Good morning everyone! (somehow it's afternoon already 🤔 )

Anyway, I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my top tasks for improving the Google Business Profile. They’re all simple to do... the important thing is to make sure we complete every one of them.

21 Key Steps to Optimize Your Google Business Profile 📈🗝️📍​

A complete Google Business Profile helps show up for more local searches and will convert more customers.

Here’s a simple checklist to improve your profile and increase visibility:

1. Verification – Verify your GBP using Google’s approved methods.
2. Name – Include your main keyword and follow Google’s guidelines.
3. Categories - Add one main category plus up to nine related ones.
4. Location – Use your real address; hide it if you’re service-based.
5. Phone Number – Add a new number and track calls if possible.
6. Website URL – Link to your landing page and track visits with UTM codes.
7. Reviews – Reply quickly, encourage genuine reviews, and report fakes.
8. Bookings – Add a booking link if you accept appointments.
9. Services – List all your services and add custom ones.
10. Products – Showcase each product with details and images.
11. Hours – Keep hours accurate; they affect rankings.
12. Description – Include location, industry, services, and what makes you unique.
13. Photos/Videos – Use high-quality visuals and remove outdated ones.
14. Service Area – Keep it realistic (max 2-hour driving radius).
15. GBP Posts – Post weekly; share useful updates and photos.
16. Highlights & Attributes – Add only relevant and truthful details.
17. Opening Date – Include it for more credibility.
18. Q&A – Answer common questions clearly.
19. Social Media – Link your active social platforms.
20. Store Codes & Labels – Use for managing multiple locations.
21. Contact Options – Add WhatsApp and text messaging.
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Anything else you would like to add?

How do you keep your pillar pages from cannibalizing your service pages?

For example, let's say I'm a newborn photographer. My service pages are /newborn-photography-dallas, /newborn-photography-plano, /newborn-photography-frisco, etc.

From what I understand about pillar and cluster pages, I should write one very long blog post that covers every little thing about newborn photography. When to schedule, what to wear, how to prepare, getting siblings ready, studio vs. in-home, etc. Then, shorter blog posts getting more specific on each of those topics.

However, it seems like that pillar content would cannibalize my service pages. Would love some feedback on this. Thank you!

My Google Business Profile was mistakenly created at a residential location, but I don’t have a physical office. I want to set it up to target a specific state only, without showing an exact address. To do that, I need help getting the current profile removed. If someone can report it as “Doesn’t exist here,” it will allow me to create a new profile properly. I’d really appreciate your help!

Do you think the right infographic is a copy or it's just a coincidence that they used the same icons, colors, factors, and evaluations?

I posted the left one 3 days ago and now it's already on Engin Buldak's "daily orientation list". 🤣

Engin Buldak, Great work! I appreciate that your evaluations match mine. That's what makes a true expert. 👎

Just had an audit done of my website. I have a location page for each location. The auditor suggested I delete the location page for my main location, since that location is listed in the footer with the actual address, and have my homepage optimized for the main location. Thoughts? Thanks!

Lately, I’ve been chatting with a few folks handling local SEO for clients, and one thing keeps coming up: citations.

Most agree they're still part of the local SEO puzzle, but not everyone has the time to do them right or wants to deal with cleanup, consistency, and weird submission rules on 50+ sites.

Curious how others are handling it. Are you managing citations in-house, using tools, or outsourcing to freelancers?

Also, are niche/local directories still part of your process, or are most folks sticking to top-tier and structured citations only?

Would love to hear how teams are tackling this in 2025. Always trying to compare notes with others in the space.

Improving Visibility For Local AI-Based Searches ✨📈​

Everyone wants to know the newest strategies for getting cited and ranked. Some say it’s easy to get cited and ranked on AI platforms like ChatGPT, while others don’t know where to begin.

I’m not saying I know the secret formula - currently the results seem too random and chaotic, especially for local terms.

The following are just my thoughts on what might help improve GEO (generative engine optimization) and boost visibility in the future.

I think GEO will be very different from the SEO we know now. It will likely be more detailed, more complex, and more useful for users.

