Shows
The Near MemoAI, Reviews & the Future of Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to KnowSend us a textDarren Shaw of Whitespark returns to the Near Memo to talk with Mike and Greg about what’s actually working—and what’s not—in local SEO as AI begins reshaping consumer behavior. From the rise of first-party reviews to YouTube’s power for B2B lead gen, this episode tackles how agencies can prepare clients for a future beyond Google. They also dig into the limitations of ChatGPT’s local recommendations, where blogs still make sense, and what digital PR might look like for small businesses. Practical, honest, and forward-looking.Subscribe to...2025-06-2646 minThe Near MemoHow to Stay Verified on Google, Where Search Is Headed, and What’s Up with Siri?Send us a textIn this episode, Mike and Greg break down three major developments shaping the local search and AI landscape. First, they tackle the growing wave of Google Business Profile suspensions caused by rigid, AI-driven video verification—where even legitimate businesses are getting flagged. They offer practical advice on how to avoid getting suspended and why field-based verification is now essential.Next, they explore new consumer survey data showing a significant rise in people using AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for local business discovery. But while AI wins ea...2025-06-1336 minThe Near MemoGoogle’s Next Move: AI, Antitrust Battles & the Decline of SearchSend us a textIn this episode of The Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal break down some of the biggest tectonic shifts happening at the intersection of AI, search, and antitrust law. The focal point? Google's claim that its Gemini AI now boasts 350 million monthly users. But what exactly counts as a user—and does stuffing Gemini into every app and product really mean it’s being used?Greg and Mike dig deep into how Google is leveraging its product ecosystem—Chrome, Gmail, Workspace, Maps, Android, and Search—to inflate AI engagement numbers. The two...2025-06-0529 minThe Near MemoClicks Are Dead, Reviews Are King: Surviving Google’s AI Local ShakeupSend us a textIn this jam-packed episode of The Near Memo, hosts Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal welcome back Adam Dorfman, VP of Product at BirdEye, for a timely deep dive into the ever-shifting world of local SEO, AI Overviews, and Google’s evolving search ecosystem.The trio unpacks the seismic shifts happening in local search, AI-generated results, and the new metrics that matter when “clicks” no longer rule. From how Google is leveraging its own ecosystem to dominate AI outputs, to whethe...2025-05-3039 minThe Near MemoGoogle's Power Grab: AI Journeys, Monetized Moments, & the End of SEO as We Know It with Cindy KrumSend us a textIn this thought-provoking episode of the Near Memo podcast, SEO veteran Cindy Krum joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to unpack how Google's evolving use of AI, including MUM (Multitask Unified Model), is reshaping the search landscape. Krum explains how Google is moving from keyword- and entity-based indexing to modeling “journeys” that reflect a user’s intent — aligning with Google's long-abandoned concept of “micro-moments” like “I want to know,” “I want to go,” “I want to do,” and “I want to buy.” These journeys are increasingly being monetized across different verticals such as YouTube, Merchant Center, an...2025-05-0845 minThe Near MemoAmpUp Webinar, Yelp’s Antitrust V Google, Google AIO for Local Reviews, ChatGPT Gets Product SearchSend us a text00:00 GatherUp's AmpUp Webinar Overview05:56 Yelp Antitrust Case Insights13:32 Google Local Review's AI Overviews and Their Impact26:45 ChatGPT's Shopping Capabilities and Future DirectionsIn this episode, Greg and Mike discuss the upcoming AmpUp 2025 virtual conference with Mel Atia of GatherUp, focusing on local SEO, reputation management, and the impact of AI on digital strategies. They delve into Yelp's antitrust case against Google, exploring the implications for local search and advertising. The conversation also highlights Google's new local AI feature, local brand summaries as well as changing consumer behaviors and...2025-05-0133 minThe Near MemoKnow Before You Go: New on GBP Profiles, G Under Legal Fire, & the Coming Shift in SearchSend us a textWe discuss the latest developments in Google's antitrust trial and the introduction of new AI features in Google Business Profiles. They explore the implications of these changes for local SEO and user experience, as well as the potential future of search in an AI-driven world. The conversation highlights the challenges Google faces in maintaining its market dominance amidst evolving technologies and user expectations.00:00Exploring Google's New AI Features11:17Antitrust Trial Insights and Google Remedies24:57The Future of Search and AI IntegrationT2025-04-2430 minThe Near MemoThe Future of Reviews: What Businesses Need to KnowSend us a textGreg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Sammy Paget of BrightLocal discuss the evolving landscape of consumer reviews, focusing on how consumer behavior has changed over the years, the importance of businesses responding to reviews, and the impact of AI on review management. They explore the future of reviews, the decline in trust, and Google's policies regarding review authenticity, emphasizing the need for businesses to prioritize customer service and engagement.00:00 Consumer Expectations and Business Responses02:59 The Importance of Customer Engagement06:25 Common Mistakes Businesses Make with Reviews08:24 The Future of Reviews...2025-04-1830 minThe Near MemoFrom Stars to Skepticism: How Reviews Evolved & Why Trust Is Declining - Sammy Paget Interview Part1Send us a text01:59 Evolution of Consumer Review Behavior05:03 Trust in Reviews: A Declining Trend08:14 The Impact of Fake Reviews and AI14:18 Alternative Review Platforms and Their Trustworthiness19:30 Key Findings from the 15-Year Review Study22:07 Best Practices for Review Solicitation29:22 Consumer Expectations and Business ResponsesIn this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and guest Sammy Paget from BrightLocal dive deep into 15 years of consumer review research trends. Sammy shares insights from BrightLocal’s long-running consumer review survey, highlighting how online reviews have evolved from novelty to necessity in the pu...2025-04-1029 minThe Near MemoGoogle’s Euro DMA Headaches, GBP Local Chaos AND Uncharacteristic Google Comms & AI Search FuturesSend us a textIn this milestone 200th episode, the NearMemo crew unpacks Google’s mounting regulatory woes in Europe, including fresh scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act. Mike breaks down a storm of GBP bugs and business suspensions and ponders the fact that Google is actually admitting to them.. Greg steers the convo into the evolving future of search—where AI, chat interfaces, and user expectations are reshaping everything. From legal battles to UI battles, it’s clear: the search landscape is shifting fast.00:00 Celebrating the 200th Episode (sort of)01:23 Europe to Google: Play F...2025-04-0335 minThe Near MemoSurviving the New Google: Suspensions & Appeal Delays, AI Overviews, & the Future of Local MarketingSend us a textGreg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal discuss the current state of Google suspensions, the impact of AI overviews on local search traffic, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing strategies. They emphasize the importance of businesses becoming less reliant on Google and exploring alternative marketing channels while navigating the challenges posed by AI and changing search dynamics.Takeaways•Google's traffic dynamics are shifting, impacting everyone.•Suspension isues have been fixed but appeals times for reinstatement have increased significantly.•AI overviews are reducing visibility for organic search results.