Latest news with #GoogleBusinessProfiles
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
Rise & Rank with RankPast Podcast -- Created Entirely by AI
VICTORIA, BC, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - What happens when you hand the mic to artificial intelligence and ask it to make local SEO... fun? You get the Rise & Rank with RankPast Podcast —a bold new show that's 100% powered by AI, from research and scripting to the voices, laughs, awkward silences, and even the marketing materials (including this press release). The podcast kicks off with a Google Business Profile edition, which launched Tuesday, June 3rd. This 14-episode weekly series is built for local business owners who want to master their Google Business Profiles—without sitting through another boring SEO webinar. Each bite-sized episode delivers smart, strategic tips in a style that's punchy, witty, and surprisingly human. The hosts? AI-generated personalities named Kai and Aileen (both conveniently featuring "AI" in their names). Their sidekick? A snorty little pug named Arti—short for artificial and based on the team's real-life office pug. This trio serves up SEO tips with personality, purpose, and a few well-timed umms and ahhs—also AI-generated. Rise & Rank is built on a foundation of AI-driven content, using tools like ChatGPT and advanced text-to-voice generators for everything from scriptwriting to vocal performances. The show's cover art, visuals, and promos? Also AI-made. Behind the scenes, human editors ensure the final product is crisp, clear, and fun to listen to. "We wanted to show what's possible when AI is used with intention," says RankPast Digital's founder Reese Richards, the show's producer. "This isn't just a tech experiment—it's a real educational resource, crafted by SEOs, powered by AI, and refined by humans who care about the experience." New episodes drop every Tuesday, covering everything from setting up your Google Business Profile to flagging spam listings and decoding Insights—served with the sass, smarts, and humour of a morning talk show (if that talk show had zero human hosts). "I see AI podcasts becoming a new way to share knowledge while making learning fun and effective," Richards adds. About RankPast Digital: RankPast is a digital marketing agency based on Vancouver Island, Canada, helping local businesses grow through SEO, automation, and AI-powered strategy.
Time Business News
23-05-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Voice Search and Local SEO: Are You Ready?
In an era where digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant are just a phrase away, voice search is rapidly changing the local SEO landscape. More people are using voice commands to find businesses 'near me,' ask for shop hours, or locate services on the go. For local businesses, adapting to voice search is no longer optional – it's essential. Here's how to prepare your business for the voice-first future of local search: 1. Optimise for Conversational Queries Voice searches tend to be longer and more natural than typed searches. Instead of 'best pizza Keighley,' users might ask, 'Where can I get the best pizza near me?' Tip: Use natural language and long-tail keywords in your content. Create an FAQ page that answers common customer questions in a conversational tone. 2. Strengthen Your Google Business Profile Digital assistants pull a lot of local info from Google Business Profiles. Ensuring your profile is complete, accurate, and regularly updated is critical. Tip: Include your business hours, correct address, phone number, service areas, and real-time updates like holiday hours. 3. Get Mobile-First (If You Haven't Already) Most voice searches happen on mobile. If your website isn't mobile-friendly, you're losing valuable traffic. Tip: Use responsive design, compress images, and keep load times under 3 seconds. 4. Embrace 'Near Me' Optimisation Phrases like 'near me' or 'close by' are common in voice searches. Tip: Include local landmarks, neighbourhoods, and geo-specific terms in your content and meta tags. 5. Prioritise Fast, Clear Answers Voice search favours quick, authoritative responses. Tip: Structure content using headings, bullet points, and schema markup to help search engines quickly extract relevant answers. 6. Collect and Respond to Reviews Voice search platforms often reference reviews when recommending businesses. Tip: Ask satisfied customers to leave positive reviews and always respond to feedback – good or bad. 7. Use Structured Data (Schema Markup) Schema helps search engines understand your content more clearly, which is vital for voice search. Tip: Use local business schema to mark up your address, hours, reviews, and services. Final Thoughts Voice search isn't the future – it's already here. By aligning your local SEO strategy with how real people speak and search, your business will stand out when it matters most: at the exact moment a customer is asking for what you offer. Ready to get started? Start small by optimizing your Google Business Profile and updating your FAQs, then build from there. Your customers (and their smart speakers) will thank you. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Time Business News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How SME Digital Helped Hundreds of Businesses Thrive and Scale — Even Through Economic Slowdowns
