Burkan Bur
With over 20 years of experience in digital marketing and agency work, I’ve led projects for major clients like Amazon, Hilton, Doordash, OWN, SC Johnson, Sharp Healthcare, Intel, American Express, and Experian.
As the Managing Director and Head of SEO at The Ad Firm, my role involves leading client relationships, managing project deliverables, and expanding accounts to provide an exceptional customer experience. I’m responsible for setting strategic direction in various aspects of digital marketing, including SEO, content marketing, digital PR, social networking, and keeping up with the latest trends and algorithm changes.
What I like most about my role
I love collaborating with businesses to help them achieve their sales goals. My role allows me to work closely with my team, focusing on mentoring, training, and running a department that promotes efficiency and value. I enjoy the challenge of communicating complex strategies to technical teams and executives alike, ensuring that everyone is aligned toward our common goals.
Additionally, I take pride in effectively bridging communication between technical development teams and top-level executives, including CMOs and CEOs, which is crucial for cohesive strategy and execution across all levels.
Past Work Experience
Starting my career as a programmer and developer, I have a unique perspective combining technical expertise and strategic acumen. I hold an MBA from Bilgi University and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Istanbul, and proud to have started and taught the first-ever SEO and analytics courses at UCSD.Â
My extensive experience includes leading and developing teams. I’ve been in this industry since the early days of Internet marketing, witnessing its evolution and the emergence of new trends firsthand.
Certifications:
- Business Management in Marketing, UCSD
- Web Development, UCSD
- Project Management, UCSD
- Google AdWords certification, Google
- Google Analytics certification, Google
- Advanced Search Engine Strategies, Search Engine Workshops
Hobbies outside work
Outside of my professional life, I’m an avid world traveler, martial artist, basketball player, and dancer. These activities not only keep me physically active but also foster a sense of creativity and balance in my life.
Articles Written by Burkan Bur
Optimizing Google Business Profiles for GEO and AI Search
People no longer scroll through endless lists of links to find what they need. Most now turn to maps, voice assistants, and AI-powered answers to quickly decide where to go and who to trust. For
Optimizing Google Business Profile Photos to Drive More Calls
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first place local customers see your business online. Photos help create a strong first impression, show what you offer, and support your local SEO presence. In this
Local PR Strategy for Boosting Your Local SEO and Brand Authority
Getting your business noticed locally is harder than ever. With so many companies competing for attention, simply having a website or social media profile is no longer enough. Local PR, when done strategically, can make
PPC Ad Copy That Stands Out in Crowded Search Results
Your ads are competing against three or four other advertisers for the same click. Every competitor bids on similar keywords, targets the same audience, and often says the same things. The result? Your carefully crafted
How to Analyze Your Local SEO Competitors (Step-by-Step)
Your competitors continue to rank in the local pack, while your business sits on page two. You’re not sure what they’re doing differently, and it’s frustrating. The good news? They’re leaving clues everywhere. Their Google
Must-Track Metrics: Social ROI Beyond Clicks in 2026
Your social media reports show thousands of likes, shares, and clicks. Your CFO still asks: “What’s the actual return?” This disconnect frustrates marketing teams across industries. The metrics platforms often fail to answer the questions
AI Audit Checklist: Optimizing Social Creatives for 2026 Algorithms
Your social ads previously performed well. Now, the same creatives struggle to gain traction. Reach drops without warning. Engagement declines even when targeting stays consistent. The problem is not your audience. Platform algorithms have changed
SEO Agencies for Med Spas in 2026
A generalist agency will burn through your budget chasing traffic that never books. Med spa SEO demands expertise in treatment-specific keywords, compliant healthcare content, and patient-acquisition strategies. Each SEO agency below has proven results helping
2025 SEO Review: Highlights, Lowlights, and Core Update Lessons
2025 reshaped SEO expectations. Google core updates and expanded AI Overviews changed how content ranks, how visibility is earned, and how traffic converts. Sites relying on outdated tactics or surface-level optimization lost traction, while businesses
Top angles to analyze the December 2025 core update impact in 2026
The December 2025 core update rolled out between December 11-29 and created significant shifts across search results. Google expanded AI Overviews to 40% more queries while penalizing unreliable content across both traditional and AI-generated results.
Retargeting Done Right: Complying with 2026 Privacy Rules
Retargeting still works in 2026, but only when it aligns with modern privacy standards. Evolving privacy regulations, ongoing changes to how third-party cookies function in Chrome, and stricter enforcement now define how businesses can track,
SEO Maintenance Checklist for Year-Round Wins
Maintaining rankings requires consistent work. Pages lose relevance, competitors improve their sites, and small technical issues accumulate over time. Without consistent SEO maintenance, prior optimization loses impact, reducing organic visibility and limiting lead potential over