Claudia Tomina

The local SEO gatekeeper: How Google defines your entity Google won’t rank what it can’t confidently identify. See how business names and primary categories determine local search eligibility.

In my latest for @searchengineland.bsky.social , I explain why Interpretation > Rankings:

Stop chasing rankings. Solve for Google’s need for certainty.

searchengineland.com/local-seo-go...

I’m hosting an AMA right now on r/LocalSearch about Google’s recent review posting blocks and mass deletions.
If you’ve seen reviews disappear, posting turned off, or unexplained enforcement then this is for you.
Data, patterns, and what we’re actually seeing.

www.reddit.com/r/localsearc...

Are you a business owner dealing with the dreaded ‘Suspicious high-rated reviews were recently removed from this place’ notice? You’re not alone. Join me on Tuesday, December 16th, where I’ll break… |... Are you a business owner dealing with the dreaded ‘Suspicious high-rated reviews were recently removed from this place’ notice? You’re not alone. Join me on Tuesday, December 16th, where I’ll break do...

www.linkedin.com/posts/claudi...

Testing videos with Gemini. @clairecarlile.bsky.social @krystaltaing.bsky.social @elizabethrule.bsky.social @crystalhorton.bsky.social are all jumping for joy at PES 2025 😆

Me: “Down with Schema” 👎👎
Mike: “Well…”

Such an excellent conversation on the @nearmedia.bsky.social Office Hours roundtable discussion with Greg Sterling, @mikeblumenthal.bsky.social, @davidmihm.bsky.social, @krystaltaing.bsky.social, and @claudiatomina.bsky.social.

8 Local GEO Strategies to Help Restaurants Rank in AI Search How AI is Rewriting Local GEO / SEO Discovery for Your Businesses The New Landscape of Search The world of local SEO discovery is changing faster than ever before. In July 2025, OpenAI.

AI is becoming the new guest concierge!

Google is no longer the only gatekeeper. ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity are shaping discovery with signals that go far beyond rankings in Maps or organic search.
AI is becoming the new guest concierge!

www.linkedin.com/pulse/8-loca...

screenshot of Marketing Unlocked newsletter

Real estate agents need to focus on something unique to show up in Google's local pack. It doesn't matter nearly as much for restaurants, hair salons, plumbers, and countless other small businesses.

I "unpack" that in today's Marketing Unlocked VIP, with thanks to @claudiatomina.bsky.social. 🙌

5 Secrets Google Won’t Tell You About Local SEO youtube.com/clip/UgkxhqA... via
@YouTube

@JoyanneHawkins
and
@ColanNielsen
share how I get 3rd party booking links removed when customer service can't!

So much more exciting!!! 🤣

New Updates on Google
The “About” section on mobile now highlights visitor-confirmed attributes—with public-facing percentages.

You’ll now see:
• Confirmed by 94% of 17 visitors
• Confirmed by business owner

Branded searches have tons of new updates! Google keeps rolling them out.

Why your Google event post isn’t showing and how to fix it GBP event posts for restaurants and bars can show in mobile search – but only if done right. Here’s how to meet Google’s criteria.

After sharing tips on Google Event Posts recently, I realized how often this issue comes up, so I put everything into one place. My latest article on @searchengineland.bsky.social breaks down why your Google Event Post might not be showing and how to fix it.
searchengineland.com/why-your-goo...

If you're not asking for reviews, you're basically invisible in AI search results.

@claudiatomina.bsky.social recently shared great research on how reviews now play a big role in AI-powered search.

#localseo #seo

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I’m doubling down on the Q/A

Also featured on the official Google Community Guide: support.google.com/business/com...

The Complete Guide to Google Business Profile Video Verification - ReputationArm Learn how to complete video verification for your Google Business Profile with this step-by-step FAQ. Includes tips and troubleshooting help.

The Complete Guide to Google Business Profile Video Verification 🎥 If you manage GBP listings, bookmark this. It’s the guide you’ll want to reference again.

Read it here: reputationarm.com/the-complete...

Noticed a new addition on the Knowledge Panel: “Get There.”

Boosting Local SEO with Shorts: Insights from YouTube’s Product Team YouTube Shorts can be a powerful tool for local visibility that many multi-location brands overlook. Shorts are vertical videos under 60 seconds, designed for quick consumption.

www.linkedin.com/pulse/boosti...

Google’s new branded search layout is giving GBP for restaurants a lot to… | Claudia Tomina Google’s new branded search layout is giving GBP for restaurants a lot to work with. (Available to view on the Google App on Mobile) Just searched The Capital…

www.linkedin.com/posts/claudi...

👀 Google rolled out a new branded search layout for restaurants (mobile app only for now), and it's packed with AI-driven features.

📸 “Preview this place” carousel:

📝 “What’s new” shows Google Posts

📱 “Updates” pulls in social content

🎥 Short-form video carousel

💡 “Learn something specific”

Google support was able to fix this for me. Curious if anyone has seen this or is experiencing a similar issue? Please message me if so.

Google Expands Detailed Review Questions On Local Listings For the past few years or so, Google has had a more detailed, almost survey-style review questionnaire for some local results, especially restaurants. Now, according to Claudia Tomina, Google has exp...

Google expands the more detailed, survey style, review questions in Google Maps with more questions (it's been around for 4 or so years but more questions added) www.seroundtable.com/google-expan... via @claudiatomina.bsky.social

Google just added new review attributes—could they influence Ask Maps questions?

Now users can share:
• Wait times
• Noise level
• Group size suitability
• Seating options

More options mean more data feeding into preset Ask Maps questions.

Join @gsterling.bsky.social ky.social @davidmihm.bsky.social mihm.bsky.social + PE's @claudiatomina.bsky.social @vinaytoshniwal.bsky.social for a great session on the ins & outs of GBP support /2

Claudia Tomina on LinkedIn: Google Maps is answering questions for you now… whether you like it or… Google Maps is answering questions for you now… whether you like it or not. Google’s rolling out "Ask Maps," an AI-powered feature that answers user questions…

Google Maps is now answering questions for you…
"Ask Maps" is AI-generated business Q&A based on your profile, reviews, and whatever else Google scrapes up. If your info isn’t up to date, AI fills in the blanks—badly.

www.linkedin.com/posts/claudi...

Looks like The "Chat" option to set up Text Message or WhatsApp is now available for businesses to configure globally. These show up on mobile search but do not show up in the Maps app (yet) unless you're in Brazil.

searchengineland.com/google-resta...

If you are interested in learning about running offers on Google maps and You tube Shorts for your local business check out my latest blog at @searchengineland.bsky.social. Just Search Google Search Trends Every Restaurant Needs to Know in 2025 search engine land

Google search trends every restaurant needs to know in 2025 From YouTube Shorts to AI-driven search trends, Google’s latest insights show what’s next for restaurant marketing.

searchengineland.com/google-resta...

Oh good to know. Thanks