Darren Shaw
@whitespark.ca
🔹 Founder of Whitespark.ca: local SEO software and services.
🔹 Local SEO educator with 36,000+ newsletter subscribers, 8,000+ YouTube subscribers, and 2,000+ email course sign-ups.
🔹 In charge of the annual Local Search Ranking Factors Survey
🔹 Local SEO educator with 36,000+ newsletter subscribers, 8,000+ YouTube subscribers, and 2,000+ email course sign-ups.
🔹 In charge of the annual Local Search Ranking Factors Survey
Just published my first article on @searchengineland.bsky.social!
Do keywords in reviews matter? Hell yes. My piece describes 7 benefits of getting keywords in reviews - including 3 templates that will help you get those keywords. Go check it out.
Do keywords in reviews matter? Hell yes. My piece describes 7 benefits of getting keywords in reviews - including 3 templates that will help you get those keywords. Go check it out.
November 11, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Just published my first article on @searchengineland.bsky.social!
Do keywords in reviews matter? Hell yes. My piece describes 7 benefits of getting keywords in reviews - including 3 templates that will help you get those keywords. Go check it out.
Do keywords in reviews matter? Hell yes. My piece describes 7 benefits of getting keywords in reviews - including 3 templates that will help you get those keywords. Go check it out.
New podcast episode just dropped, and it’s a good one 👇
This week’s episode is only 12 minutes and packed with valuable takeaways. I cover the key insights from the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors, and Claire tells you about some fantastic SEO and digital marketing content you don’t want to miss.
This week’s episode is only 12 minutes and packed with valuable takeaways. I cover the key insights from the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors, and Claire tells you about some fantastic SEO and digital marketing content you don’t want to miss.
2026 Local Search Ranking Factors & Free Marketing Course | E11 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
November 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New podcast episode just dropped, and it’s a good one 👇
This week’s episode is only 12 minutes and packed with valuable takeaways. I cover the key insights from the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors, and Claire tells you about some fantastic SEO and digital marketing content you don’t want to miss.
This week’s episode is only 12 minutes and packed with valuable takeaways. I cover the key insights from the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors, and Claire tells you about some fantastic SEO and digital marketing content you don’t want to miss.
🚨 I’m doing an AMA about the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors over on the Whitespark subreddit: r/whitespark. Starting: TODAY (Monday, November 10th), at 12:00 PM ET.
November 10, 2025 at 3:59 PM
🚨 I’m doing an AMA about the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors over on the Whitespark subreddit: r/whitespark. Starting: TODAY (Monday, November 10th), at 12:00 PM ET.
ICYMI, we released the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors yesterday. Tons of new insights and takeaways. This is the Local SEO bible. Read it below!
Whitespark's Official 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors Report: Your ultimate guide to local SEO success in 2026!
Find out what really impacts local search rankings in 2026 with Whitespark's Local Search Ranking Factors report. 47 top local SEO experts weigh in on what's driving real local search rankings today.
whitespark.ca
November 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ICYMI, we released the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors yesterday. Tons of new insights and takeaways. This is the Local SEO bible. Read it below!
🚨 The 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors are OUT NOW!
Read the full report and my analysis on the Whitespark website.
Watch my new video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDeA...
Read the full report and my analysis on the Whitespark website.
Watch my new video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDeA...
OFFICIAL Whitespark 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors: What Really Matters (Full Breakdown)
YouTube video by Whitespark
www.youtube.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:51 PM
🚨 The 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors are OUT NOW!
Read the full report and my analysis on the Whitespark website.
Watch my new video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDeA...
Read the full report and my analysis on the Whitespark website.
Watch my new video on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDeA...
I was sick for the recording of today’s episode of The Whitespark Local Update, but @clairecarlile.bsky.social had no problem replacing me (🥲) with the brilliant @danaditomaso.com.
Watch the new episode below (or listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts).
Watch the new episode below (or listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts).
How AIO Is Really Just SEO (ft. SEO Expert Dana DiTomaso) | E10 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
November 4, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I was sick for the recording of today’s episode of The Whitespark Local Update, but @clairecarlile.bsky.social had no problem replacing me (🥲) with the brilliant @danaditomaso.com.
Watch the new episode below (or listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts).
