Local SEO is changing fast! For more 👉🏻 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ Learn about the 3 major threats facing businesses in 2026: disappearing organic visibility, AI's impact on search, and aggressive review attacks. Experts Joy Hawkins @SterlingSkyInc Luc Durand @rankingacademy & Darren Shaw @WhitesparkCa reveal how to prepare, understand mobile search shifts, deal with fake reviews, and apply effective strategies to stay competitive. Don't fall behind – watch LIVE to secure your local rankings!Date : December 17, 2025Time : 11:00 am - 1:00 pm ETRegister for updates: https://localu.org/etn/surviving-local-seo-in-2026/Chapters:0:00 Welcome to 2026 Local SEO Threats & Expert Introductions2:00 Understanding Declining Google Business Profile Calls4:30 The Impact of AI-Powered Local Packs on Visibility8:00 Google's Monetization Strategy & SERP Changes13:00 The Rise of Local Pack Ads and Local Services Ads (LSAs)16:00 Maximizing Value from Local Services Ads: Agency Perspective20:00 Diversifying Lead Generation Beyond Organic SEO23:00 Analyzing Traffic from AI Platforms like ChatGPT & Gemini29:00 Why Video Marketing is Essential for Local Businesses36:00 Debunking Local SEO Myths: Geotagging & AI-Generated Video40:00 Whitespark Local Ranking Grid: Advanced Tracking & LLM Visibility45:00 Effective Strategies for Google Review Generation50:00 Open Hours as a Local Ranking Factor & Service Area Business (SAB) Challenges58:00 Navigating Co-working Spaces & Subleasing for Business Addresses1:02:00 Optimizing Service Area Pages & Core Business Citations1:07:00 Combating Review Extortion & Understanding Google's Review Jail1:19:00 Top Local SEO Strategies for 2026 Success1:25:00 Identifying & Avoiding Wasted Local SEO Tactics1:32:00 Ranking Strategies for Gemini AI & Perplexity: What Matters Now1:36:00 Essential Call Tracking for Local SEO & The Role of TikTok Ads1:40:00 Developing Niche Video Content Ideas for Local Businesses1:42:00 Local Grid Tracking: "Near Me" vs. "Keyword + City" Queries1:44:00 Best Practices for Responding to Negative Google Reviews1:48:00 Final Key Takeaways to Future-Proof Your Local Business#LocalSEO#GoogleBusinessProfile#ReviewManagement

Dive deep into the evolving world of SEO with expert insights! Learn why traditional SEO tactics are dead, how Forbes' strategy crumbled, and the new 2026 playbook for success. Discover the power of brand building, founder marketing, and Reddit as an SEO cheat code. We'll also explore AI's true role in content and what Google won't tell you. Don't miss out on strategies to protect your traffic and thrive in 2026 and beyond. Subscribe for cutting-edge Local SEO insights!Date : November 13, 2025Time : 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm ETRegister for updates: https://localu.org/etn/the-future-of-seo-what-google-wont-tell-you-but-we-will/Chapters:00:00 - Intro: The Future of SEO & Content00:40 - Why Viral Content Isn't Always Effective01:40 - Forbes' SEO Strategy Collapse Explained04:05 - Understanding Google's Helpful Content Update06:45 - The Old SEO Playbook: What's Dead in 202509:30 - The New SEO Strategy: Build Brand First12:00 - SEO for Small Businesses: When to Invest14:20 - Choosing Organic Channels: Fit Over Hype17:30 - Reddit: The SEO "Cheat Code" & Its Risks23:45 - How Reddit Manipulates Google & AI28:00 - Founder Marketing & Business Exits30:45 - Small Business Marketing: Ads vs. SEO33:00 - Personal Brand: Surviving the AI Content Wave35:30 - Hyper-Targeted Bottom-Funnel Content38:00 - Future of Marketing: Private Communities (Discord, WhatsApp)43:00 - Ranking in the AI Era: LLMs & SEO45:30 - New AI Ranking Signals: Reviews, Awards, PR47:00 - SEO Timeline for Small Businesses: Realistic Expectations49:10 - Competitor Comparison Content Strategy52:30 - Website Health Tools & Keyword Research for Topics55:20 - AI in Content Creation: Repurposing vs. Originality01:00:30 - The #1 Skill for New Marketers: Copywriting01:02:00 - Recommended Copywriting Books01:03:00 - Final Thoughts & Connect with Lars#SEOFuture #GoogleAI #LocalSEO

