Local SEO Tactics and Digital Marketing Strategies

Ex-Google GBP Director Brad Wetherall Reveals Expert Tips to Optimize your Google Business Profile and Leverage AI for Maximum Local SEO Impact Are you future proofing your Google Business Profile for AI? In Part Two of Bob's interview with Brad Wetherall, former Google Director and CEO of the GBP Experts, we explore how AI is transforming local SEO. With over a decade at Google, Brad shares behind-the-scenes insights on how your business listing impacts both traditional search and Google's AI-driven results like AI Overviews. Learn what actions you need to take now to stay competitive in the evolving local search landscape. What You’ll Learn How Google’s AI uses GBP data to surface local businesses in AI Overviews and Search The 5 must-do GBP optimizations to boost ranking and AI visibility Why review volume and recency matter more than ever and how to outpace competitors Want to know how your Google Business Profile stacks up? Get a free GBP audit at LocalSEOTactics.com and discover what’s holding you back in local search and AI rankings.  https://www.localseotactics.com/how-ai-is-changing-google-business-profiles-gbp-expert-insights-from-former-google-director-brad-wetherall Check out Brad here: 💻 https://www.thegbpexperts.com/ 💻 https://www.esquiredigital.com/ 🔗 Helpful Links & Resources 🌐 Free GBP Audit Tool – Instantly check your GBP for issues! https://www.localseotactics.com/free-gmb-audit/ 💼 Need Help With Your SEO? – Work with our team at Intrycks https://www.intrycks.com/ 🎧 More Local SEO Tactics Episodes https://www.localseotactics.com/episodes/ 📘 Free SEO Guides and Resources https://www.localseotactics.com/resources/ 📞 Book a Free SEO Consultation https://www.localseotactics.com/contact/ 💬 Submit a Question for the Podcast https://www.localseotactics.com/questions/ ✅ Subscribe to Local SEO Tactics on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@LocalSEOTactics?sub_confirmation=1 🆕 Watch Our Latest Videos https://www.youtube.com/@LocalSEOTactics/videos 📲 Follow Us on Social Media https://www.facebook.com/LocalSEOTactics https://www.linkedin.com/company/intrycks/ https://www.instagram.com/localseotactics https://twitter.com/LocalSEOTactics  

What happens when Google shifts from being a search engine to an answer engine? 🚀 In this episode, ex-Google Director Brad Wetherall breaks down AI Overviews, zero-click searches, and what these changes mean for marketers, businesses, and the future of digital strategy. https://www.localseotactics.com/ex-google-director-reveals-the-future-of-search-ai-overviews-zero-click-and-whats-coming-next/ GBP Experts: https://www.thegbpexperts.com/  

How Answer Engine Optimization is Replacing SEO In The Age Of AI Search The search landscape is shifting from SEO to AEO as AI-driven tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini reshape how users find information. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, Kasim Aslam shares groundbreaking data on how LLMs rank and cite sources, why schema markup now matters more than backlinks, and how small businesses can build authority in this new era of search. What You’ll Learn  Why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) is not the same as SEO How schema markup and Reddit content influence AI-driven results What local businesses must do now to build authority in AI search engines Get a free copy of Kasim’s AEO Blueprint at AEO.co, and subscribe to Local SEO Tactics to stay ahead in the rapidly changing world of digital marketing. https://www.localseotactics.com/kasim-aslam-reveals-how-to-rank-in-ai-the-truth-about-aeo-and-llm/

Why Outsourcing and Delegation are the Keys to Scaling Without Burnout Are you working harder than ever in your business but not seeing the growth you want? You are not alone. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, Bob Brennan sits down with Kasim Aslam, serial entrepreneur and author of Hire. Kasim reveals why the smartest way to scale your small business is not by doing more, but by finding and empowering the right people. Discover how hiring global talent can transform your business, free up your time, and unlock new growth opportunities. What You’ll Learn  Why entrepreneurs should stop trying to do everything themselves How global hiring can provide access to top talent at affordable rates Kasim’s proven seven-step process for hiring and delegating effectively Download Kasim’s free book and hiring resources at Kasim.me, and subscribe to Local SEO Tactics for more expert strategies to grow your business. https://www.localseotactics.com/kasim-aslams-1-growth-hack-for-small-businesses-hiring-global-talent/

Tools and Tactics to Outrank Local Competitors and Optimize Your Google Business Profile Discover actionable strategies for improving your local SEO through competitor analysis and Google Business Profile optimization. This episode explores how to use tools like Lead Snap and GMB Everywhere to uncover what top-ranking businesses are doing right, align your website and GBP categories for better visibility, and build a content strategy that fills ranking gaps in your market. Plus, learn how to boost local authority with backlinks, industry engagement, and AI-friendly content tactics that drive real-world results. What You’ll Learn  How to identify what’s working for top competitors in your local market using Lead Snap and GMB Everywhere Why aligning your GBP categories with website content is crucial for rankings Ways to create blog and service content that targets local ranking gaps and improves calls and traffic Want to beat your local competitors on Google Maps? Start by analyzing what they’re doing  and then do it better. Get expert help building your GBP and content strategy by reaching out for a free local SEO consultation.   https://www.localseotactics.com/tools-for-competitor-analysis-gbp-content-strategy 

