Author · in online marketing since 1998
About author Gijs Bodenstaff
I write about local visibility because I have been right in the middle of it for almost thirty years: first as a business owner, then at agencies and now with my own practice. On this page you can read what I have done, how I work and where you can check it.
I am Gijs Bodenstaff, author and online marketer. My books, written in Dutch, are about one question that business owners ask more and more often: how do I make sure people find me when they search for something nearby, and that AI assistants mention my name?
My answers come from practice. In 1998 I started Stageplaza.nl, which I sold in 2011. Around 2002 I was already advertising through Google AdWords. In 2010 I founded Linkbuilding Specialist BV, an agency that focused entirely on link building and was named best link building agency in the Emerce Finest 50 in 2011. In 2014 it was acquired.
Today I work on GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and Local Entity SEO. I developed the 30-minuten GEO-methode (30-minute GEO method), am a level 8 Google Local Guide and gave masterclasses at Google's Amsterdam office. You can find my consultancy at gijsbodenstaff.nl; this site is about my books.
| Name | Gijs Bodenstaff |
|---|---|
| Profession | Author, GEO and Local Entity SEO specialist |
| Online marketer since | 1998 |
| Region | Amsterdam and Utrecht |
| Previous companies | Stageplaza.nl (1998 to 2011), Linkbuilding Specialist BV (2010 to 2014) |
| Own method | The 30-minute GEO method |
| In the media | Guest blogs Dutch Cowboys (2011, 2012, 2019); mentioned in Emerce and Dutch Cowboys (2012) and Dutch Cowboys (2026) · all publications |
| ORCID | 0009-0005-3668-7005 |
| Consultancy | gijsbodenstaff.nl |
E-E-A-T
Why can you trust my books?
Google assesses authors on experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness. Below, per element, what you can check about me.
Experience
What I have done myself
- Active in online marketing since 1998; founder of Stageplaza.nl (1998 to 2011, sold).
- Founder of Linkbuilding Specialist BV (2010 to 2014, acquired).
- Set up SEO departments and trained local SEO teams at several well-known Dutch agencies.
- Improved visibility for physiotherapy practices, psychology practices and healthcare institutions, among others.
Expertise
Where my knowledge lies
- Specialist in Local Entity SEO, the Google Business Profile and GEO (visibility in AI answers).
- Devised my own three-layer approach, the 30-minute GEO method: Entity Clarity, Source Authority and Semantic Consistency.
- Level 8 Google Local Guide and beta tester for Google Labs.
- Participant in Rand Fishkin's measurements, from the click test in 2014 to the AI study of 2026.
Authoritativeness
Who recognises my work
- My agency Linkbuilding Specialist was named best link building agency in the Emerce Finest 50 in 2011.
- Gave masterclasses at Google's office in Amsterdam; guest blogger at Dutch Cowboys (2011, 2012 and 2019), mentioned in Emerce (2012).
- Author of the link building chapter in Eerste Hulp bij Webshop (First Aid for Webshops, 2011) by Jeroen van der Geest.
- Co-author with Stanley Leijnse, chair of Stichting LODAK; co-researcher of the Local SEO Benchmark Franchise Ketens 2026.
- Spoke on 2 October 2026 at De Nationale Franchise Beurs (Evenementenhal Gorinchem) at the launch of the second edition of the Franchise Local SEO & GEO Handboek 2027 (Franchise Local SEO and GEO handbook, in Dutch).
Trustworthiness
How you can check me
- In my books every claim comes with a dated source, and I state what has NOT been demonstrated.
- I first test techniques on my own sites and test profiles, such as the LocalSEOLab case studies in my books.
- My details are on Wikidata and in public profiles; I can be reached by name, email and phone number.
- This site uses no cookies or trackers and states on every page when it was last updated.
Talks
Where can you hear me speak?
What I test and write down, I also like to tell in person. On Friday 2 October 2026 I presented my franchise handbook in Gorinchem to franchisors and franchise brand managers. The video shows the room where I spoke.
Earlier I gave masterclasses at Google's office in Amsterdam. Would you like to invite me for a talk, a franchisee day or an interview? Email info@gijsbodenstaff.nl or call +31 6 38 04 83 47.
