Mike Blumenthal

EP 245 - AI, Strong-Arm Tactics & a Shifting Review Landscape Are Reshaping Local Search Episode 245 examines Google’s expanding AI integration into local search, evidence that LSAs — not AI Overviews — are draining clicks, new restrictions on scraping review data, and new data from Yelp and Bright Local showing emerging consumer frustration with review fraud. The episode explores how trust, monetization, and AI personalization are reshaping local marketing. Interested in sponsoring this podcast or our newsletters please reach out to mblumenthal@nearmedia.co E-mail Mike ### **The Podcast Deets** ### **1️⃣ Google AI & Click Economics (00:00–14:00)** Google is replacing structured GBP data with AI-generated summaries, nudging users into AI Mode, and expanding monetization pathways. Aleyda Solis’ study and Near Media research show ads — especially LSAs — are siphoning clicks. ### **2️⃣ Data Moats & Scraping Crackdowns (14:00–22:00)** Google restricts scraping, disrupting SerpAPI. The move reinforces Google’s data advantage against ChatGPT and Perplexity while signaling an increasingly closed ecosystem. ### **3️⃣ Reviews, Inflation & Consumer Backlash (22:00–36:00)** Yelp’s Trust Report and BrightLocal’s 2026 study show persistent fraud, rising consumer anger, review inflation in legal, and AI becoming the third source of recommendations. ### **Key Takeaways** * Google is integrating more AI in the Local Brand Panels * LSAs are the real click siphon — not AI Overviews. * Google is tightening control over review data. * Review inflation is undermining trust. * Consumers want harsher penalties for fraud. * AI search is increasing awareness but not eliminating click behavior. * Local marketers must diversify trust signals beyond Google. ### **👇 Watch by topic:** [ 00:00](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fobx3u0Vk_0) Introduction & Episode Overview 01:30 Google Replacing GBP Content with AI 08:30 AI Mode & Monetization Signals 10:30 Are AI Overviews Killing Clicks? 14:00 LSAs as the Real Click Drain 16:00 Google Blocking Review Scraping 19:00 Yelp Trust & Safety Report 22:00 BrightLocal 2026 Review Survey 25:00 Consumer Anger Over Review Fraud 27:00 Legal Vertical Review Inflation 31:00 AI as the Third Source of Recommendations 35:00 Multi-Platform Validation Behavior 36:00 Final Thoughts ### **Related Links** Google Maps ‘limited view’ was hiding reviews, images for signed-out users U: Fixed]Google Maps is more than just a navigation app, as it contains a treasure trove of data about locations across…9to5GoogleBen Schoon[[Google Maps Reviews API] Low success rateSerpApi’s Status Page - [Google Maps Reviews API] Low success rate.[Google Maps Reviews API] Low success rate **Search Isn’t Just Turning to AI, it’s being Re-Monetized: Text Ads Are Taking a Bigger Share of Google SERP Clicks** **2025 Yelp Trust & Safety Report****** **Local Consumer Review Survey 2026: Star Ratings Keep Rising, Old Reviews Don’t Cut It** Sign up for our new Legal Marketing Newsletter. Once a month, no fluff, just good ideas. Sign Up ### **Full Transcript -- > ****On-line**

Google is replacing GBP data with AI summaries, ads are siphoning clicks, review fraud is rising, and scraping is being blocked. Here’s what it means for local search, LSAs, and the future of trust in 2026.

@gruber.foo not sure if you saw this: thelocalstack.eu/posts/linked...

EP 244 - AI Visibility vs Google Rankings: Rand Fishkin on the Future of Search, Zero-Click & Brand Measurement Rand Fishkin joins Near Memo to unpack AI visibility tracking, zero-click search, collapsing attribution models, and where brands should focus in 2026. A must-listen for marketers navigating AI’s impa...

The full episode is available on our website, YouTube and your favorite podcast app
www.nearmedia.co/ep-244-ai-vi...

Zero-click search is growing fast—that doesn’t mean sales are gone

It doesn’t kill sales-It changes who owns the click

“Commerce isn’t ending: it’s relocating”
Discovery & attention are shifting off yr site & to platforms you don’t control

“don’t build on rented land” may no longer be good advice

EP 244 - AI Visibility vs Google Rankings: Rand Fishkin on the Future of Search, Zero-Click & Brand Measurement Rand Fishkin joins Near Memo to unpack AI visibility tracking, zero-click search, collapsing attribution models, and where brands should focus in 2026. A must-listen for marketers navigating AI’s impa...

Podcast page (includes the full episode + links + transcript): nearmedia.co/ep-244-ai-vi...

YouTube video by Near Media AI Visibility vs Google Ranking: Rand Fishkin & the Future of Search, Zero Click & Brand Measurement

AI SEO “rank tracking”? 🚫
@randfish.bsky.social: one AI answer is noise; with enough runs you can measure brand presence % (share of responses mentioning you) + track weekly.

