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About the Author

I’m the Director of Marketing here at Widewail, as well as a husband and new dad outside the office. I'm in Vermont by way of Boston, where I grew the CarGurus YouTube channel from 0 to 100k subscribers. I love the outdoors and hate to be hot, so I’m doing just fine in the arctic Vermont we call home. Fun fact: I met my wife on the shuttle bus at Baltimore airport. Thanks for reading Widewail’s content!

REV #083: AI Beyond the BDC with Dustin Schuler of Bud Clary Auto Group

5 min read | October 8, 2026
Most of auto retail uses AI for the BDC after hours. Dustin Schuler of Bud Clary Auto Group builds: 14 stores' specials by 6am, and MCP as a vendor requirement.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing
Featured

Is Widewail Worth It? What is Included for Dealers at Each Tier

9 min read | October 5, 2026
A tier-by-tier look at what Widewail includes at $500, $750, and $1,200 per rooftop per month, including automated review generation, self-service review response, and...
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #082: Two Thirds of Dealerships Are Quieter Than an Even Share of Their Market

8 min read | October 1, 2026
Across 15,797 U.S. dealerships, two thirds own less than an even share of their county's Google reviews. The loudest stores are usually among the best rated.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #081: The One Money Conversation That Goes Both Ways

4 min read | September 24, 2026
Across 18,547 US dealerships, financing is the only money topic where complaints and praise are even. And the biggest stores, with the highest ratings, are where it tips.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #080: 72% of Dealerships Should Care About the FTC's New Pricing FAQs

4 min read | September 17, 2026
The FTC warned 97 dealers on advertised prices. 72% of dealers in the Widewail Index already have a verified review describing a fair-pricing complaint. What the FAQs change.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #079: The Financial Impact of a Good Experience (And the Data Behind It)

4 min read | September 11, 2026
Six months of reviews matched to repair-order revenue at 362 dealers: clear communication lines up with $170 more per RO. Plus: independents in AI service answers.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #078: How Garber Became the Highest-Rated Dealer Group in America

5 min read | September 3, 2026
We ranked the 150 largest US dealer groups by Google rating. Garber came first at 4.9 across 70+ stores. Robert Norcross on why they ignore the industry average.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #077: A Letter from Widewail's CEO on AEO in Automotive Retail

3 min read | August 27, 2026
Widewail CEO Cuyler Owens on AEO for dealerships: AI builds its verdict from the public record, and your reputation is the evidence.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing
AEO

Car Dealership Reviews Are Becoming Part of Automotive AI Search Customer Acquisition Strategy

5 min read | August 26, 2026
Shoppers now ask AI which dealership to trust. Here's why your reviews are the evidence those answers are built on, and how to strengthen them.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing
AEO

Is Your Dealership Ready for AI Search? A 15-Minute Reputation Audit

8 min read | August 26, 2026
Not sure how AI search sees your car dealership? Run this 15-minute audit of your reviews, response rate, and three competitors to find your gap.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

REV #076: What Customers Say That Shows Up in $$ per RO

2 min read | August 21, 2026
Six months of reviews at 350+ franchise dealers matched to repair-order revenue: dealers whose customers describe clear communication took in $170 more per RO.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

Starting a Business Podcast with No Experience and A Few Hundred Dollars // Local Marketing Insider #081

12 min read | October 3, 2024
This isn’t the playbook. It’s our playbook. It's a good starting framework.
Jake Hughes Director of Marketing

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