Best Greg Amp Liz Podcasts (2025)

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AI Agents Are Coming: Jes Scholz Reveals How to Prepare Your Business NOW 30:12

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4d ago30:12

30:12

Send us a text In this episode, Jes Scholz joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal for a deep dive into the forces reshaping search: AI agents, the rise of conversational interfaces, the 60/40 brand-activation model, content freshness, multimodal distribution, and why your database — not your website — may determine your competitive future. Jes exp…

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Inside Etsy’s Creator Ecosystem w/ Monty Montalto 24:05

6d ago24:05

24:05

In this episode of The Influence Factor, host Alessandro Bogliari chats with Dan "Monty" Montalto, Head of Global Brand Advertising, Influencer, and Social Marketing at Etsy. They discuss the evolution of the commerce funnel, the power of creators and their stories, and Etsy’s Creator Collective and partnership approach. The conversation also dives…

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AI Mode, Gemini 3 & the Future of Search: Jes Scholz on What SEOs Must Do Now 33:11

11d ago33:11

33:11

Send us a text In this packed episode, Jes Scholz joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to explore where AI search is really headed. From conversational interfaces replacing the search box to the competitive implications of Gemini 3, Jes explains why Google’s index is shrinking, why publishers must evolve, and why consensus around brand salience …

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Google Maps Gets AI, Reviews Get Aliases, Ads Invade AI Mode — And Google Uses Its Monopoly to Win the AI War 37:36

24d ago37:36

37:36

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling unpack Google’s dramatic shift toward an AI-first search ecosystem — including the rollout of Know Before you Go in Maps, ads in the new AI Mode in Search & Maps, and the introduction oof Gemini 3 what that means for personalization and marketers. We explore: • Googl…

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The New Era of Sports Engagement w/ Will Carafello (NY Mets) 25:45

27d ago25:45

25:45

In this episode of The Influence Factor, host Alessandro Bogliari sits down with Will Carafello from the NY Mets to explore the transformative impact of social media on sports. They discuss how platforms are closing the gap between fans and athletes, making it easier for athletes to create and share content while giving fans a more personal look in…

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What #1-Ranking Personal Injury Lawyers Are Doing Right — Greg Gifford’s GBP Local Ranking Study 1:01:30

1M ago1:01:30

1:01:30

Send us a text Greg Gifford joins the Near Memo to break down his large-scale Local SEO study of 3,000 personal injury law firm's Google Business Profiles. He reveals what #1 ranked PI las firms are doing that #10 ranked practioners are not. From review response rates and schema misfires to UTM tracking errors, the trio unpacks what’s real in local…

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AI Search, Reviews, and the Future of Local SEO — Darren Shaw Breaks Down the 2026 Ranking Factors 44:10

1M ago44:10

44:10

Send us a text Local SEO just got a major shake-up. In this episode, Darren Shaw of Whitespark joins Mike Blumenthal, David Mihm, and Greg Sterling to reveal key takeaways from the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors study — including how AI search, behavioral signals, and reviews are changing the local game. Hear what really moves the needle, what’s…

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TikTok’s Local Play: How Gen Z Is Rewriting Local Search 46:45

2M ago46:45

46:45

Send us a text In this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Celeste Gonzalez (Rickety Roo) dive into TikTok’s “Local Explorer” — a new review and discovery program inside the app. They explore how Gen Z’s shift toward TikTok and Instagram is reshaping local search, what the Adobe and SOCi studies reveal, and why authenticity may be TikTok’s…

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From Creator to CEO: How Influencers Are Building Real Businesses Beyond Brand Deals w/ Billy Parks 31:38

2M ago31:38

31:38

In this episode of The Influence Factor, host Alessandro Bogliari chats with Billy Parks about the evolution of the creator economy. Billy shares why creators must move beyond renting audiences to build lasting, sustainable businesses. He reflects on key career lessons and the value of authenticity in brand collaborations. The conversation also exp…

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Google’s Local Antitrust Battle with Yelp, Gemini’s “Grounded” Local AI, and ChatGPT’s New Local Results 33:29

2M ago33:29

33:29

Send us a text In Episode 229, Mike and Greg unpack Yelp’s revived antitrust lawsuit against Google and what it reveals about search dominance. They dive into Google’s “grounded” Gemini AI—supposedly tied to Maps data—and Mike’s test results showing how unreliable it still is. Finally, they explore ChatGPT’s new local results format, which borrows …