October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM ETWebinar: How Local Businesses Can Rank on Google With YouTube with Jeremy VestDiscover how local businesses can leverage YouTube to rank higher on Google and generate leads! Join YouTube expert Jeremy Vest as he breaks down strategies for content creation, SEO, effective thumbnails, and paid advertising to grow your business. Learn how to niche down your content, understand viewer intent, and optimize for both YouTube and Google search. Get your free YouTube channel audit at creatorunlock.com now!00:00 Introduction: YouTube for Local Business Growth00:14 Meet Jeremy Vest: YouTube Expert & Strategist00:30 Jeremy's Journey & Host's YouTube Channel Success01:27 Live Audience Q&A & Channel Audits02:05 Local Business YouTube Strategy for Google Rankings02:46 Local Search Intent: Answering Consumer Questions on YouTube04:32 YouTube's Role in Business Valuation & Acquisitions06:05 Expanding Video Marketing Beyond YouTube06:43 Targeting Local Audiences on YouTube: Dentist Example07:27 Hyper-Targeted YouTube Ads for Local Lead Generation09:46 Organic Channel Health vs. Paid YouTube Ads Performance11:05 Live Channel Audit: Personal Injury Lawyer13:05 Get Your Free YouTube Audit at CreatorUnlock.com13:43 Building Trust & Branding on Your YouTube Channel15:17 The Power of Authenticity: Why Human Connection Matters18:15 Keyword Research: Finding Local Video Topics on YouTube20:12 Competitor Analysis: Blueprint for Top-Performing Videos22:37 Live Channel Audit: Foundation Solutions Group23:46 Understanding the YouTube Algorithm: Click, Watch, Like24:31 Optimize Your YouTube Banner & Channel Messaging25:54 Creating Clickable Thumbnails: Design vs. Intent28:50 Roger Wakefield: A Masterclass in Plumbing YouTube Thumbnails32:09 Crafting Keyword-Rich YouTube Video Titles33:18 Live Channel Audit: Dentist (Shorts vs. Long-Form)33:54 Shorts & Long-Form Videos: Practice Your Reps36:28 Global Reach: Burned-in Captions & Language Dubbing38:28 Viewer-First Scripting for Engaging Videos40:18 Live Channel Audit: Bay Management Group41:16 Thumbnail Analysis for Property Management Videos42:16 The Downside of Niche Fragmentation on YouTube44:52 Live Channel Audit: Bitcoin Conference Videos45:50 Distinguishing Organic Views from YouTube Ad Views46:52 Recommended Software for YouTube Thumbnail Creation47:22 Insights on YouTube SEO Tools like VidIQ48:44 The Future of AI in YouTube Content Creation51:51 Why Authenticity Beats AI Slop on YouTube52:41 Improving Conference Video Titles & Thumbnails57:21 Essential & Affordable Video Equipment for Small Businesses59:26 Faces in Thumbnails: Direct Gaze vs. Emotional Cues01:01:26 Live Channel Audit: Auto Dealer (Wendell Ford)01:02:50 Identifying Paid vs. Organic Views in Auto Dealership Videos01:04:04 Using Children in YouTube Videos: Hero Message Guideline01:06:11 The "Chevy Dude": A Car Salesman's YouTube Success Story01:08:25 Strategic Use of Capitalization in YouTube Titles01:09:57 Live Channel Audit: Wedding Team Marketing01:11:53 Discovering Top Marketing Strategies for Video Content01:13:08 Jeremy's 12 Rules for Crafting Effective YouTube Titles01:14:02 Shorts Thumbnails: Less Critical for Discovery01:14:51 SEO-Driven YouTube Playlists for Content Organization01:17:14 Balancing Local Service Ads (LSA) & YouTube Ad Spend01:20:34 Shorts vs. Long-Form for Local Business: Intent & Niche01:23:11 Live Channel Audit: Addiction Treatment Center01:24:16 Tailoring Addiction Content: Focus on Families & Specific Issues01:26:04 Analyzing Performance Drop in Addiction Channel Thumbnails01:27:04 The Power of Niching Down in Sensitive Topics01:28:50 Purpose, Profit, Passion: Finding Your Niche Sweet Spot01:30:36 Live Channel Audit: Fencing Company01:30:48 Strategic Use of Hashtags for YouTube Topics01:31:54 Impact of Description Updates on Google & YouTube SEO01:33:46 Understanding YouTube Topics & Channel Correlation01

