41 Days, 8 Emails, and One Google Listing That Almost Died

Chris Small

Published on: 16/05/2026

What happens when Google support spends 41 days giving advice that would have erased a client's Business Profile. A war story from inside the contradiction.

AI search optimizationLocal SEOGBPGoogle Business ProfileGoogleAI VisibilityGoogle Business Profile support

Which AI Do Consumers Really Trust With Their Buying Decisions? (And what it means for local businesses.)

Chris Small

Published on: 12/05/2026

Consumer use of AI to find local businesses jumped from 6% - 45% in one year. Here's who's winning

AI VisibilityAEOAI search optimizationGemini AI searchBrightLocal 2026generative engine optimization

Is AI Sending Customers to You — Or to Your Competitor Next Door?

Chris Small

Published on: 28/04/2026

AI platforms are ranking and recommending every small business right now — whether the owner knows it or not. Here's what AI is seeing, why it's getting things wrong, and five tests you can run today to find out where you stand.

AI VisibilitySmall BusinessLocal SEOAEOAnswer Engine Optimization

The Small Town King: When AI Recommends You by Default

Chris Small

Published on: 11/04/2026

In small markets with little competition, AI recommends businesses by default — even with weak websites. But that advantage disappears the moment a competitor does the work.

AI VisibilityLocal BusinessChatGPTAnswer Engine OptimizationAEOLocal SEOSmall Town BusinessAI SearchDigital Marketing