Omkar Deshpande
Verified Expert in Marketing
Marketing Expert
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal member since September 21, 2022
Omkar is a pioneering GEO and SEO specialist with 10+ years optimizing for AI platforms (ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, Google SGE) and traditional search. Expert in generative engine optimization, achieving 280% increases in AI citations through advanced schema markup, prompt optimization, and response engineering. Specializes in LLM visibility strategies, conversational content architecture, and citation optimization. Delivers measurable ROI in enterprise SEO, local search, and performance marketing.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Facebook Ads
- Google Ads
- Paid Advertising
- Product Growth
- Product Marketing
- Project Management
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
- WordPress
Work Experience
Senior GEO and AI Marketing Strategist
Silicon Valley Startup
- Pioneered GEO strategy optimizing content for ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, and Google SGE, implementing semantic entity mapping and structured data, resulting in a 180% increase in AI-cited brand mentions and a 65% boost in zero-click SERP visibility.
- Developed AI-powered content workflows using Clearscope and MarketMuse to optimize for conversational queries and LLM training data, achieving 45% improvement in semantic relevance scores and first-page rankings for 200+ informational queries.
- Improved platform tooling continuously by standardizing and evolving internal libraries of reusable automations and GPTs. Improved workflows by 40%.
- Developed automated dashboards and reporting mechanisms to track real-time performance.
- Built AI agents to generate content dynamically using Make.com and n8n. Improved content creation for blogs, Instagram, FB, and TikTok, as well as distribution by 70%.
- Optimized the website for AEO/AI overviews in Google Search by sophisticated methods like improving vector embeddings, subject-object predicates, content chunking, and tokenizing.
GEO and Technical SEO | AI-powered Content Strategy Specialist
Polar Fusion LLC
- Completed GEO-enhanced technical SEO audit for Tigertail, optimizing for ChatGPT, Perplexity AI, and Google SGE. Developed a prioritized roadmap using semantic entity mapping and structured data, improving AI citations and traffic.
- Implemented GEO optimizations with Tigertail developers, including semantic entity markup, AI-friendly content structures, and conversational query optimization for enhanced visibility in AI responses and traditional search.
- Achieved a ranking of 100+ additional keywords in the top 10 positions on Google and increased brand visibility in AI-generated responses (ChatGPT, Perplexity AI) by 45% through implementing GEO-enhanced content strategies and semantic optimization.
Enterprise SEO Manager
EDITED
- Conducted an in-depth technical search engine optimization (SEO) audit for 5,000+ pages that uncovered systemic issues on the website.
- Achieved top positions (3rd to 8th) in the UK and US for vital keywords such as retail analytics software, retail analytics tool, assortment planning tool, and merchandising software.
- Increased organic visibility by 30% by conducting WordPress SEO, remarketing, and extensive research, and helped EDITED revamp its website content strategy.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as web, product, paid media, and UI/UX to ensure the successful execution of SEO strategies that aligned with overall business goals, driving meaningful impact.
- Formulated and implemented strategic content roadmaps, encompassing the creation of comprehensive plans for website pages, blog posting schedules, and other original content tailored to meet the target audience's interests and SEO objectives.
- Tracked, analyzed, and reported on organic search performance, regularly identifying new improvement opportunities using various tools, including Google Analytics, HubSpot, Google Search Console, Ahrefs, Screaming Frog, and Semrush.
- Led internal SEO-related training and development programs designed to improve the overall SEO knowledge and skills of team members and developed and implemented standard operating procedures to ensure consistent execution of SEO processes.
Senior Manager - Enterprise | SEO
Digital Marketing Agency
- Set up a digital vertical from scratch and designed the scope, systems, and processes. Led migration for 100+ clients from an external service provider to an in-house team. Managed the P&L of $1.7 million per year and retained 96% of accounts YoY.
- Hired, trained, and led a team of 10+ content writers, web developers, and performance marketers. Conducted weekly lunch and learns events and career development plans.
- Handled campaign management, including social media marketing (SMM) strategies, for some of Canada's largest enterprise businesses, such as real estate marketing for RE/MAX Canada, Intuit TurboTax, Maison Birks, and Mogo, to improve ROAS.
- Completed full technical SEO audits with a list of action items. Developed a prioritized roadmap of SEO issues, highlighting those needing attention based on their impact, and provided traffic projections.
- Collaborated with the web team to address several website UI/UX opportunities to improve user experience and CRO.
- Led strategy and stakeholder management initiatives, driving business growth and ROI through expert SEO and content marketing knowledge, including targeted WordPress SEO practices to enhance online visibility.
- Implemented a cost-efficient, AI-driven SEO approach to enhance online presence, increase growth, and optimize expenses while leveraging Google Analytics 4 for comprehensive analytics and performance measurement.