•Businesses should b...2025-03-2723 minThe Near MemoEU Targets Google, Listings Get Suspended, and AI Heats Up: Search is Changing FastSend us a textIn this episode, Greg and Mike discuss the recent EU findings regarding Google's non-compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA), the implications of algorithm changes leading to increased suspensions and verifications, and the evolving landscape of AI competition, particularly focusing on Google's strategies to retain users amidst rising AI technologies. They also explore the future of local SEO and its unique position in the market.takeawaysGoogle's violation of the DMA highlights ongoing regulatory scrutiny.Suspensions and verifications are increasing, indicating algorithmic changes.AI mode may...2025-03-2132 minThe Near MemoGoogle GBP Suspensions Update, AI in Local Search, Google Selling Chrome? & Tesla’s Brand FreefallSend us a textBuckle up for another Near Memo packed with search drama, AI experiments, and a high-speed Tesla takedown. Mike and Greg dive into Google’s ongoing Business Profile suspensions, unpack the latest AI-driven search changes, and speculate on whether Elon Musk has permanently tanked Tesla’s brand. Plus, a peek at Google’s antitrust battle and what losing Chrome could mean for search dominance.00:00 The State of Google Business Profile Suspensions09:39 Trump's DOJ to Force Google to Sell Chrome?12:26 AI Mode and Local Search24:59 Tesla's Brand Reputation CrisisT...2025-03-1338 minThe Near MemoThe Rise of GBP Suspensions, Is Google's 5 trillion search number real? New AI Mode IS the FutureSend us a text00:00 Overview of Topics01:07 Increase in Business Suspensions - Resinstatements very slow06:27 Google's Search Query Insights - Is Google Cooking the Books?21:03 Google's AI Mode as the Future of SearchWe discuss the recent increase in suspensions and the delay of reinstatements on Google, the implications of Google's five trillion search queries, and the impact of AI on search. They explore the new AI mode being introduced by Google and how it is the shape the future of search experiences.Takeaways ✓ There has been a significant inc...2025-03-0731 minThe Near MemoThe Evolution of Local Inventory Solutions with Michael Carini, Last Mile RetailSend us a text00:00 Introduction to Last Mile Retail06:04 Evolution of the Business Model11:35 Market Changes and Competition17:03 Understanding Good Local SEO23:03 Microsite Strategy and Implementation29:47 The Role of AI in Marketing Strategies37:30 Navigating Paid Campaigns and Google Optimization45:55 Enhancing Customer Journey and Content Strategy- Last Mile Retail started by addressing the challenge of local inventory visibility online.- The company has evolved to serve enterprise clients with a comprehensive local marketing platform.- AI is being used for content drafting and categorization, but human...2025-02-2748 minThe Near MemoUnlocking Google Business Profile Secrets with Brad Wetherall - ex Director of GBP SupportSend us a textThe Near Media team + several Google Product Experts and Brad Wetherall discuss various aspects of Google Business Profiles, including internal mobility at Google, the challenges of maintaining institutional knowledge, and the complexities of review management. They delve into the recent discrepancies in review counts, the importance of communication from Google, and the impact of trust scores on local guides. The discussion also covers creative strategies for enhancing review authenticity, the challenges of video verification, and the implications of operating hours on business rankings. Additionally, they explore the quality of support across different regions...2025-02-201h 04The Near MemoMissing Google Reviews, Ask for me - SMB Timesuck, Gemini Reasoning Model is Future of Local SearchSend us a textGreg and Mike discuss various topics related to Google's recent changes and features, including issues with review counts on Google Business Profiles, the introduction of the Ask for Me automated calling feature, and the implications for small businesses. They also explore the new Gemini reasoning model and its potential impact on local search and consumer behavior. The conversation highlights the challenges and opportunities presented by these developments in the context of small business operations and marketing strategies.00:55 Review Count Issues and Google's Response06:29 Exploring Google's 'Ask For Me' Feature18:20...2025-02-1336 minThe Near MemoGoogle Maps: New Features, The Importance of Brand and Declining Review TrustSend us a textIn this episode, Greg and Mike discuss the 20th anniversary of Google Maps, highlighting its evolution and new features. They delve into the newest Map Top Lists feature, the implications of recent messaging features for businesses and the ongoing decline in consumer trust in online reviews. The conversation also introduces Google's new 'Ask for Me' AI feature, exploring its potential impact on local businesses and consumer interactions.Takeaways- Google Maps revolutionized navigation with its interactive features.- The new restaurant Map List feature in Google Maps enhances visibility...2025-02-0743 minThe Near MemoGoogle Review Fraud, FTC & Business concerns: Interview with Curtis Boyd, Transparency Company, P#2Send us a textIn this episode, Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling continue their discussion with Curtis Boyd, CEO of the Transparency Company, focusing on the pervasive issue of review fraud. They explore the current landscape of consumer trust in online reviews, the implications of new FTC regulations, and the challenges businesses face in maintaining review integrity. Curtis shares his optimistic outlook on potential solutions and emphasizes the importance of transparency in the review process. The conversation also delves into practical strategies for businesses and marketers to combat fake reviews and improve their online reputation.00:00...2025-01-3022 minThe Near MemoGoogle Review Fraud & Its Economic Impact: Interview with Curtis Boyd, Transparency Company, P#1Send us a textIn this episode, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal discuss the state of review fraud with Curtis Boyd, CEO of the Transparency Company. They explore the complexities of fake reviews, including the different types and metrics used to identify them. The conversation delves into the role of AI in generating fake reviews and the economic impact of review fraud on consumers and businesses. Curtis shares insights from a recent report estimating the financial damage caused by fake reviews, highlighting the challenges faced by ethical businesses in a marketplace rife with deception.00:10 Introduction...2025-01-2332 minThe Near MemoNavigating Google Reviews - Part 2 of Brad Wetherall, ex-Director of Operations GBP support, InterviewSend us a textIn this episode, Greg and Mike welcome Brad Wetherall, former Director of Operations for Google Business Profile and now CEO of Bitwise Consulting. They discuss the challenges of fake reviews, Google's approach to detecting and managing them, and best practices for businesses to enhance their online reputation. Brad shares insights on the importance of engagement, the role of AI in review management, and the need for businesses to understand Google's policies regarding reviews. The conversation wraps up with Brad's advice for agencies and local marketers on navigating the complexities of online reviews and...2025-01-1639 minThe Near MemoHow Does Google GBP Support Really Work? Brad Wetherall, ex-Director- Support Operations, InterviewSend us a textEver wonder how GBP twists the dial to approve an edit? Why they use video verification and what a trust score is? In Part 1 of this interview we learn the answers to those many questions and more. 00:15 Introduction to Brad Wetherall and His Journey02:53 Transitioning from Google to Bitwise Consulting05:34 Understanding Google Business Profile Support Structure08:03d Support Strategies and User Journeys11:08 The Evolution of Support Systems at Google13:36 Challenges in Support: Suspensions and Verifications16:45 The Algorithm Behind Suspensions and Reviews19:29 Trust and Reporting M...2025-01-1033 minThe Near Memo2024 Local SEO Highlights: Brand Power & Local; AI's Search Shake-Up; DMA reshaping SearchSend us a textGoogle Leaks & NavBoost: How Engagement & Brands Shape Local SEO Rankings in 2024: Mike unpacked revelations from Google's algorithm leaks and their likely importance for Local SEO. We dove into "NavBoost," a technique where Google rewards high engagement and brand signals with better rankings. Think clicks, brand searches, and even driving directions contributing to a business's prominence.Greg and David noted how brands dominate the search game. We broke down why engagement—real photos, reviews, and strong brand presence—creates a feedback loop that propels rankings. This led us to...2025-01-0340 minThe Near MemoExploring Google’s DMA Compliance & User Search Behavior with Siinda’s Stephanie VerilhacSend us a textStephanie Verilhac of Siinda discusses the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA) and its impact on search behavior. Siinda's research with Near Media showed Google's dominance persists despite compliance changes, with users favoring its ecosystem. Regional differences in search trends were highlighted, including Irish “near me” preferences, French brand loyalty, and Germans' ad clicks. Photos, reviews, and business websites play key roles in user decisions. Verilhac noted Google's partial adherence to the DMA and challenges for smaller businesses in competing with large aggregators. Future DMA updates and expanded research are expected. In Ep...2024-12-2034 minThe Near MemoThe Limits and Future of AI Impact on Maps; Search vs AI: