Welcome back to another episode of Google Business Buzz! This week, Henry Heredia and Chris Blake dive into the rapidly changing landscape of Google’s Search Engine Results Pages (SERPs) and how AI is completely transforming the way local businesses get found online.
Have you noticed your Google Business Profile (GBP) getting pushed down the page? Or worse, that your direct "Call" buttons are disappearing on mobile? Henry and Chris break down the shocking recent data (including a study showing 4 out of 5 map pack searches now lack a call button) and discuss why Google's ecosystem is shifting heavily toward a "pay-to-play" model with Local Services Ads (LSA).
Plus, we explore how AI Overviews (like Gemini and ChatGPT) are pulling data from entirely new places like Facebook, Yelp, and Instagram. If you're a local business owner or a marketing DIYer, this episode is a wake-up call: relying on just one platform is no longer enough. You have to be everywhere.
In This Episode, We Cover:

00:00 Upgraded setups, new podcast etiquette, and welcoming you back!
00:45 The disappearing GBP call buttons and wild changes to Google SERPs.
02:25 Desktop vs. Mobile: How AI overviews and LSAs are altering search results.
04:50 Why ChatGPT and Gemini make omnichannel marketing (Yelp, Facebook, Instagram) crucial for local SEO.
11:00 Why classic Google search is still the undisputed juggernaut, despite the rise of AI.
12:40 Social media targeting, hyper-personalized ads, and the truth about your phone "listening" to you.
15:40 Website traffic vs. qualified leads: When and how to use retargeting ads.
17:50 A recent Small Biz Edge study reveals 80% of Map Pack searches have lost their call buttons.
19:00 The rise of conversational, long-tail searches and why you need to adapt.

Stay Connected with OMG National:
Call: (800)789-4619
Website: https://omgnational.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omgnational/
X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/omgnational
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omgmedia/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omg-national/

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Unlock the secrets to dominating local search results in 2026. If you're a small business owner facing declining calls, this episode reveals why paid advertising on Google is now essential.

Join Henry Heredia and Chris Blake as they explore the radical shifts in the search landscape. Discover strategies to stay ahead, from leveraging AI-enhanced results to mastering local service ads and Google Ads. Learn how targeted PPC campaigns can deliver high-quality leads at a fraction of traditional costs.

We share real-world examples and concrete tactics to optimize your campaigns and convert clicks into customers. Whether you're starting out or refining your strategy, this episode equips you with insights to grow your local presence and boost revenue.

Don't get left behind—hit play now.

Stay Connected with OMG National:

Call: (800)789-4619

Website: https://omgnational.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omgnational/

X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/omgnational

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/omgmedia/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/omg-national/

#LocalServiceAds

#LeadGeneration

#SearchMarketing

#DigitalMarketing2026

#GoogleAdvertising

#SmallBusinessOwner

#LocalBusiness

#BusinessGrowth

#MarketingTips

#MoreLeads

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Is your phone ringing less? Has your Google Business Profile vanished?

In this episode of Google Business Buzz, hosts Henry Heredia and Christopher Blake dive deep into the chaotic landscape of Google Business Profiles (GBP) in 2026. From the sudden rise in verification loops and suspensions to the controversial removal of the "Call" button on organic results, we uncover exactly what is happening to small businesses.

Google is changing the rules. We discuss why the platform is moving toward a "Pay to Play" model, the absolute necessity of Local Services Ads (LSA), and why "beneficial content" is the only way to survive the AI revolution. Whether you are a plumber, a lawyer, or a window tinter, this episode reveals the transparency you need to adopt to stay visible.

0:00 - Intro: Welcome to Google Business Buzz
0:42 - The Current State of GBP: Suspensions & Verifications
2:03 - "Google Doesn't Discriminate": Why Big & Small Biz Get Flagged
4:38 - The Struggle with Google Support & Appeals
6:40 - The "Pay to Play" Shift: Removal of the Call Button
7:58 - Why You Need Local Services Ads (LSA)
9:00 - Real Life Example: How Customers Choose (The Window Tint Story)
11:35 - The Future of Search: Customer Experience & AI
13:00 - Why You Must Be Transparent About Pricing
16:05 - Google's AI "Random Checks" & Default Settings
17:15 - "SEO Slop" vs. Beneficial Content
18:48 - Final Advice: Play by the Rules or Get Left Behind

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Join Henry Heredia, Director of Product Development, and Digital Marketing Specialist Melanie Montaagudo from OMG National as they dive into the evolving world of Google Ads and Local Service Ads. Discover how the digital marketing landscape has transformed, what clients are experiencing, and the essential strategies businesses need to stay competitive and drive profitable leads. From understanding the "pay-to-play" reality of search results to leveraging comprehensive product stacks, Henry and Melanie share expert insights for sustained growth.

Chapters & Titles

0:00 🚀 Welcome: Google Ads & Local Service Ads Discussion

0:30 📈 The Evolving Google Ads Landscape

1:09 🥊 Increased Competition & Lead Challenges

2:34 💰 Pay-to-Play: Sponsored Ads on Google Search

3:41 🌐 Beyond Search: Display & Retargeting Explained

6:26 💸 Rising Lead Costs & Understanding ROI

9:29 ✨ User Experience: Outranking Just Ad Spend

12:03 ❤️ Google's Priority: User Experience is Key

12:44 🛠️ The Ideal Home Service Product Stack

16:14 ✅ Final Advice: Trust, Patience & Smart Investment

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Is your Google Business Profile (GBP) suddenly suspended? You're not alone. In this episode of the Google Business Buzz podcast, we sit down with Kirby, our GBP Team Lead, to uncover why Google is enforcing stricter policies and what it means for legitimate small businesses like yours.

