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joyhawkins.bsky.social
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Some wild takes on CTR manipulation: "Do it short-term, get caught, drop to the bottom of local search results." "Your listing WILL get suspended. I've seen peers blow up clients' accounts!" Ever experienced this firsthand?  Weigh in below 👇

submitted 15 hours ago • 0 comments

Can leaving your Google Business Profile hours blank actually help your rankings after hours? Spoiler: Yes, but with a catch. 📈 Watch the experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSlhVlkWckE

submitted 18 hours ago • 0 comments

Ahrefs is showing some big spikes in AI Overviews in SERPs that these lawyer sites rank for.

submitted 1 day ago • 0 comments

Google's local ranking algorithm has a sneaky trick: not listing your business hours might boost rankings when others are marked "Closed." But during open hours? It could hurt you. Learn more: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/is-listing-business-hours-crucial-for-rankings/

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Should You Follow Google's Guidelines?  Links Edition: with Brian Kato and Joy Hawkins What do you think? Is this a guideline you "follow" from Google?  Share your thoughts below 👇

submitted 2 days ago • 0 comments

Getting excited for LocalU Global on March 26th! 🚀 Our "40 Ideas in 40 Minutes" panel will share actionable marketing tips to boost your leads—worth the $125 ticket alone! Don’t miss it: 8:45 am - 5:00 pm. Get your ticket now: https://LocalU.org/global

submitted 3 days ago • 0 comments

I asked Steve Toth if he could pick just ONE SEO strategy - what would it be? What would YOUR one strategy be?  Share it below in the comments 👇

submitted 4 days ago • 0 comments

Steve Toth dropped his favorite underrated SEO tool in our February LocalU Webinar—check it out below! What’s your go-to SEO tool right now? Drop it in the comments! 👇

submitted 5 days ago • 0 comments

Did you miss our webinar with Brian Kato on Tuesday?  We discussed the Google Guidelines, which ones are worth following and paying close attention to, and which ones aren't enforced, but impact rankings big time.  Watch the replay here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVkySqNJ5so

submitted 6 days ago • 0 comments

Trying to add WhatsApp to your Google Business Profile? 📱 Stefan Somborac reports it’s mobile-only and appears on mobile web, not the Maps app. Plus, you don’t need WhatsApp installed to see the link. https://localsearchforum.com/threads/whatsapp-link-tip.62180/post-196834

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Google sent out this reminder to keep your GBP updated and what "not" to do to grow your local business.... This feels a small bit like Matt Cutt's reminders to "stop doing XYZ" that eventually led to major algorithm updates... Thoughts?

submitted 8 days ago • 0 comments

Google’s algorithm is more volatile than ever, and AI is reshaping search. What does this mean for SEO in 2025? 🤔 I’m sitting down with Barry Schwartz on March 19 @ 12 PM ET to discuss: ✅ Core updates & ranking shifts ✅ How to adapt 📅 Register https://localu.org/webinar-seo-2025-register/

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

🚨 LocalU Free Webinar Today! 🚨 Should You Follow Google’s Guidelines? 🤔 📅 Feb 25 | 🕛 12 PM ET Chatting with Brian Kato on the risks & rewards of following (or ignoring) Google’s Local Search guidelines. Register now! 👉 https://localu.org/webinar-should-you-follow-google-guidelines/

submitted 9 days ago • 0 comments

Was checking on another client who we were working on after learning about the Diversity Update. We updated their Google Business profile 2 weeks ago, and they took over the #1 organic position as a result. 🎉

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

🚨 Missed our Live Q&A on Google’s Diversity Update for Local? Catch the replay! 📺 We break down what it means, how it impacts rankings, and what to do next. Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7NDor3IuSw

submitted 10 days ago • 0 comments

Nofollow Links + Reddit = Better SEO?  Maybe (Probably?) - Check out our thoughts on this tactic 👇

submitted 12 days ago • 0 comments

Did you miss our Diversity Update Q&A Webinar yesterday? We have the replay up on YouTube now, and you can get all the details on your own time! What niches were impacted? Should you link your GBP to the homepage? Do UTMs impact rankings?  Watch it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7NDor3IuSw

