The Local Word
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 AI and will be coming to South Africa soon. The update transforms Maps from a keyword search tool into a conversational discovery platform, with implications for...
Google Review Removals in 2025: What happened to your stars?
Imagine waking up, opening your Google Business Profile, and seeing your hard-earned 4.8-star rating has suddenly dipped. Even worse, dozens of your most recent reviews have simply… vanished. If this happened to you toward the end of 2025, you weren’t alone. It was...
Google Maps Gemini: New Era for Real-Time Discovery
Google has officially reimagined Maps with its new Gemini-powered experience, transforming it from a turn-by-turn tool into a real-time, discovery-driven navigation engine. This shift moves Maps beyond “how to get there” and into “why you should go there,”...
The Hidden SEO Power of Facebook Store Pages
For brands with multiple branches, locations, or franchises, managing a cohesive digital presence can feel like a tightrope walk. You need a unified national voice, but you also need to show up where it matters most: locally....
Tech Update: AI Insights
Effectively managing the online reputation of a multi-location franchise presents significant complexities. Maintaining brand consistency and identifying specific locations requiring intervention necessitates tools that move beyond basic data aggregation. Our solution...
Tech Update: Google Business Profile Menu’s
We’re excited to announce a major product update: restaurants can now upload their menus directly from the Social Places Listings Suite to Google Business Profiles. This integration goes beyond data sync — it streamlines how your business showcases its offering...
Google’s AI will now be able to handle calls to Local Businesses for you
Imagine searching for a local business like a vet, plumber or even a restaurant, and without picking up the phone, you already have answers about pricing and availability. Google Search’s new AI-powered calling feature makes that happen by contacting businesses on...
Google’s latest core update: What Multi-Location Brands need to know
Google’s latest core update is reshaping how local search works, and Multi-Location Brands are feeling the impact. The message is clear: depth and relevance always wins. So what has changed, why is it so important and how do we stay ahead? Depth and...
What’s New with Local Pages
Our team has been hard at work rolling out a set of powerful new features and enhancements designed to make Local Pages even more impactful—for both your customers and your business. Here’s a detailed look at what’s new: New Feature: Content Workflow for Website We’re...
Level Up Your Local Presence: Announcing Major Enhancements to Our Local Pages and Store Locator!
At Social Places, we're constantly striving to empower businesses to connect with customers where it matters most: locally. We’ve implemented a significant set of updates to our Local Pages and Store Locator features, designed to deliver an even more seamless,...