Question 1

If I'm already doing Google Ads, should I stop them when I start SEO?

Accepted Answer

No — and this is a common concern worth addressing directly. When you start SEO, keep your Google Ads running. SEO takes 3–6 months to show early movement and 6–12 months to deliver meaningful organic leads. Stopping your Ads during that window would create a lead gap that the business can't absorb. Run both, then gradually rebalance budget toward SEO as organic rankings mature and generate consistent leads.

Question 2

Does having a high Google Ads spend help my organic SEO ranking?

Accepted Answer

No. Google has confirmed that organic rankings and paid ad performance are entirely separate systems. Spending more on Google Ads does not improve your organic ranking position. The two channels operate in parallel, not in tandem, from Google's perspective. Any agency that suggests otherwise is either misinformed or misrepresenting how the system works.

Question 3

Which channel works better for local businesses in Malaysia specifically?

Accepted Answer

For most Malaysian local service businesses — clinics, contractors, salons, law firms — both channels have genuine value but at different stages. Google Ads is particularly strong for local businesses because you can target specific suburbs and postcodes, matching the geographic intent of local searches. Local SEO (Google Maps) is often even more impactful than either paid search or organic web rankings for these businesses, and should be the first investment before either Google Ads or organic SEO is considered.

Question 4

Is SEO still worth it in Malaysia given that AI is changing search?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and arguably more so. AI-generated search results (Google's AI Overviews, Perplexity, ChatGPT Browse) draw from the same pool of high-quality, authoritative web content that organic SEO builds. The businesses that rank organically today are the same businesses whose content gets cited in AI-generated answers. Building organic authority now positions you for both traditional search results and the AI search layer that's developing alongside them.

Question 5

What is a realistic budget to run both Google Ads and SEO in Malaysia?

Accepted Answer

A combined Phase C investment typically looks like this: RM2,000–RM5,000 per month for Google Ads (depending on industry competitiveness and geography) plus RM2,000–RM4,000 per month for SEO (content production, technical optimisation, link building). Total: RM4,000–RM9,000 per month. This sounds significant — and for a Phase A or Phase B business, it is too much too soon. Phase C businesses at RM50k–RM100k per month should be able to fund this investment from existing revenue while the organic channel builds toward reducing overall marketing cost over time.

Category: Google Ads

Digital Marketing for Malaysian SMEs: A Complete Guide From RM0 to RM1 Million

Google Now Tracks Your Social Media Posts in Search Console — What This Means for Malaysian Businesses

GEO in Malaysia: Our Honest Take on What It Actually Is — and What It Isn’t

How to Write SEO-Friendly Blog Posts for Your Malaysian Business

Digital Marketing for Healthcare in Malaysia: A Full KKM Compliant Guide

How to Choose an SEO Agency in Malaysia — And What They Should Actually Cover

Is SEO Effective for Small Businesses in Malaysia?

How to Tell If Your SEO Is Actually Working

How to Choose an SEO Agency in Malaysia: The Full Guide

How to Make Your Business Appear on AI Like ChatGPT and Gemini