Challenges, Trends, and Consumer InsightsSend us a textAI and Maps: Current Limitations (many) and Future Prospects (good): We explore a recent piece by cartographer Kames Killick on how AI will be shaping the geospatial landscape & mapping, despite the mixed results today. Current tools struggle with complex queries, such as mapping open businesses along a route and broader queries that AI should be able to handle. Despite limitations, innovations like geo-trained AI and object classification suggest potential for enhanced location-based services, professional applications, and augmented reality. Emerging technologies may soon enable smoother interaction with geospatial tools and real-time...2024-12-1234 minThe Near MemoGBP’s Naming Shift, Fishkin’s Search Query Insights, & AI's Growing Role in Challenging GoogleSend us a textExtended GBP Business Names - Spam or Legitimate Descriptors?We explore Google's growing tolerance for extended taglines & descriptors in business names via the Google Business Center and its impact on local SEO strategies. Examples include businesses embedding descriptors like “best plastic surgeon” or “sexual harassment lawyer” into their names that were escalated to Google but were deemed acceptable. These additions act as taglines and significantly boost search visibility by leveraging Google’s algorithm, which treats business names as ranking signals. This shift marks a departure from earlier strict rules, offering businesses...2024-12-0634 minThe Near MemoGBP Suspension Woes & Support #fails, Siri Sherlocking Search, the Fragmentation of SearchSend us a textGoogle Business Profile Suspension Woes (01:32–11:03)The discussion highlights rising frustrations with Google Business Profiles, focusing on increasing suspension rates and difficult reinstatement processes. Businesses face bottlenecks with video verification and unclear policies. Legitimate operations often fall victim, showcasing systemic flaws in Google's automated support and limited pathways for resolution. Siri’s AI Search Evolution (11:03–20:35)Siri’s transformation with AI and knowledge graphs marks a major leap in user interaction. Enhanced capabilities include text input, contextual responses, and real-time actions like map queries. Apple’s integration of personalize...2024-11-2331 minThe Near MemoExploring AI Overviews, SearchGPT & Google’s Evolution: Mark Traphagen on AIO Impact & Future of SEOSend us a textAI Overview and Google Search Trends: In a discussion on AI search trends, Mark Traphagen from SEO Clarity shared insights on Google’s search generative experience (SGE) and its limited functionality in delivering localized results. His analysis highlighted that SGE results in the U.S. tend to be highly informational (91%) and less transactional, especially for keywords related to products. According to Mark, Google’s AI-driven search lacks the capacity to enhance local search results, pointing out that traditional SERP results still perform better. Meanwhile, Google’s AI continues to evolve, with re...2024-11-1655 minThe Near MemoA Google “Pardon”?, Siri’s Search Improvements, Search from Chat GPT is Really GoodSend us a textGoogle's Antitrust Battle: Legal and Political Shifts: As Google’s antitrust trial unfolds, recent shifts in U.S. leadership may change the tech giant’s outlook. With Trump’s election win, the likelihood of drastic regulatory action against Google, such as a breakup, appears to be reduced. The new administration’s stance on big tech could soften the Justice Department’s approach, shifting from aggressive oversight to a more business-friendly posture. While there’s bipartisan support for reigning in big tech, motivations differ: Republicans often cite censorship concerns, while Democrats focus on monopolistic...2024-11-0946 minThe Near MemoAI in Local SEO, Siri Finally Gets Local Search, ChatGPT's Growing User BaseSend us a textAI in Local SEO: Challenges and Opportunities: We dive into how AI is reshaping local search. Key insights from Andrew Shotland’s analysis reveal that Google’s AI overviews appear inconsistently in local searches, mainly showing up for broader queries, while lower funnel searches rely on the local pack. New platforms like Perplexity, with licensing from Yelp, seem to offer promising results for complex local queries, potentially challenging Google’s dominance in local search.Apple Siri Finally Gets Local Search: Mike showcases Apple’s upgraded Siri new featu...2024-11-0133 minThe Near MemoConversation with Raj Singh, the founder of Soloist.ai, an AI-powered website builderSend us a textIntroduction and Background (00:01 - 10:30)The conversation opens with Greg Sterling introducing Raj Singh, the founder of Soloist.ai, an AI-powered website builder targeted at small businesses and freelancers. Raj shares his background as a serial entrepreneur, highlighting his previous ventures, such as Pulse, acquired by Mozilla, and his journey through the tech landscape from file-sharing companies to AI-driven website creation. This segment sets the stage by exploring Raj’s entrepreneurial journey and interest in simplifying website creation for non-technical users.Soloist.ai’s Purpose and Unique Features (10:30 - 39:00)Raj...2024-10-2657 minThe Near MemoApple Expands Business Connect, Which Directories Matter?, SEMrush Acquires Search Engine LandSend us a textApple Expands Business Connect Beyond Brick-and-Mortar: It was announced that Apple Business Connect will now include a broader range of businesses, such as e-commerce, work-from-home, and service-area businesses. Businesses will still undergo the Apple verification process but will benefit from a consistent brand presence across apps like Mail, Apple Pay and ultimately Messages. While non-brick-and-mortar businesses won't appear on Apple Maps, their verified logos will be visible in key Apple services like Siri and Spotlights, enhancing brand trust within the Apple ecosystem. This move strengthens Apple's position as a trusted...2024-10-1826 minThe Near MemoGoogle Tests AI-Organized Carousels in Local, Facebook Tests New Local Tab, Google Declines in Customer LoyaltySend us a textGoogle Tests AI-organized Carousels in Local Search Results for Restaurants & Bars: Recent test search results for local businesses on Google, particularly restaurants and bars, have been dominated by AI-organized carousels. Searches like “best cocktail bar” now return multiple carousels sequentially down the page, with categories such as rooftop bars, artisanal cocktail bars, and budget-friendly options. These results feature large visuals, ratings, and addresses, allowing users to scroll through various options to view and choose from local listings. Interestingly, the number of carousels varies depending on the location—New York City display...2024-10-1434 minThe Near MemoPlaces Sites in US? Allure’s Ongoing Google Review Fraud Scandal, FTC Targets AI Tool Rytr for Fake Review GenerationSend us a text Google's Place Sites: A Compliance Gesture or A True Shift in Search?Google is rolling out a new feature called "Place Sites" in North America, following its initial launch in Europe as part of compliance with the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The feature presents a carousel of aggregator search results, such as Yelp and TripAdvisor, prominently placed in top positions for local queries like restaurants. The idea is to redirect traffic to competitors to address accusations of Google self-preferencing. However, our testing shows that user engagement has been very, very l...2024-10-0538 minThe Near MemoSearch Tactics for EU Hotels, Google’s Updated Spam Guideline, When might Yelp v Google Go to Trial?Send us a textHow Individual Hotels Can Win in EU Search: Our research on hotel searches in Europe, revealed that Booking.com dominated user clicks, especially through ads, while Google's Hotel Finder and Business Profiles saw significantly fewer interactions. One surprising discovery was the prominent role of ads, with over 50% of mobile clicks going to ads, particularly Booking.com.We explore how Google’s algorithm and ad strategies favor aggregators like Booking, rather than individual hotel brands, who do however have an ad opportunity with the new(ish) carousel ad and...2024-09-2836 minThe Near MemoGoogle tests Review Badge of Shame in UK; Google’s Antitrust Travails; SMB Marketing DisconnectsSend us a textGoogle Testing Review Badge of Shame & More in UK for Review Abuses:Google has rolled out a new review “badge of shame” and a new help document titled "Business Profile Restrictions for Policy Violations," introducing stricter actions for businesses engaging in deceptive review practices. Currently being tested in the UK, the policy includes a tiered system of penalties, such as preventing new reviews, unpublishing existing ones, and displaying a "badge of shame" for businesses