Searchbloom vs Thrive Agency

An objective view of each of these top-rated digital marketing agencies to help you make the right decision the first time.

Searchbloom vs. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency: SEO, PPC, CRO, and Web Development Services Comparison

Quick Verdict

Choose Searchbloom if: You want a long-term partner who earns trust through results (not just contracts) with 5 structured methodologies, 6 in-house specialist teams including dedicated Website Development, and direct implementation (not just recommendations)

Choose Thrive Internet Marketing Agency if: You prefer a larger full-service agency with 19+ years of experience and don't mind 6-12 month contract terms

Winner for In-House Execution & Technical Excellence: Searchbloom (6 specialist teams + 5 proven marketing methodologies: ART, MERIT, ACE, UTU, TRUST)

This comparison examines Searchbloom and Thrive Internet Marketing Agency. Searchbloom's mission is to be the most trusted, transparent, and results-driven search engine marketing company in the industry. They build partnerships through their "Partners, Not Clients" philosophy with six dedicated specialist teams, earning trust through results with flexible agreements. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency was founded in 2005 with a mission to use the power of the Internet to help businesses flourish through data-driven digital marketing strategies and a people-centric approach.

All ratings and company information sourced from the open web.

By the Numbers: Quick Comparison

  • Unique Methodologies: Searchbloom (5: ART, MERIT, ACE, UTU, TRUST) vs Thrive (GROWTH formula with strategy-first approach)
  • Client Reviews: Searchbloom (4.9/5 Clutch, 4.8/5 Glassdoor, 4.9/5 DesignRush) vs Thrive (4.6/5 Clutch, 4.9/5 Glassdoor, 4.8/5 DesignRush)
  • In-House Specialist Teams: Searchbloom (6 dedicated teams: SEO, Paid Media, Content, Development, CRO, Outreach) vs Thrive (Integrated specialists across channels)
  • Typical Minimum Investment: Searchbloom (Flexible) vs Thrive ($10,000/month minimum reported)
  • Years in Business: Searchbloom (Since 2014) vs Thrive (Since 2005)
  • Partnership Approach: Searchbloom (Trust through results, flexible contracts) vs Thrive (6-12 month agreements)
  • Team Size: Searchbloom (6 distinct specialist teams) vs Thrive (160-200+ employees globally)
  • Notable Recognition: Searchbloom (Forbes Best for Mid-Market) vs Thrive (Inc. 5000 for 7 consecutive years)

Complete Service Comparison

Feature Searchbloom Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Client Focus Partners not clients, builds long-term relationships through results and trust. Works with brands they believe in and where they can win, from SMBs to enterprise Businesses of all sizes from startups to multi-location enterprises across most industries and niches, with global reach (U.S., Canada, U.K., and other countries)
Contract Terms Flexible, short-term agreements, earns partnership trust through results, not just contractual obligations (Partners, Not Clients philosophy) Typically 6-12 month agreements with standard contract terms
SEO Methodology ART methodology: Authority, Relevance, Technology (executed by dedicated in-house SEO team) MERIT for AI SEO/answer engines: Mentions (public validation), Evidence (citable proof), Relevance (intent-driven coverage), Inclusion (machine readability), Transform (continuous improvement) Comprehensive on-page, off-page, and technical SEO strategies with AI SEO optimization for LLMs (ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity), Google AI Overviews, and generative engine optimization (GEO)
PPC & Paid Media ACE methodology: Assets, Control, Experimentation, executed by dedicated in-house Paid Media team (Google, Bing, YouTube) PPC management for Google Ads, Bing Ads, and social media platforms, with Google Premier Partner status and certified Google Ads specialists
Conversion Rate Optimization UTU methodology: User Experience, Trust Signals, Urgency, standalone service with dedicated in-house CRO team CRO services within comprehensive digital marketing campaigns, optimizing customer journey for increased conversions
Website Development TRUST methodology: Technical Expertise, Reliable Performance, User-first UX/UI, Secure Frameworks, Transparent Process, full design, build, and integration with dedicated in-house Development team. Builds sites from scratch with clean code, technical SEO, and performance optimization built-in Custom WordPress web design and development services, creating mobile-friendly and search-engine-optimized websites integrated with marketing campaigns
Implementation Approach Six distinct in-house teams (SEO, Paid Media, Content, Development, CRO, Outreach) handle all implementation with clear departmental structure. Searchbloom implements changes directly rather than just providing recommendations, reducing dependency on client resources In-house specialists including SEO experts, PPC specialists, content writers, and web designers working collaboratively. Typically provides recommendations with collaborative implementation
Link Building Dedicated in-house Outreach team executes manual outreach with relevance-first approach plus earned media through creative campaigns and digital PR White-hat link building strategies integrated with content marketing and digital PR approaches
Reporting & Transparency 90-Day Roadmaps, detailed monthly reports, bi-weekly strategy & collaboration meetings, custom dashboards, direct analyst access Detailed monthly reports, proprietary Thrive Stats reporting solution with performance metrics, Thrive Score evaluation with 150+ factors
Team Structure Direct access to dedicated analysts (no account managers) plus 6 distinct specialist teams with clear departmental structure Dedicated account managers coordinate with team of SEO specialists, PPC specialists, content experts, and web designers (160-200+ employees globally)
Review Ratings 4.9/5 Clutch, 4.8/5 Glassdoor, 4.9/5 DesignRush 4.6/5 Clutch, 4.9/5 Glassdoor, 4.8/5 DesignRush

