We’ve got some exciting news to share: SearchLab Digital has officially won another US Search Award!

At this year’s ceremony, our team took home the award for Best Use of Search – Automotive (SEO) for our work with Jim Burke Ford. The campaign, “From Invisible to Unstoppable: Jim Burke Ford’s SEO Turnaround,” was recognized for delivering real impact and measurable business results.

The judges summed it up best:

“The team tripled lead goals, doubled traffic, and positioned Jim Burke Ford as a buyer-first brand. By rejecting generic SEO tactics and instead focusing on real shopper behavior, they delivered content that built trust, not just traffic, proving that understanding user intent drives real results.”

About the Campaign

Jim Burke Ford came to us facing a visibility problem. Despite being a trusted local dealership, their website wasn’t showing up for the searches that matter most to car buyers in their market.

Instead of chasing quick wins or cookie-cutter tactics, our team built a strategy rooted in real shopper intent. This strategy wasn’t about cranking out more copy or stuffing keywords into page titles. It was about earning trust first, knowing the sale would follow.

We started with one simple question: what are local Ford shoppers actually searching for?

The answers were eye-opening. Instead of just “Ford dealer near me,” people were asking things like:

• “How do I turn off Ford MyKey without the admin key?”

• “What’s the difference between the Aviator and the Palisade?”

These are real, practical questions. And no dealership was answering them. So we did. Together with Jim Burke Ford, we rebuilt the site around content that mattered to their customers:

• How-to guides that solved everyday frustrations

• Model comparisons tailored to Bakersfield drivers

• Service explainers that helped customers make smarter decisions

We also refreshed their Google Business Profile, ditching keyword-stuffed fluff and replacing it with genuine answers, timely updates, and new photos. Their team even leaned into this new approach, responding to customer reviews with empathy and authenticity.

The result? More qualified traffic, more leads, and stronger brand trust in their community.

About the Team

This award is a reflection of our entire SearchLab team. From SEO strategy and content development to technical execution and client communication, it took a full team effort to bring this campaign to life.

We’re proud not just of the results we achieved, but of the process we followed: staying client-first, data-driven, and intentional with every decision.

A Shared Win

For us, this recognition is about more than a trophy. It’s proof that doing SEO the right way, with the customer at the center, works. It shows that local businesses don’t need to rely on shortcuts or generic playbooks to compete with national brands.

This campaign is just one example of what’s possible when strategy, execution, and collaboration come together.

Thank You!

A huge thank-you to Jim Burke Ford for trusting us, to the US Search Awards judges for recognizing our work, and to the entire SearchLab team for continuing to push boundaries in local SEO.

Here’s to helping even more businesses get found, earn trust, and win customers.