September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM ETWebinar: Mastering ROI in SEO: Insider Tips from a Multi-Million Dollar Agency FounderJoin us for an exclusive interview with Jason Hennessey, the mastermind behind a leading SEO agency specializing in law firms. With a business that generates 8-figures annually and has been featured on the Inc. 5000 list for six years in a row, Jason knows what it takes to deliver SEO results that drive revenue.In this webinar, he’ll share actionable strategies, success stories, and the secrets to scaling your SEO efforts to ensure a measurable ROI. Whether you're a small business or a law firm, Jason’s insights will empower you to make smarter, more effective SEO decisions.Chapter:00:00 | Intro: Local SEO for Business Growth in 202501:52 | Managing Client Expectations for Local SEO Results06:19 | Using Yext for Local Citations and NAP Consistency10:26 | Realistic SEO Budgets for Law Firms and Local Businesses17:24 | The Best Link Building Strategy for Local SEO27:03 | Why New Google Reviews are More Important Than Total Reviews52:14 | Do You Need a Blog for Local SEO?58:21 | Quick SEO Hacks to Boost Google Maps Rankings59:05 | An Untapped SEO Strategy: Targeting Zero-Search Volume KeywordsEp 25113

Master On-Page SEO: Kyle Roof Shares The Secrets You’re MissingDate & Time: August 26, 2025 - 9:00 AM ETDuration: 1 HourSpeaker: Kyle Roof & Joy HawkinsIn this exclusive webinar, we sit down with SEO expert Kyle Roof to dive deep into the fundamentals of on-page SEO and the critical things that most people overlook. From mastering the silo concept to understanding entity optimization, we'll uncover actionable insights that will supercharge your SEO strategy.Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just getting started, you’ll walk away with valuable, practical tips that can make a huge difference in your search rankings. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn from the best!Come With Your On-Page SEO Questions!• Does Siloing Really Work for SEO?: We'll explore whether siloing—the practice of organizing website content into clear, thematic categories—actually boosts SEO performance.• Entity Optimization and Its Impact: Discover how to leverage entities—such as brands, people, or places—in content and metadata to improve search visibility.•And Much More!CHAPTERS:0:00 - Introduction to On-Page SEO with Kyle Roof4:04 - What is a Silo in SEO?8:39 - Flat vs. Folder URL Structure10:01 - How to Find New Content Ideas12:11 - What is Entity Optimization?15:23 - Can You Over-Optimize with Keywords?17:16 - Live Website Audit: Patriot Plumber20:25 - How AI is Changing Keyword Research23:30 - Expanding into a New Niche: What to Do25:20 - When to Create a New Website for a New Service27:24 - Do Keyword-Rich Domains Still Work?35:35 - Do EEAT Signals Actually Improve Rankings?37:14 - Ranking in LLM Search (like ChatGPT)39:09 - Is Guest Posting Still a Viable Strategy?41:13 - How Deep Should URL Folder Structure Be?42:31 - Do AI Content Writers Include the Right Keywords?44:42 - The Weight of Smoke: A Lesson in Measurement46:22 - SEO Strategy for Multi-Location Businesses48:06 - Using Location Keywords for Local SEO49:09 - Does Word Count Affect SEO Rankings?51:22 - What is Vector Embedding and Does It Matter for SEO?53:21 - Surprising SEO Test Results54:58 - The Impact of Link Exchanges on SEO55:58 - How to Increase Your Website's Crawl Budget56:31 - Does Embedding a Google Business Profile Help Rankings?57:42 - Using a Second Website for a High-Value Service58:42 - Automatically Updating Review Schema59:27 - Are Rank and Rent Websites a Waste of Time in 2025?1:00:48 - Where to Find Kyle RoofEp 25123