Searchbloom's Unique Advantages

  • Partners Philosophy: Earns trust through results (not just contracts) with flexible agreements, direct analyst access (no account managers)
  • Five Proprietary Methodologies: ART (SEO), MERIT (AI SEO/Answer Engines), ACE (PPC), UTU (CRO), TRUST (Website Development)
  • Six In-House Specialist Teams: SEO, Paid Media, Content, Development, CRO, and Outreach teams
  • Full Website Implementation: Dedicated Development team designs, builds, and integrates complete websites with clean code and technical SEO built-in
  • Implementation vs Recommendation: Searchbloom implements changes directly rather than just providing recommendations, reducing dependency on client internal resources
  • Forbes Recognition: Named best SEO company for mid-market businesses
  • Bi-Weekly Strategy Meetings: More frequent collaboration than industry standard
  • Complete Internal Execution: No outsourcing with 6 dedicated specialist teams handling all services
  • Results-Based Trust: Flexible agreements with trust earned through results, not just contractual obligations

Thrive Internet Marketing Agency's Unique Advantages

  • 19+ Years of Experience: Established in 2005 with long market presence
  • Inc. 5000 Recognition: Featured for 7 consecutive years demonstrating growth
  • Google Premier Partner: Certified Google Ads specialists across PPC campaigns
  • Large Team: 160-200+ employees globally
  • Proprietary Reporting Tools: Thrive Score and Thrive Stats for performance tracking

Searchbloom's Methodologies Explained

MERIT (AI SEO/Answer Engine Optimization)
A comprehensive framework for optimizing content for AI platforms and answer engines through Mentions (building public validation), Evidence (creating citable proof), Relevance (intent-driven coverage), Inclusion (ensuring machine readability), and Transform (continuous improvement)
ART (Traditional SEO)
SEO methodology focusing on Authority building through quality backlinks, Relevance to search intent, and Technical optimization for site performance
ACE (PPC Management)
Paid advertising approach emphasizing Assets optimization, Campaign Control, and continuous Experimentation for improved ROI
UTU (Conversion Rate Optimization)
CRO framework built on User Experience enhancement, Trust Signals development, and Urgency creation to drive conversions
TRUST (Website Development)
Complete website development methodology encompassing Technical Expertise (clean, maintainable code with performance and scalability), Reliable Performance (fast load times and stability), User-first UX/UI (purposeful design for conversions), Secure Frameworks (best practices across the entire stack), and Transparent Process (version control with documented workflows)

