Last Week in Local: Local Search, SEO & Marketing Update from LocalU

Tip of the Week

• How to Create Unique and Helpful Service Area Pages for Local Businesses - Elizabeth Rule - Sterling Sky Inc - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/how-to-create-unique-and-helpful-service-area-pages-for-local-businesses/

Erin’s Links

• Google Business Profile Services Displays Incorrect Pricing (Sometimes Free)
  •  - Barry Schwartz via Sukh & Carrie @ Sterling Sky - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profile-services-incorrect-pricing-35080.html
• Microsoft Bing has added Bing Chat answers in the Bing Search results in place of some of the answer boxes. - https://searchengineland.com/bing-adds-bing-chat-answers-to-search-results-394524
  • We are now seeing Bing Chat answers in the Bing Search results, in place of Bing Search Answers - Barry
• This Day in Search Marketing History - Danny Goodwin - https://searchengineland.com/search-marketing-history-march-18-2-394506
• For $12-$15 a month you can get a blue check on Facebook and Instagram - Nicole Farley - https://searchengineland.com/meta-rolls-out-paid-verification-394469

Carrie’s Links

• Google’s Generative AI Prohibited Use Policy via Marie Haynes & Lily Ray - https://policies.google.com/terms/generative-ai/use-policy
• Uberall Webinar - 2023 Local Search Ranking Factors: What Matters Most - with Krystal Taing, Elizabeth Rule, Darren Shaw & Matt Lacuesta - https://get.uberall.com/local-search-ranking-factors-us/
• Join Claire Carlile for a Local Search Clinic with Elizabeth Rule - Bright - https://www.brightlocal.com/webinars/local-search-clinic-elizabeth-rule/
• Local LocalU Tickets for Dallas - LocalU.org/dfw-23 - Save $50 with promo code “SAVE50”.  See Erin’s session on Location, Location, Location - Sterling Sky Case Studies on Location pages for Real Estate websites

Tip of the Week

• Be sure to pay attention to Chris’ segment on updating favicons, site names, etc so your mobile visibility doesnt suffer: Google rolled out new site names, favicon and sponsored label on desktop search - SearchEngineLand - https://searchengineland.com/google-rolled-out-new-site-names-favicon-and-sponsored-label-on-desktop-search-394084

Chris’ Links

TikTok enters the search ad market, challenging Google and Microsoft - https://searchengineland.com/tiktok-enters-the-search-ad-market-challenging-google-and-microsoft-394121

Elementor WordPress Contact Form Plugin Vulnerability Exposes Up To 200,000 Sites - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/metform-elementor-contact-form-builder-vulnerability/481713/

Yoast SEO Founder: WordPress Admin Interface Is "Simply Bad" - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/wordpress-admin-ui-is-bad/477612/

Carrie’s Links

Using Bing AI Sydney to collect resources for local linkbuilding - via @ndyjsimpson on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ndyjsimpson/status/1633823012523851777

Google Explore Adding Local Results to SERPS - spotted viaKhushal Bherwani & Glen Gabe & reported on SERoundtable - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-explore-in-search-adds-local-listings-35006.html

Why Have My Google Business Profile Views Dropped - Krystal Taing - https://uberall.com/en-us/resources/blog/why-have-my-google-business-profile-views-dropped

Leadferno Releases “Call Request” feature - via Aaron Weiche - https://leadferno.com/blog/call-request-helps-connect-your-business-with-leads

Restaurant Local Results let Users recommend dishes - via Barry Schwartz - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-local-reviews-recommend-dishes-35019.html

Tip of the Week

• Mike Blumenthal’s Twitter Thread on a Step-by-Step Guide to Fighting Fake Google Review Attacks
  https://www.nearmedia.co/how-to-fight-a-fake-google-review-attack/