Still, how users act and how platforms grow will show us how different it really is. I believe it’ll be a lot more different than most people expect.

Check out the images I've attached.


Here are a few pointers that I think are important now:

1. E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust)

✅ Show that your business is experienced, trusted, and run by experts.

2. Clear, Organized Content

✅ Use bullet points, headings, easy-to-read layouts, and other style elements to make the content easier to digest.

3. Consistent Info

✅ Keep your business details the same everywhere online.

✅ NAP and hours are important for most customers.

4. Use Schema Markup

✅ Help AI understand your content better.

✅ Be sure the same marked up content can be found on the actual page.

5. Get Mentioned Online

✅ Try to be mentioned, linked, or quoted on other websites or blogs.

✅ ChatGPT seems to favor mentions over Google’s first page rankings.

6. Fresh, Updated Content

✅ Keep your blog posts, service pages, and FAQs up to date.

✅ AI tends to favor recent and relevant info.

7. Natural Language

✅ Create content that directly answers long-tail questions.

✅ Write like people talk – use real questions people ask.

✅ Include FAQs using natural language at the bottom of relevant pages.

8. Use High-Quality Visuals with Alt Text

✅ Use photos and videos to help engagement.

✅ Add alt text and use clear images to help AI understand what’s shown.

9. Leverage User-Generated Content

✅ Encourage and feature reviews, testimonials, and customer stories.

✅ They boost credibility and can surface in AI snippets.

10. Create Topic Clusters

✅ Organize your content around main topics with related subtopics using a tool like Semrush

✅ This builds context and authority.


11. Track AI Mentions

✅ Use tools like Google Search Console to see how your business shows up in AI.

✅ Perform manual checks regularly.



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What do you think about it? What will actually matter?

Subject: Assistance Needed with Incorrect 360-Degree Image on Google Business Profile


Hello everyone,
I’m experiencing an issue with my Google Business Profile. The current 360-degree view image displayed is incorrect, which is negatively impacting my business. I would appreciate any guidance or support on how to remove or update the image with the correct one.


Thank you in advance for your help!

If anybody know what could be the possible reasons for suspension. And how can i revive my GBP. I created it a week ago and after 2 days it suspended.

Please guide what next should I do?

Let’s talk about what’s really happening with SEO and AI.

I can currently see this pattern: A lot of AI-generated websites, social media posts, and SEO articles all look the same. They feel perfect, but also boring as **** - all the same.

The thing is, most local and small businesses (probably about 95%) still haven’t fully optimized their websites yet. (without AI)

In a world where AI makes everything look “perfect”, it will still be hard for those businesses to stand out. (even if they use AI) The majority of businesses did average stuff without AI and they will keep doing average stuff with AI. That's the reality.

That being said, LLMs are still prediction models. They predict the next likely outcome. They don’t actually think, judge, or understand what’s best. They can’t tell what truly connects with people. A local business owner with no expertise in marketing doesn't know that either.

So, if most AI content is made with a kind of “95% brain” that does average-level work, the real winners will still be the people who know what they’re doing. Even with all this tech, it's just as hard (or as easy) to stand out if you’re skilled and creative.

If everyone can make a generic website in minutes, where’s the advantage? If that’s the new baseline - cool - I’m gonna beat them with stuff they can’t replicate.

The answer is in real marketing. It’s about connecting with your audience in a personal and human way. AI can’t do that. It can’t copy real, personal content. (I mean, people can fake and copy it, but they can fake & copy everything else already.)

If you want to stand out, here are a few ideas you can try. These are things your competitors likely won’t copy because they require personal input:

13 Local Content Topics You Can Create Now

• Use your own photography - don’t use stock photos
  Try to stick to the basics like the golden ratio, keeping the horizon straight, and using a lot of light.
• Create custom icons
  Simple prompts will create simple icons. If you can design custom brand icons for your specific business, that will give your business a personal touch and uniqueness.
• Share behind-the-scenes photos and stories
  No AI can replicate what you do behind closed doors. That content is first-hand experience and no one can copy it
• Introduce your team
  Talking about your team is a great way to show your faces and connect with your dream customers.
• Tell your personal life story
  Another piece AI can't possibly create just like that.
• Introduce a customer or employee
  You could create dedicated pages about your team members and share them with your audience.
• Show a “Then vs. Now” story about your business
  How did the business look 40 years ago? Share and compare.
• Share funny or unique customer requests
  Those are unspoken stories AI cannot come up with. They're unique.
• Show examples of your real work
  It's your work, not anyone else's work.
• Post hyperlocal reviews
  Spread them everywhere people should learn about your services, reputation, or how to reach out to you.
• Write a story about “Why we love our town”
  This is great because it creates a feeling of community and shared values.
• Local problem solving (business-related)
  You can use certain local problems to your advantage and solve them, in theory or in practice. If the water is too hard, you could come up with a filter service - or whatever it is you're doing.
• Show off local recognition (awards/press)
  Features in local press and business recognitions or awards are very hard to copy by AI - unless they're fake.

You can add this kind of content to your local landing pages, blogs, social media, or share it via email. The more you do, the easier it is to build your customer base and improve your business.

It’s clear that just relying on SEO isn’t enough anymore (even though there is a lot of money to be made from SEO - don’t let anyone tell you otherwise). Every local business should add at least one more channel - like Instagram, email, or LinkedIn - to help spread the word and grow their brand, depending on the industry they’re in.

If you combine this personal approach with great service, you’ll get more engagement, brand mentions, and brand features. That can help increase visibility, boost your rankings, and have AI feature you more. After all, why would someone talk about or link to a business that looks just like every other one? These kinds of stories make you look unique and special.

We’re currently using AI to improve our processes. But we’re not letting it take over. We don’t use AI to create content without checking and thinking it through. I don’t think this would be a future-proof approach.

As long as you keep using your brain, you don’t need to worry about losing your place in the world of SEO, GEO, LLMs, AI, and co.


What are Your thoughts?

I’m looking for safe and proven ways to build high-authority backlinks in 2025. No spam or shady tactics just real strategies that work long-term. What’s working best for you?

Hi there. I have a question about best practices for category listings on Google Business Profiles.

For example, I have a general contractor who offers all these services that have matching GBP categories:
general contractor
painting
deck builder
home remodeling
basement remodeling
window installation
siding installation
etc.

Also, a mental health facility that has these services that match GBP categories:
mental health clinic
counselor
family counselor
marriage counselor
mental health service
psychiatrist
psychologist
psychotherapist

Should I do keyword research on each term and use the highest volume term as the primary category?
Should I list all the possible categories as categories, or leave it to top 3 or 4?
Is there a reason not to use every category possible up to the max if it's actually a service offered by the business?
Thanks!

Hey everyone 👋

I’ve been doing local SEO for a while, and I still get mixed signals when it comes to citations.

Some say 20–30 solid citations are enough. Others push for 100+ across all platforms.

Here’s what I usually do:

• Start with core sites (Google, Bing, Yelp, Apple Maps)
• Add niche directories based on the business type
• Use a few geo-specific ones

I don’t use automated tools manual has worked better for me.

But here’s my question:

How many citations have actually made a difference in your rankings?

Also, do you bother updating them yearly or just once?

Would love to hear how you all handle it in 2025. Let’s compare notes.

Many people started to ask me about a potential ChatGPT ranking guide. My standard response so far is that we're not there yet.

ChatGPT search results are not sophisticated enough to draw reliable conclusions from.

This is an example search result screenshot that shows why it absolutely doesn't make much sense to think about potential tactics to rank - The results are not random - they're chaotic. I didn't put any effort into finding these results, they just came up on the first search.

Only one out of seven listing has accurate data.

For those who want to trick the system and get immediate traffic: Register some of the non-existing sources ChatGPT spits out and link from them to your clients' websites. (do not try this at home please)

Who still thinks there is a pattern?

Hey hustlers 👊

I wanted to share a quick Local SEO win I recently had for a dentist client here in Dhaka — and open the floor for feedback or discussion.


