The field notes
Notes from the field
Honest tool breakdowns, original research and essays on GEO and AI search — written while running my own site through the same tools.
Start here
The big-picture reads
The 2026 search landscape (classic, private and AI engines), the GEO tools comparison, and the get-cited playbook — the three to read first.
- The Best Search Engines in 2026: Classic, Private & AI ComparedThe best search engines in 2026 compared — Google and Bing, the private set (DuckDuckGo, Brave, Startpage), and the new AI answer engines. Which to use.
- Best GEO Tools in 2026: An SEO Veteran's Honest ComparisonA working SEO's honest comparison of the best GEO tools in 2026 — Writesonic, RankScale, Otterly, Semrush AI Toolkit and more — pros, cons, pricing and fit.
- How to Get Cited by ChatGPT: A Practical GEO Playbook (2026)A working SEO's practical playbook for getting cited by ChatGPT and other AI answers in 2026 — entity clarity, third-party mentions, quotable structure.
Future of SEO
Where search is heading
The bridge between classic SEO and the AI-answer era — what's dying, what's durable, and what to do about it. Start with the pillar, then the deep dives.
- The Future of SEO: How Search Actually Changes in the AI Era (2026)What actually changes for SEO in the AI era — what is dying, what is durable, and what to do now. A grounded, data-backed 2026 view from an 11-year SEO.
- Is SEO Dead in 2026? What 11 Years in the Game Taught MeIs SEO dead in 2026? No — but it changed more than at any point in my 11 years. An honest, data-backed look at what died, what survived, and what to do now.
- SEO vs GEO vs AEO: What's the Difference and Which Should You Do?SEO vs GEO vs AEO, explained plainly by an 11-year SEO: what each acronym actually means, how they overlap, and which one you should focus on in 2026.
- How AI Is Changing Keyword Research (and What Still Works)How AI is changing keyword research in 2026: great for topics and intent, weak on real search data. What changed, what still works, and how to blend both.
- Will AI Replace SEO Specialists? An Honest TakeWill AI replace SEO specialists? An honest 2026 take from an 11-year SEO: what AI automates, what it can't, and how the job is changing rather than vanishing.
- Technical SEO in the AI Era: What Crawlers and Answer Engines NeedTechnical SEO in the AI era: what Google and AI crawlers actually need to reach, parse and cite your site in 2026 — plus the overrated tactics to skip.
Latest
Recent notes
- Aug 25, 2026Sitemap Generators (2026): How to Create a Sitemap That Actually HelpsHow to create an XML sitemap in 2026 — the free generators worth using, why most sites no longer need one at all, the 50,000-URL rules, and how to submit it.9 min
- Aug 25, 2026Free Business Email With Your Own Domain (2026): The Honest OptionsHow to get a free business email on your own domain in 2026 — the one genuinely free option, its real catch, what the paid alternatives cost, and how to set it up.8 min
- Aug 25, 2026How to View a Page's Source Code (2026): Every Browser, and What to Look ForHow to view the source code of any web page — the shortcut for every browser, on desktop and mobile — plus the raw-vs-rendered difference that trips up SEOs.7 min
- Jul 20, 2026Does Schema Markup Help You Get Cited by AI? The Honest AnswerDoes schema markup help you get cited by ChatGPT, Google AI or Perplexity? Controlled studies and Google's own statements say: barely. Here is what actually works.6 min
- Jul 20, 2026How to Optimize for Google AI Mode (2026): What Actually WorksGoogle AI Mode explained by an 11-year SEO — what it is, how it picks sources, and the evidence-based ways to get cited. No hacks, no fake AI-optimization files.7 min
- Jul 20, 2026Why AI Engines Cite Reddit So Much (and How to Use It Honestly)Why do ChatGPT, Google AI and Perplexity cite Reddit so often? The real reasons — licensing deals, training data, hidden gems — and how to benefit without getting banned.6 min
- Jul 20, 2026Will AI Overviews Kill Affiliate Sites? An Honest 2026 AnswerWill AI Overviews kill affiliate and review sites? An 11-year affiliate SEO looks at the real data — who is actually losing traffic, who survives, and why.7 min
- Jul 19, 2026Best Email Marketing for Creators & Bloggers (2026)The best email marketing tools for creators and bloggers in 2026, compared honestly by a blogger who runs his own list — Kit, beehiiv, MailerLite, Brevo and more.6 min
- Sitemap Generators (2026): How to Create a Sitemap That Actually HelpsHow to create an XML sitemap in 2026 — the free generators worth using, why most sites no longer need one at all, the 50,000-URL rules, and how to submit it.
