Early SEO Career
Bill Hartzer began working in search engine optimization in the late 1990s, when SEO was still an emerging field. He managed websites and online properties at an international telecom software company, handling content and technical SEO across multiple languages and markets.
That early in-house experience gave him a practical understanding of how multinational organizations rely on organic search, and how technical and content decisions can influence performance across different regions.
Agency and Consulting Work
After his in-house role, Bill moved into agency leadership and consulting, working with a wide range of clients—from small businesses to large enterprises. He has led SEO strategies for websites in competitive industries, including technology, e-commerce, and professional services.
His work has included technical SEO audits, site migrations, content strategy, link analysis, and ongoing performance optimization. This breadth of experience is directly relevant when evaluating SEO-related issues in litigation.
SEO Expert Witness Experience
Bill has provided expert witness services in cases involving defamation, traffic loss, domain disputes, and broader online marketing issues. His work has included:
- Authoring expert reports and rebuttal reports.
- Analyzing historical traffic and search visibility.
- Assessing the reasonableness of SEO tactics and technical changes.
- Explaining the impact of Google algorithm updates and site migrations.
- Providing deposition and trial testimony.
For a more detailed overview, see the SEO Expert Witness Experience page.
Approach to SEO Expert Witness Work
Bill’s approach is grounded in data and clarity. He focuses on what the analytics, search console data, and technical evidence show, and explains those findings in plain language. His goal is to help courts understand what actually occurred in search results and how those changes affected the business or individual involved.
He remains active in day-to-day SEO work, which ensures that his expert opinions reflect current best practices and real-world search engine behavior.
Speaking and Publications
Bill has written extensively on SEO and related topics, and he speaks regularly at industry conferences. His writing and presentations often focus on technical SEO, domain names, and the intersection of search and online reputation.
These activities help him stay connected to the broader SEO community and provide visibility into emerging trends that may affect future cases.
Working with Legal Teams
Bill understands the unique needs of legal teams, including confidentiality, deadlines, and the importance of clear, defensible opinions. He works closely with counsel to identify the right scope of work, clarify the questions that need answering, and present findings in a format that supports litigation strategy.
For more on how an engagement typically unfolds, see the Engaging an SEO Expert Witness page.
Contact Information
If you would like to learn more about Bill’s background or discuss a potential matter, please use the details on the Contact page.