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

This week, Mike and Carrie dive into Google's history of product name changes, video best practices, the debate between the value of pipes vs dashes in title tags, how to perform great SEO audits for multi-location businesses, what your reviews say about you, and more!

Mike’s Links:

• Same Product, New Name: A History of Google Local Profile Name Changes - https://www.nearmedia.co/a-history-of-google-business-profiles-name-changes/
• GMB to GBP Summary Analysis - https://www.nearmedia.co/gmb-to-gbp-return-of-gyms-nextdoor-finally-publicgmb-to-gbp-return-of-gyms-nextdoor-finally-public/
• Google My Business Rebrand - Is it a chance to fix GMB or an opportunity to nuke part of the stack? - https://www.nearmedia.co/ep-40/
• Google’s New Business Profile: When Search Becomes a Political Tool - https://www.nearmedia.co/does-the-gmb-rebranding-mean-more-or-less-than-google-say/
• Video Best Practices | Google Search Central  |  Google Developers - https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/guidelines/video
• Case Study: Should You Add Pipes or Dashes to Your Title Tag? - https://www.semrush.com/blog/case-study-should-you-add-pipes-or-dashes-to-your-title-ag-/
• Additional Product Shots in local pack results (on Twitter) - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1457691171078221834?s=12

Carries links:

• Leveraging Conversions with GMB Bookings/Reserve with Google - Allie Margeson - https://whitespark.ca/blog/gmb-bookings-reserve-with-google/
• How to Perform Local SEO Audits for Multi-location Businesses - Amanda Jordan - https://academy.brightlocal.com/course/how-to-perform-local-seo-audits-for-multi-location-businesses
• What Are Your Reviews Saying About You? An Analysis Of Over 500 Reviews [Case Study] - Becky Weller - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/reviews-say-about-you-gmb/
• LocalU Advanced Nov 30, 2021 - Scholarships available through Nov 9 at midnight! Tickets just $99 - https://localu.org/nov30

Join Carrie and Mike as they discuss what's new with Google My Business, Facebook becoming Meta, Google Shopping, visual search, and so much more!

Mike’s Links:

• The Meta articles that I have found most useful in one spot -  https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1454834854261051395
• The Local SEO Firehose: The State of Local Search in 2022/Google My Business - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAPOT_RucR0
• How to read & reply to messages from your Business Profile - iPhone & iPad - Google My Business Help - https://support.google.com/business/answer/9114771?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS
• Brian Freiesleben / Twitter: How Google Shopping is dominating SERPS - https://twitter.com/type_seo/status/1453824772391981060?s=12
• Google is now showing LinkedIn business description in the business profile - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1455185566383943682

Carries links:

• Google using Q&A to segment GMB sign-ups into actual GMB or Merchant Center  - Francastrokw - https://twitter.com/FrancastroKW/status/1453686769036169219
• Full-Size picture showing up on mobile SERP - Jeff in Cleveland - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/full-size-picture-showing-up-on-mobile-serp.58349
• Great convo on images on this week’s NearMemo Podcast/Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jfo9WK7ddG8
• The Top GMB Updates of 2021 - Webinar with Colan Nielsen, Sherry Bonelli and Stefan Somborac - https://twitter.com/rio_seo/status/1453724748219699202
• Local Marketing Podcast w/ Call Tracking Metrics & Joy Hawkins - The Good and Bad of GMB - Nov 4 at 11 am ET - https://calltrackingmetrics.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_M-EPg09sRuetSVpD3nEHHw
• 6 Reasons your Brand should care about visual search - Momentfeed Webinar with Joy Hawkins and Eoghan Geoghean Nov 9th - https://t.co/foO1s5x9qr?amp=1

Join Carrie and Mike as they talk about how ratings and reviews affect local SEO, what’s new at Amazon, review carousels in local finder results, Tesco’s first checkout-free store, and more!

