"It's on the internet forever" we warn our kids when they post shite. But 17 years ago today I was quoted in the Sunday Times, and I can't bloody find it any more!

Danny Sullivan on chunking content for AI: "We don't want you to do that." On hiring GEO experts: same as hiring an SEO. Same work, made-up terminology. Is the GEO grift finally over? https://f.mtr.cool/jgxryzfajh

Did you remove all the H1s from your website because they "ruined the aesthetic"? Google now has no idea what any of your pages are about. But at least it looks nice. #SEOFuckUps2026

I'm not saying I've always thought Joe Wicks is a misogynistic, skinny legged cockwomble, but.... oh, yeah, I am saying that...

Did you decide to revamp your website in 2026, so you removed all of the pages and redirected everything to a 'coming soon' page? Yeah, don't do that... #SEOFuckUps2026

I'm beyond excited to be helping 5 SEO Copywriters build their businesses to be more retainer based and less one off projects this year. My SEO Mentoring Programme for Copywriters starts 12th Jan and I can't wait. nikki-pilkington.com/the-ascend-s...

What he said...

Google doesn't do priority. Not for anyone. Not for the biggest agencies, not for the smallest freelancers. Nobody gets to skip the queue. This red flag, plus a few more, in my latest SEO F**king What? episode - get it where you listen or seofuckingwhatpodcast.co.uk

I don't care that Google has dropped a Core Update on us 2 weeks before Xmas when I had planned to only work until the 19th. I do care that they've dropped the update while Google Search Console is way behind on reporting, so I have to use GA4 to find out how it is affecting my clients. Fuckers.

If you've been sitting on the fence about Ascend, today's the day to decide.

January is coming whether you're ready or not. Question is: do you want to spend it learning to offer SEO services, or still wondering how to charge more?

Ascend isn't about becoming an SEO expert. It's about becoming a copywriter who offers SEO services. There's a difference, and it's worth about £500/month per client.

2026 could be the year you stop competing on copywriting rates and start charging for strategic SEO services. Ascend makes that possible.

What if clients came to you because you could improve their Google rankings, not just because you're cheaper than the other copywriter?

12th December. That's it. After that, Ascend is closed until next year. If you want to learn how to offer proper SEO services, apply now.

You already know how to write. You already understand clients. Adding SEO is just adding another skill to what you already do well.

I love that loads of people are 'vibe coding' with AI - it's really helped to highlight the people who could, but shouldn't, but did anyway.

Retainer work. Consistent income. Clients who see you as strategic, not just "the words person." That's what adding SEO services does for your business.

I mean, I don't mean to say I told you so, but...

If the only thing stopping you from offering SEO services is confidence, Ascend is literally designed for that exact problem.

The gap between "I understand SEO in theory" and "I charge clients for SEO services" is confidence and support. That's what Ascend provides.

The goal of Ascend isn't just to teach you SEO. It's to make you confident enough to pitch it, price it properly, and deliver without second-guessing yourself.

I don't know whether to be offended or not...

The copywriters who'll thrive in 2026 aren't the best writers. They're the ones who can do what AI can't. SEO is one of those things.

I’ve lost count of the number of businesses that hire an SEO expert, pay good money, and then make it impossible for us to actually do the job. (Not you, I'm sure). https://f.mtr.cool/uqywkhqttv

I'm not going to throw you in the deep end and hope you swim. Ascend is hand-holding through your first SEO client. Templates, reviews, support, the lot.

Applications for Ascend close 12th December. 10 spots. A few left. If you want to add SEO services to your business in 2026, this is it.

Every day you don't apply for Ascend is another day competing on price with people who think £75 for a landing page is "expensive."

The scariest part of adding SEO services isn't learning SEO. It's pitching it to a client for the first time. That's why Ascend includes me reviewing your pitches before you send them.

Copywriting is getting commoditised. Sorry, but it is. The question is: what are you going to do about it?

"Why should I pay you when I can use AI?" If you don't have a good answer to that question, you need Ascend.

the copywriters charging premium rates aren't better writers than you. They're just offering services you haven't learned yet.

The thing about competing on price is that someone will always be cheaper. The thing about offering SEO services is that most copywriters can't.

You didn't become a copywriter to earn £30/hour and justify your existence to clients who think ChatGPT is "good enough."

Pay your freelancers nikki-pilkington.com/freelancers-...

I could pretend SEO is mysterious and complicated so you'd be more impressed. But honestly, you can learn this. That's the whole point.

Every copywriter I know is worried about AI. The ones who'll thrive are the ones adding skills AI can't replicate. SEO is one of them.

Imagine having clients who pay you monthly. Not per project. Not per word. Monthly. That's what SEO retainer work looks like.