A disturbing new scam is making the rounds, and it’s targeting small businesses that rely on their online reputation. A business owner recently received a text message from a foreign number claiming they were hired to post 35 fake negative reviews—and that one had already been posted. The implication? Pay up, or suffer the rest. This isn’t just a nuisance—it’s attempted extortion. Here’s what this looks like, why it’s happening, and most importantly, what you should do if it happens to you. [Read more…]

Businesses in Maryland now have more options for office technology, thanks to Doceo’s latest move. The company, a major provider of office tech solutions across the Mid-Atlantic, has acquired the copy and print division of Landis Office Center Inc.. This expansion strengthens Doceo’s presence in Western and Central Maryland and brings faster response times, improved customer service, and a broader selection of office solutions to businesses throughout the region. [Read more…]

Advice Local is stepping up its game with the launch of a free Local Rank Tracker, designed to make local SEO management simpler and more effective. This new addition allows businesses and agencies to easily track their rankings on Google Maps and organic search, all from one convenient dashboard. [Read more…]

Tiger Pistol, the powerhouse in advanced local advertising solutions, has launched its 2025 Planning Guides. These comprehensive resources are tailored for marketers across several key industries, providing a roadmap to overcome specific challenges and achieve measurable success in their campaigns. [Read more…]

Reuters and Gannett, the media giant behind USA TODAY, have unveiled a game-changing partnership set to redefine how news organizations operate. By merging Reuters’ unmatched global and national reporting with Gannett’s deeply rooted local coverage, this collaboration offers an all-in-one content bundle designed to serve every audience—from neighborhood readers to global citizens. [Read more…]

 

At the end of 2024, I made the decision to disable and completely remove my agency’s Google Business Profile (GBP). This wasn’t the first time I’ve taken this step—I originally removed it back in 2019 for several reasons but later reinstated it. After careful consideration, I’ve once again removed it entirely. Here’s why. [Read more…]