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AI & Local Business: How AI Is Rewriting Location Management; Interview with Ana Martinez, P2 34:51

2M ago34:51

34:51

Send us a text AI is reshaping how businesses manage their locations, from adoption challenges to AI Overviews in Google Search, to the renewed importance of citations and directories. Mike Blumenthal, Greg Sterling, and Ana Martinez from Uberall discuss AI’s role in visibility, customer journeys, and local SEO strategy. Subscribe to our newsletter…

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Inside Uberall’s Local AI Shift: From Culture Shift to Client Tools; Part 1 31:58

2M ago31:58

31:58

Send us a text Uberall’s CTO Ana Martinez joins Greg Sterling & Mike Blumenthal to reveal how the company is going “AI native with their Local Platform location management.” From internal culture shifts to new client-facing tools like UBI and Location Performance Score, learn how AI is reshaping products, teams, and customer expectations. Subscribe…

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Google GBP Suspension Increases?, The Future of Reviews, and Liz Reid’s AI Vision for Search 35:53

3M ago35:53

35:53

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal dig into Google Business Profile suspension increases over time, the broken state of reviews, and insights from Google’s Liz Reid on AI Overviews, AI Mode, and monetization. What do these changes mean for small businesses, SEOs, and consumers? Tune in for an unfilter…

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AI’s Impact on the Creator Economy w/ Alexander Frolov (HypeAuditor) 26:35

3M ago26:35

26:35

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Alexander Frolov, CEO & Co-Founder of HypeAuditor, to unpack the evolving influencer marketing landscape. They dive into the integration of AI, the do’s and don’ts of leveraging it in the creator economy, and why authenticity remains key. The conversation also explores the uniq…

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Google Review Extortion, Maps AR, What ChatGPT is Missing & YouTube’s Strategic Power 33:02

3M ago33:02

33:02

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Mike and Greg break down: The rise of Google Business Profile review extortion scams 📉 Google Maps’ new AR feature: See it. Snap it. Ask it. 🗺️ Why ChatGPT still falls short for local search vs Google 🔎 YouTube’s strategic role in Google’s AI & local marketing future ▶️ 👉 Subscribe for more insights …

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Interview with Barry Schwartz: Review Ransom, The State of the Open Web, and the Implications of AI on Search Interfaces 49:32

3M ago49:32

49:32

Send us a text In this episode, Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Barry Schwartz discuss various pressing topics in the digital marketing landscape, including the rise of local review ransom schemes, the ongoing debate about the state of the open web, and the implications of AI on search interfaces. They explore how Google's recent changes and th…

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Google’s Action Links Crackdown, The “Declining” Open Web, and Siri + Gemini 33:39

3M ago33:39

33:39

Send us a text We discuss Google’s new guidelines for Business Profile action links, the company’s conflicting statements about the health of the open web in an antitrust case, and Apple’s rumored partnership with Google’s Gemini to power Siri. Together, these stories highlight Google’s tightening grip on local businesses, the shifting economics of…

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The Future of Social Commerce: Live Selling, FOMO & Creator Monetization w/ Josephine Wong 24:37

3M ago24:37

24:37

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Josephine Wong, the Chief Revenue Officer of CommentSold, discusses her passion for building products that empower entrepreneurs and the evolution of social commerce. She highlights the importance of community engagement, the role of AI in content creation, and strategies for c…

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AI Overviews in Local: When & Where, DOJ Google Remedies (?), and an SMB GBP Case Study 33:05

3M ago33:05

33:05

Send us a text We dig into when/where Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) appear in local, how people actually split tasks across Google vs. ChatGPT, what the DOJ’s remedies mean for defaults, and a fresh case where a brand-new local biz triggered an AIO—plus practical takeaways. Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/s…

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AI Overviews & Why consumers like them, Reviews vs. Reality & Why Google Search Volumes Aren’t Falling 26:42

4M ago26:42

26:42

Send us a text Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling discuss three hot-button topics: Consumer vs. industry perspectives on Google’s AI Overviews How review expectations differ from actual behavior in the legal vertical Why Datos data shows AI growth isn’t displacing search usage Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.c…

