Mike Blumenthal
@mikeblumenthal.bsky.social
All local, all the time. Now at Near Media. Always from Olean, NY
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...
www.nearmedia.co/ep-231-local...
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...
www.nearmedia.co
November 8, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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...
www.nearmedia.co/ep-231-local...
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
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...
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...
www.nearmedia.co
October 7, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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...
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...
A snippet from our Near Media members office hours
youtube.com/shorts/WETIl...
Local Marketing Attribution in the AI Age - Analytics vs. Customer Survey: Which Can Data You Trust?
YouTube video by Near Media
youtube.com
September 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
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...
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.
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.
August 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
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.
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
August 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
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?
August 16, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Why does the Great American Milipede need so many legs?
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
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...
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...
www.nearmedia.co
August 8, 2025 at 4:00 PM
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
August 2, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Breaking news: Trump fires Bureau of Labor Statistics head because he doesn’t like her maths
📍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...
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...
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 ...
www.nearmedia.co
August 1, 2025 at 4:10 PM
📍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...
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...
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
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...
📺 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...
July 30, 2025 at 4:19 PM
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...
📺 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...
Podcast EP 216 with @gsterling.bsky.social & me
The Podcast Deets
🧠 1. Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption
🗺️ 2. Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?
🤖 3. ChatGPT’s Local Play & The Battle Over “AIO”
www.nearmedia.co/ep-216-new-d...
The Podcast Deets
🧠 1. Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption
🗺️ 2. Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?
🤖 3. ChatGPT’s Local Play & The Battle Over “AIO”
www.nearmedia.co/ep-216-new-d...
EP 216 -AI Overviews vs. Local SEO: Are Users Clicking Less? Who Will Win the Name Game?
New data shows AI Overviews reduce website clicks and disrupt the local pack. Greg and Mike explore the implications for search, traffic, and branding in the AI era—plus some fun with burritos and Bos...
www.nearmedia.co
July 25, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Podcast EP 216 with @gsterling.bsky.social & me
The Podcast Deets
🧠 1. Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption
🗺️ 2. Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?
🤖 3. ChatGPT’s Local Play & The Battle Over “AIO”
www.nearmedia.co/ep-216-new-d...
The Podcast Deets
🧠 1. Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption
🗺️ 2. Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?
🤖 3. ChatGPT’s Local Play & The Battle Over “AIO”
www.nearmedia.co/ep-216-new-d...
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
I'm excited to be speaking at Local SEO for Good, and I'm also stoked to be raising money for @hrc.org.
Get your free ticket here: www.brightlocal.com/local-seo-fo...
Get your free ticket here: www.brightlocal.com/local-seo-fo...
July 17, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I'm excited to be speaking at Local SEO for Good, and I'm also stoked to be raising money for @hrc.org.
Get your free ticket here: www.brightlocal.com/local-seo-fo...
Get your free ticket here: www.brightlocal.com/local-seo-fo...
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
Our latest @nearmedia.bsky.social newsletter: Has ChatGPT swapped out Bing for Google? Optimizing for "Local AIOs," Demographics and Search Fragmentation, Antitrust for AIO ... www.nearmedia.co/chatgpt-goog...
ChatGPT ❤️ Google?, Winning Local AIOs, Search Fragmentation, Antitrust-IO
Near Media is the go-to advisor for executives at multi-location brands and vertical agencies seeking to optimize their search strategy and tactics.
www.nearmedia.co
July 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Our latest @nearmedia.bsky.social newsletter: Has ChatGPT swapped out Bing for Google? Optimizing for "Local AIOs," Demographics and Search Fragmentation, Antitrust for AIO ... www.nearmedia.co/chatgpt-goog...
File under the category- Great ideas never die
Researchers hide AI prompts with white on white fonts to influence AI’s assessment of their research.
Every spam technique from the past 25 years is new again.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tec...
Researchers hide AI prompts with white on white fonts to influence AI’s assessment of their research.
Every spam technique from the past 25 years is new again.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tec...
'Positive review only': Researchers hide AI prompts in papers
Instructions in preprints from 14 universities highlight controversy on AI in peer review
asia.nikkei.com
July 7, 2025 at 12:31 PM
File under the category- Great ideas never die
Researchers hide AI prompts with white on white fonts to influence AI’s assessment of their research.
Every spam technique from the past 25 years is new again.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tec...
Researchers hide AI prompts with white on white fonts to influence AI’s assessment of their research.
Every spam technique from the past 25 years is new again.
asia.nikkei.com/Business/Tec...
