SEO Agency

SEO Agency: A Transparent and Measurable Model for First Page Rankings

Author: Bilcod SEO Team · Published: January 4, 2026 · Last updated: September 18, 2026

An SEO agency is an expert team that plans, implements, and measurably reports on technical infrastructure, content, and authority-building efforts to help a website rank higher on Google and AI-powered search engines. The right SEO agency doesn't just get you to the first page; it also documents which keyword, when, and with what action that result was achieved. This distinction is important because the number one ranking page on Google receives an average of 39.8% of clicks, while the top three positions collectively capture 68.7% of all clicks (First Page Sage, 2025). Being on the second page is, effectively, being invisible.

At Bilcod, we have been providing SEO services to businesses across Turkey from our office in Kadıköy, Istanbul, since 2008. We have experienced all eras firsthand, including Panda, Penguin, Helpful Content, and AI summaries. On this page, we transparently explain what an SEO agency truly does, how to choose one, and what will happen in the first 90 days if you work with us.

What Does an SEO Agency Do?

An SEO agency works in four main areas: technical SEO, content strategy, authority (backlink) building, and reporting. These four areas are not independent; if one is lacking, the effectiveness of the other three diminishes. The table below summarizes what each area covers and why it's important for your business.

In short: an SEO agency makes your site understandable to search engines, produces content your customer is looking for, increases your site's credibility, and presents all this to you with data. You can find the detailed scope of our services on our SEO services page.

Why Is an SEO Agency More Important Than Ever in 2026?

In 2026, SEO means appearing not just in Google's ten blue links, but also in AI summaries and conversational search engines. This shift has made the job harder for businesses trying to manage it themselves, while increasing the value of an experienced SEO agency. Three data points clearly illustrate this situation.

Google is still Turkey's main gateway. According to StatCounter data from August 2026, 82.32% of searches in Turkey are conducted via Google, and 15.98% via Yandex. DataReportal's Digital 2026 Turkey report indicates that the country has 77.5 million internet users, with 88.3% of the population online. Your customer is most likely searching for you on Google first.

AI summaries changed the rules. According to an Ahrefs study published in March 2026, covering 863,000 keywords, only 37.9% of pages cited in Google AI Overviews are among the top 10 organic results; in mid-2025, this rate was 76%. This means being on the first page no longer automatically guarantees visibility in AI summaries. The structure of the content, citation practices, and response format have become a separate layer of optimization.

Pages without citations lose clicks. According to a Seer Interactive study covering 5.47 million queries, in searches where an AI summary is present, the click-through rate for pages cited in the summary is 2.1%, while for uncited pages, it drops to 0.9%. The difference means more than double the traffic for the same ranking.

When these three data points are combined, the conclusion is: in 2026, SEO work must be conducted in a dual-layered manner, focusing on both classic rankings and citability in AI engines. We implement this approach by planning GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and SEO together; we produce our content in a structure that Google and engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini can easily read and cite.

How to Choose a Good SEO Agency? The Bilcod 7-Question Test

A good SEO agency is one that can answer every question you ask with concrete examples. Over the years, we have distilled a selection method from the experiences of customers who came to us after negative experiences with other agencies. We call this the Bilcod 7-Question Test. Ask every agency you interview these seven questions; if they can't provide clear answers to more than three, don't proceed.

1. Can you show us a site you've brought to the first page in our industry?

Don't ask for a reference list; ask for keywords and results. An agency that can't answer "which keyword, in how many months, from what rank to what rank" either hasn't produced results or hasn't measured them. We openly publish our references and what we have done.

2. Where and how do you get backlinks?

The answer "from our own network" or "from secret sources" is the biggest red flag. Google explicitly considers methods like buying links and link networks as violations of its spam policies. Ask for the source type, monthly quantity range, and reporting format in writing.

3. What metrics will we see in the monthly report?

Just a "rankings increased" graph is not enough. Organic traffic, clicks and impressions (Search Console), target keyword rankings, a list of completed tasks, and conversion data should all be included. It's crucial that you also have access to the raw data of the report (Search Console and GA4 access).

4. What exactly will you do in the first 90 days?

An experienced agency, even if not tailored specifically to your site, will have a starting template. An agency that can't tell you in which week technical audits, keyword research, content plans, and initial optimizations will be performed means they'll figure things out after the work starts.

