Barstool Blog

Interface updates sneak in and shift how profiles perform. Last year’s tweaks helped early users rank better. Don’t miss this round.

What it is: New features in your profile dashboard.

How it works: Sign in, test updates, adapt posts or info. TechWyse notes these tweaks can give early adopters a visibility boost.

What to do this week: Explore the dashboard and update your info or one post to fit new features.

Why it matters: Jumping on changes edges out competitors. It enhances trust through a modern presence, leading to more sales. One store gained 12% more views post-update.

Adopt two features this month, targeting a 10% stats increase.

For more:
eIntelligenceWeb. (2023). GBP 2023: New Features. https://eintelligenceweb.com/blog/google-business-profile-new-features
TechWyse. (2023). GBP Update 2023. https://www.techwyse.com/blog/internet-marketing/google-business-profile-update-2023-everything-you-need-to-know
Google. (n.d.). GBP performance. https://support.google.com/business/answer/9918094

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

One unchecked review can sway searchers away. Alerts and templates let you respond fast and protect your standing.

What it is: Notifications and AI templates for review handling.

How it works: Enable emails for new feedback, draft replies with AI. Local Falcon’s factors rank reviews high, so quick action supports your position.

What to do this week: Turn on email alerts and create AI response templates.

Why it matters: Timely replies limit damage and aid rankings. They show customers you listen, turning issues into loyalty. A diner recovered their rating after setting this up.

Reach 100% replies this month, averaging under a day.

For more:
dbaPlatform. (2020). Main GBP Ranking Factors. https://dbaplatform.com/blog/understanding-main-google-local-ranking-factors
Local Falcon. (2024). Important Local Ranking Factors. https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/what-are-the-most-important-local-search-ranking-factors

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

‘Near me’ searches favor the relevant, not the biggest. Skip local terms, and chains win. Add them to level up.

What it is: Neighborhood and city keywords in descriptions and posts.

How it works: Weave them in naturally, like midtown repairs in your bio. Google’s ranking guide prioritizes this for ‘near me’ queries.

What to do this week: Update descriptions and one post with neighborhood or city keywords.

Why it matters: It outranks bigger names in local results. Drives targeted traffic, earning trust and loyalty without massive spends. A small mechanic overtook a chain after keyword tweaks.

Boost ‘near me’ views by 15% this month in stats.

For more:
Google. (2014). Improve your local ranking. https://support.google.com/business/answer/7091
Whitespark. (2023). Local Search Ranking Factors. https://whitespark.ca/local-search-ranking-factors

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

Guessing your local rank wastes time. Affordable tools reveal the truth. Get one to track and tweak before you slip.

What it is: Affordable rank trackers for positions and competitor checks.

How it works: Subscribe, enter three keywords like your service plus location, and monitor monthly. Whitespark’s factors show tracking helps you adjust fast.

What to do this week: Choose one tool, subscribe, and track three keywords this month.

Why it matters: Seeing trends prevents customer losses to rivals. It sharpens visibility, as consistent tracking leads to better rankings and trust. One service business climbed three spots after monthly checks.

Improve your rank on at least one keyword this month.

For more:
Streamline Results. (n.d.). Best Local SEO Tools (2023). https://streamlineresults.com/best-local-seo-tools
Whitespark. (2023). Local Search Ranking Factors. https://whitespark.ca/local-search-ranking-factors

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

Inconsistent details confuse searchers and drop your rank. As spring traffic rises, mismatched info costs you big. Align everything now.

What it is: Uniform hours, phone, and address on Google and key platforms.

How it works: Start with Maps, then check Yelp and Facebook for matches. BrightLocal’s survey flags inconsistencies as a top issue, so fixing prevents ranking drops.

What to do this week: Audit hours, phone, and address on Maps, Yelp, Facebook, and directories, then fix any mismatches.

Why it matters: Clean data ensures you show correctly in searches. It avoids confusion, builds customer confidence, and keeps sales flowing. A retailer fixed theirs and saw 25% fewer wrong-direction complaints.

Complete fixes for all mismatches this month, aiming for zero wrong-info complaints.

For more:
BrightLocal. (2023). Local Consumer Review Survey. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey-2023
EZ Rankings. (2023). NAP consistency. https://www.ezrankings.com/blog/what-is-nap-consistency
Local Falcon. (2023). NAP consistency. https://www.localfalcon.com/blog/what-is-nap-consistency-in-local-seo

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

Feedback shapes your search appeal fast. Ignore it, and trust takes a hit. Start with quick, personal replies to turn things around.

What it is: Engaging with reviews on your Google profile to show engagement.

How it works: Use an AI template as a base, add the customer’s name, and reply within 24 hours. For a positive one, say thanks for the kind words, Sarah, glad we hit the mark.

What to do this week: Grab an AI template, personalize with names, and reply to all reviews from the last week.

Why it matters: Google’s guidelines note that replies improve visibility and trust. They turn casual viewers into buyers by showing you care—a coffee shop boosted their rating 0.5 stars after consistent responses.

Hit a 100% reply rate this month, with responses under 24 hours.

For more:
Google. (2020). Building trust with your customers. https://support.google.com/merchants/answer/13693865

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.

Last-minute romantics are scrolling for ideas now. Skip the seasonal hook, and they choose someone else. Add a simple update to reel them in.

What it is: Google Posts for limited-time offers right in search results.

How it works: Create a special with start and end dates plus a themed photo. A florist posts roses at 20% off through February 14, pulling in clicks fast.

What to do this week: Add one Valentine’s special with dates and a themed photo.

Why it matters: These stand out to local searchers, driving walk-ins during peaks. Google’s post data confirms they boost engagement, leading to sales and repeat visits. One bakery doubled their holiday traffic this way.

Shoot for 15 more direction requests this month in your stats.

For more:
Google. (2017). Create & manage posts. https://support.google.com/business/answer/7342169
Google. (2015). Special hours. https://support.google.com/business/answer/6303076

About the Barstool Blog
The Barstool Blog is built for small business owners who want quick advice without the jargon. I break things down into what it is how it works what you can do this week and why it matters. For deeper dives check out my #AIgenerated blogs on SEO Social Media and Workflow including ecommerce and CRM. For industry leaders my #AIassisted blog shares a monthly look into business marketing digital strategies content events and AI.