In my latest for @searchengineland.bsky.social , I explain why Interpretation > Rankings: Stop chasing rankings. Solve for Google’s need for certainty. searchengineland.com/local-seo-go...

I’m hosting an AMA right now on r/LocalSearch about Google’s recent review posting blocks and mass deletions. If you’ve seen reviews disappear, posting turned off, or unexplained enforcement then this is for you. Data, patterns, and what we’re actually seeing. www.reddit.com/r/localsearc...

Testing videos with Gemini. @clairecarlile.bsky.social @krystaltaing.bsky.social @elizabethrule.bsky.social @crystalhorton.bsky.social are all jumping for joy at PES 2025 😆

Me: “Down with Schema” 👎👎 Mike: “Well…” Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.

AI is becoming the new guest concierge! Google is no longer the only gatekeeper. ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are shaping discovery with signals that go far beyond rankings in Maps or organic search. AI is becoming the new guest concierge! www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-loca...

Real estate agents need to focus on something unique to show up in Google's local pack. It doesn't matter nearly as much for restaurants, hair salons, plumbers, and countless other small businesses. I "unpack" that in today's Marketing Unlocked VIP, with thanks to @claudiatomina.bsky.social. 🙌

5 Secrets Google Won’t Tell You About Local SEO youtube.com/clip/UgkxhqA... via @YouTube @JoyanneHawkins and @ColanNielsen share how I get 3rd party booking links removed when customer service can't!

New Updates on Google The “About” section on mobile now highlights visitor-confirmed attributes—with public-facing percentages. You’ll now see: • Confirmed by 94% of 17 visitors • Confirmed by business owner Branded searches have tons of new updates! Google keeps rolling them out.

After sharing tips on Google Event Posts recently, I realized how often this issue comes up, so I put everything into one place. My latest article on @searchengineland.bsky.social breaks down why your Google Event Post might not be showing and how to fix it. searchengineland.com/why-your-goo...

If you're not asking for reviews, you're basically invisible in AI search results. @claudiatomina.bsky.social recently shared great research on how reviews now play a big role in AI-powered search. #localseo #seo (1/7)

The Complete Guide to Google Business Profile Video Verification 🎥 If you manage GBP listings, bookmark this. It’s the guide you’ll want to reference again. Read it here: reputationarm.com/the-complete...

Noticed a new addition on the Knowledge Panel: “Get There.”

👀 Google rolled out a new branded search layout for restaurants (mobile app only for now), and it's packed with AI-driven features. 📸 “Preview this place” carousel: 📝 “What’s new” shows Google Posts 📱 “Updates” pulls in social content 🎥 Short-form video carousel 💡 “Learn something specific”

Google expands the more detailed, survey style, review questions in Google Maps with more questions (it's been around for 4 or so years but more questions added) www.seroundtable.com/google-expan... via @claudiatomina.bsky.social

Google just added new review attributes—could they influence Ask Maps questions? Now users can share: • Wait times • Noise level • Group size suitability • Seating options More options mean more data feeding into preset Ask Maps questions.

Join @gsterling.bsky.social ky.social @davidmihm.bsky.social mihm.bsky.social + PE's @claudiatomina.bsky.social @vinaytoshniwal.bsky.social for a great session on the ins & outs of GBP support /2

Google Maps is now answering questions for you… "Ask Maps" is AI-generated business Q&A based on your profile, reviews, and whatever else Google scrapes up. If your info isn’t up to date, AI fills in the blanks—badly. www.linkedin.com/posts/claudi...

Looks like The "Chat" option to set up Text Message or WhatsApp is now available for businesses to configure globally. These show up on mobile search but do not show up in the Maps app (yet) unless you're in Brazil.

If you are interested in learning about running offers on Google maps and You tube Shorts for your local business check out my latest blog at @searchengineland.bsky.social. Just Search Google Search Trends Every Restaurant Needs to Know in 2025 search engine land

If you are interested in learning about running offers on Google maps and You tube Shorts for your local business check out my latest blog at @searchengineland.bsky.social. Just Search Google Search Trends Every Restaurant Needs to Know in 2025 search engine land

Google’s New AI-Driven Lists in Detroit Google Maps is testing AI-powered Lists, curating trending restaurants & local favorites. Greater Detroit Gems Greater Detroit: Top List Greater Detroit: Trending

Another common sense update made to the menu / service url inside GBPs.