Mike’s Links

• Step-by-Step Guide to Fighting Fake Google Review Attacks
  https://www.nearmedia.co/how-to-fight-a-fake-google-review-attack/
• Mike Blumenthal on Twitter: Summary of Guide to Fighting Fake reviews
  https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1631390248667062281
• How WIRED Will Use Generative AI Tools
  https://www.wired.com/story/how-wired-will-use-generative-ai-tools/
• Jennifer Slegg on Twitter: Finding ChatGPT generated content
  https://twitter.com/jenstar/status/1631588701783609345
• DOJ pushes ahead with Google Maps antitrust probe
  https://www.politico.com/news/2023/02/22/doj-google-maps-antitrust-probe-00084058
• Walmart’s store-fulfilled delivery sales nearly triple in two years
  https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/walmarts-store-fulfilled-delivery-sales-nearly-triple-earnings/643449/
• Google Updates Reviews Guidelines For Personal Information & Fake Engagement
  https://www.seroundtable.com/google-review-guidelines-personal-information-fake-engagement-35002.html
• [Guide] Managing Google Business Profile Department Listings
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/managing-department-listings/
• Shelfies: Why and Where Local Businesses Should Publish Them
  https://moz.com/blog/local-business-shelfies
• Colan Nielsen on Twitter - Manually entered GPB products now showing in commerce
  https://twitter.com/colannielsen/status/1630693267049160707?s=12&t=2ak9CvvmlgYdQ6DTyA8BdA
• David Mihm on Twitter Yelps’s use of all BOLD business names
  https://twitter.com/davidmihm/status/1630328470705414144?s=12&t=AuTk8xVgh9yoXRw52Thvqw

Carrie’s Links

• Attend LocalU Advanced in Dallas - April 26, 2023 - Tickets just $649
  https://localu.org/dfw-23
• Google asks for business link to BBB in assistive help flow as you sign up a new location/business
  https://twitter.com/TheSocialDude/status/1632529749246644225?s=20
• New Featured Snippet - bigger text, blue highlighting what is important
  https://twitter.com/Marie_Haynes/status/16

Tip of the Week

• When Can Service-Based Businesses Have Multiple Google My Business Listings? Joy Hawkins - Sterling Sky
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/multiple-google-my-business-listings/

Mike’s Links

• Does adding a list of offered amenities to store location pages improve SEO? - SearchPilot
  https://www.searchpilot.com/resources/case-studies/adding-amenities-to-store-location-pages/
• How to Identify Authentic Calls or Texts from Google for Your Business H/T Claudia Tomina
  https://reputationarm.com/how-to-identify-authentic-calls-or-texts-from-google-for-your-business/
• Help protect against fraudulent calls - Google Business Profile Help
  https://support.google.com/business/answer/6212928
• Impact of Google easing review filter to placate Local Guides
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qElvb0xo7xQ

Carrie’s Links

• Attend LocalU Advanced in Dallas - April 26, 2023
  https://localu.org/dfw-23
• Google Search Console adds daily bulk data exports to BigQuery - Barry Schwartz via Search Engine Land
  https://searchengineland.com/google-search-console-adds-daily-bulk-data-exports-to-bigquery-393380
• A new set of Double Justifications comes to Google Local Finder - Amy Toman via Twitter
  https://twitter.com/BubblesUp/status/1628838278676770822
• Unlocking the Power of Google Tabs to Determine Keyword Intent Colan Nielsen via Sterling Sky 
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/unlocking-the-power-of-google-tabs-to-determine-keyword-intent/
• Google: Embedding Local Reviews Collected By Third Parties Does Not Help With Web Search Rankings - Barry Schwartz via Search Engine Land 
  https://www.seroundtable.com/google-embedding-local-reviews-seo-34945.html
• Live webinar: What you need to know about GA4 - Crystal Carter, Krista Seiden, Mordy Oberstein
  https://www.wix.com/seo/learn/resource/webinar-what-you-need-to-know-about-ga4
• Gary illyes at Pubcon - Google’s Principles on AI via Jenifer Slegg at Pubcon Austin this AM
  https://twitter.com/jenstar/status/1630218140373196802/photo/1

Tip of the Week

• Do Services in Google Business Profiles Impact Ranking? - Joy Hawkins - Sterling Sky 
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/services-in-google-business-profile-impact-ranking/

