In this Local Marketing Beat Podcast episode, we sit down with Darren Shaw, Founder of Whitespark, to dive deep into the Local Search Ranking Factors 2025 report and explore the latest trends shaping local SEO and location marketing. Darren shares expert insights on how businesses can adapt to Google’s evolving algorithms, AI-driven search changes, and engagement signals to maximize visibility and drive real revenue.We discuss essential ranking factors, Google Business Profile optimization, AI’s impact on local search, and how businesses should shift their SEO strategies to focus on conversions rather than rankings. Whether you’re a small business, multi-location brand, or local SEO expert, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you stay ahead in 2025 and beyond.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave your questions in the comments!⏰ Timestamps:0:09 - Introduction to Darren Shaw & Whitespark0:46 - How Whitespark started and evolved into local SEO1:49 - Overview of the Local Search Ranking Factors 2025 report2:55 - Key changes impacting local rankings in 20253:41 - The role of Google Business Profile (GBP) optimization5:32 - Importance of engagement signals & behavioral metrics6:50 - AI-driven search and its impact on local SEO strategies8:21 - Mobile vs. desktop search trends & consumer behavior shifts10:05 - Why voice search & AI assistants are changing search habits12:49 - How AI personalizes search and what it means for businesses16:22 - The importance of best-of lists & diversifying reviews19:12 - How to optimize for Google’s Gemini AI & AI-generated search results22:02 - Why fresh content & Google Updates matter more than ever25:37 - Measuring local SEO success: rankings vs. revenue & conversions28:47 - How businesses can connect SEO performance to real revenue30:48 - Why rankings alone don’t define success in local SEO31:34 - Where to find Whitespark’s tools & resources📌 Connect with Darren Shaw:https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenshawwhitespark/📌 Connect with Krystal Taing:https://www.linkedin.com/in/krystaltaing/📚 Explore More Insights in Uberall’s Learning Hub:https://uberall.com/en-us/resources🎧 Watch Our Recent Episode with Schuh on Local SEO Success:https://youtu.be/XDV-TyPSPOU#LocalSEO #SEOTrends2025 #GoogleBusinessProfile #Whitespark #LocationMarketing #DigitalMarketing #AIDrivenSearch #GoogleSEO #UberallVisit us at: uberall.com