A brief history of Google’s most important local search updates
How has Google's local search changed throughout the years? Columnist Brian Smith shares a timeline of events and their impact on brick-and-mortar businesses.
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Brian Smith's latest articles
Google is making strides with Google My Business
Though Google My Business isn't perfect, columnist Brian Smith believes that recent updates and added features illustrate Google's commitment to making the platform work for local business owners.
The future of local discovery
Columnist Brian Smith discusses some of the recent developments and technology that will impact local search, both in the short term and the long term.
Driving local marketing change with Uber, Lyft and self-driving cars
Columnist Brian Smith explains how ride-sharing services and self-driving cars will open up a host of new opportunities for local businesses.
The future of paid voice search and monetizing the map
Ads are coming to voice search sooner than you think. Columnist Brian Smith discusses what this might mean for local businesses, as well as SEO and SEM professionals.
The importance of local authenticity
When deciding which local businesses to patronize, consumers choose ones they know and trust. Columnist Brian Smith shares tips for marketers looking to help their businesses cultivate a strong image within their local communities.
Digital assistants, conversational search and the future of local
As digital assistants like Alexa and Google Home become more popular, how can local search marketers adapt? Columnist Brian Smith shares his tips.
Getting a clearer picture of local marketing attribution
It can be a challenge to get a clear picture of how effective your local marketing efforts are, so columnist Brian Smith outlines some of the more effective methods for tracking in-store attribution.
What you need to reach the big leagues of local SEO
Looking to build a successful career in local SEO? Columnist Brian Smith is here to coach you on how to improve your game.
How to manage local listings for enterprise brands
Getting a handle on the data for multiple-location businesses can be a significant challenge. Columnist Brian Smith provides step-by-step guidelines to making it happen.
The future of the map
The leap from physical to digital maps was game-changing for marketers and consumers alike, but what's next on the horizon? Columnist Brian Smith explores some possibilities for the future of mapping.
Pokémon Go, augmented reality and the future of local marketing
What might the popular new mobile game mean for local marketers? Columnist Brian Smith explores.
Bridging the gaps in the Google My Business API
Each update to the Google My Business API makes life easier for those of us managing locations at scale, but columnist Brian Smith notes that gaps in the automation process have yet to be addressed.