Advertise on podcast: Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

Local SEO Audit https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/   Local SEO is changing fast. As AI reshapes search and Google's algorithms continue to evolve, many of the tactics agencies relied on just a few years ago aren't delivering the same results. The agencies staying ahead are the ones adapting their strategies now.   In this webinar, I'm joined by Holly Starks to discuss how her approach has evolved since transitioning from black hat to white hat SEO, what's actually moving the needle in local SEO today, and where she believes agencies should be focusing as we head into 2026. We also dive into the impact of AI on search, the biggest mistakes agencies are still making, which processes are worth automating, and the practical systems Holly uses to do SEO more efficiently.   If you own an SEO agency or manage Google Business Profiles for clients, you'll walk away with actionable insights you can start applying immediately.   Chapters: 00:00 Local SEO Is Changing: AI, Rankings & What Works Now 03:11 How AI Is Changing Local SEO & Customer Leads 05:50 Cora Optimization, Keywords & Entity SEO 12:57 Content Pruning & On-Page SEO Strategies 17:39 Backlinks, Brand Authority & Link Disavows 24:52 Google Business Profile Audits & SEO Automation 34:01 Link Building, Trust Signals & SEO Risks 39:50 The Future of Google Maps, ChatGPT & AI Search 43:39 Google Business Profile Ranking Factors 46:41 Ranking in AI: Fan-Out Queries & YouTube SEO

Local SEO Audit https://www.sterlingsky.ca/contact/   Is SEO broken, or just widely misunderstood?   In this deep dive, Joy Hawkins is joined by SEO veteran David Quaid to tackle the most heated debates in the industry today. From the reality of "scaled content" penalties to the truth about how Google actually evaluates authority, David shares the forensic approach he’s used to help multiple startups scale past $100 million.   What you’ll learn in this video:   🔹 Communicating SEO Value: Why your clients aren't reading your PDF reports and how to tell a better story with data. 🔹 The "Position 17" Rule: David’s specific strategy for identifying new content opportunities without cannibalizing your existing rankings. 🔹 Indexing Deep Dive: The difference between "Discovered – currently not indexed" and "Crawled – currently not indexed," and the specific URL tweaks that can fix them. 🔹 Internal Linking & Authority: Why you should limit your homepage to 10 key links and how to manage the "85% authority tax." 🔹 The Truth About LLMs: How AI search engines like Gemini and Perplexity are changing referral traffic and how to track it using Looker Studio.   Chapters 0:00 Is SEO Broken? 1:44 David’s Background: Scaling Startups to $250M 4:07 Why Clients Don’t See SEO Value 7:22 What Will Replace Rankings? 12:17 The Truth About AI Reporting (Search Console vs. Reality) 22:11 The Process for Finding New Content 30:10 When to Start a New Domain (EMDs) 33:41 The Danger of Service Area Pages 45:16 Fix: Discovered vs. Crawled Not Indexed 54:02 Internal Linking & Authority Shaping 57:05 Content Pruning vs. Managing Authority 1:06:45 URL Slugs: Short vs. Long   About Sterling Sky Inc: We specialize in helping local businesses grow through data-driven SEO strategies. If you’re seeing traffic drops or need a professional audit of your local search presence, reach out to us at: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/   Connect with David Quaid: Follow David on X or LinkedIn for more deep-technical SEO insights. https://x.com/DavidGQuaid https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidquaid/   #SEO #LocalSEO #GoogleAlgorithm #SearchEngineOptimization #DigitalMarketing   EP 26126   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/can-reddit-links-impact-google-rankings/ There’s more content than ever… and somehow, less of it actually sticks. AI can pump out posts in seconds. Feeds are crowded. Attention spans are brutal. So the real question is: why should anyone care about what you make? In this conversation, I sat down with Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation Marketing and one of the sharpest thinkers in content right now, to get into what’s actually working. We talk about: 🔹Why most content gets ignored (even when it’s “good”) 🔹What makes something memorable in a sea of sameness 🔹Why you should bother