This Gen Z App Will Enhance Your Local SEO

+ more local SEO tips

February 10, 2025

How’s it going, y’all?

It’s freezing in Edmonton, Alberta — the temperature is -27°C (-17°F) as I type this — so if you catch any typos in this email, it’s because I’m shivering 😅

Here are some cool local SEO things for you 👇️

1. But first, I have an offer for you

Go ahead and scan your QR of choice.

(On mobile: screenshot, save, and tap the QR codes in your Photos app.)

2. The Gen-Z app that will turn your photos into attention-grabbing GBP Videos

Watch this short video to learn how 👇

@darrenshawseo

Smart and easy way to turn your boring photos into an eye-catching video for your Google Business Profile. Here’s how 👇 1️⃣ Download the ... See more

3. The robots may be phoning your business to ask for a quote soon 🤖

Google is testing a new “Ask for me” feature. It’s still experimental, so it only supports nail salons and auto repair shops as of now, but here’s how it works ⬇️

You click the “Ask for me” feature (see video below), and then Google asks you a series of questions:

  • What service you’re looking for

  • Info on your vehicle

  • When you need the service

  • How you want to receive updates (text or email)

Then, Google’s realistic-sounding AI calls all the businesses to get the quotes and info for you and sends you the breakdown (I think) via email or text.

I can see Google making “Ask for me” available for more business categories in the future (and probably charging the businesses for the leads 🙄).

Nevertheless, it sounds very promising for local businesses who don’t have an online booking system and might miss out on leads who don’t want to speak on the phone 😅

www.linkedin.com/posts/darrenshawwhitespark_localseo-seo-activity-7293665493503131648-oesK

4. The benefits of a long title tag

Excellent new research from Joy Hawkins shows the benefits of long title tags.

I’ve talked about this many times, and I always referenced Joel Headley’s research from 2021, but now we have a new case study that shows that there is no pain and only gain from keyword stuffing your title tags.

Here’s why:

  • There isn’t a penalty for having a long title tag.

  • Google rewrites long titles, usually using the H1.

  • Google uses the original, keyword stuffed title tag for rankings.

So, here’s how to write the perfect title tag:

  1. Make the first 60 characters a nicely written and compelling title, and then feel free to stuff the hell out of the back end of it with your keywords. As I mentioned, Google uses the whole title for rankings.

  2. Make sure your H1 on the page matches that nice first 60 characters, because Google will often rewrite long titles with the H1 - but they still use the original title for rankings!

A keyword stuffed title tag is a win-win IMO. You get the ranking benefits of the keywords in the title, and then Google will do you the favor of cleaning it up in the search results for you by rewriting it to match your H1.

Hope you have a great week. And, as always, follow me on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to catch all my helpful local SEO posts!

Darren

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