Show Links:1. Google Reporting Toolhttps://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en2. Review Gating Widgethttps://publicwww.com/3. Google’s transparency reporthttps://transparencyreport.google.com/maps-content/enforcementDate & Time: July 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM ETDuration: 1 HoursSpeaker: Curtis Boyd & Joy HawkinsWebinar Sponsor: GatherUp245 million fake reviews!That’s how many Google deleted last year—a 44% spike from the year before. The fake review problem is growing faster than most business owners realize, and it's putting reputations, revenue, and even livelihoods on the line.In this eye-opening webinar, Joy sits down with Curtis Boyd, one of the most respected voices in online reputation management, to unpack:-How fake reviews are created and spread-What Google (and other platforms) are doing to stop them-The shocking truth about “review jail” and hidden review blocks-And the real-world tactics you can use to defend your business todayYou’ll also see live audits of fake reviews, learn how to spot them before your customers do, and walk away with a clear strategy to build authentic, positive reviews that actually stick.Whether you're a small business owner, marketing professional, or just curious about how review platforms are being gamed—this session is for you.Don’t let your reputation be controlled by fake reviews. Learn how to fight back.▬ Chapters ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬0:00:00 - Intro0:00:23 - The Prevalence of Fake Reviews0:00:30 - Google's Removal of Fake Reviews0:02:15 - Responding to Fake Reviews0:02:36 - The 3-Week Window0:07:27 - Reporting Fake Reviews0:08:43 - One-Star Ratings with No Text0:09:12 - Reporting Contributor Profiles0:19:24 - "A Google User" Reviews0:30:13 - ChatGPT and AI-Generated Reviews0:31:52 - Identifying Competitors Buying Reviews0:35:41 - Fighting Back Against Competitors Buying Reviews0:36:10 - Google "Sweeps"0:36:43 - Elbow Grease for Older Fakes0:37:38 - Impact of Losing Reviews0:38:46 - Reporting Review Gating0:41:09 - Suspensions for Buying Reviews0:41:51 - Review Blocks ("Review Jail")0:45:13 - Differentiating Real vs. Fake0:47:12 - Anonymous Profiles0:48:56 - Keywords in Review Replies0:54:21 - FTC and Review Gating0:55:32 - Review Recency as a Ranking Factor0:59:15 - Top Review Sites (Besides Google)01:00:11 - Impact of a Single Fake ReviewEP 25101

Register: https://localu.org/webinar-june/Date & Time: June 25, 2025 - 12:30 PM ETDuration: 2 HoursSpeaker: Chris Dreyer & Joy HawkinsIn 2025, AI Overviews and constant algorithm changes are reshaping how lawyers show up online — and for some, it’s been devastating. But others? They're thriving.Join us for a candid and tactical conversation with two of the top SEO experts working in legal marketing today, Chris Dreyer and Joy Hawkins. If you're a lawyer, legal marketer, or agency trying to help law firms grow in a rapidly evolving search landscape, this is the session you can’t afford to skip.Key Takeaways:1. Why some law firms are losing 40% of their traffic — and what to do about it2. What SEO strategies are actually working in 20253. Budgeting tips to get a strong ROI without burning cash4. What Google tells you NOT to do… but absolutely works5. The secret sauce behind viral link building and review generation6. How to vet SEO agencies (and avoid getting ripped off)

