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The Evolution of Google AI in Local Search

…reates. But how does Google AI impact local search? Let's take a look. What Is Google AI in Search? Artificial intelligence is integral to the way search engines like Google function today. AI takes tasks that have historically required human energy and intelligence to complete and automates them. Its earliest applications were fairly simple automations but now, with machine learning, algorithms can be "trained" to make complex decisions, recognize speech, and more. AI is used by search algorith……Google Search has become increasingly complex, and it's no wonder. The informational needs of constantly connected consumers continue to evolve, and search algorithms must adapt to keep up. And do they ever; Google's algorithms are updated hundreds to thousands of times each year. Google's mission is simple: "to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful." Google delivers on that mission in a world where 59% of shoppers use Google to search and compare their o……and will be able to find the answer to a complicated search query using multiple sources and mediums at the same time." See Google’s MUM Update: What This Means For Local Marketers According to the Experts for more insights from SEOs. Other Ways Google Uses AI Google is using AI in numerous ways outside of Search, as well. Google Assistant is one great example. You might already be using the AI-powered voice assistant at home, on your smartphone, in your car, on your TV, or even on a wearable …

2021 Local Search Ranking Factors: A Guide for Brands in 2022

…When it comes to local search, consumers tend to be highly motivated – and they prefer to take their search needs to Google. In fact, 83% of local consumers use Google to find information about nearby businesses, and 90% of those make a purchase within one week of their initial search. Being present and appearing prominently in those Local Pack and Local Organic is essential for driving foot traffic, online orders, and other conversion actions. Whitespark’s most recent 2021 Local Search Rank……cal Search Ranking Factors Report The Local Search Ranking Factors survey and report began in 2008 with David Mihm, and Darren Shaw took the helm in 2017. Each year, organizers survey local marketing experts about the potential factors they believe Google may factor into its Local Pack and Local Organic search results. For this latest update released November 29, 2021, over 132 potential local ranking factors were evaluated. Whitespark organizes these into 7 broad categories of local search ra…

Must-know local marketing metrics for measuring success in 2025

…ndicators include: Shares, comments, and saves on location-specific content Mentions by local influencers Direct messages to brand's inbox Responses to Instagram or Facebook stories that ask local-specific questions User-generated content such as posting photos or experiences related to your business and tagging your location or business handle Users tagging your business location in their posts or checking-in on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, signaling local intent ……you need to know Pairing tools and technology for measurement Best practices for implementing metrics Key takeaways Did you know that 76% of people who search for a local business on their smartphone visit within 24 hours, and 28% of those searches result in a purchase? Local marketing has evolved, and the days of setting up listings and hoping for eager customers to walk through your doors are over. Success is now contingent on your brand’s ability to craft seamless customer …

Expert Tips For Closing Branch Locations in Google My Business

…To say 2020 has been nothing short of predictable doesn’t quite do the trajectory of this year justice. From the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, including widespread business closures globally, to the recent riots that also forced businesses to shut their doors, the implications of losing customers and cash flow have been felt across all industries. One of the industries that took the hardest hit during the peak of the pandemic was the financial industry. In fact, dur…

Why You May Not See Your Brand’s Location In Local Search

…We’re sometimes asked by brand marketers, “Why doesn’t our location come up on Google when searchers are trying to find our store closest to them?” This conundrum can stump even the most seasoned local marketers. Why would you not see your business location in a local search if you're near a searcher? You’ve put in the effort to optimize your Google Business Profile listing and the associated local landing page for each of your locations. But, when you search from your phone or comput……We’re sometimes asked by brand marketers, “Why doesn’t our location come up on Google when searchers are trying to find our store closest to them?” This conundrum can stump even the most seasoned local marketers. Why would you not see your business location in a local search if you're near a searcher? You’ve put in the effort to optimize your Google Business Profile listing and the associated local landing page for each of your locations. But, when you search from your phone or comput…

Top digital marketing conferences to attend in 2023

…Top digital marketing conferences to attend in 2023 Bit by bit, digital marketing conferences are evolving from the completely virtual assemblies (reminiscent of pandemic times) to in-person and even hybrid events. Whether you prefer to attend conferences online, face-to-face, or a mixture of both, there are myriad events to attend in 2023. Each are a rich source of industry knowledge, the latest and most effective strategies, and valuable networking opportunities. These ev……. Each are a rich source of industry knowledge, the latest and most effective strategies, and valuable networking opportunities. These events also provide exclusive access to some of the top industry experts. When seeking quality marketing conferences to attend, there are numerous variables to consider. For example, you may want to see a broad range of digital marketing topics or you may prefer a specific focus (such as email marketing, for example) and presentations by practitioners in that …

Rio SEO’s Top 5 Local Marketing Platform Feature Enhancements in 2021

…Each year, an abundance of changes take place in the local search landscape. In fact, during a recent webinar we hosted, Google Business Profile Expert Stefan Somborac noted more changes have taken place with Google specifically in the past two years than the previous five years before the pandemic. We anticipate these quick and abundant updates to continue into 2022, as businesses need to communicate essential information faster than ever before to better keep their customers informed. In turn,…

Lessons Learned from Managing Local Listings in a Time of Crisis

…t now? What measures is this business taking to keep me safe? Will I need to behave a certain way or take specific steps to follow this location’s social distancing guidelines? Should I wear a mask? Do I need to sanitize my hands upon entering the location? What experiences are other people having at this location? Can I call and talk to someone about the specific questions I have? Does this location offer online ordering, curbside pickup, or contactless delivery? Are there special……Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, enterprise brand marketers have had their priorities shift dramatically and often. Budgets have had to be reimagined, entire campaigns reworked, and even entire business strategies rethought. Yet, throughout all of the uncertainty and turmoil, the prime concern for brands has been the need for timely, reassuring customer communications. When a crisis strikes and you need to pivot quickly, customers turn to your local listings for the information they need t…

Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends in Q4 2023

…services Full-service restaurants Quick-service restaurants Hotels Retail Healthcare Multi-family residential Google Business Profile (GBP) performance metrics shed light on the diverse customer experiences happening across your brand’s various locations. Rio SEO enables you to explore these insights at the location, regional, and brand level – but what do these metrics mean in the broader context of your industry as a whole? With each passing quarter, we unveil …

Local consumer search behavior trends in Q1 2023

…residential Each month from late 2020 to December 2022, our team aggregated and analyzed Google Business Profile (GBP) performance data from over 170,000 enterprise brand locations and shared the resulting local consumer search trends on our blog. For the purpose of this research, the term “enterprise” refers to businesses with 50 or more locations. This blog post marks the first in our transition to quarterly insights. This shift allows us to share more impactful …

Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends in Q2 2023

…Full-service restaurants Quick-service restaurants Hotels Retail Healthcare Multi-family residential Google Business Profile (GBP) performance metrics are an important piece of the local reporting puzzle. There’s great value in evaluating these insights not only for each of your locations but across your brand as a whole. We pull the cover back further by releasing trends and insights gleaned from our analysis of over 230,000+ enterprise business locations across eight t…

Local consumer search behavior trends in Q3 2023

… factors breakdown webinar on demand now for more insights to fuel your enterprise local marketing strategy. What do your brand’s Google Business Profile (GBP) performance metrics tell you about the experiences customers are having in each of your locations? Each quarter, we publish trends and insights from our analysis of over 230,000+ enterprise business locations across eight types of business. These high-level insights and customer experience (CX) trends from our GBP performanc…

Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends in November 2021

…Google Business Profiles (GBP) metrics are a key set of performance insights that, when combined with the context of industry trends as a whole, are made far more valuable for enterprise brands. That’s why each month, we compile and analyze aggregate GBP performance data from over 200,000 U.S. business locations and share these local consumer search behavior trends with you. This month, we will break down the consumer search behavior trends November 2021 presented. In November 2021, we saw th…

Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends in November 2021

Retail Google Business Profile Listing views and searches rise over 25% in second quarter according to new Rio SEO and Forsta research

…Rio SEO and Forsta’s Enterprise Local Retail Search Insights whitepaper reveals compelling search discovery and conversion trends throughout the first half of 2022 New proprietary research conducted by Rio SEO and Forsta found retailers’ search discovery metrics, including Google Business Profile (GBP) listing views and searches, rebounded in the second quarter of 2022 after a challenging first quarter. Retailers collectively were met with numerous external factors, including he…

Press Ganey Forsta Named a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Voice of the Customer Platforms

…Recognition marks the third consecutive time Press Ganey Forsta has been positioned as a Leader Press Ganey Forsta, a leader in experience measurement, data analytics, and insights, today announced its recognition as a Leader in the 2025 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Voice of the Customer (VoC) Platforms. This marks Press Ganey Forsta’s third consecutive time being named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Voice of the Customer Platforms. Press Ganey Forsta is committed to deliveri…

Rio SEO Named “Best Search Engine Optimization Platform” in 6th Annual MarTech Breakthrough Awards Program

…Local Experience (LX) Platform Recognized in Prestigious International Annual Awards Program for Standout Marketing, Advertising and Sales Technology Around the World CHICAGO – August 17, 2023 – Rio SEO, a Press Ganey Forsta company, and the leading provider of local marketing solutions for enterprise brands, has been selected as the winner of the “Best SEO Platform” award in the 6th annual MarTech Breakthrough Awards, its fourth consecutive win in this category. MarTech Breakthr…

Rio SEO wins third consecutive “Best SEO Platform” award in annual MarTech Breakthrough awards program

…Prestigious international annual awards program recognizes standout marketing, advertising and sales technology around the world Rio SEO, the leading provider of an all-in-one local marketing platform proven to increase online visibility, today announced that for the third year in a row it has been named winner of the “Best SEO Platform” award in the annual MarTech Breakthrough Awards program conducted by MarTech Breakthrough, a leading market intellige…

Search engagements and conversions for most enterprise brands recover month-over-month in May

…e 28, 2022 - According to Rio SEO research, last month’s national search behavior revealed a significant recovery in local search traffic and conversion metrics, apart from trends seen in the multi-family vertical, compared to April 2022. Seven out of eight verticals studied saw a collective increase in average business listing views, total clicks and clicks for directions month-over-month: 4% average increase in average views 6% average increas…

5 Best Practices For Maintaining Local Listings in an Unpredictable World

…re cleaning your stores, protective barriers, temporary ban of recyclable bags, cashless transactions, and more) Health protocols you’re adhering (such as mandatory temperature checks and use of masks in your establishment) Local Pages also offer prime real estate for promotional banners to prompt the use of new services. For restaurants, you may want to showcase a promotional offer for takeout family meals to encourage both sales and safety for potential customers. For retail brands, you……5 Best Practices For Maintaining Local Listings in an Unpredictable World The first half of 2020 has presented numerous hurdles for businesses across all verticals globally. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses grappled with shifting their local marketing efforts entirely to accurately communicate updates to their operations--being forced to temporarily close locations when stay-at-home orders were mandated. As time progressed and the curve began to flatten, some business locations…