The last few years have been challenging for businesses across industries. With the unexpected downturn brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing economic uncertainties, many companies struggled just to stay afloat. Yet, amidst these challenges, hundreds of businesses not only survived but thrived and even scaled up their operations — thanks to the expert strategies and guidance from SME Digital. The pandemic reshaped consumer behavior almost overnight. People turned to online platforms not just for shopping, but for finding essential services, engaging with brands, and making informed decisions. Businesses that lacked a strong digital presence faced dwindling leads and limited opportunities. This is where SME Digital stepped in — empowering businesses to pivot effectively and embrace digital strategies that connected them with their target audiences in meaningful ways. At the heart of SME Digital's success stories lies a robust local SEO strategy designed to help businesses rank higher in search engine results, specifically when potential customers are actively looking for their products or services. Local SEO is not just about visibility; it's about being found at the right moment by the right audience. As a trusted SEO Agency Northern Beaches, SME Digital has helped hundreds of local businesses dominate local search results, ensuring that their offerings appear front and center when customers search terms like 'best café near me,' 'Northern Beaches electrician,' or 'custom home builders in Northern Beaches.' What sets SME Digital apart from other agencies is its commitment to tailored SEO strategies. Recognizing that every business is unique, SME Digital doesn't apply cookie-cutter solutions. Instead, the team conducts in-depth market analysis, competitor research, and keyword planning to craft bespoke SEO campaigns. From optimizing Google Business Profiles to enhancing website speed and user experience, and from localized keyword targeting to high-quality content creation — every aspect is designed to improve rankings, drive organic traffic, and increase conversion rates. The success stories are numerous. Local tradespeople have reported consistent new inquiries even during lockdowns. Retailers have expanded their online customer base, while service providers have successfully scaled into new regions. One of the key differentiators is SME Digital's focus on sustainable growth — not just quick wins. The strategies implemented are geared toward long-term results, ensuring that businesses continue to attract, engage, and convert customers well beyond the initial campaign period. In a competitive landscape where attention spans are short and consumer choices are abundant, being visible online is non-negotiable. Partnering with an experienced and reliable SEO Agency Northern Beaches like SME Digital gives your business the edge it needs to stand out, even during challenging economic climates. SME Digital's proven track record in helping businesses thrive — not just survive — during difficult periods is a testament to the power of smart, localized digital marketing. If you're ready to scale up and ensure your customers can find you when they need you the most, SME Digital is the partner you've been looking for. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
GMBjet.com Launches to Revolutionize Google Business Profile Reinstatement Services
Austin, Texas - a pioneering digital marketing firm specializing in Google Business Profile (GBP) reinstatement services, is thrilled to announce its official launch. This innovative service is designed to assist businesses in recovering their suspended Google Business Profiles with a unique, no-risk payment structure—no fees are charged until the reinstatement is successful. Suspensions can significantly impact businesses, affecting their visibility and credibility online. Recognizing this, has developed a meticulous reinstatement process that involves a thorough audit of the client's GBP, identification of compliance issues, and submission of a detailed reinstatement request to Google. This process not only ensures a high success rate but also minimizes future risks of suspension. 'Our mission is to help businesses regain control of their Google Business Profiles without any upfront financial commitment,' said [Founder's Name], Founder of 'We understand the challenges businesses face when their listings are suspended, and we're here to offer a dependable hand during those critical moments.' In addition to reinstatement services, also offers a one-time 'bumper' Map SEO implementation for clients whose profiles have been down for a while. This includes adding local citations, press releases, map embedding, and review velocity implementation, all aimed at boosting local search visibility and customer engagement. Google Business Profile Reinstatement in 3 Steps At we've streamlined the process of getting your Google Business Profile reinstated into three strategic steps, ensuring a smooth and effective recovery of your online presence. Step 1: Audit and Analysis – Our experts begin with a thorough evaluation of your suspended profile. We meticulously identify all compliance issues and discrepancies that led to the suspension. This comprehensive audit includes checking for adherence to Google's guidelines, analyzing the profile's content, and reviewing any customer interactions that might have triggered the suspension. Step 2: Corrective Action – Based on the audit findings, we guide you through the necessary corrections. This might involve editing misleading information, removing inappropriate content, or updating business details to comply with Google's standards. We ensure every aspect of your profile meets the necessary criteria before proceeding. Step 3: Reinstatement Submission – With all issues resolved, we craft a detailed reinstatement request, articulating clearly how compliance has been restored and why the profile should be reinstated. Our team leverages its extensive experience with Google's procedures to enhance the likelihood of a successful reinstatement. This structured approach not only facilitates a higher success rate but also helps prevent future suspensions, keeping your business visible and viable in Google searches. is committed to transparency, efficiency, and unparalleled expertise in handling GBP issues. With a deep understanding of Google's compliance guidelines and a robust track record of successful reinstatements, is your go-to partner for recovering and enhancing your business's online presence.