creating content when AI is stealing it If you’re building a brand, growing an audience, or you feel like your content is disappearing into thin air: This one’s worth your time. Show Links: https://rosssimmonds.com/book/ https://foundationinc.co/podcast/ross-simmonds-show/ https://x.com/cybercpu/status/2046813626175267249 What's the best type of content to get links? https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rosssimmonds_whats-the-best-type-of-content-to-get-links-share-7452739059107688448-6VPc Chapter: 00:00 - Introduction: The State of AI and Content Scraping 01:08 - How Gemini and AI Tools Impact Creator Traffic 02:16 - The Long-Term Shift: Moving Beyond the "10 Blue Links" 05:01 - Three Business Models That Thrive in the AI Era 07:27 - Content Strategy for Lawyers and Home Service Businesses 10:44 - Reddit Marketing: A Real-World Insurance Case Study 14:46 - When and How to Start a Brand Subreddit 17:50 - Managing Negative Reviews and Brand Sentiment on Reddit 25:48 - How to Write Reddit Posts for Engagement (Not Just SEO) 29:04 - The Risks of Buying Reddit Comments and "Spammy" Marketing 33:23 - The Role of an Agency in Managing Reddit Presence 35:22 - Content Formats That Earn the Most Backlinks 40:17 - The Biggest Mistake Brands Make with AI Content 44:49 - Remixed Stories: Repurposing Content for Longevity 46:25 - Create Once, Distribute Forever: Book Insights 47:54 - The Future of AI-Generated Avatars and Brand Trust 51:14 - Attribution and Tracking Success in a Multi-Touch World 53:07 - Social Ad Strategy: TikTok vs. Meta vs. Reddit 55:53 - Using Reddit Ads to Influence Search Results 01:03:08 - Marketing for Emergency Services (Locksmiths, Plumbers) 01:04:21 - The "Four Es" Content Philosophy for Local Businesses 01:06:34 - Rapid Fire Questions: Marketing Trends, Dead Platforms, and Originality 01:13:48 - Outro and Where to Find Ross Simmonds Ep 26119 #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL? Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/ Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/ Fake reviews that won’t get removed. Listings suspended without warning. No clear answers from Google.   In Part 2 of this exclusive episode, ex-Googlers explain what actually triggers suspensions, what qualifies a review for removal, and how to recover your profile fast.   If your business depends on Google visibility, this is the side of the system you can’t afford to ignore.   Links: https://www.thegbpexperts.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradwetherall/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelheadley/   Chapters 00:00 - Introduction: Understanding Google Business Profile issues 01:03 - The truth about flagging negative reviews for removal 04:01 - Brute forcing support vs. algorithmic approaches 05:22 - 3-step process for dealing with negative reviews 06:33 - The "Trust Score" concept for users and businesses 08:31 - Why authority matters when flagging content 11:41 - Can factually correct edits hurt your trust score? 12:42 - Local Guide levels: What it takes to get edits processed 14:11 - Is the Google Product Expert forum still effective? 16:14 - Google's shift toward cost-consciousness and data purging 18:51 - Gmail vs. Corporate domains: Which does Google trust more? 22:06 - Security tips: Managing primary ownership and managers 23:16 - How to avoid business profile suspensions 25:54 - Dealing with suspension backlogs and support queues 27:19 - Pro tip: Contacting support in different languages 30:12 - "Duress Verticals": Why some industries are scrutinized more 33:54 - Proactive steps to prevent suspension (Photos & Activity) 36:00 - Business vs. User-generated photos: Which is better? 39:58 - Why owner replies are engagement signals, not ranking factors 42:37 - Future Outlook: AI local packs and the evolving role of GBP 43:30 - What to prioritize in the next year (Citations & Third-party sites) 46:59 - Final thoughts and where to find the experts   To add these to your video, simply copy and paste the timestamps and titles into the video description in YouTube Studio\!   