caught with fraudulent reviews. This marks a shift in Google’s approach, as they histori...2024-09-2138 minThe Near MemoEU Consumer Research in Hotel market, The impact of recent EU fines on Google, Possible remedies to prevent Google self-preferencingSend us a textGoogle and Booking: The Symbiotic Gatekeeper Relationship in European Hotel Search - We dive into our recent user behavior research findings about hotel searches in Europe. We recruited 100 users each from Spain, France, and Germany, asking them to find hotels in Paris or Rome, and observed how they interacted with Google's search results.The European hotel market is quite distinct, with behavior in hotel searches differing drastically from other verticals, as well as across countries. This, coupled with Google’s persistent self-preferencing, poses challenges for fair competition....2024-09-1436 minThe Near MemoThe Google Review Fraud Landscape in Maps & LSA and How a Business Should Respond From the Vault (Ep 139)Send us a textGoogle Review Fraud Landscape (10:04):Estimates that 18% of reviews across various platforms are fake.Home service industries, such as locksmiths, moving companies, and HVAC, are heavily affected.Legal sector is also impacted, with fake reviews prevalent among personal injury, criminal defense, and DUI lawyers.LSA Review Fraud (21:25):Lead generation scammers are stealing business from ethical businesses using fake LSA reviews.They overcharge consumers and use higher ad revenue to improve their bidding strategy within LSA dashboards....2024-09-0945 minThe Near MemoLSA Gets More GBP Features, Google Maps Gets Cleanup, Yelp Sues Google Over AntitrustSend us a textLSA Increasingly relying on GBP Features: We delve into Google's ongoing “fixes” of LSA features, where reviews and booking tools for LSAs are being integrated from GBP. This move is seen as an attempt to streamline operations and reduce costs, especially in light of Google's recent staffing cuts as well as improve LSA’s ineffective review moderation. While operational efficiency might improve, Google’s tolerance of abuses in GBP means that the risk of review fraud in LSAs will persist.Google Maps Gets a Makeover: Sleeker Design, but More Ads...2024-08-3043 minThe Near MemoGBP Phone Hacking Problems Persist, New FTC Fake Reviews Rules, SearchGPT & the Future of SearchSend us a textGoogle's PR Smoke and Mirrors: Old GBP Phone Hacking Problems Persist Despite Promises:Spammers and scammers have been able to hijack business phone numbers on Google listings with alarming ease, despite Google's assurances that such problems were swiftly resolved. We conducted an experiment, changing a listing's phone number through a fake business listing. The results were shocking—within minutes, the suggested phone number change was accepted, largely due to the high trust Google places in frequent editors, even those located halfway across the world.T...2024-08-2340 minThe Near MemoThe Increasing Role of Brand in SEOSend us a textThe Role of Brand in Seo: We speak with guest, Mordy Oberstein on the role of branding in SEO, particularly how it has re-emerged as a significant factor in conversions and SEO. We explore the interaction between brand and user experience, and the introduction of Google’s emphasis on brand in its algorithms.Brand Differentiation and Local SEO: We delve into how brands differentiate themselves in the marketplace, particularly in local SEO contexts. What are the challenges small businesses face in building brand recognition? How do bran...2024-08-1647 minThe Near MemoGBP Bugs & AI-Driven Layoff Concern, Sale of CNET & Google, Antitrust Remedy: Impact on Apple & SEOSend us a textGoogle's Local Business Service Woes: Persistent Bugs and AI-Driven Layoffs Spark Concern: There have been ongoing support and technical issues with Google Business Profiles. Major bugs affecting local business profiles have persisted for months and in several cases years, including image misassignments and overzealous suspension algorithms that remove legitimate reviews. Google's support and engineering teams have struggled to resolve these issues, partly due to significant layoffs aimed at funding AI projects. While Google’s local business services might not generate significant revenue for Google, they are crucial for the company's dif...2024-08-0835 minThe Near MemoMindTrip brings AI travel search, Search Shenanigans, Boost Google Local Rankings w/ Engagement?Send us a textSegment 1: OpenAI & MindTrip bring AI to search, will it matter?Last Thursday, OpenAI made waves with an announcement about Search GPT, a prototype aimed at revamping the search experience for ChatGPT users. Promising a two-column format, it aims to ease the search process and challenge traditional search engines like Google. The prototype has the potential to streamline user experience while emphasizing publisher control and cooperation.In related news, a new travel bot, MindTrip, emerged, offering a conversational approach to travel planning. Users can refine searches for hotels, activities, and dining o...2024-08-0227 minThe Near MemoReframing how search ranking works, Google Doubles Down on Income, Voice Search Redux? w/ Cindy KrumSend us a textSEOs need to reframe how search ranking works - click thru data being the most important factor: Click data is a cornerstone of Google’s ranking algorithm, as highlighted by recent DOJ findings. Google uses its heavy reliance on click data to grasp new trends swiftly as well as to “understand” page quality. Traditional SEO elements like title tags, meta descriptions, scheme, great photos and content provide enduring value but with a new twist. These elements are tools to drive clicks and engagement and thus ultimately drive higher rankings...2024-07-2744 minThe Near MemoHow Local SEOs are using Gen AI & ChatGPT: Tips, tactics & strategies w/ Darren Shaw & Joy HawkinsSend us a textIn this extended episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling , Joy Hawkins, Darren Shaw & Mike Blumenthal explore the role of generative AI and how it has evolved one year after CHat GPT was released. We cover:Experiences and opinions on the use of AI tools like ChatGPT in SEO and content creation.The effectiveness of AI in different aspects of agency work, including creative tasks and data analysis.The influence of AI on the quality of content and the evolving nature of SEO strategies.Perspectives on the future impact of AI on t...2024-07-2046 minThe Near MemoSeattle surgeon pays $5 mil review fraud fine; Local Search increasingly shows Google GBP resultsSend us a textSeattle surgeon pays $5 mil fine for review fraud; What responsibility does Google have?Allure Esthetics and its owner Dr. Java Sagan, were convicted of violating the Consumer Review Fairness Act. They forced 21,000 clients to sign agreements preventing them from leaving honest reviews and engaged in additional deceptive practices like paying for the removal of negative reviews and posting fake ones.Despite a $5 million fine, Allure Esthetics still shows high ratings on Google and Yelp. Google’s failure to address these fake reviews, raises questions about the pl...2024-07-1330 minThe Near MemoFrom the vault: What and why of review fraud on Google how to deal with itSend us a textThe big picture of review fraud - who does it and why: We explore the full range of review fraud from fake positive reviews, black hat negative reviews and review extortion with Curtis Boyd of the Transparency Company. How widespread is it, is it growing, which categories are most likely to participate in it and why. How to deal with fake review attacks and competitors who use fake reviews: If you are an honest business can you compete in a world rife with review fraud. We dis...2024-07-0437 minThe Near MemoNew Research: SMB web lead generation failures & how to fixSend us a textLeadferno: a better tools to capture website leads - Leadferno is a conversion platform designed to transform website visitors into leads through seamless communication tools. Unlike traditional chatbots, Leadferno leverages SMS to facilitate human conversations, which studies show is the preferred communication channel for most people. It’s floating CTAs (Call-to-Actions) on websites encourage visitors to start conversations via text messaging. This approach helps businesses engage more effectively with potential customers by providing a more responsive and preferred communication method.Leadferno offers various tools, including an...2024-06-2746 minThe Near MemoExpanding Local Results in SERPS, Cluttered SERP Reduce Organic Traffic, AI Overviews Worsen SearchSend us a textGoogle Expanding Local Results in the SERPS to the Exclusion of Organic: While many SEOs have been focused on AI answers and how they are disrupting search, the story in Local search is different. AI Answers have yet to have any impact in Local