Associated Press
04-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Opkie Unveils ActiveSEO Service for Local Businesses
Opkie, a family-run business specializing in growth strategies, launches ActiveSEO, a service combining local and general SEO to boost business visibility. Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, ActiveSEO enhances local search presence and drives growth at a competitive price. United States, March 4, 2025 -- A Proven Approach to Boost Local Rankings Unlike traditional SEO services that focus either on ranking in Google Search results or local Google Maps rankings, ActiveSEO strategically targets both areas for the most impactful results. Opkie's ActiveSEO combines the most essential aspects of local SEO—such as optimizing Google Business Profiles and acquiring SEO-optimized reviews—with general SEO tactics for enhanced website visibility. The result is a highly effective SEO engine tailored for local businesses. 'Most businesses don't necessarily need to rank highly in Google website search results. Instead, they need to dominate 'near me' searches on Google Maps, where customers are actively looking for services,' said Jeffrey Lunt, Founder of Opkie. 'ActiveSEO ensures that businesses are strategically optimized for what matters most in local searches, helping them achieve better rankings on Google Maps. This results in more calls and more website visits which means more customers.' What Makes ActiveSEO Different? Opkie's ActiveSEO service stands out because it takes a more integrated approach to local SEO. Rather than focusing on traditional, expensive methods like writing blog posts and buying backlinks, the service is built around the key components that have been shown to have the most impact on local rankings. Key features of the service include: Google Business Profile Optimization: The team continuously optimizes and updates a business's profile, ensuring it stays relevant and competitive. SEO-Optimized Reviews: Opkie works with business owners to acquire high-quality reviews and automates responses to reviews to save time and win more business. On-Page and Off-Page Website Optimization: The service also includes a robust website optimization plan that supports the Google Business Profile and enhances overall local ranking potential while staying on top of Google's changing algorithm. By leveraging the power of these combined SEO strategies, ActiveSEO helps businesses improve their rankings, attract more customers, and future-proof their business, all on a manageable budget. Client Success Stories Back the Impact The success of ActiveSEO is evident through the results it has delivered for businesses already utilizing the service. One such client, who operates a storage unit facility, struggled to maintain profitability with less than 75% occupancy. After implementing ActiveSEO, his Google Business Profile rating skyrocketed from 3.8 stars to 4.7 stars, with hundreds of new reviews. More importantly, his occupancy rate consistently exceeded 95%, and he had to expand by building multiple new storage units to meet demand. 'We've helped businesses just like this one not only meet their goals but surpass them,' said Lunt. 'The growth is exciting when you start targeting the right areas, and ActiveSEO ensures that our clients are optimizing their digital presence for the highest ROI possible.' ActiveSEO: A Promise of Results Opkie offers a 90-day guarantee with its ActiveSEO service: if clients don't see a meaningful improvement in their Google Maps ranking, Opkie will continue working for free until they do. This guarantee reflects the company's confidence in its ability to deliver measurable results and demonstrates its commitment to its clients' long-term success. Opkie Wins 'Best SEO Service for Local Businesses of 2025" In addition to its new service offering, Opkie is proud to announce that it has been named the Best SEO Service for Local Businesses of 2025 by the Evergreen Awards. The prestigious recognition highlights Opkie's dedication to delivering results-driven strategies that help local businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world. The award is a testament to the impact of the company's innovative approach and its consistent success in optimizing local business visibility and growth. 'We are honored to receive this recognition,' said Jeffrey Lunt. 'It validates the hard work we've put into building a service that truly helps businesses succeed. This award fuels our passion to continue innovating and providing top-tier SEO strategies for local businesses across the nation.' A Family Business Focused on Local Business Growth Opkie was founded by Jeffrey Lunt, a University of Utah graduate with a Master's in Business Creation. As the most outstanding student in his cohort, Lunt draws on years of entrepreneurial experience to lead Opkie in helping local businesses thrive. Alongside co-founders Troy and Ryan Lunt, the team has started and operated over a dozen businesses, including successful six- and seven-figure enterprises and real estate ventures. What sets Opkie apart from competitors is its unwavering focus on the 80/20 rule. The team works diligently to refine their strategies to deliver the highest returns by focusing on the small but powerful elements that drive the most significant results for local businesses. 'We're not just about offering advice; we're about providing real strategies and tools that work,' said Lunt. 'It's about delivering measurable results and making sure our clients have the tools and insights they need to scale successfully.' About Opkie Opkie is a family-run business that focuses on helping local businesses unlock their full potential. For the past five years, Opkie has been providing tailored strategies and tools that maximize revenue, improve client retention, and enhance online visibility. The company's flagship service, ActiveSEO, has had a profound impact on clients, helping them achieve greater local visibility, increase occupancy rates, and ultimately scale their businesses more effectively. Media Contact Founder, Opkie Email: [email protected] Website: Facebook: Opkie LinkedIn: Opkie Instagram: Opkie Contact Info: Name: Jeffrey Lunt Email: Send Email Organization: Opkie Release ID: 89154279