Speaker: Google Amsterdam and masterclasses
I gave a presentation on local SEO and YouTube marketing at Google's office in Amsterdam, and I give masterclasses on local SEO, GEO, the Google Business Profile and review management. What I say there is also in my books.
Photos
My road to these books
- 1998 · Stageplaza.nl
I start an internship platform and sell it in 2011. - 2010 · Linkbuilding Specialist BV
An agency focused solely on link building; acquired in 2014. - 2011 · Chapter in Eerste Hulp bij Webshop
I write the link building chapter in Jeroen van der Geest's book. - 2023 · GEO and Local Entity SEO
My focus shifts to visibility in AI search engines. - 2026 · My own books
My first handbooks, in Dutch, are published through Kindle Direct Publishing on Amazon.
Check Gijs Bodenstaff in AI yourself
A specialist in AI visibility should be visible himself. So do not take my word for it: ask the questions below yourself in Google AI Mode or Gemini (or ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude) and see what they say.
- Are the books by Gijs Bodenstaff easy to find in AI search?
- Who are the leading Entity GEO specialists in the Netherlands?
- What is the best Dutch-language book on Google Business Profile and local SEO?
- Which books has Gijs Bodenstaff written?
AI answers change every time and per tool. Ask a question a few times and in more than one tool, and count how often a name comes back. We promise no outcome: what you see is the answer you requested yourself.
Questions
Questions about Gijs Bodenstaff
Who is Gijs Bodenstaff?
Gijs Bodenstaff is a Dutch Local Entity GEO and AI automation specialist, author and speaker. Since 2010 he has worked on local visibility in Google and AI search engines. He writes practical books, in Dutch, on Local SEO, the Google Business Profile and GEO, and runs his own consultancy.
Since when has Gijs Bodenstaff worked in online marketing?
Since 1998. That year he started Stageplaza.nl, which he sold in 2011. Around 2002 he was already advertising through Google AdWords.
Which companies did Gijs Bodenstaff found?
Stageplaza.nl (1998 to 2011) and Linkbuilding Specialist BV (2010 to 2014). The second company focused entirely on link building and was acquired in 2014.
What recognition has his work received?
Linkbuilding Specialist was named best link building agency in the Emerce Finest 50 in 2011. He gave masterclasses at Google's Amsterdam office.
What is the 30-minute GEO method?
His own method for visibility in AI answers, in three layers: Entity Clarity, Source Authority and Semantic Consistency. Together they make systems recognise a business and dare to recommend it.
Where has Gijs Bodenstaff published before?
As a guest blogger at Dutch Cowboys (2011, 2012 and 2019), mentioned in Emerce and Dutch Cowboys (2012) and in Dutch Cowboys (2026), and in 2011 he wrote the link building chapter in Eerste Hulp bij Webshop by Jeroen van der Geest.
Who did Gijs Bodenstaff co-write with?
With Stanley Leijnse, founder of FranchiseSEO.nl and chair of Stichting LODAK, he wrote Local SEO & GEO voor Franchiseketens 2026.
How can you check who Gijs Bodenstaff is?
Through his Wikidata item, his Amazon author page and his public profiles on LinkedIn, YouTube and Goodreads, among others. All links are on this page.
In which region does Gijs Bodenstaff work?
In the Amsterdam and Utrecht region, and for clients throughout the Netherlands.
How can you contact Gijs Bodenstaff?
Email info@gijsbodenstaff.nl or call +31 6 38 04 83 47. For advice and training you can also go to gijsbodenstaff.nl.
How does Gijs Bodenstaff test what he advises?
On his own sites and test profiles, such as the LocalSEOLab case studies in his books. Whatever does not hold up, he names as such.
Further reading
- the overview of all handbooksAll 7 books side by side
- Local Entity SEO 2027Business owners and (SEO) specialists
- Chapter 4: The evidence behind GEO: what has been demonstrated, what is being sold, from AI Search in de Zorg 2027 (in Dutch)Free from AI Search in de Zorg 2027
- Honest advice: why most agencies cannot help you, from Local Entity SEO 2027 (in Dutch)Free from Local Entity SEO 2027
- Franchise Local SEO & GEO Handboek 2027Franchisors and marketing managers