Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

Sterling Sky Inc.
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Monthly

The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!

  1. 19h ago

    Ex-Googlers Reveal 3 Google Business Profile Secrets | Brad Wetherall & Joel Headley

    https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/ In Part 1 of this exclusive Episode, I sit down with former Google employees Joel Headley and Brad Wetherall to uncover what really happens behind the scenes of Google Business Profiles, and what business owners often get completely wrong. Why reviews disappear, why edits don’t stick, and why support often feels like a dead end. We break down how Google actually evaluates trust, filters reviews, and decides what gets published or ignored. If you rely on Google Maps to drive calls, leads, or foot traffic, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Links: https://www.thegbpexperts.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradwetherall/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelheadley/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction : Why your Google reviews disappear and profiles get suspended 00:47 Meet the Former Googlers : Intro of Brad Weatherall and Joel Headley 01:41 The Mystery of Missing Reviews : Understanding the cyclical nature of review removals 03:46 The Balancing Act : How Google experiments with algorithms and causes collateral damage 05:51 Why Seasonality Matters : Why Google avoids major algorithm tweaks in Q4 07:22 Behind the Scenes : How Google targets spam and uses automated scripts 12:18 Review Parties and Proximity Signals : The risks of getting too many reviews at one location 15:34 Tactics for Getting Filtered Reviews to Stick : Discussion on editing reviews and profile links 17:48 The "Recaptcha" Logic in Reviews : How mouse movement impacts Google's trust 21:44 New Google Guidelines : Speculation on why Google discourages mentioning employee names 27:10 Do Reviews Ever Truly Get Deleted? : Understanding the hidden database where content is stored 31:04 One Google, Many Teams : Why advice contradicts enforcement across Policy, Product, and Support 33:36 Is Reaching Out to Support Worth It? : The reality of modern automated machine decision-making 39:13 Pro-Tips for Navigating Support Levels : Understanding Levels 1, 2, and 3 and the language trick 53:48 The "Escape Hatch" : How to trigger the manual verification process 59:49 Coming Up on Part 2 : Teaser for the next episode on negative reviews and suspensions   Ep 26102 pt1   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

    1 hr

  2. May 27

    2026 SEO Secrets That Ranked 1,000+ Sites (James Dooley)

    In this episode, we sit down with SEO legend James Dooley, who has built and ranked over 1,000 domains and generated more than 2 million enquiries online. If you’re wondering how to rank a website on Google in 2026, this is the conversation you need to hear. We break down: 🔹The exact SEO strategies working right now 🔹When duplicate content becomes a real problem 🔹Whether brand matters more than backlinks 🔹Plus: how AI traffic compares to Google traffic today. If you’re a business owner, agency, or SEO trying to stay ahead of Google’s algorithm, this episode will give you clarity. James Dooley started his career in digital marketing in 2009, when he built his first website. James Dooley quickly became fascinated by SEO and began to learn everything he could about the subject. In the years since, James Dooley has built and ranked over 1,000 domains online as a UK-based Digital Landlord, generating over 2 million enquiries. Chapters:  00:00 - Introduction: James Dooley's SEO Journey 01:36 - The Key to Winning in 2026: Holistic Marketing 02:07 - Finding Profit in Narrow Niches 04:11 - Social Media for Local Businesses: Ranking Your Posts 06:22 - Optimizing Facebook Posts for Search 08:27 - Explaining Semantic Triples 09:44 - Strategies for Forcing Google to Index Content 12:28 - Leveraging Facebook Groups for Visibility 16:21 - The Power of Self-Promoting Listicles 19:14 - Facebook Pages vs. Profiles for SEO 21:11 - LinkedIn vs. Other Platforms: Hashtags and Links 22:42 - Cracking the Code on Reddit Ranking 26:22 - AI Overviews: Impact on Lead Volume and Quality 30:52 - The Future of LLMs: ChatGPT vs. Claude and Gemini 36:06 - Crafting the Perfect URL Structure 39:05 - When to Create Specific Service Area Pages 41:46 - Essential Elements of a Service Area Page 45:54 - The Truth About Duplicate Content on Local Sites 52:24 - Algorithm Update Trends: Brand and Social Signals 55:36 - Why Traditional Link Building is Diminishing 58:56 - Avoiding Toxic Links and PBN Scams 1:02:44 - Proactive Reputation Management 1:04:50 - James's Recommendations for Learning SEO 1:06:22 - How Long Does It Take to Rank a New Site? 1:12:18 - How Paid Traffic Indirectly Boosts Organic Rankings 1:15:06 - The Mistake of Using Separate Domains for PPC 1:19:37 - Social Media Ad Strategies for Lead Generation 1:23:13 - Local Pack vs. Organic Leads: Quality Comparisons 1:25:01 - Speed to Lead: The Importance of Rapid Response 1:27:28 - Utilizing WhatsApp and SMS for Lead Nurturing #localseo #seo #localsearch EP 26088 __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/