- Free Business Email With Your Own Domain (2026): The Honest OptionsHow to get a free business email on your own domain in 2026 — the one genuinely free option, its real catch, what the paid alternatives cost, and how to set it up.
- How to View a Page's Source Code (2026): Every Browser, and What to Look ForHow to view the source code of any web page — the shortcut for every browser, on desktop and mobile — plus the raw-vs-rendered difference that trips up SEOs.
- Does Schema Markup Help You Get Cited by AI? The Honest AnswerDoes schema markup help you get cited by ChatGPT, Google AI or Perplexity? Controlled studies and Google's own statements say: barely. Here is what actually works.
- How to Optimize for Google AI Mode (2026): What Actually WorksGoogle AI Mode explained by an 11-year SEO — what it is, how it picks sources, and the evidence-based ways to get cited. No hacks, no fake AI-optimization files.
- Why AI Engines Cite Reddit So Much (and How to Use It Honestly)Why do ChatGPT, Google AI and Perplexity cite Reddit so often? The real reasons — licensing deals, training data, hidden gems — and how to benefit without getting banned.
- Will AI Overviews Kill Affiliate Sites? An Honest 2026 AnswerWill AI Overviews kill affiliate and review sites? An 11-year affiliate SEO looks at the real data — who is actually losing traffic, who survives, and why.
- Best Email Marketing for Creators & Bloggers (2026)The best email marketing tools for creators and bloggers in 2026, compared honestly by a blogger who runs his own list — Kit, beehiiv, MailerLite, Brevo and more.
- Cheapest WordPress Hosting (2026): Honest Budget PicksThe cheapest WordPress hosting in 2026 that is actually worth buying — real intro and renewal prices, the renewal-shock trap, and who each budget host suits.
- How to Sell Digital Products Online (2026): A Practical GuideHow to sell digital products online in 2026 — the realistic steps, the best platforms compared by fees, and how to actually get traffic. An honest practical guide.
- Kit vs Mailchimp (2026): Which Should Creators Actually Use?Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Mailchimp in 2026 — an honest comparison of free tiers, automation, selling and price, from a blogger who runs his list on Kit.
- Landing Page vs Website: What's the Difference (2026)?Landing page vs website — the honest difference, when you need each, and whether a landing page builder can replace a full site. A practical 2026 guide.
- Managed vs Shared Hosting (2026): Which Do You Need?Managed vs shared hosting explained honestly — what "managed" actually includes, the real price difference, and which one you should pick for your site in 2026.
- What Is a Lead Magnet? (And How to Make One That Works)A lead magnet is a free resource offered in exchange for an email. Here is what makes one convert in 2026 — with examples, types, and the mistakes to avoid.
- 504 Gateway Timeout: What It Means & How to Fix ItA 504 Gateway Timeout means a server acting as a gateway did not get a timely response from an upstream server. The real causes, and how to fix a 504 error.
- Affiliate Marketing in 2026: An Honest Guide From 11 Years InAn honest affiliate marketing guide from 11 years in: how it works in 2026, what AI changed, realistic income, picking a niche, and the mistakes to skip.
- How Much Do Affiliate Marketers Actually Make? (Honest 2026)How much affiliate marketers actually make in 2026 — the honest income distribution, why averages mislead, and realistic beginner numbers, from a practitioner.
- Affiliate Marketing vs Dropshipping vs AdSense vs Digital ProductsAffiliate marketing vs dropshipping, AdSense and digital products — an honest comparison from a practitioner. Which online business model actually fits you.
- AI and the Future of Affiliate Marketing (2026)How AI is reshaping affiliate marketing in 2026 — zero-click search, AI answer engines, and getting cited instead of ranked. An honest take from a practitioner.
- Every AI Crawler User-Agent in 2026 (Complete List & Reference)A complete reference of every major AI crawler user-agent in 2026 — GPTBot, ClaudeBot, PerplexityBot and more — what each does and whether it obeys robots.txt.
- How AI Is Changing Keyword Research (and What Still Works)How AI is changing keyword research in 2026: great for topics and intent, weak on real search data. What changed, what still works, and how to blend both.
