How Is AI Changing Local SEO and Google Maps Rankings?

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Joshua Thompson, a local SEO specialist with more than a decade of experience helping businesses show up where it matters most: in Google’s local search results and Google Maps.We dive deep into why local SEO is evolving faster than ever, how AI is changing search behaviors, and what businesses should actually focus on instead of chasing shortcuts.From Accidental Marketer to Local SEO ExpertJosh shares his unique path—from building websites for financial leads to helping friends and family rank locally to eventually building and selling his own company. His entrepreneurial background shaped the customer-first, no-gimmicks SEO approach he uses today.Understanding Local SEO vs. Traditional SEOJosh breaks down what makes local SEO its own ecosystem:How Local SEO DiffersGoogle Maps and the Local Pack often matter more than organic rankingsLocal SEO relies heavily on trust signals (reviews, name-address-phone consistency, location data)Traditional SEO leans more on authority signals (backlinks, content depth)What Actually Matters for Local SEOReviews—the biggest local ranking driverAccurate listings (especially high-impact ones like Google, Yelp, Bing)Customer engagement signalsBuilding trust through consistent informationJosh emphasizes that directory listings aren’t about gaming Google—they’re about confirming your legitimacy.Cutting Through the Noise: AI, Voice Search & “Gaming the System”We tackle the recent buzz (and myths) about AI influencing search:AI “Hacks” & GimmicksJosh calls out trends like having “AI parties” in ChatGPT to influence rankings—explaining why tactics like these don’t create real, lasting visibility.AI Search Is Still SearchAI tools still rely heavily on Google’s resultsIf you show up in Google, you’ll show up in AI responsesThe fundamentals haven’t changed: content + trust + authority still winVoice Search Déjà VuJosh compares today’s AI panic to the voice-search hype a decade ago—reminding us the sky didn’t fall, and SEO fundamentals remained the same.The Rise of No-Click Searches & What It Means for BusinessesLocal businesses are seeing:More direct calls from Google Business ProfilesFewer website visitsGreater reliance on reviews and verified infoJosh explains why this is good news, especially for service-based businesses where customers want immediate answers—not long website visits.Preparing for What’s NextJosh’s advice for staying ahead is refreshingly simple:Stick to fundamentals: content, relevance, authority, and trustOptimize your Google Business Profile: reviews, photos, accuracyBuild momentum: keep improving in one direction instead of chasing every new trendAvoid shortcuts: they cost more time than they saveAs he puts it: “You don't get time back while you’re searching for shortcuts.”Josh’s Biggest Marketing LessonDon’t undervalue time. Momentum beats shortcuts—every time. Today’s effort compounds, and you can’t go back and capture opportunities you put off.Key Takeaways for MarketersLocal SEO is still the least disrupted by AIReviews are the strongest trust and ranking signalGoogle Business Profile often drives 65–75% of local leadsAI won’t replace the fundamentals of search anytime soonCustomer-centric SEO will always beat hacks and shortcutsWhether you're a small busines Looking to leverage AI? Want better results? Want to think about what you want to leverage?Check and see how I am using it for FREE on YouTube. From "Holy cow, it can do that?" to "Wait, how does this work again?" – I've got all your AI curiosities covered. It's the perfect after-podcast snack for your tech-hungry brain. Watch here