📍 Niche: Local Dentistry
🎯 Goal: Rank in the Google Map Pack for “best dentist in Dhaka”
⏱ Timeline: 45 days
🔧 Tactics Used:

1. GMB Optimization
   • Updated all NAP info + added services as separate GMB categories
   • Uploaded geo-tagged photos weekly
   • Collected 18 new Google reviews with localized keywords
2. Local Landing Page SEO
   • Created a location-specific service page (with city + service in H1 and title)
   • Embedded Google Maps
   • Added local schema + FAQs (structured data)
3. Local Citations & Niche Directories
   • Built 25 citations manually on sites like Hotfrog, Cylex, etc.
   • Submitted to 3 dentistry-specific directories
4. Backlinking
   • Guest post on a Bangladeshi health blog
   • Got a link from a local newspaper site with a press release
5. GMB Post Strategy
   • Posted twice a week with call-to-action buttons
   • Used UTM links to track engagement in GA4

📈 Result:
Moved from position 9 to position 2 in the Map Pack for our main keyword.

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🤔 Question for the community:
How are you guys using local schema and Google reviews to push Map Pack rankings lately? Any unique tactics for service-based businesses like dentists, plumbers, etc.?


Let’s learn from each other and grow together 🚀


— Tanvir | PEAKONTECH
"Data-Driven Local SEO for Service Businesses"

Hello SEOs!

Please suggest me some great budget friendly Local SEO tools to track Google maps ranking in Geo-Grid Format.

please suggest if you have used them personally. I am solo freelancer I can't afford expensive but kindly suggest tools that use Google Maps API.

I thought this was interesting on a service area page (which had a slug of /[service town]-painting-professionals).
Is this a valuable way to get traffic?
On one hand, it seems valuable to list the areas and zip codes you serve, but on the other, seems almost like keyword stuffing since there's nothing else on this page.

Many users are reporting the missing post/updates feature on the Google Business Profile. I can see the option to post but all our clients' GBPs don't feature the posts anymore.​

Who else is experiencing the same?

THE MOST POWERFUL WAY TO GET CLIENTS FOR LOCAL SEO 🤩💪

& Any Other Industry


When I tried this method 7 years ago, I was able to get my first client within 10 days to pay me $600. Then, I signed him up 3 weeks later on a retainer for $2.5k a month. Not too bad, right?

And the best part? I had no clue what I was doing on day 1. (I know many people will not like this.)

I had no experience in local SEO. I had been doing SEO for my blog for a while, but far from professionally.


So what’s the strategy…

I joined 5 Google Adwords Facebook groups and spent 14 hours a day answering people’s questions. I promised myself not to skip any question and to answer them as thoroughly as possible. I wanted my answer to be the first and the best. The only experience I had was burning some money on ads for an affiliate business I had before. So I kind of knew how the ads platform worked.

Since I had no client experience on day 1, whenever I saw a question, I googled it, made sure I understood the concept, and checked at least 2 different sources to make sure I wasn’t spreading misinformation. Most of the questions weren’t very hard to answer though. They were tiny little bits that added up.

That strategy might sound a little off to some, but let me tell you—it wasn’t copy & paste. I always tried to understand the concept and then explain it in my own words.

And because people saw me in every Adwords Facebook group, 140 hours later (basically 10 days), I received a dozen messages from people thanking me and asking me for help. The good part is that in those 140 hours, I basically went through my own crash course. There is no better way to learn than to explain it to others. And the basics are usually where the big money is made—not the advanced tactics. Nothing in online marketing is so complicated that you wouldn’t be able to learn the basics, if you really want to.

I was very determined and serious about making money online. I didn’t have a plan B. I was $16k in debt, and when the client transferred the first $600, I had $5 left in my pocket. (Wasn’t the best strategy to not have a plan B like a part-time job, I must admit )



So what’s my advice?

Use this Facebook group and answer all the questions people have. You can also use other platforms like Local SEO Hustlers. It doesn’t matter where—it just matters that you put in consistent effort and people recognize your avatar or profile picture.

Hey everyone, I’m considering opening a new Google Business Profile (GBP) branch in a city that’s 45 minutes from my current headquarters, where I already have an office. Additionally, I’m planning to expand into another city that’s about an hour away. Would it be okay to create separate GBP listings for these locations?