@SterlingSkyInc | PPC, SEO, Tech, UX | Writer | Inquisitive
A1: I find the NXM makes it harder to manage multiple listings at once. I do like the fact it seems to be helping business owners understand what the changes they make on the profile look like when they go live. #SEOChat
Elizabeth Rule
A1. As much as I like the old dashboard, the new dashboard is better for businesses because it reminds them how important it is to update their GBP. It’s an opportunity to show businesses how important it is to be updated and that we can do it for them.
Mark Barrus
A2: Google is getting better at fixing bugs quickly, but I’ve yet to see them take meaningful action against MAJOR issues like fake listings and fake reviews. They really need to do more to reduce spam before they grow other aspects of their local offerings, like LSA. #SEOChat
Elizabeth Rule
A2: I think Google is rapidly trying to make changes to adapt to the chatbot era. Seem to be roll it out, fix it later rn
Sweepsify
A2. From an outsider’s point of view, it looks like many of the problems can be attributed to staffing issues. It will be interesting to watch the development of Apple Business Connect (ABC) and how that affects Google’s response times. ABC is a much better acronym 🙂
Barrus
A3. Categories are the most important, in my opinion, if I could only choose one thing. I really like the Pleper tool for choosing secondary categories.
Mark Barrus
A3: Own your backyard before you try to own the neighborhood. It can be hard to rank far away from your address for competitive, implicit terms. Use a grid tracking tool to understand where you rank and compare it to how your competitors rank for the same keywords.
Elizabeth Rule
A4. I also use the “Performance” tab regularly, but I would really like to see “Photo Insights” return once they work out the bugs.
Mark Barrus
A4: I am constantly in the Performance tab looking at top search queries. Sometimes you can find interesting, long tail keywords you would never think return a map pack! H/t to @colannielson who talked about this at LocalU virtual back in November.
Elizabeth Rule
A5: I think the local search landscape is going to look totally different in 10 years. Things like image search & voice search will be the new norm. Google will be around as one of the leaders in both, but they will need to step up their game to stay relevant with Gen Z.
Elizabeth Rule
A5: We’ll have to see what is behind the curtain first regarding their stance on
Sweepsify
A6: My advice is adhere to the guidelines and don’t fight a battle that isn’t worth it. You can report the fake reviews to Google but don’t expect them to get removed overnight. Focus on your own review strategy and less on the competition, it’s the only thing we can do!
Elizabeth Rule
A6: Loyalty program helps here. Regarding #SEO, make sure the client is also getting reviews on top consumer review sites to balance it out
Sweepsify
A7: I plan to use A1 to help with new ideas and rewriting sentences when I am stuck in a writer’s block. I think AI can be an invaluable tool to help propel unique thought and perspective, but nothing can compare to the subtle touch of human written content. #SEOChat
Elizabeth Rule
A7: Gradually interwine it with human written content. I think is the most effective way. AI content is NOT going away…
Sweepsify
A7: AI is a tool, not a replacement. I think it can be used to help “get the words out” but it needs the right kind of input – and HEAVY editing on the back side. Also – use it to do things faster – formulas, regex, descriptions, etc.
Carrie Hill
Tweet Chat Highlights
| # | Question | Best Response |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the NXM? | “I find the NXM makes it harder to manage multiple listings at once. I do like the fact it seems to be helping business owners understand what the changes they make on the profile look like when they go live. #SEOChat” – Elizabeth Rule |
| 2 | How is Google handling major issues like fake listings and fake reviews? | “Google is getting better at fixing bugs quickly, but I’ve yet to see them take meaningful action against MAJOR issues like fake listings and fake reviews. They really need to do more to reduce spam before they grow other aspects of their local offerings, like LSA. #SEOChat” – Mark Barrus |
| 3 | What is the most important thing for local SEO? | “Categories are the most important, in my opinion, if I could only choose one thing. I really like the Pleper tool for choosing secondary categories.” – Mark Barrus |
| 4 | What tool do you use regularly for local SEO? | “I am constantly in the Performance tab looking at top search queries. Sometimes you can find interesting, long tail keywords you would never think return a map pack! H/t to @colannielson who talked about this at LocalU virtual back in November.” – Elizabeth Rule |
| 5 | What do you think the local search landscape will look like in 10 years? | “I think the local search landscape is going to look totally different in 10 years. Things like image search & voice search will be the new norm. Google will be around as one of the leaders in both, but they will need to step up their game to stay relevant with Gen Z.” – Elizabeth Rule |
| 6 | What is your advice for dealing with fake reviews? | “My advice is adhere to the guidelines and don’t fight a battle that isn’t worth it. You can report the fake reviews to Google but don’t expect them to get removed overnight. Focus on your own review strategy and less on the competition, it’s the only thing we can do!” – Elizabeth Rule |
| 7 | How do you plan to use AI for local SEO? | “I plan to use A1 to help with new ideas and rewriting sentences when I am stuck in a writer’s block. I think AI can be an invaluable tool to help propel unique thought and perspective, but nothing can compare to the subtle touch of human written content. #SEOChat” – Elizabeth Rule |
