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…]

Last updated Oct 1, 2024

The latest spam to appear on Google Maps is Hawk Tuah, where elementary, middle, and high schools are being renamed to Hawk Tuah schools. [Read more…]

Today, I received a text message from a client who was understandably concerned after receiving a voicemail about an “urgent issue” with their Google business listing. The voicemail, left by a man who sounded quite serious, instructed them to call back before 5:00 pm at the number 888-397-6841. The urgency in the caller’s voice was clearly designed to create a sense of panic.

However, there was no reason to be alarmed. The voicemail had been left on the phone of a non-profit organization that rescues horses—not exactly the type of business that would be losing sleep over a supposed problem with their Google business listing.

This incident is a prime example of a common scam tactic. Scammers often prey on business owners by pretending there’s an urgent issue with their Google Business Profile. They aim to create a sense of urgency and trick you into calling back, potentially leading to fraudulent charges, phishing attempts, or even compromising your personal information.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Google Doesn’t Call You: Google does not call businesses to notify them of issues with their Google Business Profile. In fact, Google is very clear that they only contact users via email or notifications within the Google Business Profile dashboard. If you receive a call claiming to be from Google, especially one that pressures you to act quickly, it’s almost certainly a scam.
• Verify Issues Yourself: If you’re ever concerned about your Google business listing, the best course of action is to log into your Google Business Profile directly. From there, you can check for any notifications or issues that need to be addressed. This method ensures you’re getting accurate information straight from the source.
• Don’t Respond to Suspicious Calls: If you receive a voicemail or call about your Google business listing, resist the urge to call back the number provided. Instead, reach out to Google through their official support channels if you have any concerns.

In today’s digital age, it’s crucial to stay vigilant against scams. Always verify information through official channels, and don’t let the fear of an “urgent issue” pressure you into making a hasty decision. Remember, Google isn’t going to call you out of the blue, and it’s better to be safe than sorry.

 

In a digital world where local visibility can make or break a business, the SOCi Local Visibility Index (LVI) 2024 has revealed the top 100 brands that are truly capitalizing on the $54.1 billion opportunity in localized digital marketing. Despite the assumption that national recognition translates into local visibility, this year’s rankings tell a different story—one that could have significant implications for multi-location enterprises. [Read more…]

Workiz, a leading provider of field service management and communication software, has unveiled a powerful new integration with Google, designed to help service professionals attract more customers and increase job bookings. The new feature, “Reserve With Google,” enables seamless connectivity between Workiz’s online booking system and Google search results, allowing businesses to tap into a vast pool of potential customers and streamline essential functions like scheduling and payments. [Read more…]

SOCi, Inc., the leading CoMarketing Cloud for multi-location enterprises, has unveiled SOCi Chat, an advanced AI-powered chatbot designed to revolutionize customer interactions for businesses with multiple locations. This cutting-edge technology promises to enhance customer engagement and streamline operations by providing immediate, localized responses across various platforms. [Read more…]

LOCALACT, the leading local marketing platform, has unveiled its new mobile app, LOCALACT Mobile. This groundbreaking app promises to revolutionize the way local businesses approach marketing, providing them with state-of-the-art technology and invaluable data insights right at their fingertips. [Read more…]

The way we search for local services and activities is poised for a significant transformation with the introduction of Beacon, a new startup that leverages generative AI to streamline and personalize the local search experience. Traditional local search methods, which typically result in a deluge of options and reviews, are being reimagined by Beacon to offer a more intuitive and human-like interaction, reminiscent of getting a suggestion from a trusted friend. [Read more…]

In an era where a compelling website stands as the cornerstone of any successful small business or entrepreneurial venture, the quest for the perfect “web designer near me” has become increasingly crucial. Charlotte Howard’s latest publication, “Web Designer Near Me: How to Qualify, Interview, and Hire the Perfect Professional for Your First (or Next) Website,” emerges as a vital resource in this search. Designed specifically for sole proprietors, non-profits, and small to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) looking to carve their niche online or elevate their current digital footprint, Howard’s guide is a game-changer. [Read more…]