We break down the complex process of getting reinstated and share expert strategies to protect your profile from future suspensions. Don't let your most valuable local marketing tool disappear overnight!

In this episode, you'll learn:

• Why Google is cracking down on profiles to improve user trust and fight spam.
• The common mistakes that get legitimate businesses suspended and how to avoid them.
• How to navigate frustrating Google Support and communicate effectively.
• How to properly document your business to prove your legitimacy to Google.
• Why a verified GBP is more important than ever in the era of AI search.
  
  

Struggling with a suspension or want to bulletproof your Google Business Profile? We can help.
Call our experts for a free consultation at 800-789-4619.
Visit our website: https://omgnational.com/contact/

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Are your Facebook and Instagram ads not delivering the results you expected? 😫 The game has COMPLETELY changed! In this episode of Google Business Buzz, we sit down with Meta Ads expert and Director of Sales at OMG National, Christopher Blake, to uncover the secrets behind successful Meta advertising in 2025.

Forget the old ways of hyper-specific targeting. Chris breaks down why your ad's creative—the video, the image, the text—is now the most powerful targeting tool you have. Learn how Meta's AI uses your authentic content to find your perfect customer, and why simply "feeding the beast" with genuine, in-the-field content can generate thousands of leads for your small business. 🚀

This is a must-watch for any business owner looking to master Facebook Ads, Instagram Ads, and understand the future of digital marketing.
In this episode, we break down:

✔️ The "Golden Age" of Facebook targeting and why it's over.
🎯 Why "Creative is the New Targeting" and what that means for your ads.
🤖 How to "Feed the Beast" and let Meta's AI do the heavy lifting.
📈 The power of authentic, low-effort content to generate massive leads.
💡 The surprising connection between your social media activity and your Google ranking.

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

AI is no longer the future of marketing—it's the present, and it's changing EVERYTHING for small businesses. In this episode of Google Business Buzz, we sit down with OMG National's Director of Marketing, Mike Jeremenko III, to break down the AI revolution in digital advertising. 🤖
Discover the shift from traditional SEO to "Search Everywhere Optimization" and learn how AI platforms like Google's Gemini and Meta's Advantage+ are transforming the way customers find your business. We'll explore why having a strong, consistent online presence across your website, Google Business Profile, and social media is more critical than ever to "feed the AI" and attract new customers.

If you're a small business owner, this is a must-watch to understand how to adapt, survive, and thrive in the new age of AI-driven marketing!


💡 Want to see how your business can leverage AI marketing?
Get a FREE analysis from the experts at OMG National, a Google Premier Partner and Meta Business Partner since 2010.

Visit us: https://www.omgnational.com/

📲 Connect with us:
Facebook: / omgnational
LinkedIn: / omg-national

#AIMarketing #DigitalMarketing #SmallBusiness #GoogleAds #MetaForBusiness

Chapters:
0:00 🚀 The Time to Jump on AI is NOW!
0:29 🎙️ Welcome & Meet the Marketing Experts
1:41 📈 The Evolution of Small Business Marketing (And How AI is Changing It)
4:25 🌐 From SEO to "Search EVERYWHERE Optimization"
5:21 🤯 How Consumers REALLY Use AI to Find Your Business
8:38 🤖 The AI Revolution in Google Ads & Meta Ads

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com

Welcome to the Google Business Buzz podcast! 👋 In this jam-packed episode, we break down the latest insights from Google Marketing Live and dive deep into how AI is radically transforming local search and digital advertising. Our Director of Fulfillment, Anthony Leonardo, joins host Henry Heredia to demystify AI Overviews, the power of Google Ads AI Max campaigns, and why your website (especially with WebWorx!) is more critical than ever before.

Discover why your website is now the undeniable "source of truth" for AI models like Gemini and ChatGPT, and how OMG National's WebWorx ensures your business isn't just found, but trusted. Learn about:
🔍 How AI is changing how customers search for your business, making direct website relevance paramount.

💡 Why an optimized, mobile-friendly WebWorx website is your #1 asset for AI visibility.

📈 The crucial role of E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness) for both organic SEO and paid ads, and how WebWorx is built to demonstrate this.

🤖 How OMG National leverages the latest AI tools to craft human-touch content and ensure your site is perfectly indexed for all AI bots.
📊 The direct link between website quality and Google Ads performance in the AI era.

Don't get left behind! Learn actionable strategies to ensure your small business thrives in this evolving digital landscape with the right website foundation.

If you found this episode valuable, please give us a LIKE👍, SUBSCRIBE to the Google Business Buzz channel, and SHARE this video with other small business owners! Your support helps us bring more jargon-free marketing insights to you.

#GoogleBusinessBuzz #AIMarketing #LocalSEO #GoogleAds #SmallBusiness #DigitalMarketing #SEOTips #AIandSEO #MarketingStrategy #OMGNational #WebWorx #WebsiteDesign #BusinessGrowth

Chapters:
0:00 Intro: Google Business Buzz
0:36 The Shifting Search Landscape & AI Overviews
1:31 AI's Impact on Finding Businesses
2:45 Search: Becoming a Dialogue with AI
4:18 Why Your Website is Critical for AI
5:42 Google Prioritizes Websites for AI Results
6:27 Explaining Website Importance to Business Owners
7:42 The Essential Back-End Code for AI Bots
8:22 Google Ads & AI Mode Integration
9:00 The Growing Importance of Website SEO for AI
11:30 The Future of Ads with AI Search Queries
18:20 Why Human Authenticity Trumps AI Content
19:34 WebWorx: The Human Touch in Website Creation
20:32 AI Tools: Augmenting Human Marketers