AI is changing how people find businesses, but are you doing the simple things that make you easier to find? In this episode, Bob shares one of the most overlooked yet powerful strategies for boosting your local SEO and AEO: joining your local Chamber of Commerce. Learn how this single move can improve your credibility, drive quality backlinks, and help AI assistants like Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT recommend your business more confidently. Discover why local authority matters more than ever and how getting listed in the right places can supercharge your online visibility. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

How to Use Social Media to Strengthen Your Local SEO Strategy While social media doesn’t directly boost your Google rankings, it plays a powerful supporting role in your local SEO strategy. In this episode, we explain how platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube help drive local traffic, reinforce your business authority, and enhance your Google Business Profile. Learn how to make the most of your time on social and what steps to take for lasting impact. What You’ll Learn  How social media indirectly supports your local search rankings Which platforms to focus on based on your business type How to connect social accounts to your Google Business Profile for SEO benefits Ready to align your social media with your local SEO strategy? Contact the team at Local SEO Tactics for a personalized site audit and start making every post count. https://www.localseotactics.com/can-social-media-really-help-your-local-seo-heres-what-to-know/ 

AI is indexing the web, but are you in control of what it sees? In this episode, Bob breaks down the emerging role of llms.txt, a new file that lets you manage how AI language models like ChatGPT access and use your content. Learn what it is, why it matters, and how to implement it properly. Discover how this small file could play a big role in your site's visibility, content protection, and SEO strategy in an AI-powered world. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

Technical SEO Essentials for Strong Local Rankings Is your website technically holding you back from ranking higher in local search? Most business owners focus on content and keywords, but without a solid technical foundation, your site won’t reach its full potential. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, we take a deep dive into technical SEO and why it’s a critical part of improving your local search visibility. From crawlability and site structure to mobile optimization, page speed, and schema markup, you'll learn how to build a strong technical foundation for your website. Whether you're just getting started or looking to tighten up your on-page strategy, this episode gives you practical tips, clear priorities, and trusted tools to move the needle in your rankings. What You’ll Learn  How to prioritize the most impactful technical SEO tasks for your site Practical tools and steps to fix crawl issues, boost speed, and structure your pages Why mobile-friendliness and HTTPS are non-negotiable for local rankings Ready to optimize your website like a pro? Listen to the full episode of Local SEO Tactics for a deep dive into the key technical elements that can make or break your local search performance. Whether you're DIY-ing your SEO or managing a team, these insights will give you a roadmap to better visibility and traffic. Tune in now!   https://www.localseotactics.com/on-page-optimization-technical-seo-deep-dive/

You’ve made it to the top of Google, now what? In this episode, Bob shares smart strategies to keep your spot and turn your visibility into real results. Learn why clear calls-to-action, an updated Google Business Profile, and responding to reviews matter more than ever. Discover how social proof, consistent review requests, and hyper-local content can give you an edge. Plus, Bob covers monitoring competitors, setting alerts for ranking changes, and staying one step ahead in the search game. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

Boost productivity and visibility with AI tools tailored for local SEO, marketing, and automation. The future of marketing is AI-powered, make sure you're business doesn't get left behind. In this episode of SEO Tactics, we unpack a lineup of powerful AI tools designed to elevate your business. From automated review management to AI-powered ad optimization, learn how these platforms can save you time, improve customer engagement, and help you dominate local search. Whether you're a small business or a marketing agency, this episode delivers actionable insights and recommendations from hands-on experience with tools like BirdEye, MailChimp, BrightLocal, Jasper, and more. What You’ll Learn  How AI tools can streamline local SEO, review responses, email marketing, and content creation The pros, cons, and real-world use cases of platforms like BirdEye, Podium, Jasper, ChatFuel, BrightLocal, and more Insider tips on using AI-driven chatbots, voice search optimization, and ad automation to boost customer conversion Get a free SEO audit at LocalSEOTactics.com and reach out to chat about the best-fit tools for your goals.    

Can Google Gemini and other AI models really discover your site on their own? In this episode of Search Smarts, Bob Brennan breaks down insights from Kasim Aslam’s recent webinar on how AI-powered search is changing the game. The big takeaway? Schema markup is no longer optional, it’s one of the primary signals helping language models understand and recommend your content. If you want to future proof your SEO and stay discoverable in the age of AI, this is the episode you don’t want to miss. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

Google, Facebook, or YouTube: Which Ad Platform Is Right for Your Business? In this episode, Bob Brennan tackles one of the most common questions local business owners face: Should I be running paid ads? He breaks down the performance and costs of Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and YouTube Ads, comparing their strengths, weaknesses, and how much revenue they can actually generate. You’ll also hear how paid ads can complement your long-term SEO strategy and when it makes the most sense to invest in them. If you're trying to get leads fast without wasting your budget, this episode is a must-listen. What You’ll Learn  The differences between Google, Facebook, and YouTube Ads Why paid ads can be a smart short-term boost during SEO campaigns How to budget and measure ROI for local ad campaigns Liked this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and share it with another local business owner who’s stuck deciding between ads and SEO. And if you’re ready to get strategic with your digital marketing, reach out and we’ll help you make it count. https://www.localseotactics.com/are-paid-ads-worth-it-for-local-businesses/  