EP 26102 part 2 #localseo #digitalmarketing #localsearch __________________________________________ READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/ In Part 1 of this exclusive Episode, I sit down with former Google employees Joel Headley and Brad Wetherall to uncover what really happens behind the scenes of Google Business Profiles, and what business owners often get completely wrong. Why reviews disappear, why edits don’t stick, and why support often feels like a dead end. We break down how Google actually evaluates trust, filters reviews, and decides what gets published or ignored. If you rely on Google Maps to drive calls, leads, or foot traffic, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Links: https://www.thegbpexperts.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradwetherall/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelheadley/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction : Why your Google reviews disappear and profiles get suspended 00:47 Meet the Former Googlers : Intro of Brad Weatherall and Joel Headley 01:41 The Mystery of Missing Reviews : Understanding the cyclical nature of review removals 03:46 The Balancing Act : How Google experiments with algorithms and causes collateral damage 05:51 Why Seasonality Matters : Why Google avoids major algorithm tweaks in Q4 07:22 Behind the Scenes : How Google targets spam and uses automated scripts 12:18 Review Parties and Proximity Signals : The risks of getting too many reviews at one location 15:34 Tactics for Getting Filtered Reviews to Stick : Discussion on editing reviews and profile links 17:48 The "Recaptcha" Logic in Reviews : How mouse movement impacts Google's trust 21:44 New Google Guidelines : Speculation on why Google discourages mentioning employee names 27:10 Do Reviews Ever Truly Get Deleted? : Understanding the hidden database where content is stored 31:04 One Google, Many Teams : Why advice contradicts enforcement across Policy, Product, and Support 33:36 Is Reaching Out to Support Worth It? : The reality of modern automated machine decision-making 39:13 Pro-Tips for Navigating Support Levels : Understanding Levels 1, 2, and 3 and the language trick 53:48 The "Escape Hatch" : How to trigger the manual verification process 59:49 Coming Up on Part 2 : Teaser for the next episode on negative reviews and suspensions   Ep 26102 pt1   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

In this episode, we sit down with SEO legend James Dooley, who has built and ranked over 1,000 domains and generated more than 2 million enquiries online. If you’re wondering how to rank a website on Google in 2026, this is the conversation you need to hear. We break down: 🔹The exact SEO strategies working right now 🔹When duplicate content becomes a real problem 🔹Whether brand matters more than backlinks 🔹Plus: how AI traffic compares to Google traffic today. If you’re a business owner, agency, or SEO trying to stay ahead of Google’s algorithm, this episode will give you clarity. James Dooley started his career in digital marketing in 2009, when he built his first website. James Dooley quickly became fascinated by SEO and began to learn everything he could about the subject. In the years since, James Dooley has built and ranked over 1,000 domains online as a UK-based Digital Landlord, generating over 2 million enquiries. Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction: James Dooley's SEO Journey 01:36 - The Key to Winning in 2026: Holistic Marketing 02:07 - Finding Profit in Narrow Niches 04:11 - Social Media for Local Businesses: Ranking Your Posts 06:22 - Optimizing Facebook Posts for Search 08:27 - Explaining Semantic Triples 09:44 - Strategies for Forcing Google to Index Content 12:28 - Leveraging Facebook Groups for Visibility 16:21 - The Power of Self-Promoting Listicles 19:14 - Facebook Pages vs. Profiles for SEO 21:11 - LinkedIn vs. Other Platforms: Hashtags and Links 22:42 - Cracking the Code on Reddit Ranking 26:22 - AI Overviews: Impact on Lead Volume and Quality 30:52 - The Future of LLMs: ChatGPT vs. Claude and Gemini 36:06 - Crafting the Perfect URL Structure 39:05 - When to Create Specific Service Area Pages 41:46 - Essential Elements of a Service Area Page 45:54 - The Truth About Duplicate Content on Local Sites 52:24 - Algorithm Update Trends: Brand and Social Signals 55:36 - Why Traditional Link Building is Diminishing 58:56 - Avoiding Toxic Links and PBN Scams 1:02:44 - Proactive Reputation Management 1:04:50 - James's Recommendations for Learning SEO 1:06:22 - How Long Does It Take to Rank a New Site? 1:12:18 - How Paid Traffic Indirectly Boosts Organic Rankings 1:15:06 - The Mistake of Using Separate Domains for PPC 1:19:37 - Social Media Ad Strategies for Lead Generation 1:23:13 - Local Pack vs. Organic Leads: Quality Comparisons 1:25:01 - Speed to Lead: The Importance of Rapid Response 1:27:28 - Utilizing WhatsApp and SMS for Lead Nurturing #localseo #seo #localsearch EP 26088 __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