Date & Time: May 28,2025 - 1:00 PM ETDuration: 1 HourSpeaker: Tommy Mello & Joy HawkinsIn this exclusive interview, we sit down with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $220 million powerhouse in the home services space. While marketers often focus on rankings and ROI, the truth is that SEO can’t fix a broken business. Tommy’s journey proves that the results are unstoppable when operational excellence meets smart marketing.We’ll unpack the real reasons some businesses thrive while others cancel—even when the SEO is solid. Get behind-the-scenes insights into how Tommy uses video, reviews, social media, and lightning-fast lead response to dominate the home services industry. If you’re a business owner, marketer, or agency working with local service companies, this conversation is packed with practical, brutally honest insights you won’t hear anywhere else.Chapters:00:00 - Introduction: Why SEO Fails If Your Business is Broken00:28 - Tommy Mello’s Story & A-1 Garage Doors Growth Overview01:07 - Key Business KPIs: Cost Per Lead, Contact Center, Conversion & Average Ticket03:43 - Achieving a 90% Booking Rate: Technology, Training & Scripts07:00 - Importance of 24/7 Customer Service & After-Hours Call Centers08:48 - Overcoming Objections and Performance Pay for CSRs11:53 - Optimizing Contact Centers for Better Customer Experience13:55 - Handling Missed Calls & Automations to Recover Leads15:10 - Managing Hold Times and Overstaffing Strategy16:04 - Biggest Scaling Drivers: SOPs, Incentives & Technology17:46 - Average Ticket Price & Offering Client Options18:58 - Tracking Calls from Local Pack vs Ads19:27 - Google My Business Ranking Strategies & Location Page Tips22:50 - Branding and Its Impact on Customer Attraction & Retention24:21 - Handling Sticker Shock in Home Remodeling Sales26:50 - Must-Have Elements for Service & Location Pages29:05 - Review Strategies: Incentivizing Employees & Managing Feedback35:32 - Dealing with Negative Reviews & Turning Them Around39:10 - Managing Online Reputation: Reddit & Social Platforms41:35 - AMA’s and Reddit Strategies for SEO & Branding44:27 - AI’s Impact on SEO & Future Search Engines49:12 - Tracking Leads from ChatGPT and Other AI Tools53:53 - Hiring Talent & Staying Ahead in the AI Era56:16 - Upcoming Webinars & SEO for Law Firms56:57 - YouTube Local Content Strategy & Consistency59:15 - Rapid Fire: ChatGPT Leads & Top Marketing Channels in 202501:00:52 - Is SEO Dead? The Importance of Online Reviews & Employer Ratings01:02:15 - How to Learn More & Connect with Tommy Mello#LocalSEO #HomeServiceMarketing #CustomerExperience

Date & Time: May 23 ,2025 - 2:30 PM ETSpeaker: Noah Learner & Joy HawkinsAt Google I/O this week, Noah Learner explored the latest updates and breakthroughs around Search and AI — but what do these changes really mean? 🤔 In this interview, he breaks down the key announcements and shares his thoughts on how Google might be evolving behind the scenes.If you’re wondering what the future holds for Google Search and AI, and how it could impact the way we find information, you’ll want to hear Noah’s perspective.

Date & Time: April 8,2025 - 11:00 AM ETDuration: 1 HourSpeaker: Wil Reynolds & Joy HawkinsWebinar Sponsor: Langan Financial GroupIf your business relies on search traffic, the rise of AI overviews on Google might feel like a threat. According to Ahrefs, some companies have seen a staggering 20-40% drop in clicks—and the trend isn’t slowing down.Join us for an exclusive interview with Wil Reynolds, where we’ll dive into:🔍 The real impact of AI on search traffic and conversions📈 Proven SEO strategies that still work (and what to avoid)🤖 How to optimize your content for the AI era💡 Innovative approaches to Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or SEO professional, this session is packed with insights to help you adapt and thrive.Links:Wil Reynolds -https://www.linkedin.com/in/wilreynolds/https://www.seerinteractive.com/people/team/wil-reynoldsThe dashboard for tracking your search vs ai vs socialhttps://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/how-to-track-your-search-vs-ai-vs-social-disruption-in-looker-studio March Webinar with Barry Schwartzhttps://localu.org/watch-seo-2025/Client Ranking: AIO KW Coverage vs Client Ranking: AIO Conv. Impacthttps://bit.ly/44iPMm6Deep Research AI Tracking Toolhttps://cheq.ai/AI Bot Tracking Traffichttps://www.cloudflare.com/Zip Tie - Click Through Rate Studyhttps://ziptie.dev/blog/how-ai-overviews-will-affect-publishers/Get hidden social informationhttps://phantombuster.com/Tracking AI Blog Posthttps://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/how-ai-overviews-are-impacting-ctr-5-initial-takeawaysChapters:00:00 - Introduction: AI Dominating Search Results00:30 - AI and the Impact on Traffic01:06 - Revenue vs. Traffic Metrics04:14 - B2B vs. B2C Impact06:26 - Tracking AI Traffic09:02 - Strategies to Appear in AI Overviews11:31 - Local SEO and AI14:03 - Improving Local Business Content16:04 - Content Strategy and SEO20:11 - Effective Use of Social Media for Business23:41 - Tools for Analyzing AI Traffic27:01 - Preparing for Future AI Changes