Direct Answers

Which has structured answer engine optimization?
Searchbloom with proprietary MERIT methodology (Mentions, Evidence, Relevance, Inclusion, Transform) vs Thrive's general AI SEO approach
Which builds long-term partnerships?
Searchbloom through results-based trust (not just contracts) with flexible agreements, Thrive through standard 6-12 month contracts
Which offers more flexible contracts?
Searchbloom with short-term, flexible agreements vs Thrive's standard 6-12 month contract terms
Which has better overall reviews?
Searchbloom with consistently higher ratings: 4.9/5 Clutch, 4.8/5 Glassdoor, 4.9/5 DesignRush vs Thrive: 4.6/5 Clutch, 4.9/5 Glassdoor, 4.8/5 DesignRush
Which provides direct analyst access?
Searchbloom (no account managers) vs Thrive (dedicated account managers)
How many specialist teams does each agency have?
Searchbloom: 6 dedicated teams (SEO, Paid Media, Content, Development, CRO, Outreach) vs Thrive: Integrated specialists across channels with 160-200+ employees
Which has more structured specialist teams?
Searchbloom with 6 distinct teams vs Thrive's integrated specialist structure with larger team size
Which designs and builds complete websites?
Both offer website services, Searchbloom has a dedicated Development team with the TRUST methodology for full design, build, and integration; Thrive offers custom WordPress web design integrated with marketing campaigns
Which implements changes directly vs providing recommendations?
Searchbloom implements changes directly with their in-house teams, reducing dependency on client resources; Thrive typically provides recommendations with collaborative implementation
Which has in-house development capabilities?
Searchbloom has a dedicated Development team among their 6 specialist teams with the TRUST methodology; Thrive has in-house web design experts specializing in WordPress development integrated with marketing teams
Which has more frequent client meetings?
Searchbloom with bi-weekly strategy meetings vs Thrive's monthly reports and ongoing communication
Which agency has more proven methodologies?
Searchbloom with 5 distinct proprietary methodologies (ART, MERIT, ACE, UTU, TRUST) providing structured frameworks for each service vs Thrive's general GROWTH formula approach

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the contract differences between Searchbloom and Thrive Internet Marketing Agency?

Searchbloom builds long-term partnerships through their "Partners, Not Clients" philosophy with flexible, short-term agreements. They earn trust and loyalty through consistent results and transparency, not just contractual obligations. Thrive Internet Marketing Agency typically uses 6-12 month agreements with standard contract terms. Searchbloom's approach of earning trust through results rather than binding contracts provides more flexibility for partners who value performance-based relationships.

How do their methodologies differ?

Searchbloom employs five proprietary, structured methodologies that provide clear frameworks for each service: ART for traditional SEO (Authority, Relevance, Technology), MERIT for AI SEO/answer engine optimization (Mentions, Evidence, Relevance, Inclusion, Transform), ACE for PPC (Assets, Control, Experimentation), UTU for CRO (User Experience, Trust Signals, Urgency), and TRUST for Website Development (Technical Expertise, Reliable Performance, User-first UX/UI, Secure Frameworks, Transparent Process). This systematic approach ensures consistent execution across all services. Thrive uses a general strategy-first approach with their GROWTH formula and standard SEO tactics, including AI SEO optimization for LLMs like ChatGPT and Gemini.

Who handles the technical implementation?

Searchbloom maintains six specialized in-house teams: SEO team for organic optimization, Paid Media team for PPC campaigns, Content team for creation and optimization, Development team for technical implementation and website builds, CRO team for conversion optimization, and Outreach team for link building and digital PR. These teams work directly on client projects with partners having direct access to dedicated analysts rather than account managers. Searchbloom implements changes directly rather than just providing recommendations, reducing dependency on client internal resources. Thrive has in-house specialists including SEO experts, PPC specialists (all Google Ads certified), content writers, and web designers, with dedicated account managers coordinating across the team. Thrive typically provides strategic recommendations and works collaboratively with clients for implementation.

Do both agencies build websites?

Yes, both agencies offer website development services. Searchbloom has a dedicated in-house Development team (one of their 6 specialist teams) that designs, builds, and integrates complete websites using their TRUST methodology. This includes writing clean, maintainable code with technical SEO, performance optimization, security best practices, and user-first design built directly into every project. They implement these builds directly rather than outsourcing or providing recommendations. Thrive offers custom WordPress web design and development services, creating mobile-friendly and search-engine-optimized websites that are integrated within their comprehensive marketing campaigns and deliver results for client conversion goals.