Mike’s Links:

• Amazon Logistics now ships more US parcels than FedEx: Pitney Bowes - https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/amazon-logistics-volume-fedex-ups-postal-service-pitney-bowes/608409/
• Amazon launches in-store pickup option for items from local businesses - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/21/amazon-launches-in-store-pickup-option-for-items-from-local-businesses.html
• Amazon Goes BOPIS, ISP Secret Surveillance, Apple Bites Snap - https://www.nearmedia.co/amazon-goes-bopis-isp-surveillance-apple-bites-snap/
• FTC_staff_report on lack of mobile ISP privacy - https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/documents/reports/look-what-isps-know-about-you-examining-privacy-practices-six-major-internet-service-providers/p195402_isp_6b_staff_report.pdf
• Lindsey Gamble - Instagram testing search by photo feature - https://twitter.com/lindseygamble_/status/1451948325087948807?s=12
• How Many Leads Does Google My Business (GMB) Drive? - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/leads-google-my-business/
• Webinar: The Local SEO Firehose | The State of Local Search in 2022 - https://webinars.duda.co/the-state-of-local-search-2022

Carries links:

• A Tale of Two Panels: Knowledge Panels and Google My Business for Colleges & Universities - Brandon Schmidt - https://localu.org/knowlege-panels-gmb-colleges-universities/
• Tesco opens ‘GetGo’ their first checkout-free store, this one in High Holborn, central London.  - Steve Collinge - https://twitter.com/insightdiysteve/status/1450425782136836096?s=21
• How ratings and reviews impact local SEO - Ben Fisher - https://www.semrush.com/blog/local-seo-rankings/
• Google My Business Crowd Attributes For LGBTQ+ Friendly & Transgender Safespace Barry Schwartz - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-my-business-crowd-lgbtq-friendly-transgender-safespace-32287.html (via Claire, Andrew Bullimore, and Joy on Twitter)
• Review carousels popping up in the last few days in local finder results - Damian Rollison - https://twitter.com/damianrollison/status/1450955332503564299

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss what's new in the SERPs, including continuous scroll on mobile, getting images in mobile results, indented results, and LSA showing in the local finder and map pack. They also look at Amazon's major seasonal hiring surge,  fake reviews, franchisees' responsibility to their own social media, and more!

Mike’s Links

• Amazon Hiring 150,000 Seasonal Workers Amid Record US Job Shortage, Surging Wages - https://www.thestreet.com/.amp/markets/amazon-hiring-150000-seasonal-workers-amid-record-us-job-shortage
• Dollar General Workers Stare Down Historic Union Vote, Vowing "We're Gonna Fight" - https://inthesetimes.com/article/dollar-general-workers-store-connecticut-union-campaign
• FTC Puts Hundreds of Businesses on Notice about Fake Reviews and Other Misleading Endorsements - https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2021/10/ftc-puts-hundreds-businesses-notice-about-fake-reviews-other
• Mike’s Take: TC to 700+ Brands: Deceptive Endorsements Will Lead to Financial Pain - https://www.nearmedia.co/ftc-notice-of-penalty-offenses-tells-700-national-advertisers-that-deceptive-endorsements-can-lead-to-financial-penalties/
• MN toy store responds to 1-star review over mask requirement - https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-lifestyle/st-paul-toy-store-responds-to-1-star-review-that-complained-about-mask-requirement
• How to Get Images in Mobile Search Results - Sterling Sky Inc - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/images-mobile-serps/
• Mike Blumenthal on Twitter - https://twitter.com/mblumenthal/status/1449802079841751041
• Webinar: The Local SEO Firehose | The State of Local Search in 2022 - https://webinars.duda.co/the-state-of-local-search-2022?utm_source=influencer&utm_medium=anton&utm_campaign=local_webinar_oct_28

Carries links:

• Continuous scrolling comes to Search on mobile - Niru Anand, Google - https://blog.google/products/search/continuous-scrolling-mobile/
• Going Local: Why Franchisees Shouldn't Rely on Parent Brands' Social Media Marketing - Karen Spader via Entrepreneur.com - https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/387431
• Indented Results Roll Out at 40% of SERPs - Pete Myers - Moz.com - https://moz.com/blog/indented-serp-results
• Best practices for using third-party embeds - Leena Sohoni, Addy Osmani, Katie Hempenius - https://web.dev/embed-best-practices/
• LSA Showing up in the map pack & local finder - Ben Fisher - https://twitter.com/TheSocialDude/status/1445906604742701060

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss what's new in local search this week! Today's topics include new Google My Business features, our upcoming LocalU Advanced on November 30, how to improve your Local SEO skills, and more!