but Google, over the past several years has dramatically increased their control & domination of the Local SERPS with Local Entity data and in doing so seem to be in the process of banishing organic results…. this is particularly true in Near Me searches and the EU res...2024-06-2034 minThe Near MemoRand Fishkin Interview #2: Zero Click, Regulating Google & Coping with the New SEO RealitySend us a textIn this week’s podcast we discussed the evolution of zero-click search and Rand’s upcoming study with Spark Toro's clickstream data provider, Datos, to explore the impact of AI overviews and changes in zero-click searches across different regions. Rand argued for more stringent antitrust measures, drawing parallels between Google's practices and historical monopolies that unfairly leveraged their market power to move into new markets. His call for breaking up Google's core services—search, YouTube, and maps—into separate entities could spur innovation and competition.He advi...2024-06-1446 minThe Near MemoGBP Chat is Dead, Consumers Frustrated with Search too, Local Takeaways from the API LeakSend us a textGBP Chat is Dead, Long Live WhatsApp: Google nuked both Google Business Profile Chat AND Google Business Messaging last week in a typical show of disregard for the product and the businesses supporting it. This decision comes amid concerns over increasing spam within the GBP chat service, which initially launched in 2017 with high hopes. Despite a significant initial investment, Google's inconsistent product strategy led to its downfall.Interestingly, Google is now introducing WhatsApp and SMS messaging integration to GBP profiles, suggesting an attempt to fill the void left by t...2024-06-0938 minThe Near MemoRand Fishkin interview on the importance and learnings from the Google Search LeakSend us a textRand helps us explore the implications of the Google Web Search leak and how it impacts our understanding of how the search ranking aglo actually worksThis week we interviewed Rand Fishkin of SparkToro on the details and importance of the Google Search API leak. In discussing the “biggest leak of the last 25 years” we look at how it provides SEO practitioners with menu of possible experiments to explorethe role of Chrome as a source for click through data...2024-06-0132 minThe Near MemoNew SAB Local Ranking Factor & Interpreting Google AI Tea leaves around SearchSend us a textNew SAB Local Ranking Factor: Service area businesses have long been a problem on Google Maps. Spam, privacy, suspension AND ranking issues have plagued them since the beginning. Now it appears that there may be hope on the ranking issue. Historically they were ranked around the location from which they were claimed regardless of the service area. Darren Shaw of Whitespark has uncovered some indications that this is starting to change and the ranking signals are more around the service area chosen. Stay tuned. Interpreting Google AI Tea l...2024-05-2536 minThe Near MemoChatGPT 4o Makes an Impression, Chaos that was Google I/O is Google, What Does it All Mean for SEOs?Send us a textChatGPT 4o Makes an Impression: OpenAI, not so subtly, introduced improvements to ChatGPT 4.0 just before I/O Google's event. The presentation was crisp and focused highlighting OpenAI's ChatGPT 4o enhanced speech capabilities and creative functionalities, such as summarizing audio streams shows and organizing the resultant notes into coherent outlines. Despite some features demoed on Monday being API-exclusive, the potential for ChatGPT to rival Google's search, at least on informational queries, is becoming more clear. Speculation about a potential integration with Apple's iOS adds to this potential, as this could significantly b...2024-05-1645 minThe Near MemoGoogle finally fixing LSA reviews, Why Google fails, DOJ slidedeck details abusive Google practicesSend us a text Is Google Finally fixing LSA reviews?In a significant update for advertisers and businesses in the UK, Google has announced changes to its Local Services Ads (LSA) review system. Effective July 7, the existing LSA customer review URLs will expire and be replaced with URLs from Google Business Profiles (GBP), centralizing review management under GBP. This shift mandates businesses to have an affiliated GBP to run LSAs, integrating reviews on both platforms. While it is unclear when or if this change will come to the US, it is...2024-05-1025 minThe Near MemoFrom the Vault: Do searchers use Local Finder?, How many links does a local website need? Google's BS around contentSend us a textWe're taking the week off, but here's an episode (#126) from the "vault" that we think you'll enjoy!Do Google searchers enter the Local Finder?Local SEOs wonder whether searchers actually enter the Local Finder from the Pack results. We often think no but our research indicates that not only do searchers enter the Local Finder on a regular basis, they also scroll deep and often pick a business not in the top three.The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it...2024-05-0225 minThe Near MemoAn interview with Dana DiTomaso: To Google GA4 analytics hell & back againSend us a text Dana DiTomaso brings her practical insights to the often murky waters of Google Analytics 4 (GA4). Dana, who wears multiple hats as the president and co-founder of KickPoint, shares candid thoughts on the challenges of demystifying GA4. She discusses the shortcomings of GA4, emphasizing its strong data collection capabilities but criticizing its reporting features. Dana emphasizes the necessity of understanding what GA4 and other analytics tools can and cannot do. She advocates for a realistic approach to data, encouraging marketers to focus on trends rather than absolute numbers. She discusses the integration of v...2024-04-2633 minThe Near MemoAd Sales Up, Dr. Guilty of Violating Fed. Review Law, Content Only as Good as ChatGPT Will FailSend us a text Ad market dominated by a few players: The Internet Advertising Bureau released their annual report for 2024. Digital advertising reached a record-high of $225 billion, with the biggest share going to search ($88.8 billion) & display ($66.1 billion). The bulk of this income is distributed across the top 10 advertising platforms and with the end of cookies, their dominance is likely to be reinforced. While paid search's (ie Google’s) share of total revenue declined, real dollars grew 5.2%. With a flattening of search demand, Google's new opt-in Ad Intents contextual format is an e...2024-04-1933 minThe Near MemoStandardizing Review Processes to Avoid Fear, Google Cries Wolf Around DMA, The Future of SGESend us a textReviews are Like Death & Taxes & Should be Treated that Way: Miriam Ellis wrote a great article at Moz providing small business owners tips on how to overcome their fear of reviews. But they really need to go further. Given that reviews, like death and taxes, are not going anywhere businesses need to not only remove their fear but create stringent business processes around getting AND contesting reviews that removes their emotions from the process.Google Cries ‘Wolf” When it Comes to DMA Compliance: Google's approach to DMA c...2024-04-1128 minThe Near MemoHow your agency can increase retention and profitability by offering a fractional CMO as a serviceSend us a textThe need to move SMBs from Tactics to Strategy & how fractional CMO’s can do that: John Jantsch is a seasoned consultant, speaker, and bestselling author, notably recognized for his Duct Tape Marketing brand. He shares his journey of owning an agency for 30 years, highlighting his affinity for small to midsize businesses and the challenges they face, especially regarding budget and focus. Jantsch's Duct Tape Marketing was his solution to the market's need for effective and straightforward marketing services. Over time, his approach evolved into licensing his methodology to other age...2024-03-3034 minThe Near MemoGoogle Goes to Brussels & attempts to defend their DMA complianceSend us a textIn this special edition, Mike and David discuss their visit to Brussels to attend Google’s report on their compliance with the European Digital Markets Act (DMA). The DMA, targeting large tech entities including Google, aims to regulate their status as gatekeepers to the internet. This session, specifically addressing Google's compliance, saw over 20 presenters from Google over an extensive eight-hour period, detailing their view of adherence to the DMA's regulations across various aspects of their operations.The workshop was organized by the European Commission and attended by a di...2024-03-2938 minThe Near MemoHow on page factors & Google updates, Learnings from a G Quality Rater, What is the future of SEO?Send us a textWhat on-page factors are associated with sites that see big gains or declines after Google updates? Cyrus Shepard explains his recent research looking