Field notes

Thinking for the
search after next.

Clear, practical observations on discoverability, AI answers and the moving parts that make organisations visible.

01AI search
AI search

AI crawler controls: search, training and grounding

A practical guide to controlling AI search discovery, model training and answer grounding without accidentally hiding useful content from customers.

Read the guide
02Content
Content

AI-generated content and SEO: a quality-control checklist

A practical review process for using generative AI in search content without publishing inaccurate, repetitive or low-value pages at scale.

Read the guide
03Technical
Technical

SEO website migration checklist

A practical checklist for preserving search visibility through a redesign, platform move, domain change or URL migration, from baselining and redirects to launch monitoring.

Read the guide
04Buying guide
Buying guide

How to choose an SEO agency in New Zealand

A practical guide to comparing New Zealand SEO agencies, testing their evidence and choosing a working model without relying on rankings, jargon or guarantees.

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05Measurement
Measurement

How to measure AI search visibility

A practical measurement framework for Google AI features, Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT referrals and repeatable prompt research without pretending AI answers are fixed rankings.

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06AI search
AI search

What is AI search optimisation?

A practical explanation of AI search optimisation, GEO and AEO, including the signals that can help a business become easier to retrieve, understand and cite.

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07Strategy
Strategy

SEO and GEO: how should they work together?

See which SEO and GEO foundations are shared, where AI search needs additional attention, and how to manage both through one practical roadmap.

Read the guide
08Technical
Technical

AI search readiness checklist for business websites

A practical checklist for assessing whether a business website is accessible, understandable, evidence-led and ready for AI-assisted discovery.

Read the guide
09AI search
AI search

AI search is changing discovery. The fundamentals still matter.

What answer engines change, what they inherit from traditional search, and where organisations should focus first.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
10Strategy
Strategy

Is monthly SEO and GEO work still worth it?

Why consistency matters when discovery platforms, content formats and competitive signals evolve continuously.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
11AI search
AI search

How do I make the most of AI search optimisation?

A practical view of what businesses can improve now to become more legible and credible in generated answers.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
12Keywords
Keywords

Why search volume matters in your keyword strategy

How demand data helps distinguish language your organisation uses from the words customers actually choose.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
13Authority
Authority

Outreach for backlinks: earning links Google will love

A grounded approach to relevance, outreach and the third-party signals that strengthen online authority.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
14Build
Build

A community directory built for the future of search

What a fast, structured local directory reveals about entities, useful information and AI-ready discovery.

Read on PeterMahoney.net
Keep up with search

Useful notes.
No inbox theatre.

Peter publishes short, practical guidance as search changes. Browse the full archive and subscribe by email on his long-running search site.

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