    1h 30m

  3. Apr 22

    The 2026 Google Business Profile Review Trends You Can’t Ignore | Claudia Tomina

    Ever had a customer swear they left a 5-star review, but it never appears or vanishes without a trace? With sophisticated artificial intelligence and advanced pattern recognition capabilities, algorithms are getting better at identifying unusual activity.   This video explains how 'missing reviews' and spikes in customer review volume can flag your online reputation, especially on platforms like Google Reviews. It's not just random; ai models are becoming incredibly adept at detecting fake reviews and other anomalies.   🔗 Show Links & Resources   📈 Local SEO Research & Reports ◼Google Map Pack Study: How Call Buttons Affect Rankings https://smallbizedge.com/reports/map-pack-call-buttons/ ◼Industry Report: The State of Local SEO in 2026 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼Analysis: The New Ranking Factor Landscape https://www.linkedin.com/posts/claudia-tomina_the-new-ranking-factor-landscape-google-activity-7425213430845976577-ucC_/   🛠 GBP Management & Policy Updates ◼Policy Update: GBP Identity & Review Policy Changes https://www.linkedin.com/posts/hiroko-imai_the-google-business-profile-policy-has-been-activity-7429686096822812672-GMWv/ ◼SAB Guide: How to Move an SAB Without Destroying Rankings https://www.sterlingsky.ca/move-your-sab-without-destroying-rankings/ ◼Reference: Google Maps Business Support https://developers.google.com/maps/documentation/geocoding/overview   📊 Data & Visuals ◼State of Local SEO in 2026: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ ◼% of Keyword with Local Services Ads (LSA): https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/LSA-Ads-v2-padding-1-2048x1270.png ◼% of Keywords Showing Local Pack Ads : https://www.sterlingsky.ca/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/CleanShot-2026-03-30-at-10.51.31-1024x635.png   #localseo #seo #localsearch __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO   At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed.   We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same.   READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL?   Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/   Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/   ⏯️ Chapters: 00:00 Why Google Reviews Disappear (Intro & Hook) 01:20 Guest Introduction: Claudia Tomina 01:42 #1 Reason Reviews Don't Publish: No Prior Engagement 03:02 Tips to Get Reviews to Publish (Branded Search Strategy) 05:18 Is Google Punishing Businesses for Using Their Own Review Link? 07:09 Do Review Request Campaigns Boost Rankings? 08:06 CTR Manipulation: Does It Work & Can It Hurt You? 10:37 Can You Recover Unpublished or Deleted Reviews? 11:50 Review Velocity & Patterns That Trigger Filtering 13:13 Real Case: Law Firm Burned by Bought Reviews 15:12 When Google Flags a Group of Negative Reviews as an Attack 18:26 Pre-Algorithm vs. Post-Algorithm Review Removal 20:33 The "4–5 Day Disappearing Review" Trend: Bug or Feature? 37:55 The Future of Google Bookings & Agentic Local Search 39:48 Google's Chat Feature: Why It's Not Taking Off 40:52 Are Google Posts Worth It? When They Work & When They Don't 43:46 AI-Generated Content on Google Business Profiles 45:32 Editorial Summaries vs. Review Summaries vs. "Know Before You Go" 47:29 Who to Follow for Local SEO Insights 50:41 Removing Negative Reviews: What Actually Works 52:49 What Causes Google to Block Google Posts 54:06 Starting a New Business: How to Allocate 5 Hours/Week for Marketing 55:56 What Content Is Working Right Now (and What's Dying) 58:06 Is Social Media a Direct Google Ranking Factor? 1:01:18 Real Local SEO Problem: Website URL Change That Generated Instant Calls 1:02:36 Primary Category Strategy & Why It Determines Your Rankings 1:07:06 Google Business Profiles Are Driving Fewer Calls — Why? 1:09:30 The Rise of Local Service Ads & Map Pack Ads (2024–2026 Data) 1:12:40 AI Mode vs. Traditional Google Maps: The Key Differences 1:14:02 Live Demo: AI Mode Search for "Best Sushi in Michigan" 1:19:29 Ranking Signals That Matter for AI Mode (vs. Local Pack) 1:26:19 Map Pin Placement: The Hidden Ranking Factor Most Businesses Miss 1:29:49 Service Area Businesses & the Hidden Address Problem 1:35:45 Rapid Fire Q&A: Overrated Tactics, Reviews vs. Backlinks & More 1:37:14 Where to Find Claudia Tamina & Closing Thoughts   Ep 26074