at correlations between a range of on page factors that might affect Google’s perception of your site and analyzes which factors were associated with increases or decreases in site visibility. Are stock photos a death knell? Are ads a deal breaker? Should contact information be on every page?What Cyrus learned from being a Google Quality Rater? It isn’t easy to becom...2024-03-1652 minThe Near MemoGoogle’s Core Update & FUD, Brightlocal Consumer Review Survey, Do Searchers Use the Local Finder?Send us a text Google’s March Core Update & FUD: David Mihm sheds light on Google's March core update, marking it as an unusually impactful monthly adjustment from the tech giant. The update has sparked extensive conversation among SEO experts. He highlighted three key focus areas of the update: scaled content, largely driven by AI technologies; site reputation abuse; and what is known colloquially as "parasite SEO." The latter involves strategies to boost article visibility and rankings through dubious means, undermining the quality and reliability of search results.The concept of "...2024-03-0842 minThe Near MemoConsumer Research Highlights Limited Impact of EU Mandated Local SERP Change & On-going EU ChallengeSend us a textConsumer Research Highlights Limited Impact of DMA Mandated Google's SERP Changes: Near Media unveiled findings from their latest research on the restaurant vertical in Ireland, investigating the effects of Google's Search Engine Results Page (SERP) changes in light of the Digital Markets Act. The study aimed to ascertain whether Google's adjustments to its Irish SERP features influence user click behavior or choices, particularly in selecting restaurants. The UI changes implemented by Google, such as the Places Sites module intended to feature local directories and content websites about restaurants, received minimal e...2024-03-0133 minThe Near MemoLong tail searcher behaviors, Gemini switch appears, Content publishing being upended by searchSend us a textLong tail searcher behaviors: 10% of Discovery searches involve a brand search on Google: In our most recent multi-location consumer Google search behavior research analyzing restaurant searches we saw roughly 10% of all searchers use the scrolling map for location precision and we saw an equal number of searchers do a local brand search as part of their discovery process. These brand searches seem to be either to better understand a location or to confirm their choice. Oftentimes it was a shorthand way for searchers to increase their confidence in the overall r...2024-02-2233 minThe Near MemoG-SERPs product searches, Google PR around review removals is puffery, Google Maps SGE a hot messSend us a text Google adds Reddit to product searches and spammers follow: We discuss a new study by Glenn Alsop that examines the prevalence of discussion and forum search features This module is a tacit admission on Google's part that its algorithm can no longer actually surface good organic content. LikeThe study, which analyzed 10,000 product review search queries, revealed significant insights into user behavior and Google's response to search result satisfaction.According to the findings, the discussions and forums Search Engine Results Page (SERP) feature appears in 77% of the an...2024-02-1534 minThe Near MemoWill AI Improve SMB Websites? GMaps Getting Gemini, Bright Local Brand Survey TakeawaysSend us a text Will AI Improve SMB Websites?Consumers overwhelmingly prefer AI-generated content over human-created content across various formats, signaling a potential shift in online content creation. Businesses and agencies are adopting AI for content creation, citing effectiveness and cost reduction. However, concerns about the loss of human touch and authenticity persist, especially in personal brand building and influencer marketing. While AI can streamline information delivery, the rise of generic AI content may prompt a resurgence in demand for authentic, personalized content from individuals and brands.Google Maps Getting Conversational AI: 2024-02-0934 minThe Near Memo10 years of SERP changes, Hidden Gems update is impacting Local Search, New EU Local Search ResultsSend us a textWhat 10 years of changes to the SERPS mean for marketers today: We discuss Andy Crestodina’s most recent article where he looks at 10+ years of changes to google search results and what they mean. He highlights the evolving dynamics of search engine optimization (SEO) and the importance of diversifying marketing strategies beyond just SEO and Google. It underscores the observation that while rankings can be stable over time with continued investment in SEO, changes in Google's algorithms mean that simply achieving a high position in the search engine results pages (SERP) isn...2024-02-0225 minThe Near MemoFired Google Raters replaced w/ AI? SEO Tools are just tools, Hidden Gems & decline of Big SocialSend us a text Will Fired Google Raters Be Replaced with AI?Last week Google terminated their relationship with one of the companies responsible for rating the quality of websites. Certainly Google has been on a cost cutting rampage of late with layoffs and product cancellations. But is the ending of one of their relationships with one of the companies responsible for quality rating just a cost cutting measure or a foreshadowing of Google using AI to perform this important task?SEO Tools are just tools and should be used with care:2024-01-2537 minThe Near MemoSGE NOT the Future, GBP End Days? Google Chooses Sizzle over Steak?Send us a textSGE has huge impacts but is still just a testing ground: Some industries, like healthcare, are impacted by Google’s SGE (search generative experience) than others with 76% of queries analyzed being impacted by SGE. While other industries show lesser impact, it is still significant. But SGE is still just a test and one that impacts those likely to enroll in these sorts of experiments, like SEO pros. While many SEOs fear that SGE IS the future of search, it is more likely a testing ground as Google figures out exactly how...2024-01-2033 minThe Near MemoLSA Scam & Honest Businesses, Google Created a Shitty Internet? Generative AI & its Impact on GoogleSend us a textHow the Google Guarantee Scam Impacts Honest Businesses?The Google Guarantee Scam is frequently perpetrated by groups of foreign nationals working in relative anonymity and looking for a quick profit. While some blame goes to these actors, the ultimate fault and responsibility lies with Google. Honest businesses have been negatively impacted by the Google Guarantee LSA scam:Loss of business: Some businesses have reported losing up to 70% of their business due to the scam. This is because potential customers are being lured away by fake reviews, fake...2024-01-1244 minThe Near MemoExposing the Google Local Service Ads Scam in Home Services: A Marketer's InsightSend us a textJoin us in this eye-opening discussion with Zachary Dotson, an experienced marketer in the home services industry, as he sheds light on a rampant scam in Google Local Service Ads. Learn how fake companies are exploiting the system with stolen licenses and profiles, bait-and-switch pricing tactics, and the impact on legitimate businesses and consumers. Discover the challenges faced in tackling these scams and the response from authorities and Google. This conversation with Mike Blumenthal from Near Media is a must-watch for anyone in the service industry or those who use online ads for...2024-01-1114 minThe Near MemoBusinesses & Google SGE, Google Goes All in On Interstitials, Where is Bard Going?Send us a text What Should Businesses Do About Google SGE?Google has not yet announced any concrete plans for the future of Search Generative Experience (SGE), and it is unclear how it will evolve in the coming years. SGE is still in its early, very crude stages and it is not yet known how it will impact search traffic. Many SEOS reacted with fear and loathing but in the end the impact of SGE may in fact be minimal. However, businesses can start to experiment with SGE by:Triggering SGE t...2024-01-0532 minThe Near MemoThe Google Review Fraud Landscape in Maps & LSA and How a Business Should RespondSend us a textThe Google Review Fraud Landscape in Maps & LSA and How a Business Should Respond: Google Review Fraud Landscape (10:17):Estimates that 18% of reviews across various platforms are fake.Home service industries, such as locksmiths, moving companies, and HVAC, are heavily affected.Legal sector is also impacted, with fake reviews prevalent among personal injury, criminal defense, and DUI lawyers.LSA Review Fraud (21:38):Lead generation scammers are stealing business from ethical businesses using fake LSA reviews.They overcharge co...2023-12-2045 minThe Near MemoWill Google's Reactive Behavior to Search Quality & AI Solve Their Problems?Send us a textWill Google's Reactive