The brand new 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors Survey just dropped, and I'm breaking it all down with Darren Shaw, founder of Whitespark and the current steward of this industry-defining research.In this episode, we cover the biggest changes and surprises from the latest survey, including:- Why business hours just became a top 5 ranking factor (and what to do about it)- How citations are making a major comeback thanks to AI search- Review recency vs. review volume - which matters more now?- The truth about showing vs. hiding your address as a service area business- Why photos and videos are more critical than ever- Keywords in GBP services - from "myth" to legitimate ranking factor- What you need to optimize for AI search and Google's AI Mode- User engagement signals and behavioral factors that drive rankingsWhether you're a local business owner or doing SEO for clients, this survey is your roadmap for what actually works in local search going into 2026 and beyond.ABOUT DARREN SHAW:Darren Shaw is the founder of Whitespark, a leading local SEO software company, and manages the annual Local Search Ranking Factors Survey - the industry standard for understanding what drives local business rankings.RESOURCES MENTIONED:See the full survey: https://whitespark.ca/local-search-ranking-factors/Whitespark Local Ranking Grid software: https://whitespark.caThe Whitespark Local Update Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@WhitesparkCa/podcastsCONNECT WITH DARREN:LinkedIn: Darren Shaw: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenshawwhitespark/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/darrenshawseo/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darrenshawseo/TIMESTAMPS:00:00 Introduction to Local Search Ranking Factors04:09 Understanding the Local Search Ranking Factors Survey07:19 The Impact of AI Search on Local SEO10:15 The Resurgence of Citations in Local SEO13:16 The Importance of Business Hours for Rankings16:11 Review Recency and Frequency as Ranking Signals19:03 Address Visibility for Service Area Businesses22:03 User Engagement and Behavioral Signals in SEO27:30 The Power of Reviews and Visual Content32:26 The Impact of Keywords in Google Business Profile36:12 Understanding Suspension Factors in Local SEO40:10 The Future of Local Search and AI IntegrationIf you found this valuable, hit subscribe and check out my previous interview with Darren from August 2024 for more local SEO fundamentals: https://youtu.be/3MAF2iTlZxo?si=PKjWJ49odCRcSXg4#localseo #localsearch #localseotips #localseoexpert #localmarketing

Marie Haynes is one of the most respected voices in SEO, Google algorithms, and AI search—and in this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, she breaks down how search is fundamentally changing.

Google is no longer just ranking pages. It’s learning from users, predicting satisfaction, and increasingly acting as an AI agent that chooses outcomes on behalf of searchers. Marie explains what’s really driving rankings today, why many websites were hit by recent Google updates, and how concepts like EEAT, user signals, NavBoost, and Helpful Content have been absorbed directly into Google’s core systems.

We dive deep into how Google uses AI and machine learning to evaluate trust, authority, and real-world usefulness—and why traditional SEO tactics like links and keyword optimization alone are no longer enough. Marie also shares rare insights from her conversations with Google, her experience studying algorithm updates for over a decade, and what businesses must do to stay visible as search shifts toward AI Mode, agents, and task-based results.

This episode is essential for SEO professionals, local business owners, marketers, and founders who want to understand where search is headed in 2025, 2026, and beyond—and how to adapt before competitors do.

Topics covered:

- How Google rankings really work in the AI era

- EEAT explained: experience, expertise, authority, and trust

- User signals, NavBoost, and satisfaction-based ranking

- Why many sites lost traffic after recent Google updates

- AI Mode, search agents, and the future of search

- What local businesses must do to win as Google “chooses for you”

📩 Subscribe to Marie’s newsletter: https://www.mariehaynes.com/newsletter

🌐 Join Marie’s community: https://community.mariehaynes.com

If you care about the future of SEO, AI search, and Google rankings, this conversation will change how you think about visibility online.

Marie Haynes, Founder of Marie Haynes Consulting:

Twitter: https://x.com/Marie_Haynes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-haynes

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Marie_Haynes

Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:

Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt

Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com

Pest Control SEO: https://pestcontrolseo.com/

Local Marketing Secrets Platforms:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketingSecrets

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-marketing-secrets/id1741176782

Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/local-marketing-secrets

Podcast Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Marie Haynes

04:16 The Evolution of SEO and AI

07:01 Understanding Google's Algorithm Updates

10:17 The Importance of User Signals in SEO

13:03 Navigating the Quality Rater Guidelines

16:09 Exploring EEAT and Its Significance

19:06 Building Authority and Trustworthiness

21:55 Local Business Strategies for EEAT

24:57 The Future of SEO in an AI-Driven World

42:13 Creating Unique Content for SEO Success

46:14 The Impact of AI on SEO and User Intent

53:54 The Future of AI Agents in Business

01:01:45 Navigating the Evolution of Search Engines

01:16:05 Embracing Change and Finding Joy in Technology

01:19:42 Like and Subscribe!

#SEO #AISearch #GoogleSearch #EEAT #AIAgents

Howard Partridge is one of the most influential small business coaches in America, with a journey that started in deep poverty and led to building multiple multimillion-dollar companies. Raised in a 600-square-foot home in Mobile, Alabama, Howard went from having nothing to scaling a cleaning business from the trunk of his car into a fully turnkey operation. Along the way, he authored more than a dozen books, was personally mentored by Zig Ziglar, and spent nearly three decades helping service business owners build companies that run without them.In this episode of Local Marketing Secrets, Howard breaks down what it actually takes to escape daily operational chaos and scale a business past the million-dollar mark. He explains the concept of a “turnkey business” and why systems, people, and leadership must all work together if an owner wants freedom. Drawing from real experiences, Howard shares why most home service businesses stall under seven figures, how mindset and desire limit growth, and what separates owners who stay trapped from those who build companies that operate independently.The conversation also dives deep into leadership, relationships, and personal development. Howard shares key lessons he learned directly from Zig Ziglar, why relationships are the foundation of all business and life, and how money, when used correctly, becomes a tool for impact rather than a source of stress. If you own a home service business or agency and want to scale without burnout while building something that truly lasts, this episode delivers timeless principles and practical insight from someone who has lived every stage of the journey.Howard Patridge, Founder of Phenomenal Products:Website: https://howardpartridge.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howard-partridge-community/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/howardpartridge/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HowardPartridgePPI/Danny Leibrandt, Founder of Pest Control SEO:Facebook: https://facebook.com/DannyLeibrandt LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/dannyleibrandt/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DannyLeibrandt Website: https://dannyleibrandt.com Pest Control SEO: https://pestcontrolseo.com/ Local Marketing Secrets Platforms:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LocalMarketingSecrets Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1TCL0LhZbsJS6mzanqnnT1?si=224075c9fbda42f5 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/local-marketing-secrets/id1741176782 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/e0bb5254-5d6c-4940-8211-085157cc1239/local-marketing-secrets Podcast Chapters:00:00 Introduction To Howard Patridge07:18 Understanding Turnkey Businesses12:35 The Importance of Leadership17:19 Mindset and Desire in Business22:31 The Role of Money in Success27:34 Building Relationships for Business Growth32:15 The Power of Serving Others37:16 Final Thoughts: Adding Value to Others40:08 Like and Subscribe!#homeservicebusiness #homeservicemarketing #localmarketing #localbusiness #homeserviceadvertising #localseo #localadvertising #seo #marketing #podcast #business #localbusinesspodcast #dannyleibrandt #localmarketingsecrets #localsearch #localseotips #localseoexpert #howardpatridge