Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• Google Maps Q&A going away to be replaced by AI Q&A.
• GBP review appeals delayed.
• Danny Sullivan and John Mueller from Google discuss how AI SEO is the same as regular SEO.
• Google releases feature that uses AI phone calls to check business prices.
• Google states the disappearing reviews bug has now been fixed.
• Google reviewer nicknames officially rolled out.
• Is it bad to use similar phone numbers for two different GBPs?
• Does having text on an image help with SEO?
• Does Google reject verification videos if there are faces in it?
• How do I get into the top rated businesses in Google’s AI mode?
• Why is Google not showing the tools that allow me to edit inside Google Search?
• What should I do if I have a duplicate listing?
• If Google says reviews were removed for valid reasons, is it worth contesting it?
• Does Google AI use prices you set on your services for the “get a quote” feature?
• If you use AI to get prices, is it able to navigate a business’s phone tree?
• What should I do if Google has denied reinstatement after the appeal and review process?
• How much is a GBP rank affected by how recent the latest reviews are?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• Google launches scheduling and multi-location publishing on Google Posts.
• Google API implies Service Areas do not affect ranking.
• You can now leave anonymous Google Reviews.
• Google now sends notifications when review restrictions are removed from an account.
• Local Marketing Institute will be starting up a new newsletter.
• When searching a law firm, the GBP shows at the bottom of the page of results - is this a bug?
• How much should you fill out for an organization schema for a local business?
• Is it possible to close a competitor GBP that was acquired while transferring the reviews to the main profile?
• Should I use products to promote a service business such as a family attorney?
• Should I use extra long title tags for local?
• Do Service Areas in GBP have influence on Service Areas targeted in LSA?
• Is there any value to adding geo-coordinates to GBP Photos?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• Google Maps rolls out reviewer nicknames.
• Google LSA adds “get competitive quotes” and “request multiple opinions” buttons.
• Gemini 3 AI mode rolled out.
• GhatGPT uses Google for Atlas browser.
• Semrush acquired by Adobe for 1.9 billion.
• Extortion attempts for GBPs on the rise.
• How do I resolve my “pending edits” faster?
• What causes a website’s url to change to an OEM url?
• Are there any new developments in AI in Local Search?
• Should I turn on messaging for WhatsApp in my GBP?
• Why does changing my address for an SAB not trigger reverification after moving to a different state?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com