In the final installment of the Google and Growth series, host Maury Blackman sits down with Joy Hawkins, one of the most recognized experts in local search and the founder of Sterling Sky, LocalU, and the Local Search Forum.

Joy breaks down what small businesses really need to know about SEO in 2025 — from how Google’s local algorithm works to what actually moves the needle in local rankings. She shares insider insights on reviews, proximity, on-page optimization, and the biggest myths holding businesses back from being seen online.

Whether you’re a local business owner trying to stand out on Google Maps or a marketer looking to sharpen your SEO playbook, this conversation delivers practical, no-nonsense advice straight from one of the most trusted voices in the industry.

You’ll learn:

• What really drives local SEO rankings today
• How to avoid the biggest SEO mistakes small businesses make
• The impact of reviews and proximity on visibility
• Where SEO is headed with AI and the future of Google Search

Guest: Joy Hawkins – Founder of Sterling Sky, LocalU, and the Local Search Forum. Columnist at Search Engine Land and Google Business Profile Product Expert.

Host: Maury Blackman, CEO and technologist exploring the intersection of data, growth, and small business innovation.

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In this episode, we explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and local government with Gavin Baum-Blake, CEO of City Detect. Discover how this innovative company is revolutionizing municipal inspections by utilizing AI and computer vision to monitor neighborhood health. Learn about the challenges faced by local governments, the importance of data in decision-making, and how City Detect's technology is transforming code enforcement, speeding up inspections from months to mere weeks. Join us as we delve into the future of public service and the role of technology in fostering healthier communities.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In Part 2 of Google & Growth: A Series for Small Business, host Maury Blackman sits down with Michael Yules, CEO of GatherUp, to explore how reviews and reputation have become the lifeblood of small business growth. Building on Part 1’s discussion with Brad Wetherall about the importance of a complete digital footprint, this episode takes a closer look at why a Google Business Profile is often a company’s most valuable asset — and how reputation isn’t just part of marketing anymore, it is marketing.

Yules shares his insights on the evolution of online reviews, explaining how the focus has shifted from sheer volume to quality, authenticity, and consistency. He highlights common mistakes small businesses make that erode trust — from ignoring their Google Business Profile to relying on fake reviews — and outlines practical strategies for generating authentic feedback.

The conversation also covers the shift from a brick-and-mortar-first world to a digital-first one, where traditional trust signals like storefronts and signage are being replaced by online credibility. Yules and Blackman dive into how AI and generative search are reshaping reputation management, why diversification across multiple review platforms matters, and how businesses can prepare for a future where AI agents may become the primary decision-makers in search.

At the heart of the episode is a simple but powerful takeaway: consistently ask your customers for feedback and reviews. As Yules puts it, “people do not do things that you don’t ask them to do” — and building trust online starts with that ask.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.