Behavior to Search Quality & AI Solve Their Problems?Google is struggling to adapt to the changing market dynamics, including the rise of AI, TikTok, and criticism of declining search result quality.Google's efforts to retain younger users by modifying its search results to include more engaging content like social media, short videos, and images.Google's algorithmic updates are aimed at improving search result relevance and combating the issue of low-quality AI-generated content. LSA Ad Efficiency and Google's Transition to a...2023-12-1622 minThe Near MemoCan Gemini Fix Search? The Impact of Google’s Rating Bias, LSA ReviewjackingSend us a text Can Gemini Fix Search?Google’s current interface and attempts at query refinement are largely broken. Google’s new Gemini upgrade to SGE appears to offer advanced search query refinement capabilities and individualized user interfaces that could resolve both of those issues. The potential or customized and visually diverse search results when integrated into search could provide a much improved user experience.The Impact of Google’s Rating Bias:Google's more liberal grading scheme seems to inflate ratings compared to other platforms. This discrepancy leads to user co...2023-12-0831 minThe Near MemoHow Local SEO Agencies are using Generative AI & ChatGPT: Tips, tactics and strategiesSend us a textIn this extended episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling , Joy Hawkins, Darren Shaw & Mike Blumenthal explore the role of generative AI and how it has evolved one year after CHat GPT was released. We cover:Experiences and opinions on the use of AI tools like ChatGPT in SEO and content creation.The effectiveness of AI in different aspects of agency work, including creative tasks and data analysis.The influence of AI on the quality of content and the evolving nature of SEO strategies.Perspectives on the future impact of AI o...2023-11-2346 minThe Near MemoGoogle’s newest search features, Whitespark: Reviews by category, Fake review enforcement failuresSend us a textGoogle’s Newest Search Features: “Whipped cream on S.H. I. .T”.?While Google's new features aim to enhance user interaction and personalize the search experience, they may not address broader user concerns about search result quality and privacy. And in fact may, as David points out, might just be whipped cream on a not very tasty substrate. The success of these features will depend on their implementation, user acceptance, and compliance with global privacy standards.Whitespark Research: Exploring the Landscape of Local Business Reviews across 1 Million Listing...2023-11-1730 minThe Near MemoGMaps Immersive directions, Citations & Local Search, The GBP new small business attributeSend us a textGoogle Maps from useful to bloat?Google Maps continues to add new features and functionality and as it has become a primary search engine for Google and its forward facing brand it has included so much functionality that it suffers from extreme bloat. The new immersive directions exemplifies the problem. but Maps is a deep moat and it is very difficult for others to challenge. Citations and their value to Local Search: In the past, citations from directories were crucial for local businesses, especially those without a s...2023-11-0926 minThe Near MemoLessons in Building and Marketing a Consumer BrandSend us a text“Running a startup is like being in a knife fight,” BeanBox Co-Founder and CEO Matthew Berk unexpectedly says, as he describes the arduous but rewarding journey from the world of SaaS to making a real-world consumer product. From Local Search to the Speciality Coffee Business:Matthew Berk’s personal and professional path took him from a humanities degree to co-found a local-search startup (OpenList) and eventually to a more traditional real-world manufacturing and logistics business (Bean Box), where he’s the CEO today. OpenList was ahead of...2023-10-2059 minThe Near MemoGBP Call History returns, Local Trust Report, SGE Where now?Send us a textGBP Call History’s History - What does it say about Google?Google Business Profile Call History has been problematic from the start because it made the business of calling a business more like roulette. When it disappeared after months of barely functioning every thought it had been nuked. But it's back. Its chaotic development, its checkered history, the lack of communication around it speaks to all of the things that Google does poorly and why any smart business would not put such a critical piece of infrastructure in Google’s ha...2023-10-1233 minThe Near MemoBulk Dashboard Comeback?, GBP listing cleanup, Alternatives to Google searchSend us a textBulk Dashboard Comeback?, GBP listing cleanup, Alternatives to Google searchSegment 1 Title (100 chars): Will GBP rescue the multi-location Business Profile Manager dashboard from the trash bin?Google recently added a new functionality to the Business Profile Manager dashboard: they upgraded the bulk Insights download to match the data points available in the API and the Google Maps editing interface. Is this an indication that Google is finally dusting off the dashboard and is going to make it fit for service? GBP listing cleanup & more ri...2023-10-0628 minThe Near MemoSo Clicks are a ranking signal? Google Comments on Review Fraud, Bard enhanced with extensionsSend us a text “Clicks Are Not a ranking signal” except that they are: If we have learned anything over the years with Google it is that you need to take with a huge grain of salt. While they might not lie, they have such narrow definitions and unstated assumptions that you really don’t know what they mean. Recent evidence in the antitrust case reveals that to be more true than ever. Google Comments on Review Fraud: “We are the victim here”: In a shameless example of self interested...2023-09-2923 minThe Near MemoGoogle’s Online Local Ads, Bard & Local SEO, The Impact of Chat on Future of Local SearchSend us a textUnpacking OLAs: The Pros and Cons of Google's New Ad Type for Local Businesses:OLAs, a new ad type that appear on the business profile for local businesses, have been formally released. These ads are independent of the business and can be placed by allowlisted companies. Google has a whitelist to get into this program, and the ads can be placed by companies such as Groupon, Michelin, or a hair product company. The ad targets specific products, such as hair treatments, tires, or events, and appear on the business profile of l...2023-04-1435 minThe Near MemoBarry Schwartz Talks All Things Google - UI, Algorithms and AI SpamSend us a textIn this 44 minute interview, David, Mike and Greg interrogate Barry Schwartz about algorithm updates, the SERP and the future of Google in an era of AI-generated content. Here are the topics in roughly the order they appear:Google UI changes and Universal SearchWhy Google makes SERP design changesMajor algorithm updates in 2021 and 2022Helpful content update, spam and product review updates Is Google really trying to make search better? How the SERP has become more competitiveFuture viability of content written to rank The problem with recipe blogs Keyword stuffing and gaming the algorithmYMYL cont...2022-12-2144 minThe Near MemoSurvey:Buying links works, Why did Alexa fail? Moderation will be at center of Sec 230 debateSend us a text74.3% of link builders pay for links and 89.1% of link builders say nofollow links have an impact on rankings. David reviewed a new survey of ~800 link builders by Authority Hacker. Regardless of what Google proclaims, buying links is a tried and tested way to gain site benefits in less than 6 months and it's here to stay. Alexa pullback by Amazon points to difficulties with Voice. It is estimated that the Alexa unit had a negative $10 billion impact on Amazon this year with no significant contribution to increasing sales. As...2022-12-0337 minThe Near MemoJust How Prevalent Are Zero-Click Search Results? (featuring Marcus Tober of Semrush)Send us a textMarcus Tober, SVP of Enterprise Solutions for Semrush, joins Greg and David for this episode of the Near Memo. The trio discusses Semrush’s recent zero-click search study in depth. Conceived as a slightly more nuanced follow-up to Sparktoro/Rand Fishkin’s provocative original look at this concept, Marcus takes us through some of the important high-level findings. There’s of course plenty of discussion around what this means for locally-oriented marketers, and how marketers should use the results of the study to inf...2022-11-0432 minThe Near MemoShopify disappoints on retention, SEMRush Zero Click research & Apple Maps vs Google Maps in EuropeSend us a textDescriptionShopify study shows much higher churn than WooCommerce, why & what are the implications?A recent study in the Mails & Globe explores retention over the past 3 years of the major e-commerce platforms. They concluded that