Great tool to bookmark from Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Roundtable https://www.seroundtable.com/google-volatility

Looks like the Core Update for May/June finished rolling out - are you seeing any impact?  We're still analyzing here.... but will have more to share soon.

Are you joining us for Ranking Academy Local SEarch Summit in the morning?  Excited for this lineup - a full day for just $99 is just a fraction of what consultation would cost with just one of these speakers..... https://www.rankingacademy.co.uk/local-search-summit-2026/

"Local SEO: The Expert's Guide" May episode premiered last week In this NEW episode, I sat down with SEO legend James Dooley as we talk about tactics that moved the needle for his local business websites. Watch now - or listen on your favorite podcast app https://youtu.be/O1PUA0g-pyE

"Local SEO: The Expert's Guide" premieres in 1 HOUR! Watch Together @ 10:30a ET: https://youtu.be/O1PUA0g-pyE In this NEW episode, I sit down with SEO legend James Dooley. So excited for the knowledge bombs that James Dropped! #LocalSEO #localSEOexpertsguide

"Local SEO: The Expert's Guide" premieres tomorrow! Watch Together @ 10:30a ET: https://youtu.be/O1PUA0g-pyE In this NEW EPISODE, I sit down with SEO legend James Dooley. So excited to share the knowledge bombs that James dropped! #LocalSEO #localSEOexpertsguide

We bust a lot of myths around here - our most recent video goes over 5 pretty prevalent tactics that just dont hold up under testing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn7MgbKWJZw

AI-powered local packs are one of the weirdest features I have seen Google test in a while. Not only are they ugly, but they push all the ads lower on the page. How is that better for Google?

There's still time to submit your question for my interview with Ross Simmonds for our podcast in July! Ask anything about SEO, Content, B2B Marketing & Distribution  https://localu.org/podcast-question-form/

SEOs and their AI garbage are ruining Reddit. I genuinely don't know how people think buying comments recommending themselves is any different than buying fake reviews.

ICYMI Last week!  You can watch our webinar on demand: Hear Elizabeth and I talk about suspensions, how to avoid, or how to fix your GBP after it happens! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jz2O0NIuD0

Get in on this!  FREE Ranking Academy Local Search Summit Ticket Offer Ends Later today!  Time is ticking - so save your spot right now! Tickets 👉 https://www.rankingacademy.co.uk/local-search-summit-2026/

There's still time to submit your question for my interview with Ross Simmonds for our podcast in July! Ask anything about SEO, Content, B2B Marketing & Distribution  https://localu.org/podcast-question-form/

Starting in 5 minutes! Join Elizabeth and I over on YouTube for a Live webinar all about suspension! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Jz2O0NIuD0

Register for our free webinar on Wednesday Elizabeth and I are going to be talking about suspensions Have a tricky case? Join us and submit your site for an audit! https://localu.org/live-audit-webinar-gbp-ranking-may-2026/

There are still some 🆓 tickets left! We're sponsoring 100 tickets to the Ranking Academy Local Search Summit Use promo code "STERLINGSKY100" to get 100% off - but it's limited so don't wait Register: https://www.rankingacademy.co.uk/local-search-summit-2026/

The amount of SERPs where I have seen Google quoting Yelp lately is insane. It's all over AI local packs, AI Mode, and AI Overviews.

FREE Podcasts & Webinars every month! Register for reminders (webinars), or grab a calendar invite (podcast) https://localu.org/free-webinars/ https://localu.org/podcast-listen/

Join Elizabeth Rule and I on May 13, 2026 at 2:00 PM ET! Google Suspended This Profile: Their Calls Stopped Overnight (Live Audit) Register for a reminder: https://localu.org/live-audit-webinar-gbp-ranking-may-2026/

What makes grid tracking great is how easy it is to explain to business owners. This is how it looks when you're tracking AI local packs. If Google switches this to be the default, I'm not sure ranking grids are going to be overly useful anymore.

Really excited to bring LocalU back to the DFW area Join us for a full day event in Grapevine on October 20, 2026 8am to 5pm Tickets just $299 for the full day: https://localu.org/localu-dfw-2026/

Get in on our May LIVE webinar! Join Elizabeth and I on May 13th at 11pm ET for a free webinar:  Google Suspended This Profile: Their Calls Stopped Overnight (Live Audit) Register now for a reminder: https://localu.org/live-audit-webinar-gbp-suspensions-may-2026/

Do you have a pressing Google GBP/Local question for Brad Wetherall and Joel Headley? Now is your chance to ask it. I'll be interviewing them soon for our June podcast - and YOU can submit your question now to have it included https://localu.org/podcast-question-form/

Steaming now on YouTube! Our April podcast with Claudia Tomina - Join us right now and you can ask questions and chat along as we watch the podcast together! Join us! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1uDSUPsa78U

This is the largest AI local pack I have seen yet.

