All Episodes

March 6, 2025 11 mins

Ready to unravel the intricacies of how Google perceives your brand? This episode takes you on a deep dive into the world of brand visibility through the lens of knowledge graphs and schema markup. We explore how Google organizes information and the pivotal role this plays in ensuring your brand stands out in the crowded digital landscape. 

Engage with us as we unpack the essentials of establishing a strong online presence—starting from the fundamental understanding of knowledge graphs, which serve as the digital profile of your brand. You'll learn how ensuring consistency across your digital platforms can greatly enhance your brand’s credibility. The conversation highlights the significance of citations—these acts as endorsements that signal legitimacy to search engines, essential for businesses especially with multiple locations. 

Additionally, we discuss the secret power of schema markup. This technique allows brands to communicate effectively with search engines by structuring their website data, enabling Google to interpret and display information more accurately. We aim to empower listeners by demonstrating how even small businesses can optimize their online footprint utilizing these strategies. 

The takeaway? By investing effort into understanding and applying these techniques, you create a strong foundation that significantly boosts your brand's visibility and connection with potential customers. Get ready to implement these actionable steps and elevate your brand story today! Don’t forget to subscribe and leave us a review!

Thanks for tuning in to Local SEO Unlocked! If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to master Local SEO. Stay connected with us weekly for more insights on SEO! Until next time, keep optimizing and stay ahead in local search!

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Mia (00:00):
Welcome to another deep dive.
Today we're going to be likedigging into this whole world of
how Google sees your brand andhow to make sure it's like
seeing it the right way.
You know, we've got all thisfascinating research and some
experts insights we're going tobe looking into about, you know,
brand knowledge graphs andschema markups.
Get ready for some serious ahamoments, because there are

(00:24):
actually some like surprisinglysimple things that can make a
huge difference in how yourbrand is perceived online.

Cole (00:30):
Oh, yeah, for sure.
Yeah, it's going to be good.

Mia (00:32):
It's true, google doesn't experience the web like we do as
people.

Cole (00:37):
Right.

Mia (00:37):
It really relies on these things called knowledge graphs
to organize and make sense ofthe crazy amount of information
out there.

Cole (00:45):
Yeah, that makes sense.
So let's unpack those knowledgegraphs.
Local SEO expert, Don Phelps.

Mia (00:50):
Oh yeah, Love Don.

Cole (00:51):
Yeah, he's great.
He points out that there'sactually like two main types.
So you have like your overallbrand knowledge graph and then
you have separate knowledgegraphs for each of your business
locations, which is a reallyimportant distinction.

Mia (01:02):
Especially for businesses with multiple locations.
You can almost imagine Googlehaving like a giant file folder
for your brand and then aseparate folder for each
location.

Cole (01:10):
Oh, yeah, yeah, exactly.
And those folders are packedwith information that Google
pulls from all over the web.

Mia (01:17):
Oh, wow.

Cole (01:18):
Like your website social media, online directories,
reviews, the whole thing.

Mia (01:23):
Wow.

Cole (01:24):
And this is where it gets you know really, really
interesting for businesses.
You want to think about theseknowledge graphs almost like
digital business cards okay youneed to make sure each locations
card has the right information,right and it's easy for Google
to find yeah, so we need to makesure these folders are
organized if exactly and filledwith all the right stuff.

Mia (01:43):
Don emphasizes that citations are, like, especially
crucial for those individuallocation folders, the ones tied
to your Google business profiles.

Cole (01:53):
Yes, exactly, citations are like votes of confidence
from around the web.

Mia (01:58):
OK.

Cole (01:58):
Every time your business is listed consistently on a
reputable site, it tells Googlethis business is legit and
here's where you can find it.
You know, think Yelp,TripAdvisor, any industry
specific platforms, even yourlocal chamber of commerce
website.
It all adds up.

Mia (02:14):
So it's all about building that strong foundation of trust.
I like that.
Oh yeah, but Don also mentionsthat, unless you have, like a
dedicated brand, headquarters,building, citations for the
overall brand itself isn't ascritical.
It's more about making sureeach location has a solid online
presence.

Cole (02:32):
Yeah, I agree.

Mia (02:33):
Yeah, so how do we go beyond just listing our business
information and really helpGoogle understand what our brand
is all about?
That's where this like secretcode called schema comes in.

Cole (02:43):
right, got it okay schema markup is a way to speak
directly to search engines usinga language they understand.
It's like adding labels to allthe different elements on your
website, so, instead of justseeing a block of text, google
understands oh, this is thebusiness's menu I see, or this
is a customer testimonial.

Mia (03:00):
Yeah, it adds context and meaning to the information so
it's like we're providing Googlewith a detailed map of our
website instead of just thestreet address, exactly.

Cole (03:10):
And the more detailed that map is, the easier it is for
Google to navigate andunderstand what we offer.

