About

Eric Downing — GEO & AI SEO Specialist

Digital Fire Creative is a GEO agency focused on one thing — helping independent local businesses in Pittsburgh North get recommended by ChatGPT, Google SGE, and Perplexity before their competitors do.

Pittsburgh North · Cranberry · Wexford · Mars

Helping local businesses win in the age of AI search

Digital Fire Creative is a Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) agency built specifically for independent local businesses. We exist because AI search changed the rules — and most small businesses haven't caught up. When someone asks ChatGPT or Google AI for a local recommendation, chains and franchises show up. Independents don't. We fix that.

We focus on Pittsburgh North, Cranberry Township, Wexford, Mars, and surrounding communities — but work with local businesses anywhere in the US. Our approach is direct, transparent, and built around real AI search signals, not vanity metrics.

Direct access

You work with our team directly — no junior account managers, no runaround.

AI-first approach

We stay current on how ChatGPT, SGE, and Perplexity source local recommendations.

Transparent reporting

Plain-English monthly reports — no vanity metrics, no jargon, no fluff.

No long contracts

Month-to-month. Cancel anytime. Results keep you, not a contract.

Meet the Founder

Eric Downing

Founder & GEO Specialist · Digital Fire Creative

Eric started in digital in 2012, building websites and marketing campaigns for local businesses across the US. Over the years his work has spanned web apps, mobile apps, and startup MVPs in Cleveland, Buffalo, and beyond — including a technical co-founder role at a company accepted into the Flashstarts accelerator in Cleveland, Ohio.

As AI search took off, Eric watched independent local businesses get left behind while chains dominated AI recommendations. That became the focus — helping independents in Pittsburgh North and surrounding areas get found and recommended by AI before their competitors catch on.

Eric has taught multiple AI Continuing Education Credit classes for realtors in the Cleveland area and stays at the cutting edge of how AI search engines source, trust, and recommend local businesses.

What We Do

Services built for the AI search era

AI Search Optimisation

Structuring your online presence so ChatGPT, Google SGE, and Perplexity recommend your business in local searches.

Local SEO & Citations

Fixing the NAP inconsistencies, missing schema, and directory errors that stop AI engines from trusting you locally.

AI-Optimised Content

FAQ pages, service descriptions, and authority content written to be cited by AI answer engines.

Monthly GEO Reports

Clear monthly reports showing your AI visibility score, where you're appearing, and what's being done.

AI Education & Training

Certified AI educator who has taught CEC classes for realtors — Eric explains AI search in plain English, not jargon.

Web & App Development

High-converting websites and mobile apps built on Next.js and React Native with GEO baked in from day one.