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The Near Memo

Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm

229 episodes

4 days ago

Send us a text In this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Barry Schwartz discuss various pressing topics in the digital marketing landscape, including the rise of local review ransom schemes, the ongoing debate about the state of the open web, and the implications of AI on search interfaces. They explore how Google's recent changes and the introduction of AI features are reshaping user experiences and the future of search. The conversation also touches on the challenges businesses f...

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Entrepreneurship

All content for The Near Memo is the property of Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm and is served directly from their servers with no modification, redirects, or rehosting. The podcast is not affiliated with or endorsed by Podjoint in any way.

Send us a text In this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Barry Schwartz discuss various pressing topics in the digital marketing landscape, including the rise of local review ransom schemes, the ongoing debate about the state of the open web, and the implications of AI on search interfaces. They explore how Google's recent changes and the introduction of AI features are reshaping user experiences and the future of search. The conversation also touches on the challenges businesses f...

Show more...

Entrepreneurship

Episodes (20/229)

The Near Memo

Interview with Barry Schwartz: Review Ransom, The State of the Open Web, and the Implications of AI on Search Interfaces

Send us a text In this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Barry Schwartz discuss various pressing topics in the digital marketing landscape, including the rise of local review ransom schemes, the ongoing debate about the state of the open web, and the implications of AI on search interfaces. They explore how Google's recent changes and the introduction of AI features are reshaping user experiences and the future of search. The conversation also touches on the challenges businesses f...

4 days ago

49 minutes

The Near Memo

Google’s Action Links Crackdown, The “Declining” Open Web, and Siri + Gemini

Send us a text We discuss Google’s new guidelines for Business Profile action links, the company’s conflicting statements about the health of the open web in an antitrust case, and Apple’s rumored partnership with Google’s Gemini to power Siri. Together, these stories highlight Google’s tightening grip on local businesses, the shifting economics of publishing, and how Apple’s AI ambitions could reshape search traffic and advertising revenue. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at h...

1 week ago

33 minutes

The Near Memo

AI Overviews in Local: When & Where, DOJ Google Remedies (?), and an SMB GBP Case Study

Send us a text We dig into when/where Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) appear in local, how people actually split tasks across Google vs. ChatGPT, what the DOJ’s remedies mean for defaults, and a fresh case where a brand-new local biz triggered an AIO—plus practical takeaways. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

2 weeks ago

33 minutes

The Near Memo

AI Overviews & Why consumers like them, Reviews vs. Reality & Why Google Search Volumes Aren’t Falling

Send us a text Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling discuss three hot-button topics: Consumer vs. industry perspectives on Google’s AI OverviewsHow review expectations differ from actual behavior in the legal verticalWhy Datos data shows AI growth isn’t displacing search usageSubscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

3 weeks ago

26 minutes

The Near Memo

Google’s LSA Shake-Up, Google LSA Dark Patterns & BrightLocal SMB Marketing Insights

Send us a text Google is consolidating Local Services Ads trust signals into a single verification badge — but is it really about trust or revenue? Greg and Mike discuss Google’s evolving ad strategy, the ongoing degradation of organic results, their "dark patterns" that elevate LSA usage and new BrightLocal data showing less than half of small businesses have claimed their Google Business Profiles. Plus: why email remains an overlooked channel, and whether AI tools like ChatGPT can realistic...

1 month ago

28 minutes

The Near Memo

Part 2- Barnacle SEO in the AI Era: Will Scott on Tools, Automation & Content Strategy

Send us a text In part two of this interview, SEO veteran Will Scott of Search Influence joins Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling to unpack how AI is reshaping search, why semantic SEO matters, and how to use no-code automation tools to scale content. Learn how to barnacle onto high-authority sites, repurpose content across platforms, and adapt to an AI-first search world. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

1 month ago

31 minutes

The Near Memo

Part 1: Barnacle SEO in the AI Era: Will Scott on Leveraging AI for Search & ChatGPT Visibility

Send us a text In Part 1 of this interview, SEO veteran Will Scott joins Near Memo to unpack the rise of Barnacle SEO in a world reshaped by AI. We explore how content visibility, listicles, and trusted sources like Reddit and Yelp are influencing AI-generated responses. Plus, we debate the viability of “GEO” as a term, Google’s evolving narrative, and the role of automation tools in SEO. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

1 month ago

32 minutes

The Near Memo

The Future of Maps: User Focused, Contextual & Integrated AI with Goetz Weber

Send us a text Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal talk with mapping expert Goetz Weber about why today’s maps fail to deliver personalized, contextual experiences — and what needs to change. From intent modeling to the limits of monetization, from ChatGPT to Snap Maps, Goetz lays out a compelling vision for mapping 2.0: visual, social, and powered by AI. For relevant links and a transcript visit our site. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/su...

1 month ago

47 minutes

The Near Memo

Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption, Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?,

Send us a text This week, Greg and Mike dissect new data from Pew and Ahrefs showing how AI Overviews impact user click behavior, local pack visibility, and publisher traffic. They explore the branding mess of “AIO” vs. “GEO,” ChatGPT’s growing usefulness, and YouTube’s quiet dominance. Plus: a burrito search showdown and dishwasher repair gone AI. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

2 months ago

32 minutes

The Near Memo

Google Fixes GBP Alerts Sort Of, Expands "Ask for Me" Local Quotes, ChatGPT Local Search Disurptor?