Watch the new episode below (or listen on Spotify/Apple Podcasts).
Ask me anything! I’ll be answering questions on the Sterling Sky subreddit /r/localsearch between 12pm ET and 5pm ET today.
November 3, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Ask me anything! I’ll be answering questions on the Sterling Sky subreddit /r/localsearch between 12pm ET and 5pm ET today.
Happy Halloween 🎃
This costume comes with a Whitespark Local Ranking Grids subscription, endless AI SEO speculation, and a strong opinion about geotagging images.
What’s your costume this year?
This costume comes with a Whitespark Local Ranking Grids subscription, endless AI SEO speculation, and a strong opinion about geotagging images.
What’s your costume this year?
October 31, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Happy Halloween 🎃
This costume comes with a Whitespark Local Ranking Grids subscription, endless AI SEO speculation, and a strong opinion about geotagging images.
What’s your costume this year?
This costume comes with a Whitespark Local Ranking Grids subscription, endless AI SEO speculation, and a strong opinion about geotagging images.
What’s your costume this year?
Big moment: our first-ever in-person Local Update, recorded live at @brightonseo.com 🎉 woooo!
It was such a blast hanging out with @clairecarlile.bsky.social, meeting so many brilliant SEOs, and geeking out about SEO all day.
The full episode is now up on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! 👇
It was such a blast hanging out with @clairecarlile.bsky.social, meeting so many brilliant SEOs, and geeking out about SEO all day.
The full episode is now up on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! 👇
We Asked SEO Experts for Their #1 Tip at BrightonSEO | E9 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Big moment: our first-ever in-person Local Update, recorded live at @brightonseo.com 🎉 woooo!
It was such a blast hanging out with @clairecarlile.bsky.social, meeting so many brilliant SEOs, and geeking out about SEO all day.
The full episode is now up on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! 👇
It was such a blast hanging out with @clairecarlile.bsky.social, meeting so many brilliant SEOs, and geeking out about SEO all day.
The full episode is now up on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify! 👇
Argh! Why is that competitor outranking you when you have better SEO and stronger links?!
There could be a sneaky reason that you’re not considering: they’re updating content more often than you.
There could be a sneaky reason that you’re not considering: they’re updating content more often than you.
October 27, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Argh! Why is that competitor outranking you when you have better SEO and stronger links?!
There could be a sneaky reason that you’re not considering: they’re updating content more often than you.
There could be a sneaky reason that you’re not considering: they’re updating content more often than you.
🚨 Review extortion is real: scammers leave 1-star reviews, then demand cash to remove them. It’s been happening for years, but Google finally acknowledged it and shared how to report it (via @rustybrick.com).
We cover this and more in the new episode of The Whitespark Local Update! 👇
We cover this and more in the new episode of The Whitespark Local Update! 👇
Review Extortion, AI Content Audit Assistant & a Pair of Shorts | E8 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 3:05 PM
🚨 Review extortion is real: scammers leave 1-star reviews, then demand cash to remove them. It’s been happening for years, but Google finally acknowledged it and shared how to report it (via @rustybrick.com).
We cover this and more in the new episode of The Whitespark Local Update! 👇
We cover this and more in the new episode of The Whitespark Local Update! 👇
I tend to rant about businesses not listing their pricing online, and turns out, I’m not alone. @krystaltaing.bsky.social’s study shows missing pricing drives customers to competitors. @miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and +5 more local website must-haves on the Whitespark blog. Checklist below!!
6 Must-Have Elements for a High-Converting Local Business Website
This article looks at 6 conversion-making fine details that are consistently missing from the websites of small-to-enterprise local brands.
whitespark.ca
October 16, 2025 at 3:03 PM
I tend to rant about businesses not listing their pricing online, and turns out, I’m not alone. @krystaltaing.bsky.social’s study shows missing pricing drives customers to competitors. @miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and +5 more local website must-haves on the Whitespark blog. Checklist below!!
Is citation consistency making a comeback? I know I’ve said it doesn’t matter much anymore, but what if it does for LLMs?
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I talk about this and more on the pod this week! 👇
You can watch the new episode below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I talk about this and more on the pod this week! 👇
You can watch the new episode below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
Bing Bombs Big Time, Local SEO is Thriving, Citation Consistency | E7 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
October 14, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Is citation consistency making a comeback? I know I’ve said it doesn’t matter much anymore, but what if it does for LLMs?