Mia (03:16):
Yeah, that makes sense.
So when it comes to schema,something called entities plays
a crucial role.

Cole (03:23):
Yes.

Mia (03:23):
I've heard this word before .
What are those again?

Cole (03:25):
Right.
So entities are all the keyplayers in your brand story.
Think people, places and things.
For a bakery, you might haveentities for different types of
pastries.
Your head baker, even theawards you've won.

Mia (03:41):
Oh, that's interesting, Right.
So it's not just about listingwhat's on our website.
It's about connecting the dotsand showing the relationships
between these different elements.

Cole (03:48):
Yeah, exactly.

Mia (03:49):
Don even suggests using schema generation tools like
SchemeWriterai as a startingpoint.

Cole (03:55):
Great tool.

Mia (03:56):
Yeah, I've heard good things.
They can help you create thebasic framework and then you can
customize it to make it trulyunique to your brand.
It's like adding those personaltouches to a pre-built house to
make it feel like home.

Cole (04:08):
Exactly, yeah, totally.

Mia (04:09):
And this connected schema where everything like relates to
each other is incrediblypowerful.
So, instead of just seeing abunch of random pieces of
information, google sees acomplete picture, like a family
tree, and this deepunderstanding can significantly
impact your visibility andsearch results.

Cole (04:27):
Absolutely.

Mia (04:28):
So this all sounds fascinating, but you might be
wondering why should I careabout all of this like technical
stuff?

Cole (04:35):
Yeah, for sure.

Mia (04:36):
And that's a great question .

Cole (04:37):
Yeah, it is a great question.

Mia (04:38):
It all comes down to being seen and understood by your
potential customers.

Cole (04:43):
You're absolutely right.
When Google has like a deepunderstanding of your brand, you
know, thanks to thosewell-structured knowledge graphs
and schema markup, it canconfidently connect you with the
right customers at the righttime.

Mia (04:55):
Yeah, it's like we're speaking Google's language and
then Google's using thatinformation to speak to our
ideal customers.

Cole (05:00):
Totally.

Mia (05:01):
And the best part is this isn't just for big companies
with tons of resources.
Anyone can use these strategiesto improve how their brand is
seen online.

Cole (05:09):
Exactly.
Whether you're a small businessowner, a freelancer or even
just like managing your personalbrand, understanding how Google
gathers and uses informationcan give you a real edge.

Mia (05:19):
So let's say you're running like a local bakery with a few
locations.

Cole (05:23):
Okay.

Mia (05:23):
What's like the first step in applying this knowledge graph
concept?
Where do you even begin?

Cole (05:29):
I'd start by thinking about those file folders we
talked about earlier.
Right, what information isalready out there about your
bakery as a whole and eachindividual location?
You want to look forinconsistencies or missing
information that could beconfusing Google.

Mia (05:44):
So it's like doing an audit of your online presence Exactly
, checking your website, socialmedia profiles, directory
listings, anything Google mightbe using to piece together those
knowledge graphs.

Cole (05:55):
Precisely.
Once you have a clear pictureof what Google sees, you can
start filling in the gaps andmaking sure everything is
consistent and accurate.

Mia (06:02):
Right.

Cole (06:03):
This is where those citations we talked about become
so essential, especially foryour local bakery locations.

Mia (06:08):
So making sure each location is listed correctly on
platforms like Yelp, tripadvisor, industry-specific sites and
even local business associations.

Cole (06:18):
Exactly.

Mia (06:19):
And then we have schema which helps us go beyond just
listing our information andactually explain to Google what
each element on our websiterepresents.

Cole (06:27):
Yeah, totally.

Mia (06:28):
We're saying hey, Google, this is our menu, this is our
location page.
These are testimonials fromhappy customers.

Cole (06:35):
Yes, you're speaking Google's language.
I like it, and the moredetailed and connected your
schema is, the more confidentGoogle will be in showing your
bakery to the right people atthe right time.

Mia (06:45):
It's like building trust with Google piece by piece, so
it can confidently recommendyour brand to potential
customers.
But schema can feel a littledaunting for those who aren't
you know, tech savvy Right.
Any tips for getting started?

Cole (06:59):
Absolutely Don't let the technical aspects scare you.
There are tons of resources andtools available to help, even
if you're not a coding whizRight.
You can start by using a schemagenerator like schema writer,
dot AI, to create that basicmarkup, and then you can kind of
customize it from there.

Mia (07:14):
So start with a solid foundation and build from there.

Cole (07:17):
Exactly.

Mia (07:20):
It's like starting with a basic cake recipe and then
adding your own specialingredients and decorations to
make it truly unique.

Cole (07:24):
I like that.
That's a good analogy.

Mia (07:26):
But you mentioned that schema is constantly evolving.

Cole (07:29):
Oh yeah, it is.

Mia (07:30):
So how can we stay ahead of the curve?

Cole (07:32):
That's a great question.
The key is to stay curious andinformed.