- The Best Search Engines in 2026: Classic, Private & AI ComparedThe best search engines in 2026 compared — Google and Bing, the private set (DuckDuckGo, Brave, Startpage), and the new AI answer engines. Which to use.
- Best Web Hosting for Bloggers & SEO (2026): Honest PicksThe best web hosting for bloggers, SEO and WordPress in 2026 — honest picks by need: budget, managed cloud, premium. From an SEO who's hosted 100+ sites.
- How to Block (or Allow) AI Crawlers: GPTBot, ClaudeBot & MoreHow to block or allow AI crawlers like GPTBot, ClaudeBot and PerplexityBot in robots.txt — and why blocking the wrong one kills your AI-search visibility.
- 'Discovered – Currently Not Indexed': What It Means & Fix'Discovered – currently not indexed' means Google knows your URL exists but hasn't crawled it yet. Why it happens (crawl budget, quality) and how to fix it.
- 'Duplicate, Google Chose Different Canonical Than User': Fix'Duplicate, Google chose different canonical than user' means Google ignored your canonical tag and picked its own. Why it happens and how to make Google obey.
- 'Duplicate Without User-Selected Canonical': Meaning & Fix'Duplicate without user-selected canonical' means Google found duplicate URLs with no canonical set, so it chose one itself. What causes it and how to fix it.
- Keyword Research Tools (2026): What's Free, and What's Worth Paying ForThe genuinely free keyword research tools in 2026 with the exact limit for each — plus what the paid tools cost, what they add, and when paying actually pays off.
- The Future of SEO: How Search Actually Changes in the AI Era (2026)What actually changes for SEO in the AI era — what is dying, what is durable, and what to do now. A grounded, data-backed 2026 view from an 11-year SEO.
- Why Google Rewrote Your Meta Description (and When to Care)Google rewrites meta descriptions most of the time now. Here is why it happens, when it actually matters, and how to make Google more likely to use yours.
- How to Use Semrush (Free & Paid): A Working SEO's 2026 ReviewThree ways to use Semrush free in 2026: the permanent free account (10 searches/day), the 7-day trial, and the no-login free tools — plus how Semrush actually works.
- Hreflang 'No Return Tags' Error: What It Means & How to FixThe hreflang 'no return tags' error means your language versions don't link back to each other. Why hreflang must be reciprocal, and exactly how to fix it.
- HTTP 403 Forbidden: What It Means & How to Fix ItA 403 Forbidden error means the server understood your request but refuses to authorize it. Common causes — permissions, rules, blocks — and how to fix each.
- HTTP 429 'Too Many Requests': What It Means & How to FixHTTP 429 'Too Many Requests' means you hit a rate limit. What causes it, why retrying makes it worse, and how to fix it with the Retry-After header and backoff.
- HTTP 499 Status Code: What 'Client Closed Request' MeansThe HTTP 499 status code means the client closed the connection before Nginx replied. What causes it, whether it's a problem, and how to fix it if it spikes.
- 'Indexed, Though Blocked by robots.txt': What It Means & FixThe 'Indexed, though blocked by robots.txt' warning means Google indexed a URL it couldn't read. Why robots.txt won't fix it, and the correct way to remove it.
- Is SEO Dead in 2026? What 11 Years in the Game Taught MeIs SEO dead in 2026? No — but it changed more than at any point in my 11 years. An honest, data-backed look at what died, what survived, and what to do now.
- llms.txt vs robots.txt: What's the Difference?llms.txt and robots.txt sound similar but do opposite jobs: robots.txt controls crawler access, llms.txt is a proposed content guide for LLMs. How they differ.
- noindex vs robots.txt Disallow: Why Blocking Doesn't Deindexnoindex and robots.txt disallow do different jobs — confusing them keeps pages stuck in Google. The real difference, and which to use to remove a page.
- Why Isn't My Website Showing Up in ChatGPT?Why your website isn't showing up in ChatGPT — from blocked AI crawlers to weak citation signals — and the concrete steps to get mentioned in AI answers.
- Fix 'Either offers, review, or aggregateRating Should Be Specified'The 'Either offers, review, or aggregateRating should be specified' warning means your Product schema is missing a property. How to fix it — or remove it.
- 'Page with Redirect' in Search Console: Is It a Problem?'Page with redirect' in Search Console usually means a redirect is working as intended — not an error. When it's normal, when to worry, and how to fix it.