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I talk about this and more on the pod this week! 👇
You can watch the new episode below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I talk about this and more on the pod this week! 👇
You can watch the new episode below or listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.
My newsletter just hit 45,000 subscribers 🎉 Then I deleted 822.
I highly recommend cleaning your email list monthly. Here’s why:
I mostly do this to improve deliverability. Email providers assign a spam score to your sending email.
I highly recommend cleaning your email list monthly. Here’s why:
I mostly do this to improve deliverability. Email providers assign a spam score to your sending email.
October 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
My newsletter just hit 45,000 subscribers 🎉 Then I deleted 822.
I highly recommend cleaning your email list monthly. Here’s why:
I mostly do this to improve deliverability. Email providers assign a spam score to your sending email.
I highly recommend cleaning your email list monthly. Here’s why:
I mostly do this to improve deliverability. Email providers assign a spam score to your sending email.
Can an e-commerce business have a Google Business Profile? What about a practitioner in a multi-practitioner business? Or a business within a business?
@miriamellis.bsky.social’s new guide gives you all the answers. Get the full guide, the GBP Eligibility Summary table, and more below! 👇
@miriamellis.bsky.social’s new guide gives you all the answers. Get the full guide, the GBP Eligibility Summary table, and more below! 👇
Can Your Business Be on Google? A Guide to GBP Eligibility by Business Type
This guide will help you discover which model your business falls under according to Google, and whether it's eligible for a Google Business Profile.
whitespark.ca
October 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Can an e-commerce business have a Google Business Profile? What about a practitioner in a multi-practitioner business? Or a business within a business?
@miriamellis.bsky.social’s new guide gives you all the answers. Get the full guide, the GBP Eligibility Summary table, and more below! 👇
@miriamellis.bsky.social’s new guide gives you all the answers. Get the full guide, the GBP Eligibility Summary table, and more below! 👇
You do some query fan-out research and end up with 10+ sub-questions. But now what?
👉 Should you cram all questions into one mega-page?
👉 Or create a separate page for each question?
👉 Should you cram all questions into one mega-page?
👉 Or create a separate page for each question?
October 8, 2025 at 2:50 PM
You do some query fan-out research and end up with 10+ sub-questions. But now what?
👉 Should you cram all questions into one mega-page?
👉 Or create a separate page for each question?
👉 Should you cram all questions into one mega-page?
👉 Or create a separate page for each question?
Apparently, businesses can now LOSE all their reviews if they ask for them at the register? 🤔
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I discuss @claudiatomina.bsky.social’s report on this issue and MORE on today’s episode of the Whitespark Local Update podcast!
Watch the episode below! 👇
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I discuss @claudiatomina.bsky.social’s report on this issue and MORE on today’s episode of the Whitespark Local Update podcast!
Watch the episode below! 👇
The Future of AI Search, Suspensions Surge & Google's Insights Tool | E6 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
October 7, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Apparently, businesses can now LOSE all their reviews if they ask for them at the register? 🤔
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I discuss @claudiatomina.bsky.social’s report on this issue and MORE on today’s episode of the Whitespark Local Update podcast!
Watch the episode below! 👇
@clairecarlile.bsky.social and I discuss @claudiatomina.bsky.social’s report on this issue and MORE on today’s episode of the Whitespark Local Update podcast!
Watch the episode below! 👇
Do keywords in reviews impact rankings? 🤔
Well, research from Sterling Sky says no. @joyhawkins.bsky.social tested this in 2023 and found no direct ranking boost.
BUT… keywords in reviews are still incredibly valuable. Here are 7 reasons why you still want to ask for keywords in your reviews:
Well, research from Sterling Sky says no. @joyhawkins.bsky.social tested this in 2023 and found no direct ranking boost.
BUT… keywords in reviews are still incredibly valuable. Here are 7 reasons why you still want to ask for keywords in your reviews:
October 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Do keywords in reviews impact rankings? 🤔
Well, research from Sterling Sky says no. @joyhawkins.bsky.social tested this in 2023 and found no direct ranking boost.
BUT… keywords in reviews are still incredibly valuable. Here are 7 reasons why you still want to ask for keywords in your reviews:
Well, research from Sterling Sky says no. @joyhawkins.bsky.social tested this in 2023 and found no direct ranking boost.
BUT… keywords in reviews are still incredibly valuable. Here are 7 reasons why you still want to ask for keywords in your reviews:
How NOT to respond to reviews
October 3, 2025 at 2:50 PM
How NOT to respond to reviews
Google says choose fewer categories 🙄 But @joyhawkins.bsky.social confirmed what local SEOs already knew: The more categories you add, the more terms you will rank for.
@miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and 17 more local SEO developments in her Q3 Local Search Roundup on the whitespark blog 🏃
@miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and 17 more local SEO developments in her Q3 Local Search Roundup on the whitespark blog 🏃
October 2, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Google says choose fewer categories 🙄 But @joyhawkins.bsky.social confirmed what local SEOs already knew: The more categories you add, the more terms you will rank for.
@miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and 17 more local SEO developments in her Q3 Local Search Roundup on the whitespark blog 🏃
@miriamellis.bsky.social covers this and 17 more local SEO developments in her Q3 Local Search Roundup on the whitespark blog 🏃
Are you adding localities to your title tags? You should 👇
What are localities? 🧐
Localities are areas/neighborhoods. Adding localities to your title tag means adding a bunch of neighborhood names to the end.
What are localities? 🧐
Localities are areas/neighborhoods. Adding localities to your title tag means adding a bunch of neighborhood names to the end.
October 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Are you adding localities to your title tags? You should 👇
What are localities? 🧐
Localities are areas/neighborhoods. Adding localities to your title tag means adding a bunch of neighborhood names to the end.
What are localities? 🧐
Localities are areas/neighborhoods. Adding localities to your title tag means adding a bunch of neighborhood names to the end.
Jolly useful find: Dan Petrovic’s citation mining tool for AI SEO and MORE. @clairecarlile.bsky.social and I break it down on this week’s pod!👇
You can watch the whole episode on Whitespark’s YouTube channel below. Or if you prefer listening, you can find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You can watch the whole episode on Whitespark’s YouTube channel below. Or if you prefer listening, you can find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
The End of GBP Q&A, AI Citation Mining Tool, AI Glossary | E5 The Whitespark Local Update
YouTube video by Whitespark
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Jolly useful find: Dan Petrovic’s citation mining tool for AI SEO and MORE. @clairecarlile.bsky.social and I break it down on this week’s pod!👇
You can watch the whole episode on Whitespark’s YouTube channel below. Or if you prefer listening, you can find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
You can watch the whole episode on Whitespark’s YouTube channel below. Or if you prefer listening, you can find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
This might be the best GBP Products section I’ve ever seen 😂
Most businesses play it safe and look boring. But Rescue Plumbing Chicago went bright + bold + fun: yellow backgrounds, fun photos, and a personality that actually makes you want to call them.
Most businesses play it safe and look boring. But Rescue Plumbing Chicago went bright + bold + fun: yellow backgrounds, fun photos, and a personality that actually makes you want to call them.
September 29, 2025 at 2:57 PM
This might be the best GBP Products section I’ve ever seen 😂
Most businesses play it safe and look boring. But Rescue Plumbing Chicago went bright + bold + fun: yellow backgrounds, fun photos, and a personality that actually makes you want to call them.
Most businesses play it safe and look boring. But Rescue Plumbing Chicago went bright + bold + fun: yellow backgrounds, fun photos, and a personality that actually makes you want to call them.
Me: “Down with Schema” 👎👎
Mike: “Well…”
Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.
Mike: “Well…”
Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.
September 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Me: “Down with Schema” 👎👎
Mike: “Well…”
Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.
Mike: “Well…”
Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.
Use these 3 review request templates to get POWER reviews 👇
Are you familiar with the concept of power reviews?
Power reviews go a few steps beyond a simple 5-star rating
Are you familiar with the concept of power reviews?
Power reviews go a few steps beyond a simple 5-star rating
September 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Use these 3 review request templates to get POWER reviews 👇
Are you familiar with the concept of power reviews?
Power reviews go a few steps beyond a simple 5-star rating
Are you familiar with the concept of power reviews?
Power reviews go a few steps beyond a simple 5-star rating