In this Local Marketing Beat Podcast episode, we sit down with Darren Shaw, Founder of Whitespark, to dive deep into the Local Search Ranking Factors 2025 report and explore the latest trends shaping local SEO and location marketing. Darren shares expert insights on how businesses can adapt to Google’s evolving algorithms, AI-driven search changes, and engagement signals to maximize visibility and drive real revenue.

We discuss essential ranking factors, Google Business Profile optimization, AI’s impact on local search, and how businesses should shift their SEO strategies to focus on conversions rather than rankings. Whether you’re a small business, multi-location brand, or local SEO expert, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.

🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave your questions in the comments!

⏰ Timestamps:

0:09 - Introduction to Darren Shaw & Whitespark

0:46 - How Whitespark started and evolved into local SEO

1:49 - Overview of the Local Search Ranking Factors 2025 report

2:55 - Key changes impacting local rankings in 2025

3:41 - The role of Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization

5:32 - Importance of engagement signals & behavioral metrics

6:50 - AI-driven search and its impact on local SEO strategies

8:21 - Mobile vs. desktop search trends & consumer behavior shifts

10:05 - Why voice search & AI assistants are changing search habits

12:49 - How AI personalizes search and what it means for businesses

16:22 - The importance of best-of lists & diversifying reviews

19:12 - How to optimize for Google’s Gemini AI & AI-generated search results

22:02 - Why fresh content & Google Updates matter more than ever

25:37 - Measuring local SEO success: rankings vs. revenue & conversions

28:47 - How businesses can connect SEO performance to real revenue

30:48 - Why rankings alone don’t define success in local SEO

31:34 - Where to find Whitespark’s tools & resources

📌 Connect with Darren Shaw:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenshawwhitespark/

📌 Connect with Krystal Taing:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystaltaing/

📚 Explore More Insights in Uberall’s Learning Hub:

https://uberall.com/en-us/resources

🎧 Watch Our Recent Episode with Schuh on Local SEO Success:

https://youtu.be/XDV-TyPSPOU

#LocalSEO #SEOTrends2025 #GoogleBusinessProfile #Whitespark #LocationMarketing #DigitalMarketing #AIDrivenSearch #GoogleSEO #Uberall

Visit us at: uberall.com