Ever had a customer swear they left a 5-star review, but it never appears or vanishes without a trace? With sophisticated artificial intelligence and advanced pattern recognition capabilities, algorithms are getting better at identifying unusual activity.   This video explains how 'missing reviews' and spikes in customer review volume can flag your online reputation, especially on platforms like Google Reviews. It's not just random; ai models are becoming incredibly adept at detecting fake reviews and other anomalies.   🔗 Show Links & Resources   📈 Local SEO Research & Reports ◼Google Map Pack Study: How Call Buttons Affect Rankings https://smallbizedge.com/reports/map-pack-call-buttons/ ◼Industry Report: The State of Local SEO in 2026 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼Analysis: The New Ranking Factor Landscape https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claudia-tomina_the-new-ranking-factor-landscape-google-activity-7425213430845976577-ucC_/   🛠 GBP Management & Policy Updates ◼Policy Update: GBP Identity & Review Policy Changes https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hiroko-imai_the-google-business-profile-policy-has-been-activity-7429686096822812672-GMWv/ ◼SAB Guide: How to Move an SAB Without Destroying Rankings https://www.sterlingsky.ca/move-your-sab-without-destroying-rankings/ ◼Reference: Google Maps Business Support https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/overview   📊 Data & Visuals ◼State of Local SEO in 2026: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼% of Keyword with Local Services Ads (LSA): https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/LSA-Ads-v2-padding-1-2048x1270.png ◼% of Keywords Showing Local Pack Ads : https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CleanShot-2026-03-30-at-10.51.31-1024x635.png   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/   ⏯️ Chapters: 00:00 Why Google Reviews Disappear (Intro & Hook) 01:20 Guest Introduction: Claudia Tomina 01:42 #1 Reason Reviews Don't Publish: No Prior Engagement 03:02 Tips to Get Reviews to Publish (Branded Search Strategy) 05:18 Is Google Punishing Businesses for Using Their Own Review Link? 07:09 Do Review Request Campaigns Boost Rankings? 08:06 CTR Manipulation: Does It Work & Can It Hurt You? 10:37 Can You Recover Unpublished or Deleted Reviews? 11:50 Review Velocity & Patterns That Trigger Filtering 13:13 Real Case: Law Firm Burned by Bought Reviews 15:12 When Google Flags a Group of Negative Reviews as an Attack 18:26 Pre-Algorithm vs. Post-Algorithm Review Removal 20:33 The "4–5 Day Disappearing Review" Trend: Bug or Feature? 37:55 The Future of Google Bookings & Agentic Local Search 39:48 Google's Chat Feature: Why It's Not Taking Off 40:52 Are Google Posts Worth It? When They Work & When They Don't 43:46 AI-Generated Content on Google Business Profiles 45:32 Editorial Summaries vs. Review Summaries vs. "Know Before You Go" 47:29 Who to Follow for Local SEO Insights 50:41 Removing Negative Reviews: What Actually Works 52:49 What Causes Google to Block Google Posts 54:06 Starting a New Business: How to Allocate 5 Hours/Week for Marketing 55:56 What Content Is Working Right Now (and What's Dying) 58:06 Is Social Media a Direct Google Ranking Factor? 1:01:18 Real Local SEO Problem: Website URL Change That Generated Instant Calls 1:02:36 Primary Category Strategy & Why It Determines Your Rankings 1:07:06 Google Business Profiles Are Driving Fewer Calls — Why? 1:09:30 The Rise of Local Service Ads & Map Pack Ads (2024–2026 Data) 1:12:40 AI Mode vs. Traditional Google Maps: The Key Differences 1:14:02 Live Demo: AI Mode Search for "Best Sushi in Michigan" 1:19:29 Ranking Signals That Matter for AI Mode (vs. Local Pack) 1:26:19 Map Pin Placement: The Hidden Ranking Factor Most Businesses Miss 1:29:49 Service Area Businesses & the Hidden Address Problem 1:35:45 Rapid Fire Q&A: Overrated Tactics, Reviews vs. Backlinks & More 1:37:14 Where to Find Claudia Tamina & Closing Thoughts   Ep 26074

