Have you ever searched for an SEO agency in Detroit, only to discover they are not based in the area? Unfortunately, this is more common than you would think.
A lot of marketing agencies try to look like they’re located in cities where they don’t actually operate in order to boost their rankings in local search results. This is particularly true in major markets like Detroit, and unfortunately, Google’s system only makes spotting these impostors more challenging. Check out this search result on Google for “what are the top detroit seo agencies based in Detroit.”
It just takes a quick Google Search to see that although several companies say they’re based in Detroit, most only serve the area virtually and don’t have an actual office in the city or metro area at all.
For example, if you look up Caveni Digital Solutions, you’ll see that they don’t provide an address on their website or Google Business Profile. In fact, their Google Business Profile shows their service areas as Pennsylvania, Maryland, New Jersey, and Delaware, as you can see in the screenshot below. Their GBP also states, “Caveni Digital Solutions is a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-based company that has served businesses all over the United States.”
As of 2025, Google’s AI overview is still not always correct. This is why it is imperative to fact-check the response it gave you, especially if it involves companies you are interested in doing business with.
Why Does It Matter Whether an Agency is Genuinely Local?
I’m Bob Ottaway, President of Ottaway Digital, and proud to be a lifelong Michigan resident. Since founding our Troy-based agency in 1999, we’ve helped businesses across Detroit and throughout Michigan grow their online presence, often seeing results like a 50 percent increase in annual website traffic.
Our success comes from understanding how Michigan businesses and customers think, shop, and connect. With this knowledge, we can help you execute specific business goals. However, that kind of local knowledge isn’t something an out-of-state agency can duplicate.
In addition, we have a fully-staffed office you can visit and meet with us in person. With our local presence, we can drive to you to capture video content and images for use on your website and in campaigns, increasing your online visibility.
In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at some of the top Google search results for Detroit SEO and digital marketing agencies and see which ones are truly part of the Detroit business community.
Is LJB Marketing Agency Based in Metro Detroit?
LJB Marketing Agency does not have an address listed on its Google Business Profile or its website. However, they do have cities such as Troy, Shelby, Macomb, and Rochester listed as areas they serve on their GBP or their website, as you can see in the images below.
LJB Marketing Agency has case studies on its website only featuring businesses in the Metro-Detroit area, so it appears to be a local SEO company in Metro Detroit. However, it appears they do most of their work virtually, as there is no office address listed at this time.
Is High Level Marketing Based in Metro Detroit?
High Level Marketing has three Google Business Profiles in Detroit, West Bloomfield Township, and Birmingham, Alabama.
High Level Marketing states on its website that they have local office locations in Birmingham, AL; Mobile, AL; Montgomery, AL; Detroit, MI; West Bloomfield, MI; Nashville, TN; and Houston, TX.
Although High Level Marketing has two locations in Detroit and Metro Detroit, its main address is listed in its footer as Montgomery, Alabama, indicating that the company is based and headquartered in Alabama.
Is Thrive Based in Metro Detroit?
No, Thrive is based in Texas, with multiple locations across the US, as demonstrated in the Google Business Profiles screenshotted below. However, none of them are located in Detroit or Metro Detroit.
Although Thrive is headquartered in Texas, they have a strong nationwide reputation with hundreds of client reviews and offer a broad range of SEO services. However, for Detroit businesses seeking on-site collaboration or Michigan market familiarity, a local agency may be a better fit.
Again, this is an example of how the AI Overview can be incorrect, which is why it is important to always double-check your sources.
Is Spyder Byte Media, Inc. Based in Metro Detroit?
It is unclear if Spyder Byte Media is located in Metro Detroit, as the address on their website is a P.O. box at the Troy Post Office.
On the Better Business Bureau, their address is listed as 47935 Ben Franklin Drive, Shelby Township, MI 48315, which is a residential home.
Spyder Byte Media’s address is listed on Yelp as 41000 Woodward Ave Ste 350 E, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304, which is a virtual office, as shown in the photo below.
Although Spyder Byte Media appears to be local to Detroit, they do not seem to have an office in the area, making it unclear whether they are truly Detroit-based.
At Ottaway Digital, we have an office in Troy, MI, that is fully staffed Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. It is important to us to have a place to meet with our customers, collaborate, and film content when needed.
Is Karma Jack Based in Metro Detroit?
Yes, Karma Jack is headquartered on Woodward Avenue in Ferndale. This is the first Detroit-based location with an office listed in the AI overview for the query ‘what are the top Detroit seo agencies based in Detroit.’ There were five other agencies listed before Karma Jack.
This highlights how many SEO agencies operate under the guise of being Detroit-based when they don’t have an office, aren’t headquartered in the city, or are not located here at all. If you are looking for a local Detroit-based company to handle your search engine optimization and digital marketing, be sure to do your research!
The Takeaway: Why Agency Location Matters in SEO
As national agencies continue to market themselves as “Detroit-based,” it’s never been more important to confirm where your SEO partner truly operates. Working with a real Michigan agency means partnering with people who understand the local market, the language your customers use, and the challenges Detroit businesses face every day. Local SEO experts know how to implement a long-term seo strategy to increase your business growth in the Metro Detroit area.
If meeting your SEO provider in person is important to you, consider choosing a verified local Detroit SEO company like Ottaway Digital or Karma Jack, as this can significantly enhance your experience. Local agencies often bring deeper insight into the regional market and a hands-on partnership approach. When you choose an agency that’s genuinely part of the Metro Detroit community, you also gain a partner who’s just as invested in the growth of both the city of Detroit and the state of Michigan as you are.