- Acted as a go-to SEO and content marketing expert within digital marketing, providing strategic guidance and thought leadership to business unit marketing teams to elevate their content marketing and SEO strategies.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams such as web, product, paid media, and UI/UX to ensure the successful execution of SEO strategies that aligned with overall business goals, driving meaningful impact.
Senior SEO and SEM Manager
Domu Apartments, LLC
- Identified core technical SEO issues related to redirects, canonicals, and schema for over 5,000 pages. Worked with content and web dev teams to fix these issues programmatically at scale. Increased the number of indexed pages by 30%.
- Ranked core keywords like apartments for rent in Chicago, rent calculator Chicago, short-term apartments for rent Chicago, and 30 more keywords within positions 1 to 3.
- Restructured and relaunched SEM/PPC campaign with Performance Max with a highly optimized structure. Reduced cost per acquisition by 9% and increased leads by 15% monthly.
- Helped set up Google Analytics 4 with conversion tracking, Google Search Console, and MS Clarity for heatmaps.
Senior SEM and SEO Specialist
Cedar Supply Company
- Completed a comprehensive technical and SEO audit for the RMFP and eTimbers website.
- Developed a prioritized roadmap of SEO issues, highlighting those needing attention based on their impact, and provided traffic projections.
- Managed to get +50 keywords ranked in positions 1-3 on Google within three months of SEO improvements, beating Home Depot and Lowe's. Ranked position 1 for top keywords like lumber yard denver, decking supplies denver, and fencing materials denver.
- Improved targeted monthly traffic to a website by 100% for six months straight.
- Launched SEM/PPC campaigns and improved performance significantly. Increased leads and calls by 200% and ROAS by 39%.
- Reduced cost-per-click (CPC) by 80% through manual bidding. Reduced wasted ad spend by 40% using negative keywords, audience targeting, and ad schedules.
SEO Specialist and Semrush Coach
Linx Solutions, LLC
- Created an in-depth SEO training plan for the outsourcing team. The plan included technical SEO, on-page SEO, voice search optimization, and backlinking techniques and strategies, along with the use of tools like Semrush, Basecamp, and Ahrefs.
- Created highly optimized SEO processes and documentation for the successful execution of client SEO campaigns, leveraging AI content creation.
- Led a team of 10 which included project managers, SEO strategists, content writers, and website developers.
SEM and Paid Social Manager
Martin Monroe LLC
- Performed ad optimization and maintained PPC campaigns on Google, Facebook, Microsoft Advertising, and Instagram for over 10 clients with monthly budgets exceeding $50,000.
- Designed highly optimized Apple Search Ads, Instagram marketing, Spotify Ads, and other campaigns that exceeded ROAS targets by 15% month-over-month.
- Created a pacing and reporting dashboard for at-glance campaign performance for stakeholders.
- Developed a dashboard for a quick overview of campaign performance for stakeholders, including budget pacing and reporting features.
Senior Digital Marketing Manager
Digital Marketing Agency - Among #Top 3 in Canada
- Conducted market research (e.g., conjoint analysis) to understand consumer requirements, habits, and trends. Performed competitor analysis and profiling. Brainstormed and developed ideas for creative marketing campaigns, including video marketing.
- Defined a campaign strategy and deliverables plan that exceeded Fortune 1000 clients' expectations.
- Owned and managed highly optimized paid campaigns across search (SEM), display, video, and social platforms for our clients. Conducted A/B test of ad copy, bid strategies, landing pages, and targeting options.
- Performed daily paid search and social campaign activities, including bid management, budget allocation, forecasting, performance monitoring, strategic testing, and campaign expansion. Managed monthly media spending from CAD 200,000 to 1 million.
- Set up systems to aggregate campaign data (campaign results, conversion rates, traffic, etc.) and determined campaign efficiency to support data narrative and shape future B2C marketing strategies.
- Used MS Excel for campaign data analysis and manipulation using pivot tables, charts, and VLOOKUP.
- Undertook active account management of clients, including sales, campaign execution, reporting, measurement, and insights. Grew deep client relationships built on trust, strong communication skills, and opportunity identification.
- Conducted technical SEO audits to provide recommendations for the title, URL, header tags, content, and linking to improve rankings. Tracked keyword positions and analyzed organic website traffic with Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
- Used Hotjar to analyze landing page heat maps. Created plans to improve conversion rate optimization. Conducted A/B test versions of landing pages using Google Optimize for landing page optimization.
- Created dashboards to track key PPC and SEO metrics using Google Data Studio.
Project History
One Search Campaign for a Fintech Company
Improved ROAS by 15% and reduced spending on paid ads by 30% by combining SEM and organic search.
I used sophisticated targeting within Google Ads to focus on highly engaged in-market audience segments and suppressed returning users. The project ended with reduced spending of 30% YoY and an improved CTR of 15%.
