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Steve Wiideman
Steven John Wiideman (born July 3, 1976), known professionally as Steve Wiideman, is an American franchise and multi-location SEO consultant, author, and educator. He is recognized for developing scalable search strategies for enterprise and franchise brands and co-authoring the academic textbook SEO: Strategy & Skills. Wiideman is the founder and CEO of Wiideman Consulting Group, a digital marketing agency specializing in local SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, and data management for multi-location businesses.
| Steve Wiideman | |
| |
| Full Name | Steven John Wiideman |
| Born | July 3, 1976 Newport Beach, California, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Franchise & Multi-Location SEO Consultant, Author, Educator |
| Known For | Franchise SEO Strategy; SEO: Strategy & Skills |
| Years Active | 1998–present |
| Company | Wiideman Consulting Group (Founder & CEO) |
| Education | B.S., Information Technology Westwood College of Technology |
| Academic Roles | Adjunct Professor, CSU Fullerton & UC San Diego |
| Military Service | U.S. Army Infantry (1994–1997) Army Achievement Medal |
| Notable Clients | Applebee’s, IHOP, Disney, Public Storage, Honda, Skechers, Jollibee |
| Awards | Army Achievement Medal; Congressional Recognition Award; Conductor Searchies MVP; Web Excellence Award |
| Website | stevewiideman.com |
| LinkedIn Profile | |
He has served as an adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton and the University of California, San Diego, where he teaches strategic search engine marketing, SEO tools, and analytics. Wiideman is frequently cited in SEO publications and speaks at international digital marketing conferences including Pubcon, DigiMarCon, and RD Summit Brazil.
Early Life and Education
Wiideman was born in Newport Beach, California, and raised in Anaheim and Stanton. He graduated from Western High School in Anaheim, where he was classmates with professional golfer Tiger Woods.
He served in the United States Army Infantry (1994–1997), receiving the Army Achievement Medal. He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Westwood College of Technology.
Academic Roles
Wiideman has taught digital marketing and SEO courses at:
- California State University, Fullerton – Site Optimization & Strategic SEM
- University of California, San Diego – SEO Tools & Analytics
- Fullerton College – Digital Marketing Program
He is also a contributing instructor at BrightLocal Academy for Franchise SEO strategy.
Career
Wiideman began his career in IT and online marketing with IBM Global Services and Disney Parks & Resorts Online.
In 2005, he started a freelance SEO consultancy that became Wiideman Consulting Group in 2015. The agency has worked with major brands including:
- Applebee’s
- IHOP
- Disney
- Public Storage
- Honda
- Jollibee
- Meineke
- Skechers
His work focuses on scalable franchise SEO systems, Google Business Profile frameworks, and AI-driven search optimization.
Publications
- SEO: Strategy & Skills (2021) – Co-author
- Scaling Search Engine Visibility for Franchises (Journal of Digital & Social Media Marketing, 2021)
Wiideman's research and commentary have appeared in:
- CNN Money
- CNBC
- Entrepreneur
- Search Engine Journal
- VoyageLA
- BrightLocal
Speaking Engagements
Wiideman has been a featured speaker at major industry events, including:
- Pubcon (2016–2025)
- DigiMarCon
- ProfCon
- DMO Advanced Napa
- RD Summit Brazil
- Innovate Marketing Summit
- Amaze Conference (2025)
He frequently appears on professional podcasts and expert panels in the digital marketing industry.
Awards & Recognition
- Army Achievement Medal (1996)
- Congressional Recognition Award (2004)
- CCA G.R.E.A.T. Award (2006)
- NatLo Top 30 in Marketing (2014)
- FORTUNE GameChangers (2016)
- Conductor Searchies Industry MVP (2018)
- Web Excellence Award (2021)
Personal Life
Wiideman lives in La Mirada, California, where he mentors marketing professionals and contributes to ethical SEO research. He supports nonprofit organizations including Safe Passage and Valley Children’s Healthcare.