Advertise on podcast: Local Marketing Institute Podcast

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google AI Overviews follow up questions take you to AI Mode.Google explores ways to opt out of search AI features.New research says AIs are inconsistent when recommending brands.Factors for what makes the Most Relevant GBP reviews.Does Google still send out verification postcards?Are there services that help track visibility in AI mode?Should I merge the listing of a location that’s closing with another listing at a different location to keep the reviews?Is there a platform that’s good for tracking how entities are showing up in AI Tools?What should I use for citations?Should I have a practitioner listing for my GBP if I have regular one with my name in the business name?What are some good tools for analyzing GBPs and websites?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google speaks on hiring GEO/AEO/SEO and buying AI optimization tools.Google’s Danny Sullivan says not to turn content into bite sized chunks for LLMs.Google announces new branded AI business agents.Google rolls out Personal Intelligence in Gemini.Google confirms Apple Intelligence and Siri will be powered using Gemini.Why does Google keep asking for reverification after changing my business name?When are products for SABs going away?Should I change my SAB to a storefront for more visibility?Do clients ever pay based on success in leads or sales?Are EV charging station listings considered a separate department if they’re located within a business?With the ‘Vehicles for Sale’ feature now deprecated, should I use the products section instead?Are there any tools that can predict Google’s confidence score?How do you answer the phone for LSA to train it not to charge you for bad leads?Should I offer yearly contracts for SEO marketing, or month-to-month?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions John Mueller from Google responds to questions on if Schema helps with LLMs and Google.How does using the same number for two GBP locations differ from a franchise using a 1-800 number?Is LinkedIn good for marketing?Should I use keywords in my company name?How do I add a WhatsApp number to my GBP?What type of photos should I use for an insurance agency?Has the AI calling to check prices feature been tested yet?Can you target private Facebook groups with Facebook Ads?Is it bad to spam keywords in company names in the Home Renovation trade?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google Maps Q&A going away to be replaced by AI Q&A.GBP review appeals delayed.Danny Sullivan and John Mueller from Google discuss how AI SEO is the same as regular SEO.Google releases feature that uses AI phone calls to check business prices. Google states the disappearing reviews bug has now been fixed.Google reviewer nicknames officially rolled out.Is it bad to use similar phone numbers for two different GBPs?Does having text on an image help with SEO?Does Google reject verification videos if there are faces in it?How do I get into the top rated businesses in Google’s AI mode?Why is Google not showing the tools that allow me to edit inside Google Search? What should I do if I have a duplicate listing?If Google says reviews were removed for valid reasons, is it worth contesting it?Does Google AI use prices you set on your services for the “get a quote” feature?If you use AI to get prices, is it able to navigate a business’s phone tree?What should I do if Google has denied reinstatement after the appeal and review process?How much is a GBP rank affected by how recent the latest reviews are?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google launches scheduling and multi-location publishing on Google Posts.Google API implies Service Areas do not affect ranking.You can now leave anonymous Google Reviews.Google now sends notifications when review restrictions are removed from an account.Local Marketing Institute will be starting up a new newsletter.When searching a law firm, the GBP shows at the bottom of the page of results - is this a bug?How much should you fill out for an organization schema for a local business?Is it possible to close a competitor GBP that was acquired while transferring the reviews to the main profile?Should I use products to promote a service business such as a family attorney?Should I use extra long title tags for local?Do Service Areas in GBP have influence on Service Areas targeted in LSA?Is there any value to adding geo-coordinates to GBP Photos?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google Maps rolls out reviewer nicknames.Google LSA adds “get competitive quotes” and “request multiple opinions” buttons.Gemini 3 AI mode rolled out.GhatGPT uses Google for Atlas browser.Semrush acquired by Adobe for 1.9 billion.Extortion attempts for GBPs on the rise.How do I resolve my “pending edits” faster?What causes a website’s url to change to an OEM url?Are there any new developments in AI in Local Search?Should I turn on messaging for WhatsApp in my GBP?Why does changing my address for an SAB not trigger reverification after moving to a different state?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions When will Q&As no longer be available?How do I make videos to advertise my products on social media?How do I prevent an old GBP showing up on results after moving locations if I don’t have access to the GBP?How do I get customers to pay for higher priced items?Is it possible to have a separate GBP for another business at the same address if there are no suite numbers?What are some insights from the 2026 local ranking factor report?Can a hybrid SAB with a verified visible location verify a second location with a hidden address?Will Google filter out a GBP if there are different types of doctors at the same location?Will Google restrict my reviews if to incentivize employees to get customers to leave reviews by offering rewards?