Richard Beverly's Blog

2020 has nearly come to an end (cue sighs of relief!)� While this year presented many challenges, especially for local businesses, it also created the opportunity for triumph. Google My Business introduced more new features than ever, and we saw the good side of many organizations that strived to provide extra resources and relief to those in need. Although we may all be glad to see the back of what’s been a pretty hectic year, we’d be remiss not to look back on all the exciting things that have taken place. For us, it’s been a year filled with GMB news, updates, and changes, and we even had some laughs along the way too, ( Four Season Total Landscaping anyone?) So, before we say “so long†to 2020 for good, we invite you to join us in reflecting upon the year in local search. What would a year in review be without GIFs? Keep your eyes peeled throughout and let us know how many TV shows or films you recognized in the below! January Suffice to say, the year started out

As we approach Christmas, there seems to be no let-up in the fast pace of updates and tests in Google My Business. At BrightLocal, we may have been busy releasing a detailed piece of research , a complete guide to local SEO and an entire learning Academy , but that won’t stop us catching you up on the goings-on around Google My Business over the past month. Between official updates, rumored tests and new features, there’s a lot to cover, so strap in! Google launches Small Business Advisors program In Mid-November, Google served up a new program designed to assist small businesses in the United States with their online marketing (using Google tools throughout, naturally).� For $39.99 per session, a small business owner can discuss a maximum of two Google tools with an official advisor, and get the tips they need to perform better online using those tools. Wondering who’s eligible for the SBA program? Google says it’s specifically designed for business owners who: Feel overwh

We’ve been working hard behind the scenes and are thrilled to announce the arrival of BrightLocal Academy ; a free online school dedicated to teaching you all about local SEO. Built with busy professionals in mind, it will help you to: Make the most of the time you have to learn with short interactive videos. Fill your knowledge gaps by letting you learn what you want, when you want to. Make what you learn really stick, through regular quizzes. Stand out from the crowd with certificates you can add to your CV or LinkedIn profile. � The first course we’re launching is Level Up Your Local SEO with BrightLocal which uses the power of interactive content to guide you through the theory of local SEO and shows you how to put its awesome powers into practice with confidence.  So if you’re not sure where to start with BrightLocal, or want to uncover new insights in your data to improve results quicker, then this is the course for you!  We’ve got some other great courses from

It’s time for the last Local Quizness of the year! Every month , we pay close attention to all of the new features, bugs, and trends affecting local marketers – so you don’t have to. Answer 10 quick questions to find out if you spotted some of the biggest stories in local SEO from November, and catch up on any you might have missed in the complete reading list below. Only the most vigilant local news-readers can score more than 6/10 – try your luck, and share with your colleagues and peers to find out who’s the highest scorer! Refresh your memory with all the news below, and don’t forget to share your score on Twitter using #LocalQuizness. Local U – New Google My Business Dashboard Search Engine Land – Google’s new Small Business Advisors program aims to help SMBs grow Amy Toman on Twitter – New Placement for ‘Suggest an Edit’ Nextdoor – Neighborhood Sponsorships Claire Carlile on Twitter – Google Posts CTA Update Google – Google Maps Updates to Get You Through the Holidays