- Recurring Affiliate Programs: The Ones That Pay Every MonthThe best recurring affiliate programs in 2026 — SaaS that pays every month a customer stays subscribed. Real rates and terms, from a working affiliate.
- Semrush Competitive Intelligence & Traffic & Market (2026)How to use Semrush's competitive intelligence — Traffic Analytics, Market Explorer and the Traffic & Market Toolkit (formerly .Trends) — to reverse-engineer rivals in 2026.
- Semrush Coupon & Free Trial (2026): The Honest VersionNo secret Semrush coupon code exists in 2026 — every 'exclusive' one is just the 17% annual discount. Here's what actually saves money, and the real trial.
- Semrush Keyword Research: How to Use the Keyword Magic Tool (2026)How to do keyword research in Semrush in 2026: which of its keyword tools to use when, the Keyword Magic Tool workflow, match modifiers, filters and intent.
- Semrush Organic Research: Steal Competitors' Keywords (2026)How to use the Semrush Organic Research tool in 2026 to see any competitor's ranking keywords, traffic and position changes — and grow your own traffic.
- Semrush Pro vs Guru (2026): Which Plan Do You Actually Need?Semrush renamed its plans in 2026 — here is what happened to Pro and Guru, what they cost now, the limits that matter, and a clear rule for which one you need.
- Semrush Site Audit: A Practical Walkthrough (2026)How to set up, run and read a Semrush Site Audit in 2026 — crawl limits by plan, the thematic reports, the new AI Search Health checks, and what to fix first.
- SEO vs GEO vs AEO: What's the Difference and Which Should You Do?SEO vs GEO vs AEO, explained plainly by an 11-year SEO: what each acronym actually means, how they overlap, and which one you should focus on in 2026.
- What Is a Soft 404? Why Google Flags a Working PageA soft 404 is when a page returns "200 OK" but looks empty or missing to Google. Why it happens, why it hurts crawling, and how to fix it the right way.
- How to Start Affiliate Marketing With No Audience (2026)How to start affiliate marketing with no audience in 2026 — the honest step-by-step from an 11-year pro. The real content-and-SEO grind, not get-rich-quick.
- 'Submitted URL Marked Noindex': What It Means & How to Fix'Submitted URL marked noindex' means you asked Google to index a URL that has a noindex tag — a contradiction. How to find the noindex and fix it either way.
- Technical SEO in the AI Era: What Crawlers and Answer Engines NeedTechnical SEO in the AI era: what Google and AI crawlers actually need to reach, parse and cite your site in 2026 — plus the overrated tactics to skip.
- TMDHosting Review (2026): An Honest Take After Years on Their ServersI've run my own sites on TMDHosting for 8+ years. Honest 2026 review: the speed and support that keep me here, the renewal-price catch, and who should skip it.
- Best Affiliate Programs (2026): An SEO Veteran's Honest PicksThe best affiliate programs to join in 2026 — beginner-friendly networks and higher-value niches, chosen by an 11-year affiliate SEO. Honest, current, no fluff.
- 'Unparsable Structured Data' in Search Console: How to Fix'Unparsable structured data' means Google found structured data on your page but couldn't read it due to a syntax error. Common causes and how to fix it fast.
- What Are Backlinks in SEO? How to Earn Good Ones (2026)What backlinks are, why they still matter for SEO in 2026, and how to earn high-quality links the honest way — from an SEO of 11 years. No link schemes.
- Will AI Replace SEO Specialists? An Honest TakeWill AI replace SEO specialists? An honest 2026 take from an 11-year SEO: what AI automates, what it can't, and how the job is changing rather than vanishing.
- X-Robots-Tag: The Complete Guide (with Examples)The X-Robots-Tag is an HTTP header that controls indexing — like a meta robots tag, but it works on any file type, including PDFs and images. When to use it.
- Best GEO Tools for Agencies (2026): Multi-Client AI Visibility TrackingThe best GEO tools for agencies in 2026 — multi-client workspaces, white-label reports and seat economics that scale. Which tools fit, from a working SEO.
- Cheapest AI Visibility Tools That Are Actually Worth It (2026)The cheapest AI visibility tools worth paying for in 2026, ranked by value per dollar — real pricing, who each is for, and the false economies to avoid.
- Free GEO & AI Visibility Tools: What You Can Actually Do Without Paying (2026)The genuinely free GEO and AI-visibility tools in 2026 — free checkers, free-forever trackers, no-card trials, and when you actually need to pay.