🚨 GBP Suspensions Rising, Shifting Local AIOs, New Era of Local SEO
🔹 GBP suspensions still surging
🔹 Local AIOs reshuffle SERPs
🔹 Reviews - both 1st & 3rd party - are critical
🔹 New playbook for local visibility emerging
www.nearmedia.co/ep-213-gbp-s...
#LocalSEO #AIOverview #GBP
🔹 GBP suspensions still surging
🔹 Local AIOs reshuffle SERPs
🔹 Reviews - both 1st & 3rd party - are critical
🔹 New playbook for local visibility emerging
www.nearmedia.co/ep-213-gbp-s...
#LocalSEO #AIOverview #GBP
EP 213 - GBP Suspensions, AIO Overviews & New Best Practices for AI-Era Local SEO and Reviews
From Google's crackdown on suspensions to AI overviews reshaping the SERPs, Greg and Mike explore what's changing in local search—and why just answering your phone might be your best marketing move ye...
www.nearmedia.co
July 3, 2025 at 7:14 PM
🚨 GBP Suspensions Rising, Shifting Local AIOs, New Era of Local SEO
🔹 GBP suspensions still surging
🔹 Local AIOs reshuffle SERPs
🔹 Reviews - both 1st & 3rd party - are critical
🔹 New playbook for local visibility emerging
www.nearmedia.co/ep-213-gbp-s...
#LocalSEO #AIOverview #GBP
🔹 GBP suspensions still surging
🔹 Local AIOs reshuffle SERPs
🔹 Reviews - both 1st & 3rd party - are critical
🔹 New playbook for local visibility emerging
www.nearmedia.co/ep-213-gbp-s...
#LocalSEO #AIOverview #GBP
Reposted by Mike Blumenthal
🎙️ Ep. 212 of the Near Memo is live!
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
EP 212 - AI, Reviews & the Future of Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
AI is reshaping local SEO, but most small businesses are still focused on Google. Darren Shaw shares how to prep for what’s next—diversified reviews, smarter content, and YouTube visibility for Search...
www.nearmedia.co
June 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM
🎙️ Ep. 212 of the Near Memo is live!
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
🎙️ Ep. 212 of the Near Memo is live!
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
EP 212 - AI, Reviews & the Future of Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
AI is reshaping local SEO, but most small businesses are still focused on Google. Darren Shaw shares how to prep for what’s next—diversified reviews, smarter content, and YouTube visibility for Search...
www.nearmedia.co
June 27, 2025 at 4:48 PM
🎙️ Ep. 212 of the Near Memo is live!
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
AI & Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know
@whitespark.ca dives into:
✅ AI & local search shifts
✅ First-party reviews FTW
✅ YouTube > Instagram for leads
✅ "Search Everywhere Optimization"
Listen now: www.nearmedia.co/ep-212-ai-re...
#LocalSEO #AI
Screenshot from ChatGPT.
I assume that bad actors have been doing some sort of injection attacks and inserting bad links into ChatGPT answers? @lilyray.nyc has been showing how easy it is to get into these results. Time to pay the piper?
I assume that bad actors have been doing some sort of injection attacks and inserting bad links into ChatGPT answers? @lilyray.nyc has been showing how easy it is to get into these results. Time to pay the piper?
June 27, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Screenshot from ChatGPT.
I assume that bad actors have been doing some sort of injection attacks and inserting bad links into ChatGPT answers? @lilyray.nyc has been showing how easy it is to get into these results. Time to pay the piper?
I assume that bad actors have been doing some sort of injection attacks and inserting bad links into ChatGPT answers? @lilyray.nyc has been showing how easy it is to get into these results. Time to pay the piper?
Beauty in small spaces
My ice coffee
My ice coffee
June 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Beauty in small spaces
My ice coffee
My ice coffee
Marketing slogan found on a port a potty:
A royal flush beats a full house
A royal flush beats a full house
June 21, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Marketing slogan found on a port a potty:
A royal flush beats a full house
A royal flush beats a full house
Apple is expanding their sports content. In addition their real time sports reporting app they are now offering a Sports newsletter focusing on just your teams
Zero friction sign up. One click and done; no entries, no confirmations.
Zero friction sign up. One click and done; no entries, no confirmations.
June 11, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Apple is expanding their sports content. In addition their real time sports reporting app they are now offering a Sports newsletter focusing on just your teams
Zero friction sign up. One click and done; no entries, no confirmations.
Zero friction sign up. One click and done; no entries, no confirmations.