We’re wrapping up the year with a special episode of the Whitespark Local Update! Darren is joined by the one and only Mike Blumenthal from Near Media. In this episode, they discuss:

📝 Google Removing Q&A Feature In Google Maps For AI-Powered Ask Button (Barry Schwartz)
📝 A Guide to Web Guide: Our Hybrid Search Future (Dr. Peter J. Meyers)
📝 AI-generated VS Human-written SEO Content (Andrew van Rossenberg)
📝 People Prefer AI-written Content (Kevin Indig)
📝 The Global Wave of Deleted Google Reviews: What Our Data Reveals About AI, Law, and Trust (Michel van Luijtelaar)
📝 Complaints About Review Takedowns Are Rising (Mike Blumenthal)
📝 AI Mode and Agentic Local Results (Mike Blumenthal)
📝 Future of the SERP Is Dynamic (Near Media)
⭐Near Media Podcast

We are back with another episode of the Whitespark Local Update, where our host Claire Carlile and special guest Elizabeth Rule discuss:

📝 New weekly and monthly views in Search Console (Google)

📝 New AI-powered configuration in Search Console (Google)

📝 Google introduces social channels in Search Console

📝 Stop asking ChatGPT how it works (Britney Muller)

📝 Google review blocks are on the rise (Claudia Tomina)

📝 Google revamped the verification issue options in GBP Support forms (Claudia Tomina)

✍️ Sign up for the December Local U webinar: 3 Major Local SEO Threats to Prepare for in 2026

A lot happened in SEO last week, and we’re breaking down the updates you actually need to know. In this episode, we talk about:

📝 How geotagging photos affects Google Business Profile rank: Study (Search Engine Land, Jake Hundley)
📝 Anonymous Google Reviews Are Here: What Your Business Should Do Now (Whitespark, Allie Margeson)
📝 8-Step Business Name Change Checklist (SterlingSky, Elizabeth Rule)
📝 Google’s prompting guide 101
📝 Actionable AI For Marketers (Britney Muller)
📝 Secret AI Community: Orange Labs (Britney Muller)