Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

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

Show Links:

1. Google Reporting Tool

https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en

2. Review Gating Widget

https://publicwww.com/

3. Google’s transparency report

https://transparencyreport.google.com/maps-content/enforcement

Date & Time: July 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 Hours

Speaker: Curtis Boyd & Joy Hawkins

Webinar Sponsor: GatherUp

245 million fake reviews!

That’s how many Google deleted last year—a 44% spike from the year before. The fake review problem is growing faster than most business owners realize, and it's putting reputations, revenue, and even livelihoods on the line.

In this eye-opening webinar, Joy sits down with Curtis Boyd, one of the most respected voices in online reputation management, to unpack:

-How fake reviews are created and spread

-What Google (and other platforms) are doing to stop them

-The shocking truth about “review jail” and hidden review blocks

-And the real-world tactics you can use to defend your business today

You’ll also see live audits of fake reviews, learn how to spot them before your customers do, and walk away with a clear strategy to build authentic, positive reviews that actually stick.

Whether you're a small business owner, marketing professional, or just curious about how review platforms are being gamed—this session is for you.

Don’t let your reputation be controlled by fake reviews. Learn how to fight back.

▬ Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

0:00:00 - Intro

0:00:23 - The Prevalence of Fake Reviews

0:00:30 - Google's Removal of Fake Reviews

0:02:15 - Responding to Fake Reviews

0:02:36 - The 3-Week Window

0:07:27 - Reporting Fake Reviews

0:08:43 - One-Star Ratings with No Text

0:09:12 - Reporting Contributor Profiles

0:19:24 - "A Google User" Reviews

0:30:13 - ChatGPT and AI-Generated Reviews

0:31:52 - Identifying Competitors Buying Reviews

0:35:41 - Fighting Back Against Competitors Buying Reviews

0:36:10 - Google "Sweeps"

0:36:43 - Elbow Grease for Older Fakes

0:37:38 - Impact of Losing Reviews

0:38:46 - Reporting Review Gating

0:41:09 - Suspensions for Buying Reviews

0:41:51 - Review Blocks ("Review Jail")

0:45:13 - Differentiating Real vs. Fake

0:47:12 - Anonymous Profiles

0:48:56 - Keywords in Review Replies

0:54:21 - FTC and Review Gating

0:55:32 - Review Recency as a Ranking Factor

0:59:15 - Top Review Sites (Besides Google)

01:00:11 - Impact of a Single Fake Review

EP 25101

Register: https://localu.org/webinar-june/

Date & Time: June 25, 2025 - 12:30 PM ET

Duration: 2 Hours

Speaker: Chris Dreyer & Joy Hawkins

In 2025, AI Overviews and constant algorithm changes are reshaping how lawyers show up online — and for some, it’s been devastating. But others? They're thriving.

Join us for a candid and tactical conversation with two of the top SEO experts working in legal marketing today, Chris Dreyer and Joy Hawkins. If you're a lawyer, legal marketer, or agency trying to help law firms grow in a rapidly evolving search landscape, this is the session you can’t afford to skip.

Key Takeaways:

1. Why some law firms are losing 40% of their traffic — and what to do about it

2. What SEO strategies are actually working in 2025

3. Budgeting tips to get a strong ROI without burning cash

4. What Google tells you NOT to do… but absolutely works

5. The secret sauce behind viral link building and review generation

6. How to vet SEO agencies (and avoid getting ripped off)

Date & Time: May 28,2025 - 1:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

Speaker: Tommy Mello & Joy Hawkins

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $220 million powerhouse in the home services space. While marketers often focus on rankings and ROI, the truth is that SEO can’t fix a broken business. Tommy’s journey proves that the results are unstoppable when operational excellence meets smart marketing.