    1h 38m

  4. Mar 25

    Is SEO Screwed? Lily Ray on Google’s CRACKDOWN For 2026

    Google's increasingly aggressive crackdowns and harsher core updates are significantly impacting Local SEO and AI search professionals. Medium to Small Businesses are experiencing major traffic losses due to these changes, often without understanding the cause. This situation necessitates a strategic adaptation to the new landscape, focusing on content adjustments and off-site brand mentions to mitigate the effects of Google algorithm shifts and stay ahead of AI updates in search.   Lily Ray @amsive joins us to break down why small to medium businesses are being hit the hardest by Google and provides a strategic roadmap for content adjustments, brand mentions, and surviving the shift to AI-driven search. #localseo #seo #localsearch 🕒 Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: The SEO Landscape in 2026 01:03 Who is Lily Ray? 02:02 Is AI Content Inherently Dangerous? 04:03 The Risks of "Scaling" Content & City Pages 06:15 Service Area Pages vs. Physical Locations 09:23 Why YMYL Topics Face Higher Scrutiny 10:41 How AI Overviews are Killing Organic Traffic 12:48 Action Items: Diversification & Digital PR 15:47 The New Role of SEOs: LLM Discoverability 17:41 Why Reddit & Forums are Dominating Search 18:55 Small Business Strategy: Video & Authenticity 21:14 Analyzing the Most Recent Core Updates 24:10 Google’s Preference for .gov & Authority Sites 27:28 How to Diagnose & Recover from a Hit 31:16 The Truth About Backlinks & Disavow Tools 34:14 Content Classifiers & Site-Wide Demotions 37:00 Local Pack vs. Organic: Why GBP Stays Safe 39:05 The Crackdown on Self-Serving Listicles 44:17 E-E-A-T: Common Misconceptions Debunked 48:12 The War on AI-Generated Fake Reviews 51:51 Rapid-Fire Questions & Future Myths 🔗 Resources: Lily Ray’s Newsletter: https://www.amsive.com/insights/ Joy Hawkins' Newsletter: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/newsletter/ Google Search Console Guide: https://support.google.com/webmasters/answer/9128669 __________________________________________ Grow Your Business With Local SEO At Sterling Sky, we're passionate about helping businesses like yours achieve their local SEO goals. We know that the digital landscape can be confusing and ever-changing, so we've made it our mission to provide you with the expert guidance and support your need to succeed. We've helped countless businesses achieve their local SEO goals, and we're confident that we can help you do the same. READY TO TAKE YOUR LOCAL SEO TO THE NEXT LEVEL? Websites: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/ https://localu.org/ https://localsearchforum.com/ Blogs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/blog/ https://localu.org/blog/ Ep 26104