Carrie's Links:

• Can Service Area Pages With Duplicate or Similar Content Increase Traffic? Colan Nielsen - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/service-area-pages-duplicate-content/
• SEO Clinic: Real Ways to Improve Your Local SEO - Local SEO Contributors - via SEMRush - https://www.semrush.com/blog/real-ways-to-improve-your-local-seo/
• LocalU Advanced November 30, 2021 - Buy 2, Get 1 Free Sale - LocalU.org - https://localu.org/upcoming-events/nov30/#tickets
• Google Testing Local Pack As Five Pack - via Dave DiGregorio on Twitter - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-local-5-pack-32208.html
• New Google My Business Feature: "Add Time" Option for "Offer" Google Posts - Via the Local Search Forum - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/new-google-my-business-feature-add-time-option-for-offer-google-posts.58263/

Mike's Links:

• Cloudflare Is Taking a Shot at Email Security - https://www.wired.com/story/cloudflare-taking-a-shot-at-email-security/
• SEO Sheets - Zeo Agency - https://tools.zeo.org/sheets/
• How to Write Title Elements for Google Search | Google Search Central - https://developers.google.com/search/docs/advanced/appearance/title-link
• SEO Flowcharts To Support SEO Decision Making - https://www.aleydasolis.com/en/seo-flowcharts/
• Local Welcome, Auto Dealer Decline, Les Solopreneurs - https://www.nearmedia.co/welcome-local-search-auto-dealer-decline-smb-market-size-again/

Join Carrie and Zach as they discuss how to create the best local landing pages, what's new at GMB, YouTube Shorts, Google getting Instagram and TikTok videos indexed, a possible algorithm update, and what's new in the SERPs on this week's episode of Last Week in Local!

Zach’s Links:

• Mobile images on Desktop - Joy Hawkins via Twitter - https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1443976979804565506
• Indented SERPs More Visible - Joy Hawkins via Twitter - https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1443219733394898967
• YouTube Shorts: An Introductory Guide - Greg Jarboe via SearchEngineJournal.com - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/youtube-shorts-guide/382267/
• Google Working on Indexing Instagram & TikTok Videos - Matt Southern - Search Engine Journal - https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-working-on-indexing-instagram-tiktok-videos/421018/#close

Carries links:

• Best Local Landing Pages: A Blueprint - Carrie Hill - BrightLocal - https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/best-local-landing-pages/
• How to find a lost CID# to submit issues to GMB forum Thread shared by Colan Nielsen via LocalSearchForum.com - https://twitter.com/ColanNielsen/status/1445004171116261376
• Does Adding Photos in Google My Business Increase Ranking? [Case Study] Joy Hawkins - Sterling Sky- https://www.sterlingsky.ca/photos-ranking-google-my-business/
• How to see title tag rewrites using ahrefs - Easy Peasy - shared by Brodie Clark via Twitter -https://twitter.com/brodieseo/status/1444263911226630154
• Huge Google Search Ranking Algorithm Update On 10/2 & 10/3 - Unconfirmed - Via Barry Schwartz at SERoundtable.com - https://www.seroundtable.com/google-search-ranking-algorithm-update-32185.html
• Google Starts Testing GMB Offer Posts as Justifications and Also within Location Panels- Brodie Clark via Twitter - https://twitter.com/brodieseo/status/1443476474078453760

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss how to increase leads using images, Amazon's AI punishing delivery drivers, and a whole lot of things happening at Google -including GMB attribute updates, ranking info, and some changes that hotels should be aware of.

