• AI vs Human Content, Missing Google Reviews & the Evolution of Q&A | E16 The Whitespark Local Update
    Dec 23 2025

    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

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    32 mins
  • AI Powered Analysis in GSC & Surviving Local SEO in 2026 | E15 The Whitespark Local Update
    Dec 17 2025

    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

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    19 mins
  • AI Prompts for SMBs, New Geotagging Study, & Rebranding Checklist | E14 The Whitespark Local Update
    Dec 9 2025

    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)

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    16 mins
  • How To Increase Ranking Radius & How Psychology Can Boost Reviews | E13 The Whitespark Local Update
    Dec 2 2025

    Another busy week in SEO! Here’s the roundup of the biggest updates, weirdest bugs, and most interesting findings this week:

    📝 The proximity paradox: Beating local SEO’s distance bias (Miriam Ellis)

    📝 Ben Franklin Effect applied to asking for reviews (Sam Knight)

    📝 RIP Service Area Ranking Factor (Claudia Tomina)

    📝 Google Local Pack Links To Places Tab With Pagination Bug (Barry Schwartz)

    📝 Google Business Profiles adds scheduling and multi-location publishing to Google Posts (Barry Schwartz)

    ⭐ Download your Google reviews with the Whitespark Local Platform

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    19 mins
  • Anonymous Google Reviews, SEO Imposter Syndrome, & NEW Google Help Vid | E12 The Whitespark Local Update
    Nov 25 2025

    Your favourite local SEO podcast is back, and we’ve got two weeks’ worth of SEO and marketing goodness to catch up on. In this episode, we discuss:

    📝 Google Business Profile Support Tips Video (Lisa Landsman)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vAzpb1ZKwZM
    📝 Google announces anonymous Google reviews
    📝 Raise the Bar: Optimizing your Google Business Profile
    📝 New "Let Google Call" Button (Greg Sterling)
    📝 SEO Imposter Syndrome In An AI Era: You’re [Not] On Your Own Kid (Elizabeth Linder)
    📝 Mine your competitor’s reviews with Gemini (Anthony Kettaneh)

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    20 mins
  • 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors & Free Marketing Course | E11 The Whitespark Local Update
    Nov 11 2025

    This week’s episode is shorter and packed with value. Darren highlights some key insights from Whitespark’s 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors report, and Claire tells you about some fantastic SEO and digital marketing content you don’t want to miss.

    ⭐ Whitespark's Official 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors

    ⭐ Whitespark's Official 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors Video

    Here are the rest of the sources mentioned in this episode:

    📝 Agentic capabilities in AI Mode (Rose Yao)

    📝 The Ultimate Digital Marketing Training for 2026 (Exposure Ninja)

    📝 Big Update to Google Posts (Claudia Tomina)

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    12 mins
  • How AIO Is Really Just SEO (ft. SEO Expert Dana DiTomaso) | E10 The Whitespark Local Update
    Nov 4 2025

    In this episode of The Whitespark Local Update, Claire Carlile chats with the brilliant Dana DiTomaso about how AI and LLMs are transforming search and what that means for local businesses. They share practical insights on staying visible, adapting to new platforms, and connecting with today’s consumers.

    Follow Dana DiTomaso ❤️
    LinkedIn | YouTube

    Resources mentioned in this episode:

    📝 How to Track and Report on Traffic from AI Tools in GA4 (Dana DiTomaso)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlL5ZV8z3H4

    🔥 Leadferno

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    22 mins
  • We Asked SEO Experts for Their #1 Tip at BrightonSEO | E9 The Whitespark Local Update
    Oct 28 2025

    Оur first-ever in-person Local Update, recorded live at BrightonSEO 🎉 We asked four speakers to share one key takeaway from their talks, and here's what happened.

    Here are the talks our guests shared their takeaways from:

    🎤 Local SEO in the Age of AI Search: Don’t Get Left Behind (Michel van Luijtelaar)
    🎤 How to Turn Your Locations' Presence into Performance (Sara Vordermeier)
    🎤 Mindset for SEO: Future Career Progression (Greg Gifford)
    🎤 Trust & Traffic: How Community Fuels Organic Growth (Erin Simmons)

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    11 mins