The marketplace blog

How local businesses win the #1 spot — online and inside AI answers.

Practical guides on bidding strategy, local search, and generative engine optimization, written for the businesses competing for city and category markets.

Illustration of a city skyline with a gold number one badge glowing above the tallest building

Playbook9 min read

How to become the #1 Featured Business in your city

Every city and category pair on Claim The Market is one market with exactly one #1 Featured Business, decided by the highest active bid. This is the practical playbook for taking that position and keeping it.

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Illustration comparing a plain list of organic search results with a highlighted featured business placement card

Strategy8 min

Local SEO vs. paid placement: where local buyers actually find you

Local SEO compounds slowly, paid placement starts today. Here is how the two channels differ in cost, speed, and control — and how to run them together.

Illustration of an AI assistant recommending a local business, linked to a map pin over a United States map

AI search10 min

GEO for local business: getting recommended by AI search

AI assistants now answer "who should I hire near me" directly. Learn what generative engine optimization is and how local businesses become the answer.

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