    58 min

  5. Feb 11

    Google Business Profile Violations Google ACTUALLY Punishes

    Google Business Profile suspensions, disappearing reviews, and sudden listing removals are happening more often than ever, and most business owners have no idea why. In this webinar, we sit down with a seasoned Google Business Profile product expert, Ben Fisher, Co-Founder at @SteadyDemand who works inside the mess every day, dealing with real suspensions, failed verifications, spam networks, and review wipeouts. Links: Steady Demand https://www.steadydemand.com/ Tool http://peec.ai/ Sterling Sky Podcast https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo-the-experts-guide-podcast/ Localu Global Virtual Conference VOD https://localu.org/localu-global-access-on-demand-recorded-january-28-2026/ Local Search Reddit https://www.reddit.com/r/localsearch/ Video: 7 Local SEO Mistakes Costing Your Business THOUSANDS (Fix These NOW!) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54_JsfQuLx8 #localseo #googlebusinessprofile #digitalmarketing EP 26008

    1h 57m

  6. Jan 7

    Ranking in Google’s AI Results in 2026 with Mike King

    In this exclusive session, we’re joined by Mike King, one of the sharpest minds in search, to unpack the wildest shifts happening in Google’s AI-powered results right now. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at real tactics Mike is using for clients today to gain visibility across AI platforms like Google and ChatGPT and how you can apply them immediately. LIVE TOOL DEMO: Mike will walk through a powerful fan-out query tool that uncovers how Google is interpreting and ranking entire topics. We’ll even use real audience examples in the demo so you can see it in action. What you’ll learn: ✅ The “fan-out query” method explained in plain English ✅ How to pull Google’s full query list for your niche ✅ Tactics to help small businesses stand out in an AI-dominated search landscape ✅ Why certain blackhat strategies still work (and Mike’s take on them) Whether you’re a business owner, SEO strategist, or just trying to stay ahead of AI’s impact on search, this webinar will leave you with actionable insights you won’t find anywhere else. Save your seat now and come ready with a topic for the live tool demo! Register👉 https://localu.org/how-rank-2026-mike-king-webinar/ Links: Mike King's Tool - https://ipullrank.com/tools/qforia https://ipullrank.com/case-studies Mike King's Conference April 27-30, 2026 - https://seoweek.org/ LocalU Global - Attend from Anywhere🌎 - https://localu.org/etn/localu-global-january-28-2026/ Next Months Webinar: https://localu.org/gbp-violations-punishment-ben-fisher/