Mike’s Links:

• Amazon's AI-powered cameras punish its delivery drivers when they look at side mirrors or when other cars cut them off, report says - https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-delivery-drivers-netradyne-ai-cameras-punished-when-cut-off-2021-9
• Is Bloomie's the future of department stores? - https://www.retaildive.com/news/is-bloomies-the-future-of-department-stores/606645/
• Scrape Google Suggest at scale - Antoine Eripret - https://www.aeripret.com/scrape-google-suggest/
• Google rolls out ticket booking links, ‘Things to do’ ads and an eco-certified badge for hotels - https://searchengineland.com/google-rolls-out-ticket-booking-links-things-to-do-ads-and-an-eco-certified-badge-for-hotels-374626
• Introducing Things to do on Google - Hotel Center Help - https://support.google.com/hotelprices/answer/10723429#zippy=%2Cintegrate-directly-or-with-established-connectivity-partners%2Creach-millions-of-people-who-do-travel-related-searches-on-google-each-day%2Chighlight-your-tours-attractions-and-activities-across-google
• Google SERP Feature Notes - Brodie Clark Consulting - https://brodieclark.com/notes/
• How to Use Images to Increase Leads [2 Local SEO Case Studies] - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/images-increase-leads/

Carries links:

• GMB adds Latino-led Attribute - spotted by Colan Nielsen on Twitter - https://twitter.com/ColanNielsen/status/1442463591702032394
• Red Attributes text in GMB - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/red-attributes-text.58225/
• Google Local Filler Content Isn't Good UX, and Needs Revisions - https://moz.com/blog/google-local-filler-content-needs-revision
• Semantic Relevance of Keywords - https://www.seobythesea.com/2021/09/semantic-relevance-of-keywords/
• Google 200 Ranking Signals Figure Is Misleading -https://www.seroundtable.com/google-200-ranking-signals-figure-is-misleading-32163.html

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss wins and upsets in the world of local SEO - from Walmart's newfound online momentum, Google's newest SERP changes that are frustrating the auto industry, and news about our recent AND upcoming LocalU Advanced events! This is an action-packed episode giving you a whole week's worth of updates and information all in one convenient place.

Mike’s Links:

• Walmart+ is gaining momentum, hits 32 million members, Deutsche Bank estimate - https://www.cnbc.com/2021/09/14/walmart-hits-32-million-members-deutsche-bank-estimates.html
• What Reviews Tell Us About How Walmart Is Really Doing - https://www.nearmedia.co/walmart-inventory-woes-customer-reviews/
• Court: Just Because An Anonymous Yelp Reviewer Is Mean, Doesn't Mean You Get To Unmask The Reviewer - https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210901/23112147487/court-just-because-anonymous-yelp-reviewer-is-mean-doesnt-mean-you-get-to-unmask-reviewer.shtml
• Detecting Brand Penetration Over Geographic Locations - Go Fish Digital - https://gofishdigital-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/gofishdigital.com/detecting-brand-penetration-over-geographic-locations/amp/
• WhatsApp launches test of in-app business directory - https://www.reuters.com/article/whatsapp-business-idUSKBN2GB1SV
• Twitter's GMB Profile, Intuit's $12B Strategy, Transatlantic Privacy Fail - https://www.nearmedia.co/twitters-gmb-profile-intuits-12b-strategy-transatlantic-privacy-fail/
• Dave Smart on Twitter - Robots.txt tester - https://twitter.com/davewsmart/status/1439214231342174209?s=12
• Page Experience Update Measurable - https://www.sistrix.com/blog/core-web-vitals-is-a-measurable-ranking-factor/
• Cloudflare adds automated Signed Exchanges for Google Search - https://www.coywolf.news/seo/cloudflare-automated-signed-exchanges-sxg-for-google-search/
• Zyppy SEO — Higher Google Rankings & Traffic - https://zyppy.com/
• Survey Reveals That UGC Can Drive Improved Trust and Loyalty for eCommerce Brands - https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/survey-reveals-that-ugc-can-drive-improved-trust-and-loyalty-for-ecommerce/606801/
• Do Images Impact Ranking on Google? [Case Study] - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/do-images-impact-ranking-on-google/
• Reviews on Independent Sites - https://localsearchforum.com/threads/reviews-on-independent-sites.58206/

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss Colorado's transportation officials' big blunder, free tools for checking Google SERP title tag changes, a secret LocalU Advanced discount, all things GMB, and much more!

