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

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.

Mike’s Links

Amazon begins drone deliveries in California and Texas -https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/amazon-begins-drone-deliveries-in-california-and-texas/
Grubhub used every trick in the book to manipulate customers in DC and is paying - https://apple.news/A-Bq_tBJgR0q7ggQkMuTEjw
Her Child’s Naked Dance Killed Her Google Account. New Appeals Path Restored It. - https://dnyuz.com/2022/12/30/her-childs-naked-dance-killed-her-google-account-new-appeals-path-restored-it/
AG Ferguson files lawsuit against Seattle-based plastic surgery clinic for bribing, threatening patients to falsely inflate its online ratings | Washington State - https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-files-lawsuit-against-seattle-based-plastic-surgery-clinic-bribing
Using YouTube to Pull More Freight for Your Local SEO - https://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2022/12/30/using-youtube-to-pull-more-freight-for-your-local-seo/
ChatGPT for SEO: 20 Ways to Leverage ChatGPT in your SEO Activities - International SEO Consultant, Author & Speaker - https://www.aleydasolis.com/en/search-engine-optimization/chatgpt-for-seo/
Paraphrasing tool to rewrite AI content - https://quillbot.com/
Ep. 94: Barry Schwartz Talks All Things Google - UI, Algorithms and AI Spam - https://www.nearmedia.co/barry-schwartz-talks-all-things-google-ui-algorithms-and-ai-spam/


Carrie’s Links

Ongoing Report: Google Search Console Not Tracking All Local Pack Clicks - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-console-local-pack-clicks-34646.html
Marketing Tips For A Successful 2023 - Local University - https://localu.org/marketing-tips-successful-2023/
Local Search in 2023: Must-Know and Must-Do Tactics 1/12 1pm ET - Mike, Greg Sterling, Joy & Benu at Milestone - https://milestoneinternet.zoom.us/webinar/register/3016717255376/WN_sdYrEtxyRZyFVdjwD6Koag
Is This Google's Helpful Content Algorithm? - Roger Montti - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/helpful-content-algorithm/475381/


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

What is the Effect of Leaving Photos with Google Reviews - Joy Hawkins - Sterling Sky

▬ Contents of this podcast ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
0:00 - Intro
0:27 - Show Start
0:51 - Tip of The Week: Image Rejection
3:24 - Research Yelp Business New vs Old Listings
5:32 - Google Content Research
8:00 - AI News: Neva Chatgpt
12:01 - Andrew Shotland: uses for Chatgpt
12:59 - Chatgpt: Idea Enhancement
14:56 - Carrie: Uses for Chatgpt article
16:51 - Carrie’s conversation with AI
17:49 - Google Maps: Business Double Images
19:11 - Joy Hawkins: insight square map
20:13 - Macy’s Store Closings: Impact brick and mortar
22:20 - Joy Hawkins Video: GBP forum help how to
25:05 - Dental Vertical available for service ads - Matt Cassady
27:07 - Localu Dallas Tickets on sale
27:39 - Informal Survey: GA4 Install

Mike’s Links

• Amazon begins drone deliveries in California and Texas -https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/amazon-begins-drone-deliveries-in-california-and-texas/
• Grubhub used every trick in the book to manipulate customers in DC and is paying - https://apple.news/A-Bq_tBJgR0q7ggQkMuTEjw
• Her Child’s Naked Dance Killed Her Google Account. New Appeals Path Restored It. - https://dnyuz.com/2022/12/30/her-childs-naked-dance-killed-her-google-account-new-appeals-path-restored-it/
• AG Ferguson files lawsuit against Seattle-based plastic surgery clinic for bribing, threatening patients to falsely inflate its online ratings | Washington State - https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/ag-ferguson-files-lawsuit-against-seattle-based-plastic-surgery-clinic-bribing
• Using YouTube to Pull More Freight for Your Local SEO - https://www.localvisibilitysystem.com/2022/12/30/using-youtube-to-pull-more-freight-for-your-local-seo/
• ChatGPT for SEO: 20 Ways to Leverage ChatGPT in your SEO Activities - International SEO Consultant, Author & Speaker - https://www.aleydasolis.com/en/search-engine-optimization/chatgpt-for-seo/
• Paraphrasing tool to rewrite AI content - https://quillbot.com/
• Ep. 94: Barry Schwartz Talks All Things Google - UI, Algorithms and AI Spam - https://www.nearmedia.co/barry-schwartz-talks-all-things-google-ui-algorithms-and-ai-spam/