Mia (07:36):
Okay.

Cole (07:36):
Keep an eye on industry blogs, attend webinars and
follow SEO experts like DonPhelps.

Mia (07:43):
Oh yeah, he's great.

Cole (07:44):
The more you learn, the better equipped you'll be to
adapt and refine your strategiesas the online landscape changes
.

Mia (07:50):
It sounds like a continuous learning process.

Cole (07:52):
Yeah, it is.

Mia (07:58):
What are?

Cole (07:58):
some simple things listeners can do today to start
improving their brand's onlinepresence.
If I had to pick just one thing, I'd say focus on consistency,
okay, ensure your business name,address, phone number and
website are identical across allyour online profiles and
platforms.
It seems simple, but you'd besurprised how often this gets
overlooked.

Mia (08:14):
That makes sense.
Google needs that clear signalto understand that all of these
online entities represent thesame brand.

Cole (08:21):
Exactly.

Mia (08:21):
Inconsistency can create confusion and erode trust, not
just with Google, but withpotential customers too.

Cole (08:28):
Exactly when you're consistent, you make it easier
for customers to find you andconnect with you.
Yeah, Second you make it easierfor customers to find you and
connect with you.
It streamlines the entirecustomer experience and builds a
sense of reliability andprofessionalism.

Mia (08:40):
So consistency is key.
But for those who are ready togo beyond the basics, what's one
more advanced strategy they canexplore?

Cole (08:48):
Start experimenting with schema markup.

Mia (08:50):
Okay.

Cole (08:50):
I know it might seem intimidating, but there are
user-friendly tools andresources available to guide you
.
Even if you're not a codingexpert, you can still learn the
fundamentals and startimplementing basic schema on
your website.

Mia (09:02):
Don't be afraid to jump in and try things out.
It's like learning a new recipeExactly.
You might not get it perfect onthe first try, but with
practice and experimentationyou'll become more confident and
proficient.

Cole (09:12):
That's the spirit, merv You're not just controlling how
Google sees your brand, you'reshaping how the entire world
perceives it, and that's apowerful thing.

Mia (09:22):
Absolutely.
Yeah, it really is about likeshaping that narrative.
You know, we're not justtalking about algorithms and
technical tricks here.
We're talking about tellingyour brand story.

Cole (09:31):
Oh yeah.

Mia (09:32):
In a way that connects with real people and helps them
understand, like, what makes youunique.

Cole (09:37):
And that story is always evolving, just like your brand.

Mia (09:40):
Right.

Cole (09:40):
What resonated with customers, you know, a year ago
might not be as effective today.
Right, so you need to stayadaptable and willing to
experiment.

Mia (09:51):
It's like keeping your finger on the pulse of what your
customers are looking for andlike adjusting your online
presence to meet those needs.

Cole (09:58):
Yeah, for sure.

Mia (09:59):
But for those who are just starting out it can be tough to
know where to focus their energyRight.
Any advice for them?

Cole (10:06):
One of the best things you can do is you know, learn from
others who have already pavedthe way, follow industry leaders
, read case studies and tap intoresources like the ones we've
mentioned today.

Mia (10:16):
Right, like those insights from Don Phelps.

Cole (10:18):
Yeah, for sure.

Mia (10:19):
And tools like SchemaWriter .

Cole (10:20):
Yeah.

Mia (10:21):
These resources can help you navigate the complexities of
the online world and make sureyour brand stands out.

Cole (10:27):
Exactly.
Think of it like having a teamof experienced guides and
mentors supporting you on yourjourney to online visibility.
I like that they can provideyou with the tools and knowledge
you need to reach yourdestination.

Mia (10:41):
It's all about finding those trusted voices.

Cole (10:44):
Oh yeah.

Mia (10:44):
And learning from their experience.
So, to all our listeners outthere, we encourage you to take
what you've learned today andstart putting it into action.

Cole (10:52):
Yeah, absolutely Explore the resources we discussed,
experiment with schema markupand don't be afraid to ask for
help along the way.

Mia (10:59):
Right.

Cole (11:00):
The online world is vast, but with the right knowledge and
a bit of effort you can makeyour brand shine.

Mia (11:06):
And who knows, maybe someday we'll be featuring your
brand's success story on afuture deep dive.
Until then, keep diving deep,keep exploring and keep telling
your brand story to the world.

Cole (11:19):
That's a wrap for this deep dive.

Mia (11:21):
Awesome.
Thanks for joining us.
Yeah, thanks for listeningeverybody.

Cole (11:23):
We hope you found this exploration insightful and
helpful.

Mia (11:26):
We'll see you next time for another deep dive into the
world of SEO and onlinemarketing.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
24/7 News: The Latest

24/7 News: The Latest

The latest news in 4 minutes updated every hour, every day.

The Joe Rogan Experience

The Joe Rogan Experience

The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.