5. What do you do during Google updates?

Ask how they responded to a client who experienced a drop after a Core Update. The answer "our clients were never affected" is unrealistic. The correct answer is one that explains how they analyzed the cause of the drop and developed a correction plan for content and authority.

6. What are the contract termination conditions?

A mandatory 12-month binding contract indicates that the agency lacks confidence in itself. SEO takes time to yield results; however, you should be able to leave an agency that cannot report any progress after 3 months. Always read the termination clause in the contract.

7. Do you guarantee rankings?

The correct answer is "no." Google's own SEO guide explicitly states that no one can guarantee a number one ranking on Google. An agency that offers guarantees is either making empty promises or using methods that will lead to your site being penalized.

"The quickest way to evaluate an SEO agency is to ask them, 'What exactly did you do for your client last month?' If the answer doesn't come within five minutes, you'll realize that the agency isn't doing the work, but rather not measuring it. An agency that doesn't measure cannot manage." — Fuat Gönülkırmaz, Bilcod Founder

Which SEO Agencies Should You Avoid?

You should avoid an SEO agency that conceals its process and exaggerates its results. If two or more of the following signs appear together, do not sign the offer, no matter how attractive it may seem.

• "Guaranteed first page" promise: Google determines rankings, not the agency. This promise is either a lie or given for keywords like "your company name + city" which you would likely rank for anyway.

• Prices significantly below market rate: Comprehensive SEO cannot be done for 5,000 TL per month. This budget usually means content produced by automated tools or toxic backlinks.

• No access to raw data: You own your Search Console and Analytics accounts. An agency that restricts access by saying "we manage it" can manipulate reports as they wish.

• Claim of a special relationship with Google: Google explicitly warns against individuals claiming "a special connection with Google." No such relationship exists.

• Managing web design, social media, and SEO with a single person: Each requires separate expertise. The team should have separate individuals responsible for technical SEO, content, and backlinks.

• Producing content without measuring results: An agency that promises 20 blog posts a month but can't explain which content serves which keyword is selling quantity over quality.

How Does the SEO Process Work at Bilcod? The First 90 Days

At Bilcod, every SEO project follows the same 90-day initial plan; the site-specific part is the findings that fill this plan. We share this plan before the contract to ensure transparency. Below, you can see what will happen in the first three months.

By the end of the third month, most projects show an increase in impressions and first-page movement for low-competition keywords. Lasting results for competitive keywords require 6–12 months of work; we state this upfront because any agency claiming otherwise is misleading you.

The report we send at the end of each month consists of three sections: what we did this month, what the data says, and what we will do next month. The source list for backlink efforts is also a standard part of this report.

How Much Do SEO Agency Prices Cost?

In Turkey, the monthly cost of working with a corporate SEO agency typically ranges from 15,000 TL to 60,000 TL as of 2026. Three factors determine the price: the competitiveness of target keywords, the site's current technical condition, and the monthly volume of content and backlinks. The table below compares the three segments in the market.

At Bilcod, we position ourselves in the boutique and mid-sized segment. We price each project based on your site's current status and do not sell services you don't use under the guise of a package. You can view our current packages and what's included on our SEO pricing page.

When Are SEO Results Visible?

The first measurable effects of SEO work are typically seen in 3–4 months, while lasting and competitive results appear in 6–12 months. Google's own guide states that some changes take hours, others months, to take effect, and it's necessary to wait a few weeks for a healthy evaluation. The timeline below shows the typical progression we observe in our projects.

• Month 1: Technical fixes start appearing in the index; there's a slight increase in impressions, clicks don't change yet.

• Months 2–3: Optimized pages move from ranks 20–50 to the top 10–20; initial qualified traffic comes from long-tail keywords.

• Months 4–6: First-page movement for medium-competition keywords; organic traffic measurably increases compared to the start.

• Months 6–12: Top 3 and first page targeted for high-competition main keywords; accumulated content and backlinks transform into lasting authority.

The most important factors that shorten these periods are a clean technical infrastructure, quick content approvals, and a domain name that has not been penalized in the past. Factors that prolong them include frequent design changes, pending content approvals, and aggressive backlink investment by competitors in the industry.

What Sets Bilcod Apart from Other SEO Agencies?