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions LSA removes guarantee badge.AI assistants prefer to cite fresh content.Study says only 1% of users click on AI citation links.Top web domains cited by LLMs.Microsoft CoPilot and ChatGPT offers Google Maps for local sources. Review recency impacting ranking.Can I have two GBP listings at the same address?What are some ways to incorporate AI into your workflow for efficiency?Should I use an AI agent to help improve visibility?Are the product carousels showing up differently on Android vs. Apple?How do I remove spam reviews on Facebook?What should I do when the review reporting form doesn’t work?Does the “popular times” section in GBP influence rankings?Are there any problems related to not being able to receive new reviews?How do you get refunds for bad leads from LSA?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Optimize Bing AI search by following SEO guidelines.What should I do if my domain host doesn’t support Wordpress sites?Is there any impact on Local SEO from the June 2025 core update?Is there an updated list of trigger words that cause Google Posts to fail?How do I do video verification if I have a Service Area Business?What should I do if Google denies relevant business categories for my GBP?Is having products on Law Firm listings helpful?Will sharing my ChatGPT chat potentially help with SEO?Has the visibility on car dealerships been affected since AI mode was introduced?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions New GBP feature for restaurants to highlight specials.Users of Claude find out how to get citations from it.AI overview increases, traffic for Local Search decreases. Internet Marketing Ninjas acquired by Previsible.Google asks for chat number when setting up new GBP.Is there a way to accept Google updates en masse?What should I do if my SAB verification has been pending for weeks?Is GBP no longer accepting utility bills?How do I get verified quickly?How do I add the direct booking option to my GBP?What causes a listing to be suspended before it has the opportunity to get verified?What should I do if I got suspended because of a DBA name change?What is the average wait time for a human response/review from Google regarding the suspension of a profile?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Bug causes knowledge panel to go missing on GBP.What should I do if a former employee hijacks my GBP and makes changes?How do I make sure I show up in local AI search?What are some best practices for local heat map software or competitor analysis?How do I get access to a GBP?Do hotels and villas qualify for a GBP?Are GBP Activities similar to GBP Posts?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions AI analysis for GBP reviews in Google Chrome.Google sends information edit rejection notices for GBP.Google tests replacing local map pack with AI overview.Can you get positive reviews from a community event if they didn’t do business with you?Why did my GBP get unverified when I changed the primary category?Are certain industries harder to get approved by Google for an SAB in a residential address?Is it important that customers don’t leave reviews while connected to the location’s wifi?Can I get a suspension turned over with only one document?How do I use AI, and what tools should I use? Why are reviews not showing up in my GBP?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Reviews for schools are going away.Q&A feature is being removed.Meta keywords impact ranking!?What should I do if my Phone number verification code won’t go through?How do I know why my verification was taken away if Google won’t tell me?If I’ve switched from brick and mortar to service area business, is it safe to hide my address on my GBP?How can you tell if a review is not within guidelines?How do I get reviews to show up on my GBP?Is reverification being triggered because of making changes on a new account?How do I get hours to show for another department without having to click on “more hours”?Is there a fix for things showing up as obsolete when requesting access through the agency dashboard?How do I create a successful GBP post?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google sues for fake listings.What should I do if my video verification doesn’t go through?Does adding the address to the website footer help with rankings?How do I remove spam reviews from my GBP?Why won’t GBP let me add a website?What should I do if I’ve been suspended and my appeals have been denied?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more. Updates and Questions Google Map pin attacks exploit has finally been fixed.Chat through Text and WhatsApp has been implemented into GBP.China rolls out DeepSeek AI chatbot.New fast way to get access request for SABs in Google Maps.Google search launches “Ask for me” AI that calls businesses for you.What is the new chat feature?How do I remove spam reviews from my GBP?What should I do if my reinstatement appeal has been rejected multiple times?If I’m closing one location, is it possible to merge the profile of the closing location with the other in order to keep the reviews?Can I verify a GBP if the location is at a residential sober living home without signage?Why is my GBP not showing up in search results?How can I shift my business into a new name and category without getting suspended?How does the new “Ask for me” AI work?Does adding backlinks to the schema "sameAs" code work?Should I link to my GBP from my blog?Are there resources for the process of uploading internal 360 virtual tours to GBP?Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com