Insights on local search, listings, reputation and multi-location marketing from Social Places.https://socialplaces.io/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-photo-phone-number-scam-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-photo-phone-number-scam-multi-location/Contributors can add photos to any Google Business Profile. Some now carry a fake phone number, and customers dial the picture. What multi-location brands can do.Fri, 25 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTQuinton McHaffiehttps://socialplaces.io/blog/reputation-strategy-apple-business-bing-2026/https://socialplaces.io/blog/reputation-strategy-apple-business-bing-2026/Apple Business launched in April 2026 and Bing Places moved to Copilot's doorstep. Neither runs on reviews. Here is what that changes for multi-location reputation.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/siri-gemini-voice-recommendations-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/siri-gemini-voice-recommendations-multi-location/Siri now runs on Google's Gemini. Voice search returns one recommendation, not a list. Here is what multi-location brands must do to be the location it names.Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/tell-maps-google-conversational-edits/https://socialplaces.io/blog/tell-maps-google-conversational-edits/Google's Tell Maps lets anyone suggest edits to your business listing by chatting. What changed, what is now editable, and how to protect your location data.Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTQuinton McHaffiehttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-business-agent-ai-search/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-business-agent-ai-search/Google's new Business Agent puts a Gemini AI sales associate on your Search result. What it means for multi-location brand data, content and chat readiness.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/tiktok-local-feed-south-africa-head-start/https://socialplaces.io/blog/tiktok-local-feed-south-africa-head-start/TikTok's Local Feed launched in the US in February 2026 but has not reached South Africa. What multi-location brands should do with the head start.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-bilingual-business-name-ban-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-bilingual-business-name-ban-multi-location/Google now bans repeated bilingual and dual-script business names, even on storefront signage. What multi-location brands must audit across every location now.Thu, 20 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTQuinton McHaffiehttps://socialplaces.io/blog/chatgpt-maps-tab-where-the-pins-come-from/https://socialplaces.io/blog/chatgpt-maps-tab-where-the-pins-come-from/ChatGPT now has a Maps tab on desktop. The bigger shift is that its business pins now come from at least four data providers, not just Google.Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-account-restriction-suspends-every-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-account-restriction-suspends-every-location/A restricted Google account suspends every Business Profile it manages. How multi-location brands spot it, appeal in the right order, and prevent it.Mon, 17 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTQuinton McHaffiehttps://socialplaces.io/blog/ai-search-shortlist-multi-location-visibility/https://socialplaces.io/blog/ai-search-shortlist-multi-location-visibility/AI search recommends roughly one local business in a hundred. For multi-location brands the gap isn't knowledge, it's running the work across every location.Fri, 14 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/track-google-business-profile-traffic-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/track-google-business-profile-traffic-multi-location/Google Business Profile traffic gets buried in "Direct" and "Organic" in GA4. Here is how multi-location brands tag, track and prove GBP-driven visits at scale.Sun, 09 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTQuinton McHaffiehttps://socialplaces.io/blog/impression-recession-local-search-metrics-shift/https://socialplaces.io/blog/impression-recession-local-search-metrics-shift/Search Console now has a Generative AI section, and location impressions fell 53.8% while customer actions held. What the 2026 metrics shift means, and what to measure.Wed, 05 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/apple-maps-local-lists-open-now-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/apple-maps-local-lists-open-now-multi-location/Apple Maps now builds AI-curated "Best Open Now" lists. Here is why multi-location brands with inaccurate hours get quietly left off, and how to qualify.Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-business-profile-bulk-verification-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-business-profile-bulk-verification-multi-location/Bulk verification lets multi-location brands verify every Google Business Profile at once. Who qualifies, how it works, and why it now shapes AI visibility.Wed, 29 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/geo-trap-buying-ai-mentions-multi-location-risk/https://socialplaces.io/blog/geo-trap-buying-ai-mentions-multi-location-risk/Google now treats bought or manipulated brand mentions in AI Overviews like paid links. For multi-location brands, the risk is amplified across every location.Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-ai-review-authenticity-enforcement-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-ai-review-authenticity-enforcement-multi-location/Google now uses AI to enforce review authenticity at scale, and the FTC is fining fake reviews. What franchise and multi-location brands must fix now.Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/microsoft-copilot-bing-places-multi-location-local-search/https://socialplaces.io/blog/microsoft-copilot-bing-places-multi-location-local-search/Microsoft Copilot draws local business data from Bing Places. Multi-location brands that ignore Bing Places are invisible to millions of local queries.Fri, 10 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-preferred-sources-ai-overviews-local-brands/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-preferred-sources-ai-overviews-local-brands/Google Preferred Sources now extends into AI Overviews and AI Mode. Here is what it means for multi-location brands and how to get your regulars to opt in.Thu, 09 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-agentic-calling-multi-location-brands-2026/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-agentic-calling-multi-location-brands-2026/Google's AI now calls local businesses on behalf of customers. Here's what multi-location brands must fix before agentic booking expands this summer.Tue, 07 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/may-2026-core-update-ai-local-pack-multi-location-brands/https://socialplaces.io/blog/may-2026-core-update-ai-local-pack-multi-location-brands/Google's May 2026 core update reshaped local search, and AI local packs now surface 68% fewer businesses. What multi-location brands should fix first.Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-personal-intelligence-local-search-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-personal-intelligence-local-search-multi-location/Google's Personal Intelligence in AI Mode now personalises local results using Gmail and Photos. Here's what multi-location brands need to do to win.Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTCarri-Ann Lyonhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/reddit-is-now-inside-googles-ai-results-heres-what-every-multi/https://socialplaces.io/blog/reddit-is-now-inside-googles-ai-results-heres-what-every-multi/Google's AI answers now quote Reddit and forum posts. Updated August 2026 with new citation data and what multi-location brands should actually do about it.Mon, 15 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/what-250-locations-taught-us-about-getting-cited-by-google-ai/https://socialplaces.io/blog/what-250-locations-taught-us-about-getting-cited-by-google-ai/Google AI Overviews and ChatGPT already cite local pages on non-branded queries. Across 250+ locations, five characteristics separate cited pages from invisible ones.Mon, 08 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/state-of-local-ai-search-blog/https://socialplaces.io/blog/state-of-local-ai-search-blog/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.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/franchisees-dont-buy-a-marketing-job-franchise-local-marketing-and-ai/https://socialplaces.io/blog/franchisees-dont-buy-a-marketing-job-franchise-local-marketing-and-ai/Franchise brands lose AI search visibility when local content depends on franchisees who never wanted to be marketers. The fix is a managed service model.Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-removed-gbp-qa-ai-answers-multi-location/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-removed-gbp-qa-ai-answers-multi-location/Google retired Business Profile Q&A in late 2025. Now Gemini AI answers customer questions automatically. Here's what multi-location brands must do now.Mon, 25 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/ai-visibility-gap-franchise-locations-chatgpt-gemini/https://socialplaces.io/blog/ai-visibility-gap-franchise-locations-chatgpt-gemini/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.Fri, 22 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/someone-is-trying-to-claim-your-clients-listing-right-now/https://socialplaces.io/blog/someone-is-trying-to-claim-your-clients-listing-right-now/GBP listing hijacking is spiking in 2026. Learn why Google's UI change is fuelling unauthorised claim requests and how to protect multi-location brands.Mon, 18 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTConor Younghttps://socialplaces.io/blog/apple-maps-advertising-multi-location-brands-2026/https://socialplaces.io/blog/apple-maps-advertising-multi-location-brands-2026/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.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/organic-traffic-decline-ai-search-2026/https://socialplaces.io/blog/organic-traffic-decline-ai-search-2026/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.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTRyan Haworthhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/the-openness-signal-google-ranking/https://socialplaces.io/blog/the-openness-signal-google-ranking/Trading hours have quietly become a top local-search ranking factor. Here's why openness matters and where multi-location brands are leaking visibility.Tue, 05 May 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/how-to-get-recommended-in-ai-search/https://socialplaces.io/blog/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.Thu, 16 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-is-changing-how-people-discover-businesses-what-multi-location-brands-need-to-do-now/https://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-is-changing-how-people-discover-businesses-what-multi-location-brands-need-to-do-now/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.Mon, 16 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-review-removals-in-2025-what-happened-to-your-stars/https://socialplaces.io/blog/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.Wed, 28 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMTAshleigh Wainsteinhttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-gemini-new-era-for-real-time-discovery/https://socialplaces.io/blog/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.Tue, 09 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/the-hidden-seo-power-of-facebook-store-pages/https://socialplaces.io/blog/the-hidden-seo-power-of-facebook-store-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.Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/googles-latest-core-update-what-multi-location-brands-need-to-know/https://socialplaces.io/blog/googles-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.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/warning-scam-alert-fake-restaurant-review-scam-targets-consumer/https://socialplaces.io/blog/warning-scam-alert-fake-restaurant-review-scam-targets-consumer/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.Tue, 24 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/google-maps-ai-upgrade-and-what-it-means-for-local-businesses-in-south-africa/https://socialplaces.io/blog/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.Tue, 10 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/social-places-makes-its-way-to-the-united-kingdom/https://socialplaces.io/blog/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.Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/winning-local-search-in-2025-with-ai-smarter-strategies-and-our-top-tips-for-multi-location-brands/https://socialplaces.io/blog/winning-local-search-in-2025-with-ai-smarter-strategies-and-our-top-tips-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.Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/a-decade-of-innovation-celebrating-10-years-of-social-places-martech-journey/https://socialplaces.io/blog/a-decade-of-innovation-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.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Placeshttps://socialplaces.io/blog/standard-bank-top-women-awards/https://socialplaces.io/blog/standard-bank-top-women-awards/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.Thu, 20 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTSocial Places