What sets Bilcod apart from other SEO agencies is that we handle both the software and marketing aspects of the work within the same team. We've been operating from our office in Kadıköy, Istanbul, since 2008, and we work remotely with clients outside Istanbul with the same discipline. The five points most emphasized by businesses that choose us are:

We are a developer team. We approach technical SEO not as "sending a note to the developer and waiting," but by implementing it ourselves. Regardless of whether it's Next.js, WordPress, or a custom infrastructure; we resolve Core Web Vitals, schema, and indexing issues directly in the code. The same team also develops our own SaaS products, such as Satış Ajanım.

18 years of algorithm memory. From Panda to Helpful Content, from mobile-first indexing to AI summaries, we have experienced every major change alongside our clients. When an update comes, we don't guess what to do; we know what has worked before.

Transparent reporting. You own your Search Console and GA4 accounts; we get access. In the monthly report, you see a list of every task completed and the backlink sources. The report doesn't say "it's going well"; it tells you how many rank positions have moved for each keyword.

Industry experience. Our references include diverse sectors from industrial door manufacturers to prefabricated building companies, traffic safety products to language education. We have generated particularly strong results for B2B manufacturers and service firms.

Integrated digital approach. We treat SEO as part of the same strategy as Google Ads management and web design. Learning which keywords bring conversions from ad data and setting SEO priorities accordingly is an advantage that agencies focused solely on SEO cannot offer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is working with an SEO agency worthwhile, or can we do it with our own team?

You can do it with your own team; however, it requires three separate specializations to handle technical SEO, content creation, and backlink work simultaneously. The cost of employing these three individuals is several times the agency budget for most businesses. The advantage of an agency is that you gain these expertises at a shared cost, with a team that has observed algorithm changes across dozens of sites simultaneously. If you only want your site to be visible for a few local and low-competition keywords, you can manage it internally with good training.

What is the most important criterion when choosing an SEO agency?

The most important criterion is transparency: the agency should clearly show you what they do, from what sources they obtain backlinks, and with what data they measure results. Industry references, team structure, and contract flexibility come after this. Price should be compared only after these criteria are met; the cheapest agency often ends up being the most expensive.

Can a guaranteed SEO service agency be trusted?

No. Google's official SEO guide explicitly states that no one can guarantee a first-place ranking. An agency that offers guarantees is either promising for non-competitive keywords or using methods that could lead to a manual penalty for your site. A trustworthy agency guarantees process and effort, not rankings.

How long does it take for an SEO agency to deliver results?

The first measurable movements are usually seen in 3–4 months, with lasting results for competitive keywords appearing in 6–12 months. The duration varies depending on the site's technical condition, domain history, industry competition, and content approval speed. If a campaign cannot report any movement in impressions and rankings after three months, it should be re-evaluated.

Can we work with Bilcod if we are outside Istanbul?

Yes. A significant portion of our clients are outside Istanbul; SEO work is entirely remote. We conduct monthly reports and planning meetings online. We also welcome clients who prefer face-to-face meetings at our office in Kadıköy.

What should we pay attention to in an SEO agency contract?

Look for four points: documented scope of services (monthly content quantity, backlink type and quantity, technical work), defined reporting frequency and content, assurance that Search Console and Analytics accounts remain your property, and reasonable termination conditions. An agency that requires a 12-month binding commitment implies they don't feel obligated to show results in the first 3 months.

What is the difference between SEO and Google Ads, and which should we choose?

Google Ads brings clicks as long as you pay, and traffic stops when you stop paying. SEO works cumulatively; it's slow in the first months, but then the cost per click decreases, and traffic continues even when you're not paying. If you're a new site, the most efficient way is to collect quick conversion data with Ads and use this data to determine SEO priorities; this is why we plan both services together.

Conclusion

The right SEO agency isn't one that just promises to get you to the first page, but one that shows you, week by week, how you'll get there. Apply the 7-Question Test on this page to every agency you interview; apply it to us too. If you are looking for a team that has experienced every era of Google since 2008, resolves technical SEO in its own code, and reports what it does every month, you are in the right place.

Request a free preliminary analysis to see your site's current SEO status. We will examine your site and present a concrete plan of what can be done in the first 90 days. Contact us or call us at +90 216 706 0 716.