Carrie’s Links

• Ongoing Report: Google Search Console Not Tracking All Local Pack Clicks - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-console-local-pack-clicks-34646.html
• Marketing Tips For A Successful 2023 - Local University - https://localu.org/marketing-tips-successful-2023/
• Local Search in 2023: Must-Know and Must-Do Tactics 1/12 1pm ET - Mike, Greg Sterling, Joy & Benu at Milestone - https://milestoneinternet.zoom.us/webinar/register/3016717255376/WN_sdYrEtxyRZyFVdjwD6Koag
• Is This Google's Helpful Content Algorithm? - Roger Montti - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/helpful-content-algorithm/475381/
  
  
  

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

What is the Effect of Leaving Photos with Google Reviews - Joy Hawkins - Sterling Sky

Mike’s Links

• Amazon Fresh Stores Have Gone Stale
• Hackers Used Amazon Ring Cameras to Livestream 'Swatting' Attacks
• The Voice Assistant Battle! (2023)
• Google Search In Video
• Apple Maps vs Google Maps
• Marco Giordano - 3 Great SEO tools on Twitter
• Does Upvoting a Review on Google Keep It at the Top Longer?
• Does Click-trhough Rate all order of Google reviews
• Google's New Local Pack Full Design Now Live?

Carrie’s Links

• Spotted: Google Local (GBP) Links in Google Discover feed - Colan Nielsen via Twitter
• Everything you need to know about the GBP Agency Dashboard - VIDEO - Joy Hawkins, Sterling Sky
• Using ChatGPT to make your work life easier - Schema - Regex Commands - Meta Descriptions, Directory/Citation Descriptions, bios for websites, etc.
  
  
  

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

• Several Things Can Get You Filtered in GBP - Reminder: Where your address falls (inside/outside) city limits is one
• Joy Hawkins via LocalSearchForum.com  (another is proximity to another business in same category (~200ft or less)- also matters if keyword is implicit vs explicit

Mike’s Links

• Meta, Microsoft, AWS, and TomTom launch the Overture Maps Foundation to develop interoperable open map data - https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/15/meta-microsoft-aws-and-tomtom-launch-the-overture-maps-foundation-to-develop-interoperable-open-map-data/?utm_source=tldrnewsletter
• Google doubles up on E with updated search quality raters guidelines (E-E-A-T) - https://searchengineland.com/google-doubles-up-at-e-with-updated-search-quality-raters-guidelines-e-e-a-t-390343
• Visual Elements Gallery of Google Search | Google Search Central  |  Documentation  |  Google Developers - https://developers.google.com/search/docs/appearance/visual-elements-gallery
• Google Search Status Dashboard - https://status.search.google.com/
• Google releases December 2022 link spam update - https://searchengineland.com/google-releases-december-2022-link-spam-update-390336
• DataChazGPT - Using Chat.open.ai to generate schema (on Twitter) - https://twitter.com/datachaz/status/1604048166386548737
• 13 Age-based Local Business Review Preferences You Can Serve - https://moz.com/blog/age-based-local-business-review-preferences
• Darren Shaw- Whitespark Local competitor analysis on Twitter - https://twitter.com/DarrenShaw_/status/1603785162189598720
• Joey Abna - GPB Product listing insights coming on Twitter - https://twitter.com/joeyabna/status/1603460715796463618
• Google Adds “Add a Map to Your Website” Feature to Google Business Profiles - Local University - https://localu.org/google-adds-add-a-map-to-your-website-feature-to-google-business-profiles/
• Why You Should Add Videos to Your Google Business Profile - Local University - https://localu.org/videos-google-business-profile/

Carrie’s Links

• Last Week in Local is going live! Starting Jan 9, 2023 - https://twitter.com/localuniv/status/1603864149217251328
• Elizabeth Rule on Suds & Search with SearchLab’s Mark Bealin - https://searchlabdigital.com/blog/suds-search-142-elizabeth-rule/
  • using SEO and PPC strategies, effective content creation, and what to do if a competitor is spamming Google
• Seeing "Trending Searches" when searching on Google. Via Colan Nielsen of SS - https://twitter.com/ColanNielsen/status/1603743911327006721
  • Seems to be localized depending on your search location. 
• GA4 FINALLY has a landing page report - via Krista Seiden - https://twi

Mike’s Links

• MBlumenthal - Ne Review filter Cliff notes on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1601936203108225025
• Google's New Review Algo: What We Know - https://www.nearmedia.co/a-guide-to-googles-review-filter/
• Google’s cost-cutters come for Waze, will lose status as independent company - https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/12/googles-cost-cutters-come-for-waze-will-lose-status-as-independent-company/
• Alex Topically.io entity mapping tool on Twitter - https://twitter.com/nittolese/status/1599795782013620224
• Entity SEO tool for human beings - https://topically.io/
• Cyrus SEO - Sheets ML for finding underperforming pages on Twitter - https://twitter.com/CyrusShepard/status/1601303833518317569
• Location pages in Google's crosshairs after October spam update - https://searchengineland.com/location-pages-google-october-spam-update-390016?
• MBlumenthal Pleper Local SEO Extension on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1598651076412166149
• Highway Five - Using ChatGPT for rep mgt in Local on Twitter - https://twitter.com/HighWayFive/status/1600959847532756992?s=20