Shopify's retention was one of the lowest particularly compared to Woo Commerce. Is this a failure on the part of Shopify or just a reflection of how easy it is to get started with the product? While interesting, does the study tell the whole story?SEMRush zero click study makes...2022-10-2824 minThe Near MemoGoogle 3-Pack: New Branded Ads, GBP Neglect, and Container Retail Models (feat. Krystal Taing)Send us a textKrystal Taing, Director of Pre-Sales Solutions for Uberall and Google Business Profile Platinum Product Expert, joins Greg and David for this episode of the Near Memo. The trio discusses Google’s latest visually-significant ad update and implications for both paid and organic marketers. David then laments the rapid increase in GBP-related bugs and complaints over the course of the last several months and the team discusses GBP’s strategic place in Mountain View. Krystal closes the show by highlighting the acceleration of the store-within-a-store trend and how brands with outlets that...2022-10-2028 minThe Near MemoWhitespark’s Effort to Reach an Underserved Part of the SMB Market with Its SEO ServicesSend us a textAllie Margeson, Director of SEO Services for Whitespark, joins Greg and David for this episode of the Near Memo. She takes a deeper dive into the logic behind, and the mechanics of, Whitespark’s new three-tiered service offering which involves not just Google Business Profile optimization but website updates and linkbuilding.Allie and Whitespark have a unique perspective on serving small businesses that most agencies and SaaS companies ignore, due to the difficulty of serving them profitably. She shares some behind-the-scenes information ab...2022-10-1337 minThe Near MemoNear Media X NearSt: Google’s Insatiable Appetite for Local Inventory DataSend us a text“Mike’s Excellent European Adventure” continues this week, so Nick Brackenbury, CEO of SaaS company NearSt joins Greg and David for a fast-moving conversation about his company’s growth curve alongside the explosion of “near me” searches and Google’s appetite for local inventory in search results since 2015.Nick takes listeners through how NearSt came to be, a major pivot in NearSt’s trajectory, its partnerships with Google and other major platforms, the current penetration of digital inventory solutions among brick-and-mortar stores, and the latest local com...2022-10-0637 minThe Near MemoThe power of great CX, What % of searches are local? Antitrust laws & how marketing might changeSend us a text Chewy’s provides great CX and it goes viral: When a dog owner’s pet died and they asked Chewy to refund their unused food, the company went above and beyond. In doing so, they demonstrated the incredible viral value of great customer service. A simple customer service act provides bountiful returns. A look at the top 1000 Google queries on the desktop and what it says about local: Kevin Indig of Shopify looked at the top 1000 searches on Google Desktop. Interestingly at least ⅓ were local in intent and most of...2022-06-1733 minThe Near MemoApple Maps goes from goat to great, Twitter needs new model, Fired Xooglers sue over Don’t be evilSend us a textAfter the release of iOS 15 it has become clear that Apple is not just a wannabe in the mapping space. As they move towards AR, Maps has become a discovery platform and a fully functional travel tool. Mike, attempting to eat his own dog food, takes it on his cross country journey as his sole mapping and discovery tool. Twitter, despite its outsized role in our news focused culture, has long underperformed financially. Whether Dorsey left willingly or was forced out, there is an opportunity to redefine h...2021-12-0427 minThe Near MemoGoogle My Business Rebrand - Is it a chance to fix GMB or an opportunity to nuke part of the stack?Send us a textThis week we discuss but one topic, the rebranding of the Google My Business tools to the Business Profile. With enhanced in-search and in Maps editing, Google is trying (once again) to lure small businesses to edit their listings via new features. The GMB API will become the Business Profile API and they claim that the GMB dashboard will become the Business Profile Dashboard in 2022. But they also announced the sunsetting of their GMB app. Join us this week as David and Mike bet on the outcome. The Near M...2021-11-0626 minThe Near MemoConfession of a Local Guide, Google’s push for privacy, SMB Platforms for marketing & ops automationSend us a textMike discusses his journey down the gamified rabbithole of the wildly successful Google Local Guides program, how the program promotes quantity over quality and why every business needs to not let their brand be controlled by the likes of the Local Guides. SMBS have traditionally relied on best of breed SAAS point solutions to solve their pre-sale, in house and post-sale needs. Now the major SMB platforms are now converging on high quality capabilities across all three areas PLUS integrating with the likes of Google. This allows the SMB to use one...2021-05-2920 minThe Near MemoShopify makes the case for local ecommerce, Why do consumers desire to buy local but still buy at Amazon?; How did Google win the review wars vs Yelp?Send us a textPart 1 Shopify makes the case for local ecommerceA report with a soup-to-nuts discussion of shopping and commerce trends, including online vs. offline, social commerce, retail experiences, payments and banking services. One interesting finding: retailers with local pickup/delivery options saw 13% - 19% higher online conversions. Apparently the Japanese are the least likely to support shopping locally Why do consumers desire to buy local but still buy at Amazon? Most consumers say and often feel that they want to support local businesses. Yet their actions often belie that feeling as...2021-05-1525 minThe Near MemoApple Tracking Opt-in Only 4%, Shopify focuses on helping SMB be better, Facebooks Neighborhood, a NextDoor clone, is likely to be like Nextdoor but worseSend us a textApple Tracking Opt-in at 4% in US, lower than anticipated, Shopify focuses on helping SMB be better and retain customer relationships, Facebooks Neighborhood, a NextDoor clone, is likely to be like Nextdoor but worse because of poor moerationAs the Apple 3rd party opt in rolls out, opt in numbers are lower than anticipated. THis points ot the consumers desire for more privacy and why government should up their privacy gameUnlike Facebook and Google who aggregate consumers to gain levarge over businesses, Shopify focuses soley on the SMB...2021-05-0822 minThe Near MemoIs Apple being paternalistic to not allow advertisers to provide ATT incentives? Can Yelp make their way with transactions? Amazon, amazing profits, amazing (& ruthless) efficienciesSend us a textIs Apple being paternalistic or ethical in not allowing advertisiers to provide incentives for Apple users to opt into advertising tracking? Should privacy be commoditized?Can Yelp make their way back by moving to transactional approach to local? After alienating most SMBS in the country and seeing ever increasing declines in readership David doesn't think that Yelp moving to a transactional model will save them.Amazaon, amazing profits, amazing (& ruthless) efficienies. In Amazon's efficiencies and ruthlessness we see all of the contradictions of American commerce. Includes a cartoon that s...2021-05-0120 minThe Near MemoEpisode 10: SWYFT Opens New Avenues for SMBs to compete with Prime, Is the FTC getting serious about review enforcement, So long Yahoo Answers, will anyone get this product category right?Send us a textThe Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands. With Swyft providing last mile same day delivery will we see small businesses being able to offer their Prime like subscriptions? - DavidThe new FTC rule-making changes are signaling that the FTC will use their authority to deter and punish for fake reviews and testimonials. - MikeWhy did Yahoo Answers fail and what will it take to have a g...2021-04-1020 minThe Near MemoEpisode 9: Website Builder SquareSpace acquires restaurant backend restaurant system Tock; Google My Business shoots themselves in the Messaging foot; GroundTruth stays true to the SMB and acquires display advertising platform, AddySend us a textWebsite Builder SquareSpace acquires restaurant backend system Tock; will other website builders need to acquire more backend functionality? Will Web 3.0 be about business services? - Mike blumenthalGoogle My Business, historically tone deaf when it comes to small business, shoots themselves in the Messaging foot by showing competitors when a consumer attempts to message a specific business. Will small business adopt this critical messaging product if it highlights their competitors? - David MihmGroundTruth is betting heavily on the SMB market. Yesterday it announced the acquisition of Addy, which...2021-04-0323 min