The Local Memo

SOCi's weekly download of all the news that matters in local search. Take a few minutes to get up to speed and inform your local marketing strategy. Links to all articles in the Local Memo at https://www.meetsoci.com/resources/blog/

The Local Memo - June 26, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about the popularity of generative AI in marketing; the rollout of Google’s Perspectives filter; LinkedIn’s test of generative AI in posts; a guide to images that improve conversion; wild fluctuations in search ranking; and red dots for unread content in the GBP interface.

06-26
04:48

The Local Memo - June 20, 2023

This week’s update offers a larger-than-usual grab bag of important updates from Google, including local updates to the Search Generative Experience; support for social links in Google Business Profiles; the shutdown of Google Domains; the impact of hidden addresses on ranking; and several more items. Let’s get up to speed with the latest Google news.

06-20
06:45

The Local Memo - June 12, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about a study showing consumers trust UGC more than influencers; Google’s updates to SGE; a possible cleanup of fake LSA reviews; Google’s new review recovery form for GBP; ten strategies to improve social media effectiveness; and Apple’s first foray into virtual reality.

06-12
05:37

The Local Memo - June 05, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Search Engine Land’s new SEO chatbot; Google’s new AI tools for Workspace; personalization of SGE results; Bard’s new location-sharing feature; the death of Post justifications; and how Instagram ranks content.

06-05
05:15

The Local Memo - May 30, 2023

In this week’s post, learn about the rollout of Google’s new Search Generative Experience (SGE); the impact of SGE on local search; AI and the death of traditional search; a bug preventing GBP users from adding new owners; the influence of reviews on the purchase journey; and using GBP services to boost local ranking.

05-30
06:29

The Local Memo - May 22, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Google’s new popup display for Business Profiles; the imminent release of Meta’s Twitter competitor; ChatGPT as a local search tool; the return of “Image Not Approved” in GBP; expanded GBP options for language assistance; and the popularity of travel recommendations on Reddit.

05-22
06:13

The Local Memo - May 15, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about all the important announcements from Google I/O; ChatGPT’s new update supporting web browsing and plugins; Meta’s multisensory AI model; Twitter’s new CEO; the launch of related topics in desktop search; and Google’s support for multiple languages in local listings.

05-15
07:38

The Local Memo - May 08, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about the possibility that open source AI will surpass Google and OpenAI; Google’s plans to make search more “visual, snackable, personal, and human”; Google rolling out Bard to Workspace and Pixel; Bing’s new chat features; Yelp and Nextdoor’s new AI functionality; and the Semrush State of Search report.

05-08
07:00

The Local Memo - May 01, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Google’s possible announcements at this year’s I/O; the rollout of plugin support for ChatGPT; an Instagram tool to help brands find UGC; the rise of Twitter alternative Bluesky; Google’s clarifications on page experience; and new texts from Google confirming business listing details.

05-01
07:09

The Local Memo - April 24, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Google’s impact on the U.S. economy; Twitter’s new rules for advertisers; more AI news from Google; how the March Core Update impacted local search; top reasons for GBP suspension; and a new Instagram policy permitting five links in profiles.

04-24
06:04

The Local Memo - April 17, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Google’s new AI-based search engine; more of Google’s AI initiatives including image generation and a Chrome chatbot; Twitter’s launch of paid verification for businesses; Montana’s vote to ban TikTok; Google’s throttling of Local Packs; and the success story of SpamBrain.

04-17
05:42

The Local Memo - April 10, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Meta’s generative AI tools; Google’s new Asian-Owned and Latino-Owned attributes; Google’s most recent local interface experiments; asking quality raters to assess chatbot responses; the move toward integration of Bard in search; Bard’s incorporation of PaLM; and the growing popularity of retail apps.

04-10
05:42

The Local Memo - April 3, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Google’s fight against fake content in local; AI-generated Google reviews; Italy’s ban of ChatGPT; Twitter’s now public ranking algorithm; Google’s restructuring to emphasize Bard development; and generative AI reaching the public in Gmail and Docs.

04-03
06:35

The Local Memo - March 27, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Local Search Ranking Factors 2023; mixed reviews for Google’s Bard chatbot; ChatGPT’s launch of plugin support; image generation in Bing Chat; Google’s new restaurant menu options; and a preview of generative AI in Gmail and Google Messages.

03-27
06:45

The Local Memo - March 20, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about generative AI in Google Workspace; the release of GPT-4; the U.S. launch of Meta Verified; threats to TikTok’s U.S. presence; Google’s “Not Visible” bug; and the rollout of the Google March update.

03-20
06:05

The Local Memo - March 13, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about the imminent launch of GPT-4; ChatGPT for local SEO; Google Maps’ new content guidelines; reasons Google might reject a photo update; recommended dishes in reviews; Google’s updated desktop interface; 70 new business types in Local Service Ads; GBP products in Google Shopping; and Meta’s Twitter-like project.

03-13
07:18

The Local Memo - March 06, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about optimizing content for Bing AI; Google’s update to Profile Strength in GBP; a spike in fake review attacks; guidelines for multi-location Google Posts; Meta’s AR/VR and AI initiatives; and why local businesses need “shelfies.”

03-06
06:55

The Local Memo - February 27, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about research showing more consumers are looking to social for search needs; service attributes as a ranking factor; ChatGPT prompts for SEO; third-party reviews and organic ranking; the share of Google search on Apple devices; the massive cost of Bard AI; the impact of continuous scroll on search traffic; Bing AI’s mobile launch; and Meta’s new paid verification feature.

02-27
06:52

The Local Memo - February 21, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Microsoft’s increased API costs; positive reviews for the New Bing; limitations on Bing chatbot usage; strange experiences with the Bing chatbot; GBP’s launch of profile strength and other new icons; Google’s crowdsourced approach to improving its Bard AI; local search trends for 2023; and Roku’s partnership with DoorDash.

02-21
06:43

The Local Memo - February 13, 2023

In this week’s update, learn about Bing’s new ChatGPT integration; Google’s competitive AI tool, Bard; Google’s updates to Lens, Maps, and Translate; Twitter’s outage and longer tweets for subscribers; Google’s removal of special characters from business names; and Meta’s big investment in the metaverse.

02-13
06:19

Recommend Channels