Google's increasingly aggressive crackdowns and harsher core updates are significantly impacting Local SEO and AI search professionals. Medium to Small Businesses are experiencing major traffic losses due to these changes, often without understanding the cause. This situation necessitates a strategic adaptation to the new landscape, focusing on content adjustments and off-site brand mentions to mitigate the effects of Google algorithm shifts and stay ahead of AI updates in search.   Lily Ray @amsive joins us to break down why small to medium businesses are being hit the hardest by Google and provides a strategic roadmap for content adjustments, brand mentions, and surviving the shift to AI-driven search. #localseo #seo #localsearch 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The SEO Landscape in 2026 01:03 Who is Lily Ray? 02:02 Is AI Content Inherently Dangerous? 04:03 The Risks of "Scaling" Content & City Pages 06:15 Service Area Pages vs. Physical Locations 09:23 Why YMYL Topics Face Higher Scrutiny 10:41 How AI Overviews are Killing Organic Traffic 12:48 Action Items: Diversification & Digital PR 15:47 The New Role of SEOs: LLM Discoverability 17:41 Why Reddit & Forums are Dominating Search 18:55 Small Business Strategy: Video & Authenticity 21:14 Analyzing the Most Recent Core Updates 24:10 Google’s Preference for .gov & Authority Sites 27:28 How to Diagnose & Recover from a Hit 31:16 The Truth About Backlinks & Disavow Tools 34:14 Content Classifiers & Site-Wide Demotions 37:00 Local Pack vs. Organic: Why GBP Stays Safe 39:05 The Crackdown on Self-Serving Listicles 44:17 E-E-A-T: Common Misconceptions Debunked 48:12 The War on AI-Generated Fake Reviews 51:51 Rapid-Fire Questions & Future Myths 🔗 Resources: Lily Ray’s Newsletter: https://www.amsive.com/insights/ Joy Hawkins' Newsletter: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/newsletter/ Google Search Console Guide: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9128669 __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed. We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same. READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL? Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/ Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/ Ep 26104

Google Business Profile suspensions, disappearing reviews, and sudden listing removals are happening more often than ever, and most business owners have no idea why. In this webinar, we sit down with a seasoned Google Business Profile product expert, Ben Fisher, Co-Founder at @SteadyDemand who works inside the mess every day, dealing with real suspensions, failed verifications, spam networks, and review wipeouts. Links: Steady Demand https://www.steadydemand.com/ Tool http://peec.ai/ Sterling Sky Podcast https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo-the-experts-guide-podcast/ Localu Global Virtual Conference VOD https://localu.org/localu-global-access-on-demand-recorded-january-28-2026/ Local Search Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/ Video: 7 Local SEO Mistakes Costing Your Business THOUSANDS (Fix These NOW!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54_JsfQuLx8 #localseo #googlebusinessprofile #digitalmarketing EP 26008

In this exclusive session, we’re joined by Mike King, one of the sharpest minds in search, to unpack the wildest shifts happening in Google’s AI-powered results right now. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at real tactics Mike is using for clients today to gain visibility across AI platforms like Google and ChatGPT and how you can apply them immediately. LIVE TOOL DEMO: Mike will walk through a powerful fan-out query tool that uncovers how Google is interpreting and ranking entire topics. We’ll even use real audience examples in the demo so you can see it in action. What you’ll learn: ✅ The “fan-out query” method explained in plain English ✅ How to pull Google’s full query list for your niche ✅ Tactics to help small businesses stand out in an AI-dominated search landscape ✅ Why certain blackhat strategies still work (and Mike’s take on them) Whether you’re a business owner, SEO strategist, or just trying to stay ahead of AI’s impact on search, this webinar will leave you with actionable insights you won’t find anywhere else. Save your seat now and come ready with a topic for the live tool demo! Register👉 https://localu.org/how-rank-2026-mike-king-webinar/ Links: Mike King's Tool - https://ipullrank.com/tools/qforia https://ipullrank.com/case-studies Mike King's Conference April 27-30, 2026 - https://seoweek.org/ LocalU Global - Attend from Anywhere🌎 - https://localu.org/etn/localu-global-january-28-2026/ Next Months Webinar: https://localu.org/gbp-violations-punishment-ben-fisher/