Local Logic, a trailblazer in location intelligence, has teamed up with Property Panorama, the global leader in virtual tours. This groundbreaking partnership promises to transform the way real estate professionals engage with clients by injecting advanced location insights directly into virtual tours and digital marketing tools. The collaboration aims to equip agents and brokers across the United States and Canada with a deeper, more nuanced understanding of property locations at the click of a button. [Read more…]

In an exciting turn of events, the company formerly known as ApexChat announced its rebranding as Blazeo, marking a significant leap from its origins as a customer service-focused chat firm to a comprehensive ad conversion platform. With a robust team of 400 employees and a track record of assisting 35,000 local businesses across a spectrum of industries, Blazeo is setting a new standard in how local businesses find, qualify, and secure new customers through a blend of advanced AI and human interaction. [Read more…]

In an exciting development for Chennai’s burgeoning tech landscape, global tech leader Vendasta has announced its expansion and relocation to a brand-new office space. Nestled in the heart of the city’s thriving tech hub, the move underscores Vendasta’s commitment to innovation and growth while amplifying its global footprint. [Read more…]

Ben Fisher has pointed out on Twitter/X that there is a new type of “negative SEO” being done to Google’s Local Service Ads, also referred to as LSAs. According to Mr. Fisher, “A competitor makes a new LSA for a competitor and because the link to GBP is automatic the system will essentially nuke the competitor out of existence. ” [Read more…]

Google is shutting down the Business.Site websites on March 1, 2024. When local businesses created a Google Business Profile (formerly called “Google My Business”), the local business had an option of having Google make a “website” for them, which was on a subdomain at business.site. For example, localbizname.business.site. However, in an email sent today, Google has decided to completely shut down the business.site websites. [Read more…]

Playsee, the popular neighbourhood-centric social media platform, has introduced AILEX (AI Local Expert), an industry-first chatbot that transforms how users explore their surroundings. AILEX takes personalized recommendations to a whole new level, making Playsee the first of its kind to offer hyper-localised suggestions using artificial intelligence. [Read more…]

In a move for the local search marketing industry, PinMeTo, a prominent SaaS platform specializing in local search and marketing technology, has obtained ISO 27001 certification. This internationally recognized accolade reaffirms PinMeTo’s unwavering commitment to information security and data protection, reinforcing the company’s position as a trusted and secure partner for businesses worldwide. [Read more…]

In a bid to alleviate the challenges and costs associated with launching and growing a business online, Ryan Klein, Founder and CEO of The Local Agency™, is launching a solution designed to simplify and enhance digital marketing efforts. The Local Agency™ is set to redefine the landscape of digital marketing by offering a strategic, scalable search process that empowers businesses to expand their visibility, drive traffic, and boost sales. [Read more…]

Tiger Pistol, a cutting-edge collaborative advertising platform, has joined forces with Yext, a leading digital experience platform, to empower users in building digital experiences across various channels while effectively managing local listings data. This collaboration reinforces Tiger Pistol’s dedication to selecting top-tier partners and offers brands an unprecedented opportunity to enhance their capabilities in local social advertising. [Read more…]

According to reports that have been sent directly to me, contractors in California are being penalized by the State of California. They’re being penalized for not displaying their license numbers on their Google My Business websites. Apparently the State of California considers a Business.Site website to be advertising (just like a website hosted on a unique domain name). Therefore, if a contractor does not display their California license number on the Google My Business site, as defined in the CSLB Rules and Regulations. [Read more…]

Bing Places for business has added some new features that help local businesses update their Bing Places listings if they were impacted by COVID-19. Bing Places has added Bing Announcements, GoFundMe Campaigns, Special Hours, and Temporarily Closed features. [Read more…]

Local businesses are getting unsolicited sales calls from a company saying they’re from Amazon Alexa. The local business apparently can purchase a listing on Amazon Alexa for a one-time fee of $69 plus a monthly maintenance fee of only $19 per month. I’ve spoken with at least four separate businesses across the United States, from South Florida to Texas to Indiana to South Carolina. They all say they’ve been called by someone saying they’re from Amazon Alexa, selling a similar listing service. [Read more…]

I manage several Google My Business accounts for my clients. Google My Business provides data about how many visits the business has received, as well as how many people have seen the local business listing. This data is available for verified businesses when they log into their Google My Business account. The Insights data is delayed by a few days, but is available in a weekly, monthly, and quarterly view, both on the Google My Business app and through a web browser. Recently, however, Google has begun sending businesses an email with some data about the number of clicks that they’ve been receiving on their listing, especially on the posts they’ve been making. [Read more…]

