Michele Cioce – Senior SEO Strategist
👤 About Me
I’m Michele Cioce, a Senior SEO Strategist with over a decade of experience in search engine optimization, organic visibility for editorial platforms, and integrated digital strategies for B2B and B2C brands.
I work as a Senior in-house SEO for a communications agency in Puglia, Italy, that manages local news outlets—a unique hybrid environment where I bridge technical execution, editorial urgency, and long-term business strategy.
Whether you’re looking for an SEO consultant, an organic visibility expert, or a strategist who integrates security, AI, and systems thinking into every layer of digital presence, my approach is rooted in real-world experience with publishers, agencies, and growing brands.
🔍 An Integrated Approach: SEO, Security & AI
I’ve moved beyond traditional SEO by weaving together three interconnected pillars:
1. 📌 Intelligent Visibility for the AI Era
I specialize in Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)—designing structured, authoritative content to be cited by AI-powered search interfaces like Google AIOs, Perplexity, and ChatGPT.
I don’t just optimize for SERPs; I anticipate how users will search tomorrow—through voice, chat, and conversational AI.
2. 🛡️ Security as a Foundation for Visibility
A compromised site can’t rank sustainably. That’s why I embed cybersecurity audits, vulnerability monitoring, and OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) directly into SEO strategy.
I use OSINT not only for competitive research but also to detect accidental data leaks, exposed credentials, or reputation risks that could undermine trust and rankings.
3. 🤖 Ethical, Local AI
I’m an experienced prompt engineer, but I avoid relying on proprietary cloud APIs. Instead, I run open-weight models (Llama, Mistral, Qwen) locally via llama.cpp—enabling private, secure experimentation and content generation without sending sensitive data to third parties.
In today’s landscape, on-device AI isn’t a niche—it’s a necessity for responsible digital practice.
🧠 End-to-End Strategy: From Vision to Execution
My strength lies in owning the full cycle—defining the vision and implementing every detail myself. Whether it’s:
- Editorial SEO for high-traffic news sites
- Technical SEO audits for complex architectures
- B2B/B2C organic strategies focused on sustainable growth
- Integrating SEO with cybersecurity and AI workflows
…I build visibility that lasts, not quick wins that vanish with the next algorithm update.
🧙♂️ Creator of Practical SEO Tools
I believe real innovation means building—not just theorizing. That’s why I’ve developed a suite of original tools on SEO PROOF, including:
Each tool emerged from a real need in my daily work—whether simplifying complex research, validating content integrity, or managing SEO workflows offline. They’re designed to be useful for professionals and non-professionals alike.
Originally built to streamline my own process, I now share them openly because I believe powerful, ethical tools should be accessible to everyone shaping the future of digital visibility.
If you’d like to exchange ideas, explore collaborations, or simply follow my work, feel free to 👉 connect with me on LinkedIn. I welcome conversations with fellow builders, strategists, and innovators who see digital not just as a channel—but as a living, evolving ecosystem.