How Is AI Changing Local SEO And Google Maps Rankings? Imperfect Marketing podcast

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How Is AI Changing Local SEO and Google Maps Rankings?

1d ago 27:27

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In this episode of Imperfect Marketing, I sit down with Joshua Thompson, a local SEO specialist with more than a decade of experience helping businesses show up where it matters most: in Google’s local search results and Google Maps.

We dive deep into why local SEO is evolving faster than ever, how AI is changing search behaviors, and what businesses should actually focus on instead of chasing shortcuts.

From Accidental Marketer to Local SEO Expert

Josh shares his unique path—from building websites for financial leads to helping friends and family rank locally to eventually building and selling his own company. His entrepreneurial background shaped the customer-first, no-gimmicks SEO approach he uses today.

Understanding Local SEO vs. Traditional SEO

Josh breaks down what makes local SEO its own ecosystem:

How Local SEO Differs

Google Maps and the Local Pack often matter more than organic rankings
Local SEO relies heavily on trust signals (reviews, name-address-phone consistency, location data)
Traditional SEO leans more on authority signals (backlinks, content depth)

What Actually Matters for Local SEO

Reviews—the biggest local ranking driver
Accurate listings (especially high-impact ones like Google, Yelp, Bing)
Customer engagement signals
Building trust through consistent information

Josh emphasizes that directory listings aren’t about gaming Google—they’re about confirming your legitimacy.

Cutting Through the Noise: AI, Voice Search & “Gaming the System”

We tackle the recent buzz (and myths) about AI influencing search:

AI “Hacks” & Gimmicks

Josh calls out trends like having “AI parties” in ChatGPT to influence rankings—explaining why tactics like these don’t create real, lasting visibility.

AI Search Is Still Search

AI tools still rely heavily on Google’s results
If you show up in Google, you’ll show up in AI responses
The fundamentals haven’t changed: content + trust + authority still win

Voice Search Déjà Vu

Josh compares today’s AI panic to the voice-search hype a decade ago—reminding us the sky didn’t fall, and SEO fundamentals remained the same.

The Rise of No-Click Searches & What It Means for Businesses

Local businesses are seeing:

More direct calls from Google Business Profiles
Fewer website visits
Greater reliance on reviews and verified info

Josh explains why this is good news, especially for service-based businesses where customers want immediate answers—not long website visits.

Preparing for What’s Next

Josh’s advice for staying ahead is refreshingly simple:

Stick to fundamentals: content, relevance, authority, and trust
Optimize your Google Business Profile: reviews, photos, accuracy
Build momentum: keep improving in one direction instead of chasing every new trend
Avoid shortcuts: they cost more time than they save

As he puts it: “You don't get time back while you’re searching for shortcuts.”

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Chapters

1. Welcome And Topic Setup (00:00:00)

2. Josh’s Path Into Local SEO (00:01:23)

3. Local SEO Versus Traditional SEO (00:03:30)

4. Trust Signals And Citations (00:05:28)

5. Directories, Reviews, And Real Users (00:07:37)

6. AI Hype, Games, And Reality (00:09:42)

7. How AI Pulls From Search (00:11:42)

8. Maps, No-Click Behavior, And Calls (00:13:32)

9. Websites As Support For GBP (00:15:42)

10. Voice Search Lessons For AI Era (00:18:12)

11. Targeting “Best” And “Top” Queries (00:20:07)

12. Customer-First Strategy Over Tactics (00:21:32)

13. Biggest Lesson: Value Time And Momentum (00:23:37)

14. Closing, Resources, And Ratings (00:26:07)

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