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
Local Signaling for GEO Using Reviews, Links, and Citations
AI-powered search tools do not rank pages. They synthesize answers. When users search for local services, the business that gets recommended is not always the one with the best website, but the one with the
Tracking Calls and Form Conversions Using GEO for AI Search
You’re investing in Generative Engine Optimization (GEO). Your brand is showing up in AI-generated answers. But when you open your analytics, the conversions from that visibility are nowhere to be found. This isn’t a performance
Connecting Local Rankings to Revenue with GEO and AI Search
Rankings are only worth what they produce. A first-page position that doesn’t generate calls, leads, or sales is a vanity metric dressed up as a win. For local businesses, the path from search visibility to
Local SEO Authority Building for Recommendations
Visibility puts your business in front of people. Authority makes them choose you. In local search, the businesses that earn recommendations, across Google’s Local Pack, Maps results, review platforms, referral conversations, and AI-generated answers, share
Expanding into New Service Areas Using GEO Signals
Expanding into a new market does not require a physical location. You can build visibility in new regions by strengthening the geographic signals search engines use to determine relevance. Generative engine optimization (GEO) focuses on
Building Local Brand Mentions That Reinforce GEO in AI Search
AI platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity do not rank websites the way Google does. They recommend brands based on how often, where, and in what context those brands are mentioned across the web. For
Local SEO review responses that improve conversions
Most businesses treat review responses as a box to check. A quick “Thanks for the feedback!” and they move on. That approach leaves money on the table because every review response is a public sales
Using Local Trust Signals to Strengthen GEO for AI Search
AI search platforms like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google AI Overviews do not cite every business that shows up in traditional results. They filter sources through a trust evaluation process, and local businesses that lack strong
Scaling Multi-Location SEO with GEO and AI Optimization
AI-powered tools like Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT now provide direct answers to local queries, pulling from brands recognized for consistency, authority, and well-structured information. For multi-location businesses, this shift brings both challenges and opportunities.
Building a Local Authority That GEO and AI Search Trust
AI search has transformed how customers discover local businesses. Platforms like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI no longer simply provide a list of links for users to sift through. Instead, they analyze content across the
Optimizing Local Landing Pages with GEO for AI Visibility
Search is changing at a pace that most local businesses have not caught up with yet. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Google’s AI Overviews, Perplexity, and Bing Copilot are now answering local queries directly, pulling business
Google Business Profile Posts: A Strategy for Steady Traffic
Most businesses claim their Google Business Profile, fill in their hours, upload a few photos, and then forget about it. That is a mistake. Your GBP is not a static listing — it is an