Carrie’s Links

• A Thread About Google's Local Review Filter - Mike Blumenthal - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1601936203108225025
• Another Helpful COntent Update - Started on 12/5 - still rolling out.  What does it meannnnnn???  - https://developers.google.com/search/updates/helpful-content-update
• How to Remove Negative Reviews on Google - Joy Hawkins - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/remove-negative-reviews-google/
• 3 Tips for the New Google Business Profile Manager Dashboard (Now Called New Merchant Experience) Joy Hawkins - https://localu.org/3-tips-for-the-new-google-business-profile-manager-dashboard-now-called-new-merchant-experience/
• Why Are My Google Reviews Not Publishing? - Joy Hawkins - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-reviews-not-publishing/
• Google Maps Displays "Offer Available" Under Business Profile Pins - Found by Joy Hawkins and Amy Toman - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-maps-offer-available-pin-34552.html
• LocalU Advanced Dallas - Tickets; https://localu.org/upcoming-events/dfw-23/  Sponsors: https://localu.org/sponsors/ 

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

Mike’s Links

• Move from Content Creation to Content Creativity In 2023 - Local University - https://localu.org/move-from-content-creation-to-content-creativity-in-2023/
• Survey Of 755 Link Builders Shows What Works In 2022 - https://www.authorityhacker.com/link-building-survey/
• Cyrus Sheard thread on Link Builder Survey on Twitter - https://twitter.com/cyrusshepard/status/1597669127728295936?s=12&t=D-tkb6_tCMfY7R-XfzNP0Q
• FTC, States Sue Google and iHeartMedia for Deceptive Ads Promoting the Pixel 4 Smartphone - https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2022/11/ftc-states-sue-google-iheartmedia-deceptive-ads-promoting-pixel-4-smartphone
• The Influence of Reviews on Conversion - https://streetfightmag.com/2022/12/02/influence-of-reviews-on-conversion/
• Mike Blumenthal on new Google Profile Image bug on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1598392086671360009
• Smart Move, Google - https://garrit.xyz/posts/2022-11-24-smart-move-google

Carrie’s Links

• Review & Service Attributes: Do they affect how long a review stays at the top of a listing? - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/review-service-attributes-do-they-affect-how-long-a-review-stays-at-the-top-of-a-listing/
• LocalU Dallas April 26 - tickets on Sale - https://localu.org/dfw-23   Lorenzo Hotel - Downtown Dallas
• Google Shows Download Your Google Business Profile Data When You Remove Your Listing - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-remove-local-profile-download-content-34500.html
• Google Business Profile Can Notate Previous Location  - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profile-previous-location-34479.html

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

ChatGPT - Understand the pros, cons and possible utilization of this very smart new tool in our arsenal. (https://chat.openai.com/chat)

Mike’s Links

• A Guide: Why Are My Reviews Missing on Google? - https://www.nearmedia.co/a-guide-why-are-my-google-reviews-missing/
• API endpoint update from Google - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/api-endpoint-update-from-google.59655/
• How to Get Zocdoc off Your Google Business Profile - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/how-to-get-zocdoc-off-your-google-business-profile/
• Google Maps Tests New Sidebar Navigation - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-maps-new-sidebar-navigation-34438.html
• Does the Length of a Google Review Matter? - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/length-google-review-matter/

Carrie’s Links

• Buy LocalU Event Videos - Local University - https://localu.org/buy-localu-event-videos/
• Brodie Clark on Twitter: "The past year was a big one for development of tools to help us do a better job at SEO. I tested out a ton of new SEO tools. Here's my top 10 (both free & paid) to use in 2023 - https://twitter.com/brodieseo/status/1597134729266204672
• Gary Llyes - 60% of the internet is duplicate -  Google Search Central Live in Singapore via Barry Schwartz - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-60-percent-of-the-internet-is-duplicate-34469.html
• First time seeing messaging after making edits to a GBP where Google tells you down to the minute how long until your edit is reviewed. - Colan Nielsen - https://twitter.com/ColanNielsen/status/1597244695096176641  

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

A Guide: Why Are My Reviews Missing on Google? - Mike Blumenthal - https://www.nearmedia.co/a-guide-why-are-my-google-reviews-missing/