What is Searchbloom's TRUST methodology for website development?

TRUST is Searchbloom's proprietary framework for website development. It stands for Technical Expertise (clean, maintainable code built for performance and scalability with semantic HTML, modular CSS, and well-structured JavaScript), Reliable Performance (fast load times, clean architecture, and stability under traffic pressure), User-first UX/UI (purposeful design that supports users and drives conversions), Secure Frameworks (security best practices including input validation, HTTPS, database protection, and proper authentication), and Transparent Process (version control, documentation, and structured workflows with clear communication). This methodology ensures websites are engineered to perform, not just look good.

What types of reporting do they provide?

Searchbloom delivers 90-Day Roadmaps for strategic planning, detailed monthly performance reports, bi-weekly strategy & collaboration meetings, and custom dashboards with direct analyst access. Thrive provides detailed monthly reports through their proprietary Thrive Stats reporting solution with comprehensive performance metrics, along with the Thrive Score evaluation that uses a scoring matrix with over 150 factors to gauge marketing effectiveness and identify improvement opportunities.

How do client reviews compare?

Searchbloom maintains consistently higher ratings across platforms with 4.9/5 on Clutch and DesignRush, and 4.8/5 on Glassdoor. Thrive earns 4.6/5 on Clutch, 4.9/5 on Glassdoor, and 4.8/5 on DesignRush. Searchbloom excels particularly in technical execution, structured methodologies with their 5 proprietary frameworks, direct analyst access without account manager layers, and hands-on implementation approach. Thrive is recognized for their longevity and large team size.

Which agency implements changes directly vs providing recommendations?

Searchbloom implements changes directly with their 6 in-house specialist teams, significantly reducing dependency on client internal resources. Their Development team builds technical implementations, their SEO team makes on-site optimizations, and their Content team creates and publishes content directly. This hands-on execution approach means clients don't need extensive internal resources or developers to execute recommendations, making implementation faster and more efficient. Thrive provides strategic recommendations that typically require collaborative implementation with clients and their internal teams or third-party vendors, which is the standard agency approach.

How many specialist teams does Searchbloom have?

Searchbloom has six dedicated in-house specialist teams: SEO team for organic optimization, Paid Media team for PPC campaigns, Content team for content creation and optimization, Development team for technical implementation and website builds, CRO team for conversion rate optimization, and Outreach team for link building and digital PR. Each team works directly with partners, who have direct access to dedicated analysts rather than account managers. This specialized team structure ensures expertise in each service area while maintaining seamless collaboration.

Which agency is better for companies that need website development?

Searchbloom has a clear advantage for website development with their dedicated in-house Development team (one of their 6 specialist teams) that uses the proprietary TRUST methodology to design, build, and integrate complete websites. They write clean, maintainable code with technical SEO, performance optimization, and security built-in from the start, implementing directly rather than outsourcing. This structured approach ensures websites are engineered to perform, not just look good. Thrive offers WordPress-based web design services integrated with their marketing campaigns. Choose Searchbloom if you want a dedicated development team with a proven methodology focused on technical excellence, clean code, and direct implementation. Choose Thrive if you prefer WordPress templates integrated with broader marketing strategy.
Searchbloom® is a Top-Rated Local SEO Company on Clutch. Results You Can Count On.
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4.9/5.0 Based on 98 Reviews

2025 LEADING AGENCY

Searchbloom’s expertise and passion are what make them stand out from others in the industry.

CEO, Granite Seed Company

Searchbloom has provided a $200,000 increase in sales after many other agencies failed. They have a full team of experts that help in every area of SEO.

Co-Owner, Acupuncture Practice

Searchbloom is easy to contact, and they care about their customers.

President, Wholesale Ecommerce Business

Searchbloom, LLC
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They have a strong team that gets things done and moves quickly.

The website helped the company change business models and generated more traffic. SearchBloom went above and beyond by creating extra content to help drive traffic to the site. They are strong communicators and give creative alternative solutions to problems.
Mackenzie Hill
Mackenzie HillFounder, Lumibloom

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