Ep 19 - Mike Blumenthal: Unveiling the secrets of Google Business Profiles

In this episode of the Titan Talks podcast, host Jonathan Stern interviews Mike Blumenthal, owner of Near Media, a research and media company focused on local search. They discuss the importance of Google Business profiles for home service professionals, the factors that contribute to rankings on Google, and best practices for improving online presence and generating leads. Mike also addresses common issues such as the filtering of reviews and account suspension on Google. He advises home service professionals to focus on creating a strong online presence by optimizing their website, collecting customer contact information, and actively managing reviews and customer relationships. Overall, Mike emphasizes the importance of owning customer data and leveraging it to generate business. (0:00) - Introduction (0:32) - Talking about Mike Blumenthal's expertise in local search engine optimization and Google Business profiles (3:17) - Discussion about the importance of Google Business profiles for home service entrepreneurs (7:14) - How the local algorithm works and the factors it considers for ranking businesses (13:08) - Tips for improving rankings and conversions on Google Business profiles (17:58) - Dealing with missing or hidden reviews on Google (22:36) - The impact of Google Ads on Google Business profiles (24:38) - The significance of service areas on Google Business profiles (27:22) - What to do if your Google Business profile is suspended (32:15) - The evolving nature of Google and its level of transparency (35:27) - The biggest unsolved mystery in Google's search algorithm (36:58) - Advice for home service professionals starting out with their online presence