Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

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