Local SEO is changing fast! For more 👉🏻 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ Learn about the 3 major threats facing businesses in 2026: disappearing organic visibility, AI's impact on search, and aggressive review attacks. Experts Joy Hawkins @SterlingSkyInc Luc Durand @rankingacademy & Darren Shaw @WhitesparkCa reveal how to prepare, understand mobile search shifts, deal with fake reviews, and apply effective strategies to stay competitive. Don't fall behind – watch LIVE to secure your local rankings! Date : December 17, 2025 Time : 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ET Register for updates: https://localu.org/etn/surviving-local-seo-in-2026/ Chapters: 0:00 Welcome to 2026 Local SEO Threats & Expert Introductions 2:00 Understanding Declining Google Business Profile Calls 4:30 The Impact of AI-Powered Local Packs on Visibility 8:00 Google's Monetization Strategy & SERP Changes 13:00 The Rise of Local Pack Ads and Local Services Ads (LSAs) 16:00 Maximizing Value from Local Services Ads: Agency Perspective 20:00 Diversifying Lead Generation Beyond Organic SEO 23:00 Analyzing Traffic from AI Platforms like ChatGPT & Gemini 29:00 Why Video Marketing is Essential for Local Businesses 36:00 Debunking Local SEO Myths: Geotagging & AI-Generated Video 40:00 Whitespark Local Ranking Grid: Advanced Tracking & LLM Visibility 45:00 Effective Strategies for Google Review Generation 50:00 Open Hours as a Local Ranking Factor & Service Area Business (SAB) Challenges 58:00 Navigating Co-working Spaces & Subleasing for Business Addresses 1:02:00 Optimizing Service Area Pages & Core Business Citations 1:07:00 Combating Review Extortion & Understanding Google's Review Jail 1:19:00 Top Local SEO Strategies for 2026 Success 1:25:00 Identifying & Avoiding Wasted Local SEO Tactics 1:32:00 Ranking Strategies for Gemini AI & Perplexity: What Matters Now 1:36:00 Essential Call Tracking for Local SEO & The Role of TikTok Ads 1:40:00 Developing Niche Video Content Ideas for Local Businesses 1:42:00 Local Grid Tracking: "Near Me" vs. "Keyword + City" Queries 1:44:00 Best Practices for Responding to Negative Google Reviews 1:48:00 Final Key Takeaways to Future-Proof Your Local Business #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessProfile #ReviewManagement

Dive deep into the evolving world of SEO with expert insights! Learn why traditional SEO tactics are dead, how Forbes' strategy crumbled, and the new 2026 playbook for success. Discover the power of brand building, founder marketing, and Reddit as an SEO cheat code. We'll also explore AI's true role in content and what Google won't tell you. Don't miss out on strategies to protect your traffic and thrive in 2026 and beyond. Subscribe for cutting-edge Local SEO insights! Date : November 13, 2025 Time : 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET Register for updates: https://localu.org/etn/the-future-of-seo-what-google-wont-tell-you-but-we-will/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: The Future of SEO & Content 00:40 - Why Viral Content Isn't Always Effective 01:40 - Forbes' SEO Strategy Collapse Explained 04:05 - Understanding Google's Helpful Content Update 06:45 - The Old SEO Playbook: What's Dead in 2025 09:30 - The New SEO Strategy: Build Brand First 12:00 - SEO for Small Businesses: When to Invest 14:20 - Choosing Organic Channels: Fit Over Hype 17:30 - Reddit: The SEO "Cheat Code" & Its Risks 23:45 - How Reddit Manipulates Google & AI 28:00 - Founder Marketing & Business Exits 30:45 - Small Business Marketing: Ads vs. SEO 33:00 - Personal Brand: Surviving the AI Content Wave 35:30 - Hyper-Targeted Bottom-Funnel Content 38:00 - Future of Marketing: Private Communities (Discord, WhatsApp) 43:00 - Ranking in the AI Era: LLMs & SEO 45:30 - New AI Ranking Signals: Reviews, Awards, PR 47:00 - SEO Timeline for Small Businesses: Realistic Expectations 49:10 - Competitor Comparison Content Strategy 52:30 - Website Health Tools & Keyword Research for Topics 55:20 - AI in Content Creation: Repurposing vs. Originality 01:00:30 - The #1 Skill for New Marketers: Copywriting 01:02:00 - Recommended Copywriting Books 01:03:00 - Final Thoughts & Connect with Lars #SEOFuture #GoogleAI #LocalSEO

