Rephonic
Artwork for The Near Memo
Google
Local SEO
Google Business Profile
Artificial Intelligence
Local Search Ranking Factors
Google Local Services Ads
Ask Maps
Chatgpt
Reviews
AI Search
Gemini 3
AI Mode
Yelp
Tiktok
Google Local Service Ads
Google Maps
Lsas
Google AI / SERP Evolution
Local Explorer Program
Gemini

Exploring the big stories for the week at the intersection of local business & marketing across the spectrum of search, social and commerce. With Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes267Founded5 years ago
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NewsMarketingTech NewsBusiness

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Artwork for The Near Memo

Latest Episodes

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 What happens when federal regulators take on fake reviews and predatory AI applications? This week on NearMemo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal host Michael Atleson, former Senior Attorney at the FTC’s Division of Advertising Pra... more

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Are your local search frameworks ready for a probabilistic, AI-driven Map interface? This week, Greg, Mike, and local search practitioner Craig Burton map out the massive influx of automated algorithmic categorization structures rol... more

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 How do you build brand permanence in a local market when web attribution metrics are fading? This week, we dive into Part 2 of our post-Google I/O masterclass with Cindy Krum, Krystal Taing, and Greg Gifford. The panel shifts compl... more

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 The rules of user discovery are undergoing a massive rewrite. This week, the Near Media roundtable features top search minds Cindy Krum, Krystal Taing, and Greg Gifford to analyze the long-term strategic impacts of Google I/O and G... more

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Recent Guests

Mike Blumenthal
Co-founder of Near Media; godfather of local SEO
Near Media
Episode: From Keyword Rankings to Brand Reverence: The New Local AI SEO Blueprint
Darren The Canadian Shaw
Panelist and industry commentator
Episode: Google Ask Maps Deep Dive: The Future of Local SEO & AI Search
Cyrus Shepherd
Founder at Zippy
Zippy
Episode: Google Lied About Click Data — Here’s What Actually Drives Rankings in 2026
Steve Wiideman
SEO consultant specializing in local SEO and AI impact
Episode: AI, Reviews & Intent Pages: What Actually Drives Multi-Location SEO Now (Part 2)
Adam Dorfman
Longtime friend and collaborator in the local search SEO world
BirdEye
Episode: State of Google Business Profile 2026: Impressions Are Down 54%—But Actions Aren’t
Rand Fishkin
Founder of SparkToro (and former Moz)
SparkToro
Episode: AI Visibility vs Google Ranking: Rand Fishkin & the Future of Search, Zero Click & Brand Measurement
Eric Levine
Expert on LSAs and local marketing
LeadWise HQ
Episode: The Truth About Google Local Service Ads: Rankings, Reviews & Photo Strategy
Crystal Carter
Head of AI Search and SEO Communications at Wix
Wix
Episode: AI Isn’t Replacing Local Search — But It’s Rewiring How People Choose with Crystal Carter
Claudia Tomina
Founder of Reputation Arm, local SEO expert
Reputation Arm
Episode: Inside Google Local Rankings and the Review Purge

Hosts

Greg Sterling
Host of The Near Memo; oversees local search discussions and provides long-standing industry perspective.
Mike Blumenthal
Co-host; local search veteran and co-host with deep insights into data signals, GBP, and local media.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 10 ratings
  • Unravel Local Business Marketing with The Near Memo

    Greg, Mike, and David masterfully navigate the convergence of local business, marketing, and tech in The Near Memo. It's a weekly must listen with of invaluable insights for anyone looking to stay on top of the latest in local digital marketing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TrackGeekMTL
    United States3 years ago
  • Relevant, timely insights on local search

    With this podcast, now it’s easier for me to stay up to date on the local search industry with its constant mergers, product updates, and evolving consumer behaviors. The hosts keep it fun and casual while explaining the history and context behind industry trends. I appreciate the different types of formats (email, podcast, blog).

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Caroline Ngu.
    United States5 years ago
  • For local digital marketing news/insight, put this on your shortlist

    It's a privilege to listen in as these three veterans of local digital marketing riff on a handful of cherry-picked industry news stories each week. The episodes are short but substantive. And the format brings both range and relevance. The Near Memo highlights some of the most interesting and important developments in local: moves by big tech monoliths, rising new entrants in the market, and just interesting new data that comes to light. If you're going to listen to one podcast in this space, ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jonathan C. Hall
    United States5 years ago
  • Great coverage of local digital landscape

    It’s hard to get better hosts than Mike, David and Greg for the topic of local search, social and commerce. All experienced industry thought leaders. Easy flow and great range of sources each episode. If you want to plug into the direction of local and digital, subscribe now.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AaronWeiche
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Three veterans riff on industry news with range and relevance.
Greg, Mike, and David masterfully navigate the convergence of local business, marketing, and tech.
A must-listen for staying on top of local digital marketing trends.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#195
Australia/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#49
Ireland/News/Tech News
Apple Podcasts
#101
Israel/News/Tech News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Inside Google Local Services Ads: Ranking Signals, Lead Costs, and Why LSAs Beat the Local Pack (w/ Eric Levine)
Q: How do ranking signals beyond reviews influence LSAs, and how do consumer behaviors feed into ranking?
The guests outline a multi-signal ranking system including reviews, responsiveness, radius, CTAs, and ad engagement, noting that Google considers many signals and runs experiments to optimize which factors most influence rankings and lead quality.
Inside Google Local Services Ads: Ranking Signals, Lead Costs, and Why LSAs Beat the Local Pack (w/ Eric Levine)
Q: How has the verification and badge system evolved over time for LSAs?
The discussion explains the transition from multiple badges like Google Guaranteed, Google Screened, and License Verified to a unified Google Verified system, while still requiring licenses and insurance proofs for certain verticals and maintaining verification as a trust signal.
Inside Google Local Services Ads: Ranking Signals, Lead Costs, and Why LSAs Beat the Local Pack (w/ Eric Levine)
Q: When did the program start and what other roles did you have during its early days?
Eric Levine describes starting at Google in 2019 during the pilot for professional services, doing cold calling, moving into product feedback and training, and later taking on more product-facing responsibilities including triaging bugs and interfacing with engineers.
Inside Google Local Rankings and the Review Purge
Q: What is the practical advice to business owners now?
Focus on securing and presenting a strong Google Business Profile, manage and archive reviews, and ensure your brand signals are cohesive across platforms; in many cases, a branded search strategy and diversification beyond Google Maps can protect visibility as the local ecosystem evolves.
The Truth About Google Local Service Ads: Rankings, Reviews & Photo Strategy
Q: What are the top things that must be done for LSAs to be effective?
LSAs require a balanced approach: ensure strong reviews with consistent responsiveness, maintain comprehensive and honest business information, optimize for a broad service area, and provide multiple high-quality photos that illustrate the customer journey rather than just branding. Avoid over-promising and focus on credible signals that Google can verify.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Near Memo

What is The Near Memo about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program consistently centers on the intersection of local business, marketing, and technology, with a strong emphasis on local SEO, AI-enabled discovery, and platform dynamics. Episodes frequently dissect new features from major maps and search platforms, compare data signals like reviews and citations, and translate complex industry shifts into practical guidance for agencies and brands. Noteworthy is the blend of veteran perspectives, data-driven analysis, and real-world case anecdotes that help listeners understand how AI, local search signals, and governance changes reshape strategy and measurement for multi-location brands and local-focused marketers.

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How many episodes of The Near Memo are there?

The Near Memo launched 5 years ago and published 267 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Near Memo?

Recent guests on The Near Memo include:

1. Mike Blumenthal
2. Darren The Canadian Shaw
3. Cyrus Shepherd
4. Steve Wiideman
5. Adam Dorfman
6. Rand Fishkin
7. Eric Levine
8. Crystal Carter

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