There is a bug in Google My Business website URLs that causes a 404 error on most websites. Users who use the Google Maps app to click through to a local business’ website address with certain tracking parameters will encounter a 404 error. Depending on how the 404 error is configured on the local business website, it may cause the user to simply search for another business. For a local business, 404 errors can be a nightmare and cause them to lose valuable leads and sales. [Read more…]

Recently, I made the decision to completely remove my company’s Google My Business listing. There are several reasons why I chose to not have my company’s website listed in Google Maps any longer. But what’s more interesting to me is the fact that the website has seen no ill effects by doing it. In fact, I’m seeing a lift in traffic to the site, as well as better search engine rankings overall (for the keywords I’ve been tracking). [Read more…]

Back in March 2019 (just last month), Yelp announced a new initiative called Verified Licenses, which is supposed to bring peace of mind to booking a professional that’s listed on Yelp.com. I did some checking of my own on a few local businesses. I found that despite Yelp displaying a verification logo and link to license information, the actual license information of these businesses is bogus. In some cases, the license numbers aren’t even valid license numbers in the State where the business listed. [Read more…]

According to recent research, only about 1.4 percent of local businesses, with a verified Google My Business listing, respond to reviews left about their business. Even less liked a Google review but ultimately didn’t even respond to the review. This recent research shows the sad state of Google Review responses. Local businesses, even those who have claimed their Google My Business listings, don’t feel that it is important enough to respond to Google reviews. [Read more…]

As you might be aware, I’m a Google Local Guide. Whenever I’m out and about I tend to post reviews and take photos of just about every single establishment, local business, and tourist attraction that I go to. Google Local Guides get points for every review, photo, and edit of everything that’s listed on Google Maps. There’s a strict point system, and different levels, based on how many points you have as a Local Guide. Currently, uploading a video gets you the most points. [Read more…]

Google is putting a 3-pack of videos in the search results for certain local search queries. The videos that are showing up in the search results 3-pack do not appear to be from YouTube or Google videos. Here is an example of a search query that shows the 3-pack of videos. [Read more…]

It appears to me that Google may be testing allowing Google My Business posts to get indexed in the search results. Previously, the Google My Business posts have not been getting indexed in Google’s search results. However, it appears that a limited number of them (about 3,100 of them) are getting indexed. I’m not sure if this is Google testing certain posts and allowing a limited number of them get indexed–or if it’s a mistake. From what I can tell, though, it appears to be a limited test of about 3,000 GMB posts. [Read more…]

Hotels and hotel managers have gotten way too paranoid about online reviews. How have we become a culture where we rely so heavily on online reviews (true or not) that one or two online reviews will make or break a business? Or even stop people from going to a hotel just because of something we read on the internet? [Read more…]

Last week I noticed that for my local business, Hartzer Consulting, that the knowledge panel for my local business was not showing up. If you searched for Hartzer Consulting (the name of the business, which is unique), then the Google My Business listing would NOT show up. It had looked to me like it was a change that Google had made, as others were reporting it, as well. [Read more…]

Be careful of all of the code that others request that you add on your website, even supposed trusted SEO-related tool vendors. If you don’t fully understand the code and why it’s being place on your website, then it’s your responsibility. The tool vendor may be giving them access to your website or even to Google Search Console without an explanation. [Read more…]

Google Local listing and Google Maps link spam is still a big problem. As a Google Local Guide, I continue to see link spam attacks across entire cities and neighborhoods when I review Google local listings. In most of the cases, I see the same domain name being spammed over and over again, and in many cases the domains/sites that are linked don’t resolve. [Read more…]

Google My Business websites can easily overwrite local businesses’ website URLs in their Google local listing, the created Google My Business websites aren’t optimized using best practices, and Google Analytics code is inserted into the sites without giving access to the website owner.

Google My Business has recently launched a new website creation tool for local businesses. If you have a Google My Business listing for your business, and you log in to manage your listing, you may be presented with popups asking you to create a new website for free. Google will even host it for you. Not a bad deal, right? [Read more…]