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Google’s LSA Shake-Up, Google LSA Dark Patterns & BrightLocal SMB Marketing Insights 28:26

4M ago28:26

28:26

Send us a text Google is consolidating Local Services Ads trust signals into a single verification badge — but is it really about trust or revenue? Greg and Mike discuss Google’s evolving ad strategy, the ongoing degradation of organic results, their "dark patterns" that elevate LSA usage and new BrightLocal data showing less than half of small bus…

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How Visa Supports Creators as Small Businesses w/ Jonathan Kolozsvary 20:33

4M ago20:33

20:33

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Jonathan Kolozsvary, Global Head of Small Business at Visa, about the evolving landscape of the creator economy, emphasizing the importance of financial tools and resources tailored for creators. He highlights the recognition of creators as small businesses by Visa and the need…

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Part 2- Barnacle SEO in the AI Era: Will Scott on Tools, Automation & Content Strategy 31:02

4M ago31:02

31:02

Send us a text In part two of this interview, SEO veteran Will Scott of Search Influence joins Mike Blumenthal and Greg Sterling to unpack how AI is reshaping search, why semantic SEO matters, and how to use no-code automation tools to scale content. Learn how to barnacle onto high-authority sites, repurpose content across platforms, and adapt to a…

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Part 1: Barnacle SEO in the AI Era: Will Scott on Leveraging AI for Search & ChatGPT Visibility 32:52

4M ago32:52

32:52

Send us a text In Part 1 of this interview, SEO veteran Will Scott joins Near Memo to unpack the rise of Barnacle SEO in a world reshaped by AI. We explore how content visibility, listicles, and trusted sources like Reddit and Yelp are influencing AI-generated responses. Plus, we debate the viability of “GEO” as a term, Google’s evolving narrative,…

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The Future of Maps: User Focused, Contextual & Integrated AI with Goetz Weber 47:38

5M ago47:38

47:38

Send us a text Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal talk with mapping expert Goetz Weber about why today’s maps fail to deliver personalized, contextual experiences — and what needs to change. From intent modeling to the limits of monetization, from ChatGPT to Snap Maps, Goetz lays out a compelling vision for mapping 2.0: visual, social, and powered b…

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Patreon’s Secrets to Building Loyal Superfans w/ Paige Fitzgerald 23:57

5M ago23:57

23:57

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Paige Fitzgerald, COO of Patreon, about building a creator-first internet and Patreon's role in the creator economy. Paige discusses empowering creators to build sustainable businesses, the power of core fans, and the importance of community engagement. She shares insights on a…

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Pew & Ahrefs Reveal Click Declines & AIO Disruption, Local SEO vs. AI: What Happens to the Pack?, 32:45

5M ago32:45

32:45

Send us a text This week, Greg and Mike dissect new data from Pew and Ahrefs showing how AI Overviews impact user click behavior, local pack visibility, and publisher traffic. They explore the branding mess of “AIO” vs. “GEO,” ChatGPT’s growing usefulness, and YouTube’s quiet dominance. Plus: a burrito search showdown and dishwasher repair gone AI.…

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Google Fixes GBP Alerts Sort Of, Expands "Ask for Me" Local Quotes, ChatGPT Local Search Disurptor? 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal dive into Google’s overhaul of its Business Profile dashboard notifications and why it's problematic, the rollout of Google’s AI-powered “Ask for Me” local quote feature, and ChatGPT’s growing impact on local search. Plus: Will businesses benefit from the Ask for Me …

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Google’s AI Overviews, ChatGPT’s Search Shift, and Google's Secret Weapon 31:44

5M ago31:44

31:44

Send us a text In this episode of the Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal discuss fresh insights into how consumers engage with local AI Overviews, explore the theory that ChatGPT may be using Google's search index, and dig into the explosive growth and influence of Google's Local Guides program. The discussion also touches on zero-click s…

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Adapting Influencer Marketing for 2025 w/ Pierre-Loïc Assayag (Traackr) 21:31

5M ago21:31

21:31

In this conversation, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Pierre-Loïc Assayag, CEO and founder of Traackr, discussing the evolution of influencer marketing, the challenges of pricing transparency, and the importance of adapting strategies to local markets. They explore insights from a recent panel at SXSW, the impact of social media platform changes, an…

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GBP Suspensions, AIO Overviews & New Best Practices for AI-Era Local SEO and Reviews 39:38

