Calls and clicks keep falling as Google Maps becomes the destination
New findings show rankings remain stable while customer behavior changes, making profile quality and reviews critical for local visibility.
Topic: Sterling Sky Inc
Your local rankings look fine. So why are calls disappearing?
AI local packs and ads are shrinking organic space. New data shows why calls drop even when 3-pack positions hold — and what you must change.
Service area pages: Boost local SEO across locations
Target multiple cities without duplicate content. Learn how to create service area pages that rank locally, convert visitors, and support your SEO strategy.
“Near me” SEO: Optimize for local searches that convert
Capture high-intent local traffic. Learn how to rank in “near me” searches with smart SEO tactics, GBP tips, and hyperlocal content strategies.
Local keyword research: Boost local SEO with the right terms
Discover how to uncover high-impact local keywords that drive foot traffic, leads, and visibility. Dominate local search with smarter SEO targeting.
Local SEO audit guide: How to improve local rankings
Run a successful local SEO audit with this step-by-step guide. Uncover issues, optimize your local presence, and boost visibility in local search and Google Maps results.
AI, SEO, and Client Success: 7 Agency Trends Defining the Year
Navigate the year with AI. From automating tasks and optimizing SEO to building authentic client connections and increasing visibility.
How geotagging photos affects Google Business Profile rank: Study
How does geotagging photos affect local SEO? A 10-week study reveals surprising effects on 'near me' vs city-based Google ranking.
Google investigating Local Services Ads bug
Google Ads is working on a fix to prevent businesses from appearing in search results for their competitors' names.
Google tests Branded Local Service Ads with opt-out option
Marketers expressed concern about being unable to opt-out, but Google confirmed this functionality will be available for everyone.
Google local search ranking algorithm strengthens ‘openness’ signal
If your business isn't open 24/7, Google does not recommend you change your business listing to be open 24 hours per day.
10 things we hate about Google Analytics 4
GA4 hasn't exactly been a hit with marketers so far, and the industry spoke up to tell us why in Search Engine Land's latest poll.
How Google Business Profile pre-defined services can impact local SEO
Looking to boost your local SEO rankings? Consider adding pre-defined services to your Google Business Profile listing. Learn more here.
9 in 10 customers more likely to overlook a negative review if the business responds adequately, Yelp says
Half of survey respondents said they don’t trust reviews if they know the business asked customers to leave them.
November 22: The latest jobs in search marketing
On the hunt for something new? Check out who's hiring in search marketing this week.
Makes you miss the ‘Don’t be evil’ days; Tuesday’s daily brief
Plus, Facebook's aging user base and what it means for advertisers.
How Google and Yelp handle fake reviews and policy violations
A side-by-side analysis of Google and Yelp's respective approaches, policies and punitive measures.
How do you plan for in-person consumer behavior and COVID at the same time?; Tuesday’s daily brief
Plus, Google’s math solver guidelines emphasize technical SEO and content accuracy.
Are all the Google algorithm updates too much to handle?; Wednesday’s daily brief
Also, Google talks about search rankings and spam prevention.
Sharing is caring; Wednesday’s daily brief
Plus, Broad Match Modifier goes away in July
Instant match rates in Google Ads and when content isn’t king; Monday’s daily brief
Plus, check out our new Google Search Console guide
Case study: More content is not always better for ranking in Google
Content is king in SEO, but it's critical that it's the right type of content for your target audience and the SERP landscape for each client.
Google tips the scales in its own favor–but do marketers care?; Tuesday’s daily brief
Plus, how inclusion leads to diversity in marketing
SEO year in review 2020: COVID forces platforms to adapt their local and e-commerce offerings, and more
Even a pandemic couldn’t slow down developments in the search industry. Here’s our recap of the year’s most important stories and news.
How to optimize your Google local Knowledge Panel
Turn your local business profiles in the search results into portals that can deliver customers right from your listings.
Live with Search Engine Land
Live with Search Engine Land is a series of live discussions, presentations, tutorials and less formal meetups led by the editorial team at Search Engine Land. No matter the format, we want everyone to stay sharp and up-to-date on tactics and best practices. These weekly meetups are about giving great marketers a platform to inform, […]
Chapter 9: Emerging verticals in search
Search has expanded well beyond the traditional results page. New to Search Engine Land’s Periodic Table of SEO Factors is a look at emerging verticals within search. Voice, image, local and video search offerings provide users with options for locating information in the manner they prefer. These emerging verticals do not require a completely different […]
Should you continue to solicit reviews during the outbreak? Local SEOs disagree
There are a mix of considerations, on a spectrum from idealistic to pragmatic.
SEO year in review 2019: Zero-click searches, BERT, local spam and more
What’s past is prologue. Here’s our recap of the stories that will shape search for years to come.
LocalU acquired by Sterling Sky founder and SEL contributor Joy Hawkins
Hawkins says the Local Search Forum & the LocalU forum will merge.
Video: Local search expert Joy Hawkins shares an unexpected finding from her Google reviews research
Hawkins talks to Search Engine Land editor Barry Schwartz about breaking out on her own, buying Local Search Forum and a recent discovery she made around Google's review gating policy.
Do local citations matter anymore? Five local SEOs sound off
A range of opinions about how much attention to devote to citations.
‘Get a Quote’ button added to Google business local knowledge panels
If you have Google My Business messaging turned out, you may start getting more messages from searchers.
Local SEOs mixed, some peeved at idea of paying for Google My Business services
They recognized the logic – but many had strong criticisms.
SearchCap: Bing Ads targets, Google AMA & Google Maps AR
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Is Google Maps what augmented reality has been waiting for?Feb 11, 2019 by Greg Sterling AR walking directions could be a breakthrough application for the industry. Bing Ads multiple language targeting: […]
SearchCap: Google My Business Insights, search industry honors Barry Schwartz, more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: 5 ways ignoring SEO could affect your bottom line Oct 18, 2018 by Stephan Spencer It may be possible to run a business in 2018 without doing search engine optimization, but […]
SearchCap: Bing political ads & Google Search Console issues
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing votes ‘no’ on political candidate and ballot measure adsOct 5, 2018 by Amy Gesenhues The policy will not likely impact Bing’s ad revenue as the search engine reports political ads […]
6 ways the August core algorithm update impacted local business
Was your site affected by the recent core algorithm update? Here's a look at the changes made to local and small business sites after the update.
SearchCap: Google AdWords UI, Bing camera search & Google Assistant continued conversations
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google rolls out updates to give users easier access to privacy controlsJun 21, 2018 by Robin Kurzer Will easier access to privacy controls cause headaches for marketers who rely on activity-related […]
SearchCap: Google My Business, building an in-house search team & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google My Business Agency Dashboard launches today Jun 5, 2018 by Barry Schwartz This new dashboard, announced a month ago, is now live and available for use. Building an in-house search […]