October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET Webinar: How Local Businesses Can Rank on Google With YouTube with Jeremy Vest Discover how local businesses can leverage YouTube to rank higher on Google and generate leads! Join YouTube expert Jeremy Vest as he breaks down strategies for content creation, SEO, effective thumbnails, and paid advertising to grow your business. Learn how to niche down your content, understand viewer intent, and optimize for both YouTube and Google search. Get your free YouTube channel audit at creatorunlock.com now! 00:00 Introduction: YouTube for Local Business Growth 00:14 Meet Jeremy Vest: YouTube Expert & Strategist 00:30 Jeremy's Journey & Host's YouTube Channel Success 01:27 Live Audience Q&A & Channel Audits 02:05 Local Business YouTube Strategy for Google Rankings 02:46 Local Search Intent: Answering Consumer Questions on YouTube 04:32 YouTube's Role in Business Valuation & Acquisitions 06:05 Expanding Video Marketing Beyond YouTube 06:43 Targeting Local Audiences on YouTube: Dentist Example 07:27 Hyper-Targeted YouTube Ads for Local Lead Generation 09:46 Organic Channel Health vs. Paid YouTube Ads Performance 11:05 Live Channel Audit: Personal Injury Lawyer 13:05 Get Your Free YouTube Audit at CreatorUnlock.com 13:43 Building Trust & Branding on Your YouTube Channel 15:17 The Power of Authenticity: Why Human Connection Matters 18:15 Keyword Research: Finding Local Video Topics on YouTube 20:12 Competitor Analysis: Blueprint for Top-Performing Videos 22:37 Live Channel Audit: Foundation Solutions Group 23:46 Understanding the YouTube Algorithm: Click, Watch, Like 24:31 Optimize Your YouTube Banner & Channel Messaging 25:54 Creating Clickable Thumbnails: Design vs. Intent 28:50 Roger Wakefield: A Masterclass in Plumbing YouTube Thumbnails 32:09 Crafting Keyword-Rich YouTube Video Titles 33:18 Live Channel Audit: Dentist (Shorts vs. Long-Form) 33:54 Shorts & Long-Form Videos: Practice Your Reps 36:28 Global Reach: Burned-in Captions & Language Dubbing 38:28 Viewer-First Scripting for Engaging Videos 40:18 Live Channel Audit: Bay Management Group 41:16 Thumbnail Analysis for Property Management Videos 42:16 The Downside of Niche Fragmentation on YouTube 44:52 Live Channel Audit: Bitcoin Conference Videos 45:50 Distinguishing Organic Views from YouTube Ad Views 46:52 Recommended Software for YouTube Thumbnail Creation 47:22 Insights on YouTube SEO Tools like VidIQ 48:44 The Future of AI in YouTube Content Creation 51:51 Why Authenticity Beats AI Slop on YouTube 52:41 Improving Conference Video Titles & Thumbnails 57:21 Essential & Affordable Video Equipment for Small Businesses 59:26 Faces in Thumbnails: Direct Gaze vs. Emotional Cues 01:01:26 Live Channel Audit: Auto Dealer (Wendell Ford) 01:02:50 Identifying Paid vs. Organic Views in Auto Dealership Videos 01:04:04 Using Children in YouTube Videos: Hero Message Guideline 01:06:11 The "Chevy Dude": A Car Salesman's YouTube Success Story 01:08:25 Strategic Use of Capitalization in YouTube Titles 01:09:57 Live Channel Audit: Wedding Team Marketing 01:11:53 Discovering Top Marketing Strategies for Video Content 01:13:08 Jeremy's 12 Rules for Crafting Effective YouTube Titles 01:14:02 Shorts Thumbnails: Less Critical for Discovery 01:14:51 SEO-Driven YouTube Playlists for Content Organization 01:17:14 Balancing Local Service Ads (LSA) & YouTube Ad Spend 01:20:34 Shorts vs. Long-Form for Local Business: Intent & Niche 01:23:11 Live Channel Audit: Addiction Treatment Center 01:24:16 Tailoring Addiction Content: Focus on Families & Specific Issues 01:26:04 Analyzing Performance Drop in Addiction Channel Thumbnails 01:27:04 The Power of Niching Down in Sensitive Topics 01:28:50 Purpose, Profit, Passion: Finding Your Niche Sweet Spot 01:30:36 Live Channel Audit: Fencing Company 01:30:48 Strategic Use of Hashtags for YouTube Topics 01:31:54 Impact of Description Updates on Google & YouTube SEO 01:33:46 Understanding YouTube Topics & Channel Correlation 01:35:51 Analyzing Channels with High Video Count, Low Subscribers 01:36:36 Viral Shorts Strategies for Service Businesses (ASMR Content) 01:38:09 Commercial vs. Purposeful Content for Fencing Channels 01:39:29 Keyword Research for "Fencing" (Installation, Repair, Design) 01:40:49 Deconstructing a Viral Fence