Mike’s Links:

• Colorado Transportation Officials Asked Navigation App Providers To Plant False Information. Worse, The Providers Complied. - https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20210829/07470447460/colorado-transportation-officals-asked-navigation-app-providers-to-plant-false-information-worse-providers-complied.shtml
• Amazon to Open Drive-Thru Grocery Store in Florida? - https://www.progressivegrocer.com/amazon-open-drive-thru-grocery-store-florida
• Four FREE SEO tools to check for title changes in Google SERP - https://samuelschmitt.com/free-tools-checking-title-changes/
• You Can Add Google Posts Directly From Google Search - https://www.seroundtable.com/add-google-posts-directly-from-google-search-32047.html
• 3 Little Known Facts About the Google My Business Cover Photo - https://www.sterlingsky.ca/cover-photos-google-my-business/

Carries links:

• A Guide to Google My Business Posts - Everything You Need to Know - Claire Carlile - BrightLocal.com - https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/google-my-business-posts-guide/
• GMB Has Deprecated the Site Manager Role. All site managers will be converted to “manager” level. - https://twitter.com/JoyanneHawkins/status/1436047642430251010
• LocalU Advanced August 31 On Demand - LocalU Aug 31 now available on demand - just $125 - promo code LWIL for a secret discount! https://localu.org/store/localu-advanced-aug-31-on-demand/

We recorded early so Mike and Carrie could enjoy the 3-day weekend.  Happy Labor Day!

Join Mike and Carrie as they discuss how to combat Google title tag re-writes, keyword research for local search, how writing bad reviews can backfire, another fantastic LocalU Advanced (don't worry if you missed it, you can still get the sessions on-demand!), and much more!

Mike’s Links:

• Chrome Beta Can Display Competitors When Customers Are On Your Site - SERoundtable.com - https://www.seroundtable.com/chrome-beta-continuous-search-32023.html
• Google Title Rewrite Checker - Via Alyeda Solis - https://www.seowl.co/title-rewrite-checker/
• What Happened to Google My Business Site Managers? - Stephan Somborac - SteadyDemand.com - ​​https://www.steadydemand.com/what-happened-to-google-my-business-site-managers/
• New Academy Course: How to Master Local Keyword Research - Claire Carlile - Bright Local - https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/new-academy-course-how-to-master-local-keyword-research/
• Wading Into Local SEO: 7 Absolute Beginner FAQs, Simply Answered - Miriam Ellis - Moz.com - https://moz.com/blog/7-beginner-local-seo-faqs

Carries links:

• LocalU Advanced was Tuesday - great turnout, great content - if you didn't have a ticket you can buy on demand for $125 - LocalU.org - https://localu.org/store/localu-advanced-aug-31-on-demand/
• Sherwin Williams creates a 4% surcharge through Dec 31 - but have raised priced 6-7% 3x in 2021 AND performed over 1.6bil in stock buybacks in Q1 and Q2.  - https://localu.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Gmail-Supply-Chain-Surcharge-1.png 
  https://ycharts.com/companies/SHW/stock_buyback
• Walmart giving more than 565,000 workers a raise - CNN.com - https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/03/economy/walmart-wage-increase/index.html
• Something weird going on with GMB suspensions, Posts and Adding photos. 
• Unhappy with her breast implant surgery, she wrote negative reviews. Now she owes the surgeon $30K CBC.ca - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/woman-ordered-to-pay-30k-in-damages-for-negative-breast-implant-review-1.6156240