Insights on local search, listings, reputation and multi-location marketing from Social Places.https://socialplaces.io/https://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/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/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