Mike’s Links

• Mutiny on the Bountiful? Proposed settlement challenges review hijacking
  https://www.ftc.gov/business-guidance/blog/2023/02/mutiny-bountiful-proposed-settlement-challenges-review-hijacking
• Why Amazon Will Still 'Go Big' on Grocery
  https://progressivegrocer.com/why-amazon-will-still-go-big-grocery 
• matt newberg: True Cost of last mile delvery on Twitter
  https://twitter.com/thenewb/status/1625296362664497152?s=12&t=huTkM_Bc8CgIcZ1FOHzjSQ
• My class required AI. Here's what I've learned so far.
  https://oneusefulthing.substack.com/p/my-class-required-ai-heres-what-ive
• Matt Casady: New job selection tool in LSA  on Twitter
  https://twitter.com/mattcasady/status/1625284544135049217?s=12&t=huTkM_Bc8CgIcZ1FOHzjSQ
• Darren Shaw: The better way to do Google Posts on Twitter
  https://twitter.com/darrenshaw_/status/1625919372324913152?s=12&t=q2KVN6zBHmAAGo0uhlxu5Q
• SEO Link Best Practices for Google | Google Search Central  |  Documentation  |  Google Developers
  https://developers.google.com/search/docs/crawling-indexing/links-crawlable
• Google Business Profile Profile Strength Widget Now Live & Many Local SEOs Not Happy
  https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profile-profile-strength-status-34928.html
• Mike Blumenthal: New Local 4 (2x2) pack on Twitter
  https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1626917763468910592?s=12&t=2_UEw207PX15OOjSbdGNPw

Carrie’s Links

• Joy Hawkins on The Unscripted SEO Interview series with Mark Preston
  https://www.markapreston.com/joy-hawkins
• Are You Being Excluded From Local Results - Colan Nielsen via LocalSearchForum
  https://twitter.com/SterlingSkyInc/status/1625571948964245505
• Webinar Ondemand: The Need For Leads With Aaron Weiche  - LocalU.org
  https://localu.org/webinar-ondemand-the-need-for-leads-with-aaron-weiche/
• Spam on Google Maps continues to be out of control and can cost legitimate businesses everything - Via Twitter Th

Tip of the Week

• Overlooked and Underrated Tactics for Local SEO Success - BrightLocal https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/overlooked-and-underrated-tactics/
  (photos, reviews, traditional SEO factors, category changes, Q&A, etc.
  • Thanks to @JoyanneHawkins @BubblesUp @clairecarlile @ColanNielsen @GregGifford @imcrystalhorton @Plotboilers (amongst others) for sharing!
• And if you still have a little time - register for this: 
  • Aaron Weiche Webinar – February 15, 2023, at 12 ET – The Need for Leads
    https://bit.ly/3HbqmuE

Mike’s Links

• TikTok is driving an offline lift in sales for some brands
  https://www.modernretail.co/marketing/tiktok-is-driving-an-offline-lift-in-sales-for-some-brands/
• Bright lights and snazzy mannequins: Walmart rolls out sleek new store designs
  https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/28/walmart-new-sleek-store-designs.html
• Ep 100: How digital agencies can use AI: a conversation with Joy Hawkins & Kevin Indig
  https://www.nearmedia.co/ep-100/
• Google Search's guidance about AI-generated content  |  Google Search Central Blog  |  Google Developers
  https://developers.google.com/search/blog/2023/02/google-search-and-ai-content
• The Role of AI Content in SEO
  https://www.amsivedigital.com/insights/seo/the-role-of-ai-content-in-seo/
• Google Local Review Filters Removed Many Legit Reviews, Google Restoring Reviews
  https://www.seroundtable.com/google-local-review-filters-removed-34842.html
• An update on how we moderate Google Maps reviews
  https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Highlights/An-update-on-how-we-moderate-Google-Maps-reviews/ba-p/3558439
• Breaking News: Any Vehicle Dealer Can Now List Inventory On GBP
  https://searchlabdigital.com/blog/breaking-news-any-vehicle-dealer-can-now-list-inventory-on-gbp/

Carrie’s Links

• Book Now Lead Capture Now Available for Lawyer LSAs - Local University
  https://localu.org/book-now-lawyer-lsa/ 
• Google Paris Event - Meh - ​​Google is still drip-feeding AI into search, Maps, and Translate - The Verge
  https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/8

Tip of the Week - The Importance of Optimizing for Cost Keywords [Case Study] - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/cost-keywords/ 

TL;DR:

• Google LOVES numbers so including them on your site increases your chances of ranking higher.
• Optimizing for cost keywords increases rankings, increases traffic, and brings in conversions.
• Your competitors are likely already doing this and reaping the benefits, so you should too!

