I was asked that this morning and just dumped down a few notes and thought these are so important i should share it with you guys. So here are my notes: 1. a lack of understanding on how Google judges how trustworthy your business is, so that is a factor that is underestimated 2. businesses often think writing content and using keywords is how to get noticed and ranked, its not its down to how you talk to customers and make them feel when they compare you to the other businesses in a short list of results 3. GBP has several settings that encourage bookings and calls, so be aware of not missing out on several ways to receive calls 4. reviews and how they are communicated and responded to really impacts customer confidence and whether they pick up the phone and call you more so than you can ever know 5 Websites that load slowly your website needs to be mobile friendly and load quickly or you lose the call Do you think i missed anything?

What's been puzzling you in your Google business profile this week? - Has your Google Business Profile dropped in rankings? - Tried something from the Google Ranking Accelerator and hit a roadblock? - Struggling to get more reviews? - Not getting enough calls, leads, or website clicks? - Unsure what to focus on next? No question is too small. Chances are, if you're wondering about something, someone else in the community is too. 👇 Drop your questions below and I'll jump in to help. Let's solve your Google ranking challenges together and keep your business moving forward! Bonus question: What's your #1 goal for your Google Business Profile this week? 🎯

Ever find it that nothing seems to be moving. I think this trips up even the people doing everything right. You've been told that if you just change this one thing, you'll be top of Maps tomorrow. And maybe you've even seen someone prove it with a screenshot, a case study, a before and after. But here's what they never mention, that result was probably for something like "harp tuning in Bangalore". One review and a complete profile and you're number one, because nobody else is showing up. That doesn't translate if you're a plumber in Manchester or a roofer in Chicago. Competitive markets have competitive timelines. I worked with a financial adviser recently, never touched his profile, never optimised a thing. We made a few changes, and within a couple of months enquiries started coming in. But financial services in his area wasn't a warzone. If you're in a busy trade in a busy city, the honest answer is three to six months, if the business is trusted and the work is solid. So what do you watch while you wait? A heatmap will show you visually whether you're moving across different parts of your area. But ultimately the real measurement is simpler than that, is your phone ringing more? Are the enquiries coming in? That's the only number that actually matters. Because rankings are just the road. Calls are the destination.

Big news just landed in the UK. Google is being forced to open up about how it ranks businesses in search, including those new AI Overviews. If you’ve ever felt like Google’s rules are a total mystery, this could be the breakthrough we’ve all been waiting for. Here’s why this is such a game-changer, step by step: 1. Google Has to Play Fair The UK is leading the charge with new “fair ranking” rules. Now, Google must use objective and consistent criteria for ranking search results—including in AI Overviews. No more guessing what’s behind the curtain. 2. You’ll Get Advance Notice Before Major Changes Ever been blindsided by a sudden drop in traffic after a Google update? Under these new rules, Google has to give businesses a heads-up before making significant ranking changes. That means you’ll have time to prepare, adjust, and protect your visibility. 3. There’s Finally a Way to Raise Concerns If a ranking change hurts your business, you’ll have a real process to raise your concerns and get answers. No more shouting into the void or waiting for Google’s next vague blog post. 4. This Is Just the Beginning Right now, these rules only apply in the UK, but regulators in the EU and US are watching closely. If this spreads, we could see a whole new era of transparency and fairness for everyone who relies on Google for business. What Should You Do Next? - Stay tuned for updates as these rules evolve and (hopefully) spread. - Make sure your Google Business Profile and website are up to date and following best practices. - Be ready to act quickly when you get notified about big changes. And if you want to be the first to know about new developments and get direct support on what to do next then ask your questions below.

A couple weeks ago, I sent out an email with my thoughts on the current state of local SEO and small business marketing especially with all the changes with Google Business Profiles and Ask Maps. I was blown away by the replies. So many in my email community appreciated the honesty, so I wanted to share what’s on my mind now. Because honestly, my thinking has changed a lot. Here’s my big realization: I don’t think most local businesses can “win” Google the way they used to. Sounds crazy, right? Especially from someone who’s spent years obsessing over every Google update and helping businesses rank. But the more business owners I talk to, the more I see the real problem isn’t reviews, or missing profile fields, or even spammy competitors. It’s time. Most business owners just don’t have the time (or energy) to keep up with Google’s constant changes, new features, and endless “best practices.” Because suddenly, your job isn’t just “running a business” anymore, it’s: - Updating your profile - Posting weekly - Responding to every review - Adding real photos - Syncing your website - Checking analytics - And now… figuring out Ask Maps, too It’s like Google wants you to become a part-time marketer on top of everything else. Here’s the thing. I used to believe anyone could win at local SEO with enough effort. I did it myself, late nights, endless tweaks, living and breathing Google updates. But looking back, I realize I made it work by brute force. I sacrificed a lot along the way. And honestly? That’s not realistic (or healthy) for most people. Who wants to live like that? So now, my mission has shifted. Instead of just asking, “How do I help you rank higher?” I’m asking: “How do I help you get real results from Google, without it taking over your life?” Because here’s what I’m seeing. The smartest business owners aren’t chasing every new feature or burning out trying to “game” the system. They’re building simple, sustainable routines that actually work.