If rankings go up but phone calls do not, what did SEO really accomplish?

SEO is changing fast with AI and new search behavior, but most clients still judge success the same way. Phone calls. Traffic. Real performance they can see and understand. CEO and Founder Mark Herre of SEOgame explains why SEO fundamentals have not changed as much as people think. He breaks down what actually keeps agencies profitable and clients paying month after month. From Google Business Profiles and local rankings to attribution and performance reporting, Mark explains why results matter more than tactics.

Mark also explains how agencies working with attorneys, dentists, and other high-ticket local businesses can position SEO as a long-term growth engine rather than a short-term experiment. He shares why performance storytelling, not checklists, is what builds trust and creates lifetime clients, and how AI search is becoming the next layer that agencies must track as we move into 2026.

• Why SEO rankings alone do not keep clients long-term
• What business owners actually look for when judging SEO success
• How Google Business Profiles still drive high-value local leads
• The three core SEO pillars that continue to work in competitive markets
• How performance reporting builds trust and improves retention
• Why AI search is becoming a fourth layer, agencies must track
• How agencies turn SEO results into lifetime client relationships
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Learn more about SEOgame and white-label SEO for agencies: https://seogame.com

Connect with Mark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seogame/

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