Blog
Insights on local search, listings, reputation and multi-location marketing.
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Do You Need a New AI Search Strategy?
AI search is reshaping local discovery, but the fundamentals haven't changed. See why managed brands win and the six inputs to focus on for AI visibility.
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AI Gap: 98.8% of Franchise Locations Need Better AI Visibility
Only 1.2% of franchise locations get recommended by ChatGPT. Learn what AI uses to surface locations and how multi-location brands can improve visibility.
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Apple Maps Paid Advertising: What Multi-Location Brands Need Now
Apple Business launched in April 2026 with paid placements coming soon. Here's what multi-location brands must do now to be ready for Apple Maps ads.
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Your Rankings Haven't Changed. So Why Is Your Traffic Disappearing?
Organic traffic is falling for brands across every sector and rankings aren't the reason. Here's what AI search is doing, what metrics to watch, and what to do next.
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The Openness Signal: Trading Hours Are Now a Top-5 Ranking Factor
Trading hours have quietly become a top local-search ranking factor. Here's why openness matters and where multi-location brands are leaking visibility.
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How to Get Recommended in AI Search
AI assistants now decide which businesses get recommended. Here's how multi-location brands can get surfaced in AI search and turn traffic into revenue.
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Google Maps Launches AI-Powered "Ask Maps" & Immersive Navigation
Google Maps launched Ask Maps and Immersive Navigation on 12 March 2026, both powered by Gemini. Here's what multi-location brands need to do now.
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Google Review Removals in 2025: What Happened to Your Stars?
Google removed a number of business reviews in late 2025. Learn what caused the Google reviews and star ratings to disappear, and how to protect yours.
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Google Maps Gemini: New Era for Real-Time Discovery
Google has reimagined Maps with a Gemini-powered experience, turning navigation into real-time, discovery-driven local search. Here's what's changed.
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The Hidden SEO Power of Local Facebook Pages
Local Facebook pages are a low-maintenance, high-impact part of your digital infrastructure. Here's why multi-location brands should set one up per branch.
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Google's Latest Core Update: What Multi-Location Brands Need to Know
Google's latest core update is reshaping local search. Here's how it affects multi-location brands and what to prioritise on your location pages.
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Scam Alert: The Fake Restaurant Review Scam Targeting Consumers
Scammers are paying people to post fake positive Google reviews for restaurants, then vanishing with a 'registration fee'. Here's how it works and how to stay safe.
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Google Maps' AI Upgrade and What It Means for Local Businesses in South Africa
Google Maps has rolled out major AI upgrades including Live View and Immersive View. Here's what the changes mean for local businesses in South Africa.
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Social Places Makes Its Way to the United Kingdom
From the EWiF Awards to The Franchise Marketing Show, here's a look at Social Places' recent UK trip and what our expansion means for clients.
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Winning Local Search in 2025 with AI: Smarter Strategies for Multi-Location Brands
With 46% of Google searches carrying local intent, AI is reshaping local SEO. Here are smarter strategies and top tips for multi-location brands in 2025.
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Celebrating 10 Years of Social Places' Martech Journey
Social Places turns 10. A look back at a decade of building local marketing technology for multi-location brands, from our 2015 founding to today.
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Standard Bank Top Women Awards: We're So Proud
Social Places and Co-Founder Ashleigh Wainstein were named finalists at the Standard Bank Top Women Awards. Here's what these honours mean to our team.
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