Chris’ Links

• Happy 15th birthday to Google Maps, the company's second most important product  (3 yr old article)
  • https://searchengineland.com/happy-15th-birthday-to-google-maps-the-companys-second-most-important-product-328744
• Google is holding an event about search and AI on February 8th - The Verge
  • https://www.theverge.com/2023/2/2/23583701/google-search-ai-event-february-maps 
• How to Block ChatGPT From Using Your Website Content - Roger Monti via SearchEngineJournal.com
  • https://www.searchenginejournal.com/how-to-block-chatgpt-from-using-your-website-content/478384/
• Advanced image SEO: A secret manual - Chris Silver Smith - SearchEngineLand.com 
  • https://searchengineland.com/advanced-image-seo-secret-manual-392632

Carrie’s Links

• Yahoo is making a return to search - SterlingSky.ca 
  • https://searchengineland.com/yahoo-is-making-a-return-to-search-392341 
• What Could AI for Local Search Look Like? - LocalSEO Guide
  • https://www.localseoguide.com/what-could-ai-for-local-search-look-like/
• Moving company tried to block negative reviews with '$2,500 per day' threat: prosecutors | Fox Business 
  • https://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/moving-company-tried-to-block-negative-reviews-with-2500-per-day-threat-prosecutors
• BrightLocal: Live Google Business Profile Audit with Colan Nielsen - Watch on: February 14, 2023 at 9:00 am PT / 12:00 pm ET / 5:00 pm GMT
  • https://www.brightlocal.com/webinars/live-gbp-audit-colan-nielsen/ 
• Aaron Weiche Webinar - Feb 15 at 12 ET - The Need for Leads
  • Localu.org/leads
• LocalU - April 26 in Dallas
  • https://localu.org/upcoming-events/dfw-23/ 

Tip of the Week - HOW MULTI-LOCATION BRANDS CAN LEVERAGE APPLE BUSINESS CONNECT (FORMERLY APPLE MAPS CONNECT)

https://localu.org/apple-business-connect-multi-locations/ 

Joy’s Links

• Leaked Yandex Ranking Factors
  https://twitter.com/alex_buraks/status/1619370810959093760
• Apple Business Connect for Multi Location Businesses - Krystal Taing
  https://localu.org/apple-business-connect-multi-locations/
• Post Insights Being Deprecated - Local Search Forum
  https://localsearchforum.com/threads/is-anyone-not-seeing-google-posts-insights-data.59785/
• Adding Videos to Reviews - Sterling Sky
  https://www.youtube.com/shorts/oc-Ac1_KvAk

Erin’s Links

• Yandex Leak -Company’s source code leaked, 1922 search ranking factors included (Search Engine Land & SERoundtable have great posts up)
  https://searchengineland.com/yandex-search-ranking-factors-leak-392323
  https://www.seroundtable.com/yandex-search-ranking-factors-leaked-34817.html
• Review text still doesn’t help rankings -Joy Hawkins, Sterling Sky
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/does-the-text-of-a-google-review-affect-map-pack-rankings/
• Adding Videos to Reviews - Joy/LocalU
  https://localu.org/did-you-know-you-can-post-videos-in-google-reviews/
• Poll: Most SEOs Won't Recommend Using AI To Write Content - Barry Schwartz
  https://www.seroundtable.com/seo-poll-ai-writer-34774.html
  
  However…
• What is ChatGPT and Why SEOs Should Care - Greg Brockman 
  https://searchengineland.com/what-is-chatgpt-and-why-seos-should-care-392165#h-use-cases
• Joe Hall - Teaching ChatGPT 
  https://twitter.com/joehall/status/1619877217605136384
• Unconfirmed Google Product Reviews Update - Barry Schwartz, SERoundtable
  https://www.seroundtable.com/unconfirmed-google-product-reviews-update-on-january-26th-34820.html
• LocalU - April 26 in Dallas
  https://localu.org/upcoming-events/dfw-23/

Twitter handles:

@joehall
@joyannehawkins 
@rustybrick 
@GDB
@tomdemers
@krystal_taing
@sterlingskyinc

Tip of the Week - What’s the 1 thing we covered that you should read if your time is limited? 

