I build software and write about SEO, distribution, and AI search.

I run LinkDR, GenPPT, AI SEO Tracker, and an agency called MagicSpace. This site is where I share what works, what breaks, and the data behind each product.

If you are working on your own traffic, grab the launch checklist or browse the articles below.

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Photo of Ilias Ism hosting a Vue.js meetup

Products & work

The software products I build and run, plus agency work and teardowns.

Selected writing

Three pieces on distribution, hosting, and search that explain how I work.

All writing

01Distribution

My best revenue month was someone else’s blog post.

A StoryChief listicle sent GenPPT 18,000 visitors who converted at 11.9%. Then it slipped off page one. I hadn’t been tracking it.

02Software

Where to host your Next.js app after Vercel.

Compare managed hosting with running Coolify on your own server, including the costs and tradeoffs.

03Search

How to get cited in AI search.

What the research says about getting cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google AI Overviews, with changes you can make to your content.

Recent articles

Notes on building products, search, and marketing.

All 104 posts →

Apex Trader Funding rules: a checklist card covering drawdown, payouts and consistency for accounts sold since 1 March 2026.

business•Oct 8, 2026

Apex Trader Funding Rules in 2026: Evaluation, Drawdown and Payouts

Apex replaced its products on 1 March 2026. The current evaluation, drawdown, consistency and payout rules by account size, linked to Apex's own pages.

Ilias Ism

Apex vs Topstep: two cards side by side over a balance scale, with chips for rules, fees and payouts.

business•Oct 8, 2026

Apex vs Topstep in 2026: Rules, Fees and Payouts Compared

Apex Trader Funding and Topstep side by side on a 50K account: price, drawdown type, consistency rules, payout caps and timing, from each firm's own pages.

Ilias Ism

Best prop trading firms: floating cards naming FTMO, Topstep, FundedNext and Apex, with chips for rules, payouts and fees.

business•Oct 8, 2026

Best Prop Trading Firms in 2026: 11 Compared on Payouts, Drawdowns & Fees

FTMO, Topstep, FundedNext and Apex rated on payouts, drawdowns and real fees, with seven more firms compared. Checked on each firm's own pages.

Ilias Ism

FTMO vs Topstep: two cards side by side, CFDs against futures, with chips for fees and payouts.

business•Oct 8, 2026

FTMO vs Topstep in 2026: CFDs vs Futures, Fees and Payouts

FTMO sells one-time CFD challenges and a monthly futures plan. Topstep sells futures only. Rules, 50K costs and payouts compared from each firm's own pages.

Ilias Ism

Prop firm pass rates: a funnel chart narrowing in three steps, with chips for attempts, people and payouts.

business•Oct 8, 2026

Prop Firm Pass Rates in 2026: What Each Firm Publishes

Topstep, Tradeify, MyFundedFutures and others publish pass and payout rates. One table with each number's denominator, period and source.

Ilias Ism

Fastest payout online casinos in Canada: a golden lightning bolt strikes a stack of casino chips beside a roulette wheel, with tags for Interac and crypto.

tech•Oct 6, 2026

Fastest Payout Online Casinos in Canada (2026)

Published payout policies for Canadian players: Interac times in Ontario and Alberta, crypto withdrawal fees, approval delays, KYC and payout limits.

Ilias Ism

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