Local
The convergence of data quality to consumer discoverability
Data cleanliness and accuracy must be a priority for brands because it will affect marketing performance at the local level.
Brian Smith is Director of Local Search Strategy at Rio SEO, a leading local search marketing software company for enterprise brands. Over more than a decade, clients relied on Brian's local marketing expertise for solutions to their most vexing local visibility challenges. When this Montana native isn’t busy delivering brands exceptional value for their local efforts, you can find him chauffeuring his kids to dance practice and sporting events.
Local
Learn how to build an online to offline attribution model for local businesses
Offline pickup with online ordering and coupons are just a couple of ways you can build your ideal local attribution stack.
Amazon
How to manage multiple GMB listings for service area businesses
Contributor Brian Smith offers insights on how service area businesses can use GMB's bulk syndication service to increase their visibility and decrease their CPA.
Google Business Profile
Where to go next with your Google My Business listing
So, you've set up your Google My Business listing but still aren't seeing results. What's the next step? Columnist Brian Smith lays out some suggestions to further optimize your listing for better local search visibility.
A brief history of Google’s most important local search updates
How has Google's local search changed throughout the years? Columnist Brian Smith shares a timeline of events and their impact on brick-and-mortar businesses.
Google is making strides with Google My Business
Though Google My Business isn't perfect, columnist Brian Smith believes that recent updates and added features illustrate Google's commitment to making the platform work for local business owners.
Apple
Augmented Reality: Where are we now, and what does it mean for marketers?
With big players like Facebook and Apple committing to the technology, contributor Brian Smith argues that AR is becoming more than just a novelty for marketers.
Amazon
How local businesses can turn the threat of on-demand deliveries to their own advantage
On-demand delivery services are making local businesses nervous, but columnist Brian Smith explains why this new shift in consumer behavior should be seen as an opportunity to grow.
Amazon
The future of local discovery
Columnist Brian Smith discusses some of the recent developments and technology that will impact local search, both in the short term and the long term.
Amazon
The newest addition to the marketing mix’s Ps: Proximity
Columnist Brian Smith explains the impact of proximity on local searches and provides advice for how marketers can make it work for them.
Local
Driving local marketing change with Uber, Lyft and self-driving cars
Columnist Brian Smith explains how ride-sharing services and self-driving cars will open up a host of new opportunities for local businesses.
Amazon
The future of paid voice search and monetizing the map
Ads are coming to voice search sooner than you think. Columnist Brian Smith discusses what this might mean for local businesses, as well as SEO and SEM professionals.
Local
The importance of local authenticity
When deciding which local businesses to patronize, consumers choose ones they know and trust. Columnist Brian Smith shares tips for marketers looking to help their businesses cultivate a strong image within their local communities.
Amazon
Digital assistants, conversational search and the future of local
As digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home become more popular, how can local search marketers adapt? Columnist Brian Smith shares his tips.
Amazon
Getting a clearer picture of local marketing attribution
It can be a challenge to get a clear picture of how effective your local marketing efforts are, so columnist Brian Smith outlines some of the more effective methods for tracking in-store attribution.
Google Algorithm Updates
What you need to reach the big leagues of local SEO
Looking to build a successful career in local SEO? Columnist Brian Smith is here to coach you on how to improve your game.
Google Business Profile
How to manage local listings for enterprise brands
Getting a handle on the data for multiple-location businesses can be a significant challenge. Columnist Brian Smith provides step-by-step guidelines to making it happen.
SEO
The future of the map
The leap from physical to digital maps was game-changing for marketers and consumers alike, but what's next on the horizon? Columnist Brian Smith explores some possibilities for the future of mapping.
Local
Pokémon Go, augmented reality and the future of local marketing
What might the popular new mobile game mean for local marketers? Columnist Brian Smith explores.
Bridging the gaps in the Google My Business API
Each update to the Google My Business API makes life easier for those of us managing locations at scale, but columnist Brian Smith notes that gaps in the automation process have yet to be addressed.