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

If you had to pick just ONE SEO Strategy, what would it be?  I asked Steve Toth this question during our webinar last month... ...here's his answer 👇 What strategy would you choose? Share it in the comments below!

submitted 13 days ago • 0 comments

What's Steve Toth's favorite underrated SEO tool?  He answers that rapid fire question from our February LocalU Webinar below.... WHat's your favorite SEO tool at the moment? Share it in the comments! 👇

submitted 14 days ago • 0 comments

AI and SEO - Overhyped or The Future of SEO I ask Steve Toth about his thoughts on AI as a SEO Tool, as well as AI as a search tool. Watch Below 👇

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

👀 Did you see this? It’s HUGE! 🚨 This Google update is KILLING rankings!  One biz lost 242 clicks overnight. We tested & found the FIX! 👇 🔗 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D82D_jQ1ddY Register for A Live Q&A Thurs: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/diversity-update-webinar-qa/

submitted 15 days ago • 0 comments

🤔 We're getting A LOT of questions about the Diversity Update we revealed this morning - and we have you covered. Join our Live Q&A Webinar on Thursday and Bring Your Questions! Thursday, Feb 20, 2025 at 2:30PM Register:  https://www.sterlingsky.ca/diversity-update-webinar-qa/

submitted 16 days ago • 0 comments

🚨 A new Google Update we've named the “Diversity Update” is KILLING rankings! 🚨 If you rank in the local pack, your organic rankings might be getting DEMOTED. The worst part? Are past SEO strategies working AGAINST you? Here’s how to fix it👇 🔗 Watch now: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D82D_jQ1ddY

submitted 16 days ago • 1 comment

Have you had your Google Business Profile pin moved? If you just try to move it back within your GBP account, you could trigger a suspension... Instead - do this 👇

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

📣 Google Business Profile Updates & Reinstatements @rustybrick.com  at SERoundtable.com reports on Google’s new system for managing GBP updates and reinstatements.  🔗 Check out the details and key takeaways: https://www.seroundtable.com/google-business-profiles-updates-reinstatements-38858.html

submitted 17 days ago • 0 comments

A single no-followed link from Reddit helped a keyword jump from position #25 to #10 in Google. Why? The Reddit thread itself ranked high & had organic traffic.  Try: ✅ Subreddit text widgets ✅ Multi-image posts More insights 👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/can-reddit-links-impact-google-rankings/

submitted 18 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 Reddit links = SEO boost? 🔗 A single no-followed Reddit link moved a keyword from #25 → #10 in Google. High-ranking threads pass value. ⚠️ Beware - Reddit mods hate spam - Post Genuinely! Details: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/can-reddit-links-impact-google-rankings/

submitted 19 days ago • 0 comments

ChatGPT doesn't know what year it is 🤦‍♀️

submitted 20 days ago • 0 comments

🚨 Hundreds of businesses saw 5-star reviews vanish on Google—it’s a known issue, reviews are returning, and many say all have been restored - ours are all back here at Sterling Sky 📢 Have you been impacted?  https://localsearchforum.com/threads/hundreds-of-business-got-5-star-reviews-removed.62200/

submitted 20 days ago • 1 comment

🎯 Did you know you can track local pack traffic using Google Search Console? You can use GSC to measure real impressions in local search. Bonus: You can track results even beyond the local 3-pack. Learn how: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/search-console-tracking-local-pack/

submitted 21 days ago • 0 comments

Did You Know? Nofollow links from Reddit CAN improve your ranking - if they come from pages that get traffic.... Details 👇

submitted 22 days ago • 0 comments

New AIO spotted: it provides procedure info and lists nearby dentists that can do it. Interesting to see how these are chosen—results don't follow organic rank or the local 3-pack, which appears at the bottom of the SERP for this query.