6M ago39:38

39:38

Send us a text Greg and Mike unpack the latest in local search: an uptick in suspensions, why AI overviews are shifting lower on SERPs, and what local businesses must do to thrive in an AI-dominated search world. Also, a pig roas Subscribe to our newsletters and other content at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/…

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AI, Reviews & the Future of Local SEO: What Darren Shaw Says You Need to Know 46:16

6M ago46:16

46:16

Send us a text Darren Shaw of Whitespark returns to the Near Memo to talk with Mike and Greg about what’s actually working—and what’s not—in local SEO as AI begins reshaping consumer behavior. From the rise of first-party reviews to YouTube’s power for B2B lead gen, this episode tackles how agencies can prepare clients for a future beyond Google. T…

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Behind HubSpot’s Creator Network w/ Alanah Joseph 29:37

6M ago29:37

29:37

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Alanah Joseph, Head of Creator Partnerships at HubSpot. Alanah shares how creator partnerships are evolving, why community is key in podcasting, and strategies to grow and monetize a podcast. From networking and consistent publishing to leveraging newsletters, she offers practi…

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How to Stay Verified on Google, Where Search Is Headed, and What’s Up with Siri? 36:31

6M ago36:31

36:31

Send us a text In this episode, Mike and Greg break down three major developments shaping the local search and AI landscape. First, they tackle the growing wave of Google Business Profile suspensions caused by rigid, AI-driven video verification—where even legitimate businesses are getting flagged. They offer practical advice on how to avoid gettin…

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Google’s Next Move: AI, Antitrust Battles & the Decline of Search 29:29

6M ago29:29

29:29

Send us a text In this episode of The Near Memo, Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal break down some of the biggest tectonic shifts happening at the intersection of AI, search, and antitrust law. The focal point? Google's claim that its Gemini AI now boasts 350 million monthly users. But what exactly counts as a user—and does stuffing Gemini into eve…

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Clicks Are Dead, Reviews Are King: Surviving Google’s AI Local Shakeup 39:01

7M ago39:01

39:01

Send us a text In this jam-packed episode of The Near Memo, hosts Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal welcome back Adam Dorfman, VP of Product at BirdEye, for a timely deep dive into the ever-shifting world of local SEO, AI Overviews, and Google’s evolving search ecosystem. The trio unpacks the seismic shifts happening in local search, AI-generated r…

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How FP Movement Builds Impact w/ Courtney Weis 26:33

7M ago26:33

26:33

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari speaks with Courtney Weis, Managing Director of Brand Marketing at FP Movement. Their conversation explores the brand’s commitment to empowering women through activewear, the vital role of community involvement, and the dynamic shifts within influencer marketing. Courtney offers valuable …

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SEO Tactics from the Frontline: Real User Behavior in AI Overviews - Part 2 of the UX Study Analysis 24:00

7M ago24:00

24:00

Send us a text Welcome to Part 2 of our deep dive into the most revealing SEO and UX research of 2025. In this episode of the Near Memo podcast, Greg Sterling, Kevin Indig, and Eric Van Buskirk break down how users actually interact with AI Overviews on Google—and what that means for your SEO strategy moving forward. 00:55 – “Trust over Traffic: Th…

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Trust Before Clicks: What Google’s AIO UX Study Reveals About Real User Behavior 32:37

7M ago32:37

32:37

Send us a text 🎙️ Trust Before Clicks: What Real Users Do With Google’s AI Overviews We’ve all seen the headlines: Google’s AI Overviews (AIOs) are changing search forever. But how do real people actually use them? In this episode of The Near Memo, we dive into the first behavioral UX study of Google’s AIOs, conducted by Kevin Indig and Eric Van Bu…

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Google's Power Grab: AI Journeys, Monetized Moments, & the End of SEO as We Know It with Cindy Krum 45:44

7M ago45:44

45:44

Send us a text In this thought-provoking episode of the Near Memo podcast, SEO veteran Cindy Krum joins Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal to unpack how Google's evolving use of AI, including MUM (Multitask Unified Model), is reshaping the search landscape. Krum explains how Google is moving from keyword- and entity-based indexing to modeling “journ…

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Inside McDonald’s Bold Marketing Moves w/ Jennifer Healan 27:37