Did you miss our LIVE webinar on Wednesday?  You can watch it on demand now! We answered all your questions and did site audits with attendees showing them how to gain visibility in AI search. Questions? Just drop them in the comments on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCWwlBQQ1lo

Google: We ignore spammy links Also Google: Let's show you dozens of spammy links from 404'd domains in Google Search Console as your latest links. 😒

Don't forget to register for a reminder for our LIVE on Wednesday! https://localu.org/optimizing-website-seo-ai-search/ Elizabeth and I will be going over how you can gain more visibility in AI search - doing live reviews and audits. Need advice? Show up and submit your URL!

I'm seeing the "Ask Maps" AI feature in Canada now. I'm also seeing it on desktop.

First time seeing ads in AI mode on Google.

This speaker lineup is 🔥 Join us for a full day event - great speakers, great networking! Join Greg Gifford, Holly Starks, Ben Fisher, Brad Wetherall, Brandon Schmidt, Elizabeth Rule, and myself! October 20, 2026 8am to 5pm Tickets: https://localu.org/localu-dfw-2026/

Did you know?  Our podcast with Lily Ray published last week - and now is your chance to listen on your favorite podcasting platform (or watch on YouTube!).  Our next episode with Claudia Tomina publishes on April 22nd! Find links here: https;//localu.org/podcast-listen/

Starting NOW over at Reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/ Now is your chance to ask Cyrus Shepard anything about the evolution of SEO & your brand first strategy in 2026! April 8, 2026 at 1PM ET

I'm interviewing Joel Headley and Brad Wetherall - both former leaders within GMB/GBP - for our June podcast!  If you have a question you'd love some insight on from those who worked INSIDE Google - now's your chance to ask! https://localu.org/podcast-question-form/

AMA on Wednesday April 8 at 1pm ET with Cyrus Shepard over on the r/localsearch Reddit page! Ask Cyrus all about the evolution of search! https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/

Live Now! My podcast with Lily Ray published last week - and now is your chance to listen on your favorite podcasting platform (or watch on YouTube!) Find platform links here: https;//localu.org/podcast-listen/

How many of you have a KPI associated with "Trust" or "AI Visibility" Wil Reynolds does 👇

Ask Celeste Gonzales Anything right now over at Reddit in r/localsearch Learn more about Search Experience Optimization, Video, TikTok, GBP and the new Local Search Landscape! https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/

ICYMI last week - Google is testing review count filters in the Google Maps App - This means your review count in relation to your competition could become much more important. h/t to Tim Kahlert for this find

Celeste Gonzalez is hosting an AMA on Wednesday, April 1st over on our subreddit - r/localsearch She'll be answering all of your questions about Video, Search Experience Optimization, GBP & More! Starting at 1pm ET on 4/1/2026 https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/

I'm interviewing James Dooley for our May podcast - now is your chance to submit questions! Just complete the form and get you biggest SEO questions on the list https://localu.org/podcast-question-form/

Google is testing review count filters in the Google Maps App - This means your review count in relation to your competition could become much more important. h/t to Tim Kalert for this find

Shorter, information-heavy paragraphs are likely better for AI to interpret and rank. Mike King explains 👇

Live Now! My podcast with Lily Ray has published - and now is your chance to listen on your favorite podcasting platform (or watch on YouTube!) Find platform links here: https;//localu.org/podcast-listen/

We have been seeing AI overviews replacing local packs on mobile for several months. In the last few weeks, I've heard multiple reports of people seeing these on desktop now as well.

Tools like Gemini and ChatGPT can actually WATCH video and determine if it is relevant to a question, or interpret it for you.  Mike King explains below. This is from our January webinar - did you miss it? Watch OnDemand: https://localu.org/watch-january-webinar-mike-king/

Struggling with video verification? Bookmark this infographic - 9 Easy Steps to Avoid Video Verification Failure Great tips from Brad Wetherall included! Read More: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-business-profile-video-verification/

Next Week!  My podcast with Lily Ray goes live on March 25th!  Calendar reminder & listen/watch options: https://localu.org/podcast-listen/

My interview with Roberto Serra was published this week!  We discussed links, GBP, AI, call buttons in SERPs, and more! Check it out here:https://www.roberto-serra.com/news/intervista-seo-joy-hawkins-marzo-2026/

Is your site ready for AI Search? 🤖 Elizabeth and I are doing a live audit on April 9th to show what LLMs actually "see" on your page. Join us: https://localu.org/optimizing-website-seo-ai-search/