer set up a Google Business profile and ensured consistency between the website and profile. He also used Claude Code to optimize the website for local search, resulting in improved rankings for targeted keywords such as “mobile diesel mechanic Charlotte.” Achieving top Google rankings, however, is a process that typically takes days to weeks, depending on competition, site authority, and indexing speed.

Showing Up in ChatGPT and LLMs

To show up in ChatGPT and other LLMs, it’s essential to have a strong SEO foundation, including:

  • Clean technical foundation
  • Relevant meta tags and descriptions
  • Topical authority
  • Links from other websites While foundational SEO increases the likelihood of being cited by LLMs, there is no guarantee, as LLMs draw from a mixture of web data, knowledge cutoffs, and proprietary sources.

Setting Up Claude Code and Development Environment

To integrate Claude Code into a developer workflow, the Boring Marketer recommends using API keys, SDKs, or plugins, rather than a direct terminal install. A plausible workflow involves using GitHub for version control and Vercel for deployment. Additionally, plugins like Anima can be used for Figma-to-React conversion, making it easier to work with Claude Code-generated content.

Summary

The Boring Marketer’s experience demonstrates the potential for AI tools like Claude Code to support local markets and help “boring businesses” improve their search rankings. By identifying relevant keywords, performing SEO audits, and optimizing content, businesses can enhance their online presence and attract more customers. The key takeaways from this experience include the importance of foundational SEO, the utility of AI tools for technical optimizations, and the potential for “boring businesses” to leverage AI for competitive advantage, while also understanding the limitations and need for human oversight in AI-assisted SEO.

Tom Brewer Avatar

Thanks for reading my notes! Feel free to check out my other notes or contact me via the social links in the footer.

Continue Reading