 Are Service Area Pages Duplicate Content?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imj9k37grO8

Mike’s Links

• Amazon's drone delivery unit hit with layoffs just as 10-year-old project finally launches
  https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/20/amazon-drone-unit-hit-with-layoffs-as-long-awaited-program-launches.html
• Failings in Apple Business Connect Agency Model
  https://youtube.com/watch?v=BbzLtZc8txk&feature=share
  • From Carrie:
    • How Multi-Location Brands Can Leverage Apple Business Connect (Formerly Apple Maps Connect) - Krystal Taing, Uberall
      https://localu.org/apple-business-connect-multi-locations/
    • TL;DR - spammers have infiltrated ABC - how will they respond? (ABC already a hot mess) - via Joy Hawkins 
      https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1616530873125404677
• Google Cloud Introduces Shelf Inventory AI Tool for Retailers
  https://www.wsj.com/articles/google-cloud-introduces-shelf-inventory-ai-tool-for-retailers-11673549442
• Google now automatically suggests FAQ - Stefan Sombera Twitter
  https://twitter.com/stefansomborac/status/1615723718717710338?s=46&t=SBMsZOggquR8JXTzHXbzng
• Google Maps now details % of protected bike lanes in bike driving directions Max Schalow on LinkedIn
  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/maxschalow_bike-bondiexperience-infrastructure-activity-7021392755750785024-WsZ_/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop
• Why Does Google Require Re-verification of a Recently Verified Business Profile?
  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-business-profile-reverification/

Carrie’s Links

• Google's DeepMind says it'll launch a more grown-up ChatGPT rival soon | TechRadar
  https://www.techradar.com/news/googles-deepmind-promises-chatgpt-rival-soon-and-it-could-be-better-in-one-key-way
• DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis Urges Caution on AI | TIME
  https://time.com/6246119/demis-hassabis-deepmind-interview/
• Possible Bing search algorithm update on Wednesday, January 18th - Glenn Gabe via Twitter
  https://twitter.com/glenngabe/status/1616820625061847042
• Webinar: The Need for

 Last Week in Local is a look back at the interesting and important articles from the previous week. It covers critical industry trends, interesting local news and tactical insights for anyone interested in Local Search.

Tip of the Week - What’s the 1 thing we covered that you should read if your time is limited? 

Should You Invest in Apple Business Connect?
https://www.nearmedia.co/should-a-business-put-energy-into-apple-maps/

Mike’s Links

The new Apple Business Center features & implications
https://www.nearmedia.co/why-is-the-new-apple-business-center-so-important/

Introducing Apple Business Connect
https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2023/01/introducing-apple-business-connect/

Rising Stars of Local SEO 2023
https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/rising-stars-of-local-seo/

Your Multi-Location Local SEO Solution | GBP Software
https://gmbapi.com/

How To Make Local Service Pages More Helpful (And Less Mundane)
https://www.sterlingsky.ca/make-local-service-pages-helpful/

How to Repair and Improve Local Business Reputation via Google Star Ratings and Reviews
https://moz.com/blog/how-to-improve-google-business-reputation

Arbitrage in Google's Local Services Ads: What you need to knowCase study: Are indented search results on Google actually hurting your business?
https://searchengineland.com/google-local-services-ads-arbitrage-387645

New reserve with google Feature for Restaurants: Wait Times on Twitter
https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1614987010887880704

Carrie’s Links

How to write an optimized content brief Andy Chadwick - KeywordInsights.ai
https://www.keywordinsights.ai/blog/how-to-write-an-optimised-content-brief/

GBP Posts Insights are Deprecated
https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1614258505090834435

GBP Support is a Bot - I think - also Image Upload for Posts/Update is broken (is it fixed yet?) - Via Tim Capper on Twitter
https://twitter.com/GuideTwit/status/1613562041318490114

How do you get a places label on Google Maps? Joy Hawkins via YouTube
https://t.co/Oo8A1RpqyM

Join us for LocalU Dallas on April 26th, 2023
https://localu.org/dfw23