- How to Track Perplexity Citations (2026): The Practical GuideHow to track Perplexity citations in 2026 — the free manual method, the Sonar API, and the tools that monitor Perplexity automatically. A working SEO’s guide.
- Which AI Engines Actually Send Traffic in 2026 — and How to Get Cited by EachWhich AI engines actually send referral traffic in 2026 — ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, Copilot — with real data, and how to get cited by each.
- I Asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity Who the Best GEO Tools Are — Here's What They Actually CitedOriginal data: I asked ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity for the best GEO tools and recorded exactly what they cited. The engines disagreed and skipped my site.
- AI Search Traffic Converts 4–5x Better Than Google. Here's What the Data Actually Says.AI search traffic converts far better than Google organic: 2026 studies from Opollo found 14.2% vs 2.8%, Ahrefs saw 23x. An honest look at the data.
- Best AI Visibility Tools for Small Teams (2026): What's Actually Worth Paying ForA budget-first guide to the best AI visibility tools for small teams in 2026 — the sub-$50 tools worth paying for, where teams overspend, and honest picks.
- Does llms.txt Actually Work? What the Data Says (2026)Does llms.txt help you get cited by AI? Backed by a 300,000-domain study: no measurable correlation with AI citations. Why it does not work, and what to do.
- Morningscore Review (2026): SEO Suite With a GEO Score — Worth It?An honest Morningscore review: the gamified SEO suite, what its GEO Score really tracks (ChatGPT and AI Overviews only), pricing from $69/mo, and who it suits.
- Otterly.AI Review (2026): The Clean $29 Entry to AI Visibility TrackingAn honest Otterly.AI review from a working SEO: what the $29/mo AI-visibility tracker does, the engines it covers, pros and cons, and who should buy it.
- RankScale Review (2026): The Coverage Pick for Technical OperatorsAn in-depth RankScale review from a working SEO: the 17+ AI engines it tracks, how its credit pricing works, honest pros and cons, and who should buy it.
- RankScale vs Otterly.AI: Which Cheap GEO Tool Actually Wins? (2026)RankScale vs Otterly.AI compared by a working SEO — engine coverage, UX, and real pricing. An honest verdict on which budget GEO tool to buy for AI search.
- How to Track Your Brand's Mentions in ChatGPT (2026)A practical guide to tracking your brand mentions in ChatGPT — the manual methods and their limits, then the monitoring tools that do it right.
- GEO: Generative Engine Optimization vs Geospatial — Which One Do You Mean?"GEO" has two very different meanings: in marketing, Generative Engine Optimization (getting cited by AI answers); in tech, geospatial/geographic mapping.
- AI Overviews vs ChatGPT vs Perplexity: Where Should You Actually Focus? (2026)AI Overviews vs ChatGPT vs Perplexity — which AI search platform should you prioritize? A working SEO breaks down the 2026 usage data and where to focus.
- How to Get Cited by ChatGPT: A Practical GEO Playbook (2026)A working SEO's practical playbook for getting cited by ChatGPT and other AI answers in 2026 — entity clarity, third-party mentions, quotable structure.
- Best GEO Tools in 2026: An SEO Veteran's Honest ComparisonA working SEO's honest comparison of the best GEO tools in 2026 — Writesonic, RankScale, Otterly, Semrush AI Toolkit and more — pros, cons, pricing and fit.
- GEO vs SEO: What Actually Changes When AI Answers the QueryGEO vs SEO explained by an 11-year SEO: the real difference between optimizing for rankings and for AI citations, plus what to actually do differently.
- LLM Pulse Review: The Bootstrapped, Profitable GEO Tool Built to LastAn honest LLM Pulse review from a working SEO: the free AI-visibility tools, transparent €49/€99 pricing, real pros and cons, and how the underdog stacks up.
- Semrush AI Toolkit vs Dedicated GEO Tools: Which Should You Actually Buy?Semrush AI Toolkit vs dedicated GEO tools like RankScale and Otterly — an honest guide on cost, engine coverage, and who should buy the suite or a specialist.
- Writesonic GEO Review: Is the AI-Visibility Suite Worth $199/mo?An honest Writesonic GEO review from a working SEO: what the AI-visibility suite does, real pros and cons, the pricing breakdown, and who should buy it.
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The field notesGet the field notesOccasional, honest notes on GEO and AI search — from someone running his own site through the shift, in the open.