Installation Time-Lapse 01:43:03 Dealing with YouTube Trolls: Strategies & Boundaries 01:44:49 Austin Armstrong's Genius Troll-Proofing Technique 01:46:09 Live Channel Audit: Fitness Studio (Pure Motivation) 01:47:18 Extreme Niching in the Fitness YouTube Space 01:51:29 Live Channel Audit: Marketing for Painting Contractors 01:51:54 Optimizing Titles for Painting Contractor Marketing 01:53:05 AI-Powered Title Generation for Painting Businesses 01:53:54 Managing Negative Comments: Blocking & Blacklist Keywords 01:56:52 The "Hack" Keyword: Effective for Clicks, Despite the Cringe 01:57:47 Jeremy's CreatorUnlock Tool: Founder Sale & Coaching #LocalSEO #YouTubeMarketing #SmallBusinessTips

September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET Webinar: Mastering ROI in SEO: Insider Tips from a Multi-Million Dollar Agency Founder Join us for an exclusive interview with Jason Hennessey, the mastermind behind a leading SEO agency specializing in law firms. With a business that generates 8-figures annually and has been featured on the Inc. 5000 list for six years in a row, Jason knows what it takes to deliver SEO results that drive revenue. In this webinar, he’ll share actionable strategies, success stories, and the secrets to scaling your SEO efforts to ensure a measurable ROI. Whether you're a small business or a law firm, Jason’s insights will empower you to make smarter, more effective SEO decisions. Chapter: 00:00 | Intro: Local SEO for Business Growth in 2025 01:52 | Managing Client Expectations for Local SEO Results 06:19 | Using Yext for Local Citations and NAP Consistency 10:26 | Realistic SEO Budgets for Law Firms and Local Businesses 17:24 | The Best Link Building Strategy for Local SEO 27:03 | Why New Google Reviews are More Important Than Total Reviews 52:14 | Do You Need a Blog for Local SEO? 58:21 | Quick SEO Hacks to Boost Google Maps Rankings 59:05 | An Untapped SEO Strategy: Targeting Zero-Search Volume Keywords Ep 25113

Master On-Page SEO: Kyle Roof Shares The Secrets You’re Missing Date & Time: August 26, 2025 - 9:00 AM ET Duration: 1 Hour Speaker: Kyle Roof & Joy Hawkins In this exclusive webinar, we sit down with SEO expert Kyle Roof to dive deep into the fundamentals of on-page SEO and the critical things that most people overlook. From mastering the silo concept to understanding entity optimization, we'll uncover actionable insights that will supercharge your SEO strategy. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, you’ll walk away with valuable, practical tips that can make a huge difference in your search rankings. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best! Come With Your On-Page SEO Questions! • Does Siloing Really Work for SEO?: We'll explore whether siloing—the practice of organizing website content into clear, thematic categories—actually boosts SEO performance. • Entity Optimization and Its Impact: Discover how to leverage entities—such as brands, people, or places—in content and metadata to improve search visibility. •And Much More! CHAPTERS: 0:00 - Introduction to On-Page SEO with Kyle Roof 4:04 - What is a Silo in SEO? 8:39 - Flat vs. Folder URL Structure 10:01 - How to Find New Content Ideas 12:11 - What is Entity Optimization? 15:23 - Can You Over-Optimize with Keywords? 17:16 - Live Website Audit: Patriot Plumber 20:25 - How AI is Changing Keyword Research 23:30 - Expanding into a New Niche: What to Do 25:20 - When to Create a New Website for a New Service 27:24 - Do Keyword-Rich Domains Still Work? 35:35 - Do EEAT Signals Actually Improve Rankings? 37:14 - Ranking in LLM Search (like ChatGPT) 39:09 - Is Guest Posting Still a Viable Strategy? 41:13 - How Deep Should URL Folder Structure Be? 42:31 - Do AI Content Writers Include the Right Keywords? 44:42 - The Weight of Smoke: A Lesson in Measurement 46:22 - SEO Strategy for Multi-Location Businesses 48:06 - Using Location Keywords for Local SEO 49:09 - Does Word Count Affect SEO Rankings? 51:22 - What is Vector Embedding and Does It Matter for SEO? 53:21 - Surprising SEO Test Results 54:58 - The Impact of Link Exchanges on SEO 55:58 - How to Increase Your Website's Crawl Budget 56:31 - Does Embedding a Google Business Profile Help Rankings? 57:42 - Using a Second Website for a High-Value Service 58:42 - Automatically Updating Review Schema 59:27 - Are Rank and Rent Websites a Waste of Time in 2025? 1:00:48 - Where to Find Kyle Roof Ep 25123