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 known for developing scalable search frameworks for enterprise brands and for co-authoring the academic textbook SEO: Strategy & Skills.^[1] Wiideman is the founder and CEO of Wiideman Consulting Group, a digital marketing agency specializing in local SEO, Google Business Profile optimization, and multi-location data management.^[2] He has served as an adjunct professor at California State University, Fullerton and the University of California, San Diego, where he teaches courses in SEO strategy, analytics, and digital marketing.^[3] His insights have appeared in major industry publications including Search Engine Journal, Entrepreneur, and CNBC.^[4]^[5]

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.

From 1994 to 1997, Wiideman served in the United States Army Infantry, receiving the Army Achievement Medal.^[6] He later earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology from Westwood College of Technology.

Academic Roles

Wiideman has taught digital marketing, SEO tools, analytics, and search strategy at:

California State University, Fullerton – Site Optimization & SEM
University of California, San Diego – SEO Tools & Analytics
Fullerton College – Digital Marketing Program^[7]

He is also a contributing instructor at BrightLocal Academy, authoring franchise SEO curriculum.^[8]

Career

Wiideman began his career with IBM Global Services and Disney Parks & Resorts Online. In 2005, he launched a freelance SEO consultancy that expanded into Wiideman Consulting Group in 2015.

His agency has supported SEO programs for major brands including:

Applebee’s
IHOP
Disney
Public Storage
Honda
Jollibee
Meineke
Skechers^[9]

Wiideman is frequently interviewed as an SEO strategist and is noted for his work in enterprise local search, Google Business Profile optimization, and AI-driven SEO methodologies.^[10]

His SEO commentary has been featured in CNBC,^[11] Entrepreneur,^[12] and across multiple Search Engine Journal publications.^[13]^[14]

Publications

SEO: Strategy & Skills (2021) – Co-author
Scaling Search Engine Visibility for Franchises (Journal of Digital & Social Media Marketing, 2021)

Additional publications and author credits appear in platforms such as WordTracker and QuickMail.^[15]^[16]

Speaking Engagements

Wiideman regularly speaks at major international conferences and workshops, including:

Pubcon (2016–2025)
DigiMarCon
ProfCon
DMO Advanced Napa
RD Summit Brazil
Innovate Marketing Summit
Amaze Conference (2025)

He has also appeared on numerous industry podcasts and SEO panels.^[17]

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 resides in La Mirada, California. He mentors digital marketing professionals and contributes to SEO ethics research. He also supports nonprofits including Safe Passage and Valley Children’s Healthcare.

External Links

[1] ttps://www.searchenginejournal.com/step-step-seo-strategy-development-interview-steve-wiideman/119887/

[2] ttps://upcity.com/profiles/wiideman-consulting-group

[3] ttps://profiles.ucsd.edu/steven.wiideman

[4] ttps://www.cnbc.com/2014/08/07/has-google-lost-control-of-its-anti-spam-algorithm.html

[5] ttps://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/your-site-seo-high-search-rankings/200182

[6] ttps://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-military-veterans/277619/

[7] ttps://extension.fullerton.edu/professionaldevelopment/digital-marketing-interview

[8] ttps://www.brightlocal.com/podcast/steve-wiideman-navigating-big-brand-local-seo/

[9] ttps://www.agencyspotter.com/wiideman

[10] ttps://rockstarcmo.com/74-the-whos-driving-the-bus-seo-steve-wiideman-cocktail-for-change-and-a-parrot-episode/

[11] ttps://www.cnbc.com/2014/08/07/has-google-lost-control-of-its-anti-spam-algorithm.html

[12] ttps://www.entrepreneur.com/growing-a-business/your-site-seo-high-search-rankings/200182

[13] ttps://www.searchenginejournal.com/sejthinktank-recap-local-seo-case-studies-big-brands/144112/

[14] ttps://www.searchenginejournal.com/algorithm-updates-local-seo-recap/445330/

[15] ttps://www.wordtracker.com/authors/steve-wiideman

[16] ttps://quickmail.com/authors/steve-wiideman

[17] ttps://rockstarcmo.com/74-the-whos-driving-the-bus-seo-steve-wiideman-cocktail-for-change-and-a-parrot-episode/

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