Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

Local SEO - The Expert’s Guide

The podcast where local SEO meets expert insight! Join host Joy Hawkins, CEO and owner of Sterling Sky, renowned local SEO specialist and a member of the Google Product Experts Program, as she dives deep with guests into the world of local search engine optimization, digital marketing, and SEO. In each episode, Joy will interview experts and share her wealth of knowledge, backed by rigorous testing and research conducted at Sterling Sky. Whether you’re a seasoned marketer or just starting out, this podcast offers invaluable tips, strategies, and the latest industry updates to help you navigate the ever-changing landscape of local SEO. Tune in and get ready to elevate your local SEO game! #LocalSEO #JoyHawkins #LocalSEOExpertGuide

Episodes

July 22, 2026 74 mins

https://www.sterlingsky.ca/can-reddit-links-impact-google-rankings/

There’s more content than ever… and somehow, less of it actually sticks.

AI can pump out posts in seconds. Feeds are crowded. Attention spans are brutal.

So the real question is: why should anyone care about what you make?

In this conversation, I sat down with Ross Simmonds, founder of Foundation Marketing and one of the sharpest thinkers in conte...

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👉 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/

Fake reviews that won’t get removed. Listings suspended without warning. No clear answers from Google.

In Part 2 of this exclusive episode, ex-Googlers explain what actually triggers suspensions, what qualifies a review for removal, and how to recover your profile fast.

If your business depends on Google visibility, this is the side of the system you can’t afford to ignore.

Li...

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https://www.sterlingsky.ca/local-seo/ In Part 1 of this exclusive Episode, I sit down with former Google employees Joel Headley and Brad Wetherall to uncover what really happens behind the scenes of Google Business Profiles, and what business owners often get completely wrong.

Why reviews disappear, why edits don’t stick, and why support often feels like a dead end.

We break down how Google actually evaluates trust, filters ...

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In this episode, we sit down with SEO legend James Dooley, who has built and ranked over 1,000 domains and generated more than 2 million enquiries online. If you’re wondering how to rank a website on Google in 2026, this is the conversation you need to hear. We break down: 🔹The exact SEO strategies working right now 🔹When duplicate content becomes a real problem 🔹Whether brand matters more than backlinks 🔹Plus: how ...

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Ever had a customer swear they left a 5-star review, but it never appears or vanishes without a trace? With sophisticated artificial intelligence and advanced pattern recognition capabilities, algorithms are getting better at identifying unusual activity.

This video explains how 'missing reviews' and spikes in customer review volume can flag your online reputation, especially on platforms like Google Reviews. It's not just random;...

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Google's increasingly aggressive crackdowns and harsher core updates are significantly impacting Local SEO and AI search professionals. Medium to Small Businesses are experiencing major traffic losses due to these changes, often without understanding the cause. This situation necessitates a strategic adaptation to the new landscape, focusing on content adjustments and off-site brand mentions to mitigate the effects of Google algori...

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Google Business Profile suspensions, disappearing reviews, and sudden listing removals are happening more often than ever, and most business owners have no idea why.

In this webinar, we sit down with a seasoned Google Business Profile product expert, Ben Fisher, Co-Founder at @SteadyDemand who works inside the mess every day, dealing with real suspensions, failed verifications, spam networks, and review wipeouts.

Links:

Steady...

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In this exclusive session, we’re joined by Mike King, one of the sharpest minds in search, to unpack the wildest shifts happening in Google’s AI-powered results right now. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at real tactics Mike is using for clients today to gain visibility across AI platforms like Google and ChatGPT and how you can apply them immediately.

LIVE TOOL DEMO: Mike will walk through a powerful fan-ou...

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Local SEO is changing fast! For more 👉🏻 https://www.sterlingsky.ca/the-state-of-local-seo-in-2026/ Learn about the 3 major threats facing businesses in 2026: disappearing organic visibility, AI's impact on search, and aggressive review attacks. Experts Joy Hawkins @SterlingSkyInc Luc Durand @rankingacademy & Darren Shaw @WhitesparkCa reveal how to prepare, understand mobile search shifts, deal with fake reviews, and apply e...