Full Near Memo pod + YouTube w/ David Mihm, Mike Blumenthal & Greg Sterling: youtu.be/o_5oc-O1B8k

#AISEO #SEO

Winning in 2026 Reviews Ai and the New Rules of Search Near Media’s new user-behavior research reveals what prospects really do before they click—how trust forms, reviews sway decisions, and AI is reshaping local search. Join us for actionable insights to...

Join @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social @davidmihm.bsky.social and me next Tuesday (Feb 24) for a webinar on our latest behavioral research: Winning in 2026: Reviews, AI, and the New Rules of Search. go.gatherup.com/winning-in-2...

This was a great conversation. If you are interested in LSAs this is part two of a convo you shouldn’t miss

Last week on the Near Memo we interviewed Eric Levine, ex - Googler Product Director of LSAs. In P1, he shared lots of great LSA tips like this one where he explains who shouldn’t use them.

Available on NearMedia.co, YouTube and your favorite podcast platform

Maybe we should start calling this the paid local pack?

Yes. Been multiple reports of delays

YouTube video by Whitespark AI vs Human Content, Missing Google Reviews & the Evolution of Q&A | E16 The Whitespark Local Update

Missing Google reviews are becoming a real problem for many businesses. So I asked one of the smartest people I know what’s really going on.

Watch the new episode now with THE @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social. A gift to you before we log off for the holidays. We’ll be back in January. Happy holidays 🎄

EP 231 - Local Search in the Age of AI: Darren Shaw on the 2026 Ranking Factors Darren Shaw joins Near Media to discuss the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors report — revealing how AI search, reviews, and behavioral signals are reshaping local SEO. Discover what really drives vis...

Join @nearmedia.bsky.social with @davidmihm.bsky.social, @gsterling.bsky.social as we pick Darren Shaw of @whitespark.ca 's brain about the ins and the outs of the 2026 Local Search Ranking Survey.

www.nearmedia.co/ep-231-local...

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EP 227 - Inside Uberall’s Local AI Shift: From Culture Shift to Client Tools; Interview with Ana Martinez -- Part 1 Uberall CTO Ana Martinez explains how AI is reshaping culture, products, and customer engagement in their Location Management tools—from rethinking roles and workflows to launching UB-I and the Locati...

Great new interview with me and @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social talking to Ana Martinez, CTO of Uberall on their experience integrating AI more deeply into the company's workflows and customer-facing products. Part 1 of 2. www.nearmedia.co/ep-227-insid...

I am so anxious to get and use my Meta glasses, for this very reason.

simonwillison.net/2025/Sep/23/...

YouTube video by Near Media Local Marketing Attribution in the AI Age - Analytics vs. Customer Survey: Which Can Data You Trust?

Local Marketing Attribution in the AI Age - Analytics vs. Customer Survey: Which Can Data You Trust?

A snippet from our Near Media members office hours

youtube.com/shorts/WETIl...

Changes to the Google LSA (Local Service Ads) program
Google Guarantee,Google Screened, and License Verified by Google ---> Google Verified. Effective 10/20/2025.

The Money Back Guarantee associated with the Google Guarantee badge will also be discontinued.

A bad look for the McKean County Fair in the local paper and on the obituary page, to boot

Why does the Great American Milipede need so many legs?

Search Beats AI, Google 'Gaslighting,' Double Pack, GBP Slackers Local Comparison: Google Beats ChatGPT More than two-thirds of consumers have used ChatGPT for local business discovery. Yet local search is not a common use case for AI. That's because most consumer...

The latest @nearmedia.bsky.social newsletter -- local search accuracy benchmarking: Google beats AI, Google Gaslights, double Local Pack and SMBs don't claim GBP. www.nearmedia.co/search-beats...

Breaking news: Trump fires Bureau of Labor Statistics head because he doesn’t like her maths

The Future of Maps: User Focused, Contextual & Integrated AI with Goetz Weber Podcast Episode · The Near Memo · 07/31/2025 · 48m

EP 217 on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

YouTube video by Near Media The Future of Maps: User Focused, Contextual & Integrated AI with Goetz Weber

EP 217 on YouTube: youtu.be/ep8V4FiXgq8

EP 217 - The Future of Maps: User Focused, Contextual & Integrated AI with Goetz Weber We talk with map expert Goetz Weber about why today’s maps fail to deliver personal, contextual experiences & what needs to change. From intent modeling to the limits of monetization, from ChatGPT to ...

📍New Near Memo EP217

Mapping veteran Goetz Weber joins @gsterling.bsky.social and me to explore why today’s maps fail to reflect user intent—and how AI, motion models, and social context could finally fix that.

The future of maps is personal.

🎧 Listen/watch here: www.nearmedia.co/ep-217-the-f...

A black banner with bright coloured star and floral shaped stickers. It says Local SEO for Good. September 3 - September 4 8am PT - 11am ET - 4pm BST It says "WHAT TO EXPECT" as the main header.

Here's what to expect at Local SEO for Good:

📺 A high-energy livestream packed with ideas you’ll want to steal

💬 A lively chat where insights, emojis, & hot takes fly

🎤 Q&As

💚 and more!

Bonus: You don’t need to wear shoes. Or leave your house!

www.brightlocal.com/local-seo-fo...