Are visitors bouncing before they ever become leads? You might be making them work too hard. In this episode of Search Smarts, host Bob Brennan reveals how small tweaks, like skipping the contact form or offering instant estimates, can lead to big jumps in conversions. He breaks down the mindset shift from "what do we want from the user?" to "what does the user want from us?" If you’re ready to eliminate friction, boost trust, and turn more traffic into real results, this one’s a must-listen. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

Proven Tactics to Boost Local Visibility, Rankings, and Clicks Struggling to get found in your local market? It may be your on-page SEO. In this value-packed episode of Local SEO Tactics, we dive deep into the must-know on-page SEO strategies that can supercharge your local business presence online. From optimizing your homepage and metadata to ensuring mobile-friendliness and NAP consistency, Bob breaks down the essentials every local business needs to dominate their market. Whether you're a business owner or an SEO professional, these foundational tactics will set you up for long-term search success. What You’ll Learn  How to optimize title tags, H1s, and meta descriptions for local intent Why NAP consistency, schema markup, and internal linking matter more than ever Quick wins to improve mobile site speed, image alt tags, and local relevance Need help implementing these strategies? Get a free audit at localseotactics.com or request your GBP audit directly at localseotactics.com/free-gmb-audit. https://www.localseotactics.com/on-page-seo-essentials-for-local-business-growth/

Still using Yoast for SEO on your WordPress site? In this episode of Search Smarts, host Bob Brennan discusses Rank Math, the powerful plugin that’s quickly becoming the go-to for WordPress optimization. From setup and schema to redirections and rich results, Bob breaks down everything you need to know to make the switch and boost your rankings. Whether you’re launching a new site or refining an existing one, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you optimize smarter. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

How Local Listings Still Drive Rankings and How to Use Them for Better Visibility You’ve probably heard that citations are outdated, but don’t fall for it. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, we break down exactly why citations still matter in 2025 and how they influence your local search visibility, especially for Google Business Profiles (GBPs). From practical tips on how to audit your citations to advanced tactics using aggregators and tools like Bright Local, this episode is packed with actionable strategies to improve your presence in the map pack. What You’ll Learn  The difference between citations and backlinks and how they affect SEO differently How to audit your current citations and spy on your competitors for easy wins The best tools and strategies to build high-quality, NAP-consistent listings Need help building or cleaning up your local citations? Get a free SEO audit and see how we can help you rank higher in the map pack and beyond. https://www.localseotactics.com/do-citations-still-matter-for-local-seo-what-you-need-to-know/    

How to Earn, Use, and Leverage Reviews to Climb the Rankings and Convert More Customers What’s the one SEO tactic that boosts your Google Business Profile ranking and increases customer conversions? Google Reviews. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, we dive into why reviews are a direct ranking factor, how to earn them ethically, and the insider strategies to get more of them, without risking penalties. If your local business isn't prioritizing reviews, you're falling behind. This is your complete guide to getting it right. What You’ll Learn  How Google uses reviews to rank your business in the map pack Review strategies that increase conversions by up to 44% Ethical ways to ask for reviews and what to avoid to stay compliant Want help crafting a review strategy that boosts both SEO and trust? Contact us and let’s elevate your Google presence together.   https://www.localseotactics.com/mastering-google-reviews-for-seo-success-and-local-trust/    

Is your website ready for the shift from search engines to answer engines? In this episode of Search Smarts, Bob Brennan breaks down the difference between SEO (Search Engine Optimization) and AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and why both matter more than ever in 2025. Learn how zero-click searches, featured snippets, and voice assistants are changing the game, and what you can do now to make sure your content stays visible, relevant, and trusted. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and send us your SEO or AEO questions and we might feature them in an upcoming episode! Ask a question Free SEO Audit SEO Resources Hire Us

Essential Tips and Tools to Rank Higher in the Map Pack and Get More Calls, Clicks, and Customers If you're a local service business and not showing up in the Google Map Pack, you're missing out on essential leads. In this episode of Local SEO Tactics, we break down everything you need to know about optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) from categories and photos to service areas and posting frequency. Whether you're starting fresh or fine-tuning an established listing, this guide will give you the practical steps to boost visibility and increase conversions. What You’ll Learn  How to structure your GBP for better rankings in the 2-pack and 3-pack The exact features and fields Google wants you to fill out and how to do it right Common mistakes that hurt your GBP visibility and how to avoid them Want to see how your Google Business Profile stacks up? Get a free SEO audit and start making impactful changes today. https://www.localseotactics.com/how-to-optimize-your-google-business-profile-gbp-for-maximum-local-visibility/