Mike’s Links

• Ep 90: Google Review Bug Saga, Impact of Local Business Reviews, Google’s Misguided Store Finder - https://www.nearmedia.co/ep-90/
• Joy Hawkins on Twitter - https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1592574701179895809
• Google Search Console Goes Adds Shopping & Merchant Features - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-console-shopping-tab-34426.html
• Stefan Somborac on Twitter- Google Autogenerates Ads from Point Inventory - https://twitter.com/StefanSomborac/status/1594708876468813824
• Manage Local Inventory Ads through Pointy - Google Business Profile Help - https://support.google.com/business/answer/11423725
• Christina LeVasseur (Brodzky) - Hotel Attributes now show % of positive & Negative sentiment - https://twitter.com/cbrodzky/status/1593796024996630528
• Google now lets you search for restaurants by dish as Maps adds ‘fast charge’ EV station filter - https://9to5google.com/2022/11/17/google-search-nearby-dishes/
• Claire Carlile - NMX now allows for Image cropping in Posts - https://twitter.com/clairecarlile/status/1592462558157766657

Carrie’s Links

• Announcing: The Impact of Local Business Reviews on Consumer Behavior | SEO Industry Report - Moz & Miriam Ellis - https://moz.com/blog/announcing-local-business-reviews-impact-report
• Is Google Looking for Diversity in Reviews? [Case Study] - Joy Hawkins - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-reviews-diversity/
• LocalU Black Friday Sale - 25% off All OnDemand Videos back to March of 2020 - through 11/29 - https://localu.org/buy-localu-event-videos/
• Beware Of Fake Ownership Requests From Google Business Profiles - Ben Fisher - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/seeing-an-increase-in-owner-requests.59626/
• Google Business Profiles "Showing The World Cup" Attribute - Barry Schwartz - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profiles-attribute-showing-the-world-cup-34428.html
• Your Google Searches Are Quietly Evolving. Here’s What’s Next  - https://www.wired.com/story/google-search-shopping-ads-malware-trends/

Mike’s Links

• Google's Suggested GBP Updates Nuke Reviews - https://www.nearmedia.co/googles-suggested-gbp-updates-nuke-reviews/
• Author Rick Wartzman on how Walmart stopped being a ‘boogeyman’ - https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2022/11/10/author-rick-wartzman-on-how-walmart-stopped-being-a-boogeyman
• Amazon Losing Edge - Mike - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1591790967517941765
• Colorado gig drivers make an average of just $5.49 an hour, study finds - https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/nov/09/gig-drivers-colorado-wages-less-than-minimum-study?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
• Ahrefs 10 free keyword tools on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ahrefs/status/1590917250969583616
• Does Review Recency Matter for Google Rankings - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-review-recency-ranking/

Carrie’s Links

• LocalU on Demand Now Available - https://localu.org/nov2
• Q&A for GBP now included in NMX - pointed out by Miriam Ellis on Twitter - https://twitter.com/Miriam_Ellis_/status/1590042422201159680
• Roundup of GBP NMX changes - Jamie Pitman - https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/in-serp-business-profile-management-frustration/
• Recession is coming - Layoffs at Disney and Wells Fargo - https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/02/wells-fargo-mortgage-staff-brace-for-layoffs-as-us-loan-volumes-collapse.html

Mike’s Links:

• POPABLE AND WALMART JOIN FORCES TO HELP SMALL BUSINESS RETAILERS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AFTER THE PANDEMIC - https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/popable-and-walmart-join-forces-to-help-small-business-retailers-get-back-on-their-feet-after-the-pandemic-301662834.html
• Google is shutting down its dedicated Street View app next year - https://9to5google.com/2022/11/01/google-street-view-app-shutting-down/
• Semantic Photography: Low Hanging Fruit to Increase Google Local Conversions - https://www.nearmedia.co/semantic-photography-the-low-hanging-fruit-to-increase-google-local-conversions/
• Does the Number of Google Reviews Impact Ranking? [Case Study] - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/number-of-reviews-impact-ranking/

Carrie’s Links

• Reviews showing review location in Google – Darren Shaw – https://twitter.com/DarrenShaw_/status/1588964280665534464
• How to find reviews you haven’t responded to yet in the NMX  – Joy & Colan - https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1588518928002998272
• Tanking Local Rankings? How to Turn Them Around If They’ve Gone Down – Phils preso from LocalU - https://twitter.com/philrozek/status/1588274549057286145
• LocalU on demand coming this week - https://localu.org/buy-localu-event-videos/
• Level up your online presence with images that convert – Joy Hawkins & Mike Blumenthal - https://www.rioseo.com/events/local-photos-live-event/