submitted 22 days ago • 1 comment

Update: I'm starting to see review counts increasing again. Not fully back to what they were, but it's heading in the right direction 🎉

submitted 23 days ago • 1 comment

🚨 Local SEO & overlapping ZIP codes—a tricky combo! Serving multiple areas with shared ZIPs can confuse Google & hurt rankings. How do you handle it? Join the discussion & get expert advice: https://localsearchforum.com/threads/seeking-help-with-local-seo-for-overlapping-zip-code.62167/

submitted 23 days ago • 0 comments

The end of link building?  In one of our LocalU Webinars, I was talking with Luc Durand and Darren Shaw about how important link building is, even though fewer agencies are actually DOING link building for their clients... Here's the clip 👇

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

The end of link building?  In one of our LocalU Webinars, I was talking with Luc Durand and Darren Shaw about how important link building is, even though fewer agencies are actually DOING link building for their clients... Here's the clip 👇

submitted 24 days ago • 0 comments

🚨 You can’t turn off Q&A on your Google Business Profile, but you can control the narrative. Be proactive: post & answer FAQs before others do, monitor for misinformation, and report violations.  Check yours now: https://www.sterlingsky.ca/turn-off-q-a-google-my-business/

submitted 25 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 Do longer title tags boost rankings? We tested it by extending tags to 87+ characters with strategic keywords. Result? Improved rankings and better click-through rates. Small tweaks, big results! Have you tried longer title tags? Did they work, or flop? 👇 Share your thoughts in the comments!

submitted 26 days ago • 1 comment

My sister is making these custom review signs for her clients. They look pretty cool. Gonna have to bring it with me on some trips when I'm speaking.

submitted 27 days ago • 1 comment

No more tracking rankings in the ocean! This is a great move from Local Falcon.

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

Did you see this article and research by Seer Interactive? CTR when an AI Overview is present is dismal.  Google talks a big game about not taking clicks away from real businesses - but these AI Overviews do the opposite... https://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/ctr-aio

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

Looks like lots of people are reporting a loss of Google reviews in the last day.  https://localsearchforum.com/threads/hundreds-of-business-got-5-star-reviews-removed.62200/

submitted 27 days ago • 0 comments

🚀 Want better Google rankings? Fresh reviews help! Case study: Businesses that consistently get reviews rank higher. Stay competitive—track rivals’ review pace & keep up. 📍 Stay active, stay seen. Learn More 👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/google-review-recency-ranking/

submitted 28 days ago • 0 comments

Great study on the impact of AIOs from Seer: For queries where AIOs appear, organic CTR plummeted from 1.41% to 0.64% year-over-year. This highlights how AIOs can dominate user attention and limit opportunities for organic visibility. https://www.seerinteractive.com/insights/ctr-aio

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

In our webinar last month I asked Steve Toth what the #1 Mistake SEOs make today?  His response was instantly about content and the INTENT of that content.... Learn more 👇

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

Think more citations boost rankings? Not really. Google indexes just 10-20, no matter how many you create! We tested this with zero effort—no reviews, links, or updates—and the results might surprise you. 👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/how-many-citations-does-small-business-need/

submitted 29 days ago • 0 comments

One NYC law firm uncovered a ranking secret: They stopped linking their GBP to the homepage…  Curious how they cracked the code for rankings? Find out here: 👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/does-the-url-you-link-to-in-google-my-business-impact-ranking-in-the-local-pack/

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

Struggling with local SEO across ZIP codes? A great discussion is happening on Local Search Forum about ranking in overlapping areas. Share your insights! Join the convo: https://localsearchforum.com/threads/seeking-help-with-local-seo-for-overlapping-zip-code.62167/ 🚀

submitted 30 days ago • 0 comments

While we don’t recommend chasing rankings, diversifying lead sources and understanding volatility’s impact is key if your business relies on website or GBP traffic. More from @mordyoberstein.bsky.social  👇 https://bsky.app/profile/mordyoberstein.bsky.social/post/3lhbyyqcwgk2g

submitted 31 days ago • 0 comments

Have you taken our review quiz? Some of these Google reviews are just.... ridiculous.... How many did you get right?  Take the Quiz: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VGuCOQe1ws4

submitted 35 days ago • 0 comments