Product Marketing Strategy for a Retail App
Led and managed highly successful campaigns on Google Ads and Facebook Ads for a retail app, increased downloads by 110% MoM, and reduced CPI by 17%.
Booster Juice is an original juice and smoothie bar with over 400 locations across Canada. I created, launched, and managed the app campaigns to increase downloads for Booster Juice. I also introduced the company to sophisticated targeting over Apple Search Ads.
Enterprise SEO for eCommerce
Oversaw an SEO campaign for an electronics eCommerce retail store with over 50,000+ pages and 15 locations.
I conducted a technical SEO audit and collaborated with a team of developers to improve features such as web core vitals and schema. I also produced on-page SEO recommendations for category pages and product pages, designed a content strategy for the blog, leveraged AI content to write unique content for product pages, and presented reports with KPIs. This resulted in traffic growth of over 100% in the first three months and over 60% in keyword ranking.
GEO-enhanced Digital Strategy for Healthcare
Led the digital strategy on Google Ads, Bing Ads, and social media to increase donations for a large hospital for sick children in Canada
SickKids is Canada’s largest, hospital-based child health research institute dedicated to improving the health of children. Played a critical role in digitally implementing the SickKids “VS” campaign.
Education
Master's Degree in Business Administration
IESEG School of Management - Paris, France
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering
University of Pune - Pune, India
Certifications
Google Analytics Certification
Google Analytics Academy
Google AdWords Certification
Semrush Certification
Semrush
Skills
Core
Local SEO, SEO Audits, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Google Ads, Facebook Ads, LinkedIn Marketing, Reddit Ads, Paid Advertising, Product Marketing, Digital Marketing, YouTube Ads, SEO Marketing, Conversion Rate Optimization (CRO), Go-to-market (GTM) Strategy, B2C Marketing, Digital Marketing Strategy, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), SEO Tools, Funnel Optimization, Funnel Marketing, Ad Campaigns, Lead Generation, Digital Campaigns, Campaign Management, Performance Marketing, Growth Hacking, A/B Testing, Social Media Advertising, Content Marketing Strategy, Marketing Leadership, WordPress SEO, Marketing Analytics, Google SEO, Link Building, SEO Keyword Research, Organic SEO, SEO Backlinking, Backlinks, Content Creation, Google Paid Ads, Email Marketing, Digital Advertising, Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), Display Advertising, Advertising Campaigns, Marketing, Social Media Marketing (SMM), Market Research & Analysis, Landing Pages, Content Marketing, LinkedIn Ads, TikTok Marketing, Marketing Strategy, Pay-per-Click (PPC), Inbound Marketing, Social Media, Keyword Research, SEO Content, Copywriting, On-page SEO, Off-page SEO, TikTok Ads, Digital Marketing Best Practices, Apple Search Ads, Account Planning, Competitive Intelligence, Research Proposals
Platforms & Tools
Bing Ads, Google Analytics, Google My Business, HubSpot, CRM Systems, Kartra, Google Data Studio, Ahrefs, Instagram Ads, Asana, Wistia, Jasper
Business Models
Business to Business (B2B), SaaS Product Marketing, B2B
Technical
HTML, CSS, Google Search Console
Other
Product Growth, eCommerce, Digital Marketing Design, Product Management, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Customer Acquisition, Landing Page Optimization, Growth Marketing, Team Leadership, Coaching, Mentorship, Paid Media, Competitor Analysis & Profiling, Keyword Analysis, Ad Optimization, Technical SEO, Website Audits, eCommerce SEO, Shopify SEO, Mobile User Acquisition, Meta Ads, Paid Search, Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Google Display Network, B2B Marketing, Advertising, Competition Research, Competitive Analysis, Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), Answer Engine Optimization (AEO), WordPress, Project Management, New Products, Growth Strategy, Digital Marketing Product Manager, Retail & Wholesale, Hardware, B2B Lead Generation, GoDaddy, WordPress Design, Internal Communications, Product Roadmaps, Data Analysis, Agile Project Management, Apple, Shopify, Semrush, Software Development, Market Research, Figma, Jira, Leadership, Salesforce, Startups, Video Marketing, Microsoft Advertising, Real Estate Marketing, Spotify Ads, Remarketing, Voice Search Optimization, AI Content Creation, Conjoint Analysis, Basecamp, Bid Management, Media Training, Fractional CCO, AI Social Media Content Creation, Adobe DTM, Startup Marketing, Full-stack, Marketing Program Management, WordPress Themes, WooCommerce, Enterprise SEO, SEO with AI, AI-based Content SEO, AI Tools, veo3, Runway ML, Writesonic, ChatGPT, Perplexity AI
How to Work with Toptal
Toptal matches you directly with global industry experts from our network in hours—not weeks or months.
Share your needs
Choose your talent
Start your risk-free talent trial
Top talent is in high demand.
Start hiring