You can now bulk manage special hours across numerous Google Business Profiles www.seroundtable.com/bulk-manage-... via @claudiatomina.bsky.social #googlebusinessprofiles #googlelocal #google

Google Business Profile just made managing menus easier with a few simple, but effective, updates: 1️⃣ Drag-and-Drop Reordering 2️⃣ Move Items Between Sections 3️⃣ Batch Price Editing Not flashy, but these updates save time and reduce headaches. @rustybrick.com

Search "seo experts predictions 2025 brightlocal" to catch the entire article!

🚨 New GBP Feature Alert: Easily manage special hours across multiple locations with Google’s latest feature! To learn more about how it works, including important tips and limitations, check out my full LinkedIn post. @rustybrick.com

I’m so excited about my new @googlesearch.bsky.social swag!

Loved reading these expert predictions for local marketing in 2025 from @brightlocal.com Let’s see which ones come true this year!

Just back from the @Google Restaurant Influencer event in NYC. The conversations were sharp, solutions-focused, and aimed at driving real impact for small business owners. I’ll be sharing insights soon, including strategies for using GBP and YouTube ShortsStay tuned. #GoogleRestaurantSummit

Google’s updated process is making it harder for businesses to get verified if they fail the first few attempts. 📹 Video Verification-fail it, and you’re stuck in a slow loop of document submissions and live video calls. 🚩 Biggest issue? Signage. No signage = no pass @rustybrick.com #localseo

If you are wondering how to manage your photos on Google Maps. Click on the the cover photo and from there you will see the Manage your photos button. For some reason it was removed from edit area.

Proud to be part of this discussion and contribute to the ongoing conversation about local SEO strategies and best practices. If you’re managing Google Business Profiles or working in local SEO, this is a must-read! Check it out!

Huge news for Whitespark! For years, @miriamellis.bsky.social has been publishing her quarterly roundup on Moz, but it is now being published on Whitespark! Her Q4 2024 Local Search Roundup is live, featuring 19 must-know local search developments. whitespark.ca/blog/19-loca...

Google Business Profile update: Restaurants can now "add to menu" by uploading additional menus as PDFs without replacing the current one. A simple, effective way to manage main, catering or drink menus. 🌮🍪 #GoogleBusinessProfile #RestaurantMarketing #googlemaps @rustybrick.com

AI review overviews are now showing up in the maps carrousel often times highlighting menu items or attributes like vegan or outdoor seating.

2024 top contributors to @seroundtable.bsky.social www.seroundtable.com/2024-top-con... thank you @glenngabe.bsky.social @searchliaison.bsky.social @johnmu.com @lilyray.nyc @serpalert.bsky.social @googlesearch.bsky.social @brodieclark.bsky.social @facan.bsky.social and thousands more

Google is starting to prioritise video as the number one spot in a carousel on Google Maps. This is further cementing Google's push for more rich video content on Google maps and videos profile I've seen this a couple of times and expect more in 2025

Weird Google Business Profiles display bug in Google Maps displays half of the business details, with a flickering screen www.seroundtable.com/google-maps-... via @GuideTwit @claudiatomina.bsky.social @keyserholiday.bsky.social and others #googlemaps #googlebusinessprofiles #googlelocal #google

Two reviews—one 5-star 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 and one 1-star ⭕⭕⭕⭕—were recently removed from two different Google Business Profiles. The common factor? Both contained no text, only emojis. Google’s review algorithm flags emojis, surprisingly they lack substance. regardless of whether it’s positive or negative. 😂😜😍🤩

Google posts are showing up in the overview tab with photos and videos on maps!! I really hope this sticks. Photos, videos, reviews and now posts! 💥

I think I just found my new sales pitch! This could happen to your business if you don’t have Reputation Arm monitor your GBP.

Google Maps now lets you search businesses by specific hours. Finally, planning Friday night dinners just got easier.

For the past 2 years the most common issue in the GBP forums has been suspensions We track the ups & downs over the past 1.5 yrs to understand the what, why & impact of Google shifting the burden of customer suspension costs to business owners, volunteers & public www.nearmedia.co/waves-of-gbp...

Google guide's have recognition for for their foodie expertise. One guide has 15 Italian restaurant reviews and another 6 steakhouse reviews. Google’s like, This person eats pasta for a hobby, trust their opinion on the carbonara. Google’s new review feature is basically creating mini influencers? 🤔

Restaurant reviews now have a summarized with AI. It doesn't appear that all reviews are summarized. The image shown has +329. I have also seen other restaurants with less review numbers. I would love to see a negative one if anyone runs across one.

Religious institutions and restaurants now have the option to add more and more hours!

Google Business Profiles food ordering performance metrics have gone away www.seroundtable.com/google-busin... via @claudiatomina.bsky.social #googlebusinessprofiles #restaurants #google #local