    1h 2m

  7. 12/17/2025

    Surviving Local SEO in 2026: 3 Major Threats You Must Prepare For

    Local SEO is changing fast! For more 👉🏻 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ Learn about the 3 major threats facing businesses in 2026: disappearing organic visibility, AI's impact on search, and aggressive review attacks. Experts Joy Hawkins @SterlingSkyInc Luc Durand @rankingacademy & Darren Shaw @WhitesparkCa reveal how to prepare, understand mobile search shifts, deal with fake reviews, and apply effective strategies to stay competitive. Don't fall behind – watch LIVE to secure your local rankings! Date : December 17, 2025 Time : 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ET Register for updates: https://localu.org/etn/surviving-local-seo-in-2026/ Chapters: 0:00 Welcome to 2026 Local SEO Threats & Expert Introductions 2:00 Understanding Declining Google Business Profile Calls 4:30 The Impact of AI-Powered Local Packs on Visibility 8:00 Google's Monetization Strategy & SERP Changes 13:00 The Rise of Local Pack Ads and Local Services Ads (LSAs) 16:00 Maximizing Value from Local Services Ads: Agency Perspective 20:00 Diversifying Lead Generation Beyond Organic SEO 23:00 Analyzing Traffic from AI Platforms like ChatGPT & Gemini 29:00 Why Video Marketing is Essential for Local Businesses 36:00 Debunking Local SEO Myths: Geotagging & AI-Generated Video 40:00 Whitespark Local Ranking Grid: Advanced Tracking & LLM Visibility 45:00 Effective Strategies for Google Review Generation 50:00 Open Hours as a Local Ranking Factor & Service Area Business (SAB) Challenges 58:00 Navigating Co-working Spaces & Subleasing for Business Addresses 1:02:00 Optimizing Service Area Pages & Core Business Citations 1:07:00 Combating Review Extortion & Understanding Google's Review Jail 1:19:00 Top Local SEO Strategies for 2026 Success 1:25:00 Identifying & Avoiding Wasted Local SEO Tactics 1:32:00 Ranking Strategies for Gemini AI & Perplexity: What Matters Now 1:36:00 Essential Call Tracking for Local SEO & The Role of TikTok Ads 1:40:00 Developing Niche Video Content Ideas for Local Businesses 1:42:00 Local Grid Tracking: "Near Me" vs. "Keyword + City" Queries 1:44:00 Best Practices for Responding to Negative Google Reviews 1:48:00 Final Key Takeaways to Future-Proof Your Local Business #LocalSEO #GoogleBusinessProfile #ReviewManagement

    2h 1m

  8. 11/13/2025

    The Future of SEO: What Google Won’t Tell You (But We Will)

    Dive deep into the evolving world of SEO with expert insights! Learn why traditional SEO tactics are dead, how Forbes' strategy crumbled, and the new 2026 playbook for success. Discover the power of brand building, founder marketing, and Reddit as an SEO cheat code. We'll also explore AI's true role in content and what Google won't tell you. Don't miss out on strategies to protect your traffic and thrive in 2026 and beyond. Subscribe for cutting-edge Local SEO insights! Date : November 13, 2025 Time : 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ET Register for updates: https://localu.org/etn/the-future-of-seo-what-google-wont-tell-you-but-we-will/ Chapters: 00:00 - Intro: The Future of SEO & Content 00:40 - Why Viral Content Isn't Always Effective 01:40 - Forbes' SEO Strategy Collapse Explained 04:05 - Understanding Google's Helpful Content Update 06:45 - The Old SEO Playbook: What's Dead in 2025 09:30 - The New SEO Strategy: Build Brand First 12:00 - SEO for Small Businesses: When to Invest 14:20 - Choosing Organic Channels: Fit Over Hype 17:30 - Reddit: The SEO "Cheat Code" & Its Risks 23:45 - How Reddit Manipulates Google & AI 28:00 - Founder Marketing & Business Exits 30:45 - Small Business Marketing: Ads vs. SEO 33:00 - Personal Brand: Surviving the AI Content Wave 35:30 - Hyper-Targeted Bottom-Funnel Content 38:00 - Future of Marketing: Private Communities (Discord, WhatsApp) 43:00 - Ranking in the AI Era: LLMs & SEO 45:30 - New AI Ranking Signals: Reviews, Awards, PR 47:00 - SEO Timeline for Small Businesses: Realistic Expectations 49:10 - Competitor Comparison Content Strategy 52:30 - Website Health Tools & Keyword Research for Topics 55:20 - AI in Content Creation: Repurposing vs. Originality 01:00:30 - The #1 Skill for New Marketers: Copywriting 01:02:00 - Recommended Copywriting Books 01:03:00 - Final Thoughts & Connect with Lars #SEOFuture #GoogleAI #LocalSEO

    1h 34m
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game!

Information

  • Creator
    Sterling Sky Inc.
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    16
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

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