Local Search Column
Local Search provides the latest news and information about the growing segment of local search marketing, including tips on how to take advantage of local directory providers and online yellow page listings, mapping tools and location based services to help users uncover real-world merchants, franchise locations, locally owned small businesses and community places. Columnists cover geo-targeting, zip code and map data being used by searchers and search engines to provide locally relevant results.
What’s behind the badge that powers Google’s local trust layer?
A new designation across Google’s business units and ad types that used to be confined to LSAs will now live within a new class of...
The rise of reputation experience management
Reviews and ratings influence search rankings and customer acquisition. Here's how marketing and customer experience teams can work together to...
A new era has arrived in local search: Google’s Local Trust Pack
The variables that drive performance for LSA extend beyond the prominence, relevance and proximity factors we have built strategies...
How 9 major Google My Business updates in 2020 can help you rebound
A long road of recovery awaits but the good news is that your customers are paying attention to your GMBs so capitalize on that to help your...
Soapbox: Don’t kick SMBs to the curbside – for many, it’s their new lifeline
While technologies to enable curbside pick-up have been around for years, local business require solutions that work without IT support and...
Is automotive a bellwether for Google My Business trends during COVID-19?
Compared automotive results with all others to find customers are actively interested in supporting businesses that share updates and respond to...
What do local SEOs really think of Google My Business support?
The quality of support isn't likely to magically improve once the virus clears, so let's hope that the future doesn't so clearly reflect the...
When your Google My Business listing becomes your lifeline
During coronavirus, we see how GMB can be a business’s lifeline during a time of disruption. Here are some lessons...
SMX Overtime: Here’s why optimizing images in Google My Business is important
SEO pro Greg Gifford explains why professionally shot, high-res photos will win over user-uploaded photos if you take the time to manage it...
SMX Overtime: When to use the Q&A in Google My Business and how to keep it fresh
SEO expert Niki Mosier of Two Octobers shares insights about managing Q&A and when it makes sense to add a service...
The rise of customer review amplifiers
We live in a feedback economy so if resources and budget are limited, prioritize managing reviews on Google and...
No, the Google My Business description does not impact ranking
After a lot of testing by many since the help center update, we can safely say the description has no impact in the...
SMX Overtime: Here’s how multi-location brands can manage their local listings
Marketing strategist and SMX speaker Monica Ho explains what local businesses can do about duplicate listings and local franchise...
Your reputation depends on a solid (and legal) online review strategy
As consumers rely more heavily on online reviews, having a strong review management strategy in place can help your online reputation stand...
SMX Overtime: Managing Google My Business profiles, reviews and more
Local search expert Dan Leibson offers advice on how to manage GMB profiles and why it's important to implement a meaningful review...
Businesses need to think differently about customer feedback data in 2020
Improving the customer experience and improve your business operationally means keeping up with the many ways customers communicate with...
How verticalization and zero-click will impact local search in 2020
In the coming year it will be interesting to see how Google balances the priority of verticalization against the growing popularity of Google...
A wishlist of improvements for Google My Business in 2020
Joy Hawkins shares the top 5 features she’d like Google My Business to update or change this...
Good guides gone bad: How Google’s ‘Local Guides’ program fails businesses and consumers
Columnist Jamie Pitman talks to some of the leading figures in local search to find out what went wrong with the Local Guides program, and if...
SMX Overtime: Managing your online business reviews
Product management expert Adam Dorfman answers questions from SMX East about asking for, and responding to, reviews on Google and...