We’ll unpack the real reasons some businesses thrive while others cancel—even when the SEO is solid. Get behind-the-scenes insights into how Tommy uses video, reviews, social media, and lightning-fast lead response to dominate the home services industry. If you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency working with local service companies, this conversation is packed with practical, brutally honest insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: Why SEO Fails If Your Business is Broken

00:28 - Tommy Mello’s Story & A-1 Garage Doors Growth Overview

01:07 - Key Business KPIs: Cost Per Lead, Contact Center, Conversion & Average Ticket

03:43 - Achieving a 90% Booking Rate: Technology, Training & Scripts

07:00 - Importance of 24/7 Customer Service & After-Hours Call Centers

08:48 - Overcoming Objections and Performance Pay for CSRs

11:53 - Optimizing Contact Centers for Better Customer Experience

13:55 - Handling Missed Calls & Automations to Recover Leads

15:10 - Managing Hold Times and Overstaffing Strategy

16:04 - Biggest Scaling Drivers: SOPs, Incentives & Technology

17:46 - Average Ticket Price & Offering Client Options

18:58 - Tracking Calls from Local Pack vs Ads

19:27 - Google My Business Ranking Strategies & Location Page Tips

22:50 - Branding and Its Impact on Customer Attraction & Retention

24:21 - Handling Sticker Shock in Home Remodeling Sales

26:50 - Must-Have Elements for Service & Location Pages

29:05 - Review Strategies: Incentivizing Employees & Managing Feedback

35:32 - Dealing with Negative Reviews & Turning Them Around

39:10 - Managing Online Reputation: Reddit & Social Platforms

41:35 - AMA’s and Reddit Strategies for SEO & Branding

44:27 - AI’s Impact on SEO & Future Search Engines

49:12 - Tracking Leads from ChatGPT and Other AI Tools

53:53 - Hiring Talent & Staying Ahead in the AI Era

56:16 - Upcoming Webinars & SEO for Law Firms

56:57 - YouTube Local Content Strategy & Consistency

59:15 - Rapid Fire: ChatGPT Leads & Top Marketing Channels in 2025

01:00:52 - Is SEO Dead? The Importance of Online Reviews & Employer Ratings

01:02:15 - How to Learn More & Connect with Tommy Mello

#LocalSEO #HomeServiceMarketing #CustomerExperience

Date & Time: May 23 ,2025 - 2:30 PM ET

Speaker: Noah Learner & Joy Hawkins

At Google I/O this week, Noah Learner explored the latest updates and breakthroughs around Search and AI — but what do these changes really mean? 🤔

In this interview, he breaks down the key announcements and shares his thoughts on how Google might be evolving behind the scenes.

If you’re wondering what the future holds for Google Search and AI, and how it could impact the way we find information, you’ll want to hear Noah’s perspective.

Date & Time: April 8,2025 - 11:00 AM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

Speaker: Wil Reynolds & Joy Hawkins

Webinar Sponsor: Langan Financial Group

If your business relies on search traffic, the rise of AI overviews on Google might feel like a threat. According to Ahrefs, some companies have seen a staggering 20-40% drop in clicks—and the trend isn’t slowing down.

Join us for an exclusive interview with Wil Reynolds, where we’ll dive into:

🔍 The real impact of AI on search traffic and conversions

📈 Proven SEO strategies that still work (and what to avoid)

🤖 How to optimize your content for the AI era

💡 Innovative approaches to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)

Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or SEO professional, this session is packed with insights to help you adapt and thrive.

Links:

Wil Reynolds -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilreynolds/

https://www.seerinteractive.com/people/team/wil-reynolds

The dashboard for tracking your search vs ai vs social

https://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/how-to-track-your-search-vs-ai-vs-social-disruption-in-looker-studio

March Webinar with Barry Schwartz

https://localu.org/watch-seo-2025/

Client Ranking: AIO KW Coverage vs Client Ranking: AIO Conv. Impact

https://bit.ly/44iPMm6

Deep Research AI Tracking Tool

https://cheq.ai/

AI Bot Tracking Traffic

https://www.cloudflare.com/

Zip Tie - Click Through Rate Study

https://ziptie.dev/blog/how-ai-overviews-will-affect-publishers/

Get hidden social information

https://phantombuster.com/

Tracking AI Blog Post

https://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/how-ai-overviews-are-impacting-ctr-5-initial-takeaways

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction: AI Dominating Search Results

00:30 - AI and the Impact on Traffic

01:06 - Revenue vs. Traffic Metrics

04:14 - B2B vs. B2C Impact

06:26 - Tracking AI Traffic

09:02 - Strategies to Appear in AI Overviews

11:31 - Local SEO and AI

14:03 - Improving Local Business Content

16:04 - Content Strategy and SEO

20:11 - Effective Use of Social Media for Business

23:41 - Tools for Analyzing AI Traffic

27:01 - Preparing for Future AI Changes