7M ago27:37

27:37

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari speaks with Jennifer Healan, VP of Brand, Content, and Culture at McDonald’s US. Jennifer shares her journey leading creative transformation at iconic brands, emphasizing the power of creative bravery, tapping into fan truths, and launching standout campaigns like McDonald’s anime collabo…

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AmpUp Webinar, Yelp’s Antitrust V Google, Google AIO for Local Reviews, ChatGPT Gets Product Search 33:03

8M ago33:03

33:03

Send us a text 00:00 GatherUp's AmpUp Webinar Overview 05:56 Yelp Antitrust Case Insights 13:32 Google Local Review's AI Overviews and Their Impact 26:45 ChatGPT's Shopping Capabilities and Future Directions In this episode, Greg and Mike discuss the upcoming AmpUp 2025 virtual conference with Mel Atia of GatherUp, focusing on local SEO, reputation…

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Know Before You Go: New on GBP Profiles, G Under Legal Fire, & the Coming Shift in Search 30:16

8M ago30:16

30:16

Send us a text We discuss the latest developments in Google's antitrust trial and the introduction of new AI features in Google Business Profiles. They explore the implications of these changes for local SEO and user experience, as well as the potential future of search in an AI-driven world. The conversation highlights the challenges Google faces …

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The Rise of B2B Creators and Monetization Strategies w/ Olivia Owens (Teachable) 24:52

8M ago24:52

24:52

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari chats with Olivia Owens, Creator Partnerships and Business Development Lead at Teachable. Olivia shares her mission to empower creators through community, the launch of the 9 to 5 Quitters Club, and effective monetization strategies. She dives into Teachable’s latest report on B2B creator…

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The Future of Reviews: What Businesses Need to Know 30:40

8M ago30:40

30:40

Send us a text Greg Sterling, Mike Blumenthal, and Sammy Paget of BrightLocal discuss the evolving landscape of consumer reviews, focusing on how consumer behavior has changed over the years, the importance of businesses responding to reviews, and the impact of AI on review management. They explore the future of reviews, the decline in trust, and G…

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From Stars to Skepticism: How Reviews Evolved & Why Trust Is Declining - Sammy Paget Interview Part1 29:48

8M ago29:48

29:48

Send us a text 01:59 Evolution of Consumer Review Behavior 05:03 Trust in Reviews: A Declining Trend 08:14 The Impact of Fake Reviews and AI 14:18 Alternative Review Platforms and Their Trustworthiness 19:30 Key Findings from the 15-Year Review Study 22:07 Best Practices for Review Solicitation 29:22 Consumer Expectations and Business Responses In …

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Owning Your Content in the Digital Age w/ Jamie Gutfreund (Creator Vision) 38:24

8M ago38:24

38:24

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari speaks with Jamie Gutfreund, founder of Creator Vision, about bridging the gap in the creator economy. They discuss the shift from authenticity to trust in marketing, why creators should own their content, and how brands can better collaborate with creators. Jamie also shares insights on …

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Google’s Euro DMA Headaches, GBP Local Chaos AND Uncharacteristic Google Comms & AI Search Futures 35:39

9M ago35:39

35:39

Send us a text In this milestone 200th episode, the NearMemo crew unpacks Google’s mounting regulatory woes in Europe, including fresh scrutiny under the Digital Markets Act. Mike breaks down a storm of GBP bugs and business suspensions and ponders the fact that Google is actually admitting to them.. Greg steers the convo into the evolving future o…

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Surviving the New Google: Suspensions & Appeal Delays, AI Overviews, & the Future of Local Marketing 23:51

9M ago23:51

23:51

Send us a text Greg Sterling and Mike Blumenthal discuss the current state of Google suspensions, the impact of AI overviews on local search traffic, and the evolving landscape of digital marketing strategies. They emphasize the importance of businesses becoming less reliant on Google and exploring alternative marketing channels while navigating th…

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The Real ROI of Influencer Partnerships Beyond Sales w/ Ashton Wall (GateMaker Community) 27:18

9M ago27:18

27:18

In this episode of The Influence Factor, Alessandro Bogliari, CEO and Co-Founder of The Influencer Marketing Factory, speaks with Ashton Wall, Co-Founder of GateMaker Community. They explore her mission to restore the integrity of marketing by putting creators at the center of strategy, and why influencer marketing should power every channel—not ju…