New GBP Feature & Review Diversification

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June 16, 2025

Hello hello,

This week in local SEO 👇️

1. You NEED reviews on multiple platforms to rank on ChatGPT

Having a regular stream of reviews on Google is one of the top local ranking factors in 2025. But it doesn’t do much for your rankings on ChatGPT, since ChatGPT can’t access Google’s data.

ChatGPT references multiple other review platforms when giving users local business suggestions.

You need to ask for reviews on Facebook, BBB, Yelp, Trustpilot, TripAdvisor, and any platforms relevant to your business.

Thoughts? Share them here.

2. New GBP Q&A feature

A couple weeks ago, Claudia Tomina and Damian Rollison shared about a new “People are asking” feature they’re seeing on certain businesses.

The questions aren’t coming from users like before. They’re coming from THE ROBOTS! 🤖

Instead of showing a user’s name, it just says “People are asking”, and the questions are based on what people frequently search on Google:

This looks similar to the types of questions Google would ask users in the “Know this place?” dialogs, and now their AI appears to be asking everyone these questions in the Q&A section.

It seems like they’re doing this to feed the AI to understand the business better. And they’ll be likely to get the answers they want since those Local Guides are obsessed with building up their points.

I’m only seeing these types of questions for restaurants, but I hope they’ll expand this to other types of businesses.

See this post on Instagram.

3. Can’t afford Local Services Ads? You can do this for free instead

Turns out you don’t have to pay for Local Services Ads — at least for certain types of queries.

Miriam Ellis conducted some new research on LSAs, and the results are promising for small businesses on a budget.

Her research shows that LSAs are far more likely to appear for local intent queries than for informational and hybrid queries. This means that the best chance at ranking for local searches without paying for LSAs lies in the informational and hybrid queries.

Miriam tells you exactly how to show up for those types of searches in her new article. Read it to:

  • Learn how to develop authoritative first and third-party content for your business

  • Get tips on finding informational and hybrid intent phrases to optimize for

  • Find ready-made lists for plumbers, personal injury lawyers, optometrists, real estate agents, medical clinics, and dentists (the categories we tested for)

You can find it here 👇️

4. New lessons in my free email courses

I just added some fresh content to my free local SEO email courses 👀

The new topics are AI (of course), local SEO mistakes to avoid, and more review strategies.

I’m honestly so grateful that over 2,800 people are learning from these. If you're not subscribed yet, now’s a great time to check them out.

Here’s what they cover:

  • Local SEO 101: A beginner course about the fundamentals of local search — for both your Google Business Profile and your website. If you are a beginner digital marketer or a business owner, this course will teach you everything you need to know to rank and convert locally.

  • Local SEO 401: An advanced course that goes beyond the basics and covers next-level ranking and conversion strategies, lesser-known tips, and new research.

Both courses are 100% free and take about 20 days to complete (at only 5 minutes per day). Sign up here 👇️

Follow me on LinkedIn, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, Reddit, and TikTok so you don’t miss any of my local SEO tips!

Darren