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal dive into Google’s overhaul of its Business Profile dashboard notifications and why it's problematic, the rollout of Google’s AI-powered “Ask for Me” local quote feature, and ChatGPT’s growing impact on local search. Plus: Will businesses benefit from the Ask for Me feature? Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

2 months ago

36 minutes

The Near Memo

Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT’s Search Shift, and Google's Secret Weapon

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal discuss fresh insights into how consumers engage with local AI Overviews, explore the theory that ChatGPT may be using Google's search index, and dig into the explosive growth and influence of Google's Local Guides program. The discussion also touches on zero-click search, ad transparency, and the implications for local businesses. Sponsored by GatherUp. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at h...

2 months ago

31 minutes

The Near Memo

GBP Suspensions, AIO Overviews & New Best Practices for AI-Era Local SEO and Reviews

Send us a text Greg and Mike unpack the latest in local search: an uptick in suspensions, why AI overviews are shifting lower on SERPs, and what local businesses must do to thrive in an AI-dominated search world. Also, a pig roas Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

2 months ago

39 minutes

The Near Memo

AI, Reviews & the Future of Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know

Send us a text Darren Shaw of Whitespark returns to the Near Memo to talk with Mike and Greg about what’s actually working—and what’s not—in local SEO as AI begins reshaping consumer behavior. From the rise of first-party reviews to YouTube’s power for B2B lead gen, this episode tackles how agencies can prepare clients for a future beyond Google. They also dig into the limitations of ChatGPT’s local recommendations, where blogs still make sense, and what digital PR might look like for small b...

2 months ago

46 minutes

The Near Memo

How to Stay Verified on Google, Where Search Is Headed, and What’s Up with Siri?

Send us a text In this episode, Mike and Greg break down three major developments shaping the local search and AI landscape. First, they tackle the growing wave of Google Business Profile suspensions caused by rigid, AI-driven video verification—where even legitimate businesses are getting flagged. They offer practical advice on how to avoid getting suspended and why field-based verification is now essential. Next, they explore new consumer survey data showing a significant rise in people usi...

3 months ago

36 minutes

The Near Memo

Google’s Next Move: AI, Antitrust Battles & the Decline of Search

Send us a text In this episode of The Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal break down some of the biggest tectonic shifts happening at the intersection of AI, search, and antitrust law. The focal point? Google's claim that its Gemini AI now boasts 350 million monthly users. But what exactly counts as a user—and does stuffing Gemini into every app and product really mean it’s being used? Greg and Mike dig deep into how Google is leveraging its product ecosystem—Chrome, Gmail, Workspace...

3 months ago

29 minutes

The Near Memo

Clicks Are Dead, Reviews Are King: Surviving Google’s AI Local Shakeup

Send us a text In this jam-packed episode of The Near Memo, hosts Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal welcome back Adam Dorfman, VP of Product at BirdEye, for a timely deep dive into the ever-shifting world of local SEO, AI Overviews, and Google’s evolving search ecosystem. The trio unpacks the seismic shifts happening in local search, AI-generated results, and the new metrics that matter when “clicks” no longer rule. From how Google is leveraging its own ecosystem to dominate AI outputs, to wh...

3 months ago

39 minutes

The Near Memo

SEO Tactics from the Frontline: Real User Behavior in AI Overviews - Part 2 of the UX Study Analysis

Send us a text Welcome to Part 2 of our deep dive into the most revealing SEO and UX research of 2025. In this episode of the Near Memo podcast, Greg Sterling, Kevin Indig, and Eric Van Buskirk break down how users actually interact with AI Overviews on Google—and what that means for your SEO strategy moving forward. 00:55 – “Trust over Traffic: The SEO Paradigm Shift” 02:10 – “SEO as Traffic Cop, Not Traffic Driver” 03:33 – “Reddit, YouTube & Beyond: Tactical SEO Musts” 07:20 – “Google K...

4 months ago

24 minutes

The Near Memo

Trust Before Clicks: What Google’s AIO UX Study Reveals About Real User Behavior

Send us a text 🎙️ Trust Before Clicks: What Real Users Do With Google’s AI Overviews We’ve all seen the headlines: Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) are changing search forever. But how do real people actually use them? In this episode of The Near Memo, we dive into the first behavioral UX study of Google’s AIOs, conducted by Kevin Indig and Eric Van Buskirk. The results? Totally eye-opening—and a little humbling for SEOs. This wasn’t another clickstream analysis. This was watching users scroll, c...

4 months ago

32 minutes

The Near Memo

Google's Power Grab: AI Journeys, Monetized Moments, & the End of SEO as We Know It with Cindy Krum

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of the Near Memo podcast, SEO veteran Cindy Krum joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to unpack how Google's evolving use of AI, including MUM (Multitask Unified Model), is reshaping the search landscape. Krum explains how Google is moving from keyword- and entity-based indexing to modeling “journeys” that reflect a user’s intent — aligning with Google's long-abandoned concept of “micro-moments” like “I want to know,” “I want to go,” “I want...

4 months ago

45 minutes

The Near Memo

AmpUp Webinar, Yelp’s Antitrust V Google, Google AIO for Local Reviews, ChatGPT Gets Product Search

Send us a text 00:00 GatherUp's AmpUp Webinar Overview 05:56 Yelp Antitrust Case Insights 13:32 Google Local Review's AI Overviews and Their Impact 26:45 ChatGPT's Shopping Capabilities and Future Directions In this episode, Greg and Mike discuss the upcoming AmpUp 2025 virtual conference with Mel Atia of GatherUp, focusing on local SEO, reputation management, and the impact of AI on digital strategies. They delve into Yelp's antitrust case against Google, exploring the implications for loca...

4 months ago

33 minutes