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Dive deep into the evolving world of SEO with expert insights! Learn why traditional SEO tactics are dead, how Forbes' strategy crumbled, and the new 2026 playbook for success. Discover the power of brand building, founder marketing, and Reddit as an SEO cheat code. We'll also explore AI's true role in content and what Google won't tell you. Don't miss out on strategies to protect your traffic and thrive in 2026 and beyond. Subscri...

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October 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET

Webinar: How Local Businesses Can Rank on Google With YouTube with Jeremy Vest

Discover how local businesses can leverage YouTube to rank higher on Google and generate leads! Join YouTube expert Jeremy Vest as he breaks down strategies for content creation, SEO, effective thumbnails, and paid advertising to grow your business. Learn how to niche down your content, understand viewer intent, and opt...

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September 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET

Webinar: Mastering ROI in SEO: Insider Tips from a Multi-Million Dollar Agency Founder

Join us for an exclusive interview with Jason Hennessey, the mastermind behind a leading SEO agency specializing in law firms. With a business that generates 8-figures annually and has been featured on the Inc. 5000 list for six years in a row, Jason knows what it takes to deliver SEO results that drive revenu...

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Master On-Page SEO: Kyle Roof Shares The Secrets You’re Missing

Date & Time: August 26, 2025 - 9:00 AM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

Speaker: Kyle Roof & Joy Hawkins

In this exclusive webinar, we sit down with SEO expert Kyle Roof to dive deep into the fundamentals of on-page SEO and the critical things that most people overlook. From mastering the silo concept to understanding entity optimization, we'll uncover actionable...

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Show Links:

1. Google Reporting Tool

https://support.google.com/business/answer/4596773?hl=en

2. Review Gating Widget

https://publicwww.com/

3. Google’s transparency report

https://transparencyreport.google.com/maps-content/enforcement

Date & Time: July 16, 2025 - 12:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 Hours

Speaker: Curtis Boyd & Joy Hawkins

Webinar Sponsor: GatherUp

245 million fake reviews!

That’s how many Go...

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Register: https://localu.org/webinar-june/

Date & Time: June 25, 2025 - 12:30 PM ET

Duration: 2 Hours

Speaker: Chris Dreyer & Joy Hawkins

In 2025, AI Overviews and constant algorithm changes are reshaping how lawyers show up online — and for some, it’s been devastating. But others? They're thriving.

Join us for a candid and tactical conversation with two of the top SEO experts working in legal marketing t...

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Date & Time: May 28,2025 - 1:00 PM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

Speaker: Tommy Mello & Joy Hawkins

In this exclusive interview, we sit down with Tommy Mello, founder of A1 Garage Doors, a $220 million powerhouse in the home services space. While marketers often focus on rankings and ROI, the truth is that SEO can’t fix a broken business. Tommy’s journey proves that the results are unstoppable when operational excelle...

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Date & Time: May 23 ,2025 - 2:30 PM ET

Speaker: Noah Learner & Joy Hawkins

At Google I/O this week, Noah Learner explored the latest updates and breakthroughs around Search and AI — but what do these changes really mean? 🤔

In this interview, he breaks down the key announcements and shares his thoughts on how Google might be evolving behind the scenes.

If you’re wondering what the future holds for Google ...

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Date & Time: April 8,2025 - 11:00 AM ET

Duration: 1 Hour

Speaker: Wil Reynolds & Joy Hawkins

Webinar Sponsor: Langan Financial Group

If your business relies on search traffic, the rise of AI overviews on Google might feel like a threat. According to Ahrefs, some companies have seen a staggering 20-40% drop in clicks—and the trend isn’t slowing down.

Join us for an exclusive interview with Wil Reynolds, wh...

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