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The Near Memo

The Near Memo

By: Greg Sterling Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm
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Exploring the big stories for the week at the intersection of local business & marketing across the spectrum of search, social and commerce. With Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal & David Mihm.

© 2026 The Near Memo Economics Leadership Management & Leadership Marketing Marketing & Sales Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Inside Google Local Rankings and the Review Purge

    Inside Google Local Rankings and the Review Purge
    Jan 20 2026

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    Claudia Tomina joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to unpack what the Google API leak reveals about local rankings, why reviews are being removed at scale, and how AI Overviews, Gemini, and agentic shopping are pushing transactions into Google’s AI interfaces. A must-listen for anyone managing a Google Business Profile in 2026.

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    43 mins
  • AI Is Breaking Local Search—But Google Still Decides Who Gets Chosen - Interview with Gyi Tsakalakis Part 2

    AI Is Breaking Local Search—But Google Still Decides Who Gets Chosen - Interview with Gyi Tsakalakis Part 2
    Jan 14 2026

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    AI tools are changing how consumers discover local businesses, but Google remains the system of record for trust, reviews, directions, and contact. This conversation explores how AI reduces cognitive load, concentrates visibility, and amplifies brand demand—forcing local marketers to rethink SEO beyond rankings.

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    29 mins
  • Why Local SEO Is Breaking for Law Firms (And What Actually Works Now)

    Why Local SEO Is Breaking for Law Firms (And What Actually Works Now)
    Jan 8 2026

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    Local SEO, reviews, and Google LSAs are no longer working the way law firms expect. In this episode of Near Memo, Gyi Tsakalakis (AttorneySync) joins Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling to explain why rankings and traffic are misleading, how LSAs reshape legal demand, why review cheating is rampant, and how brand trust has become the real competitive moat.


    If you’re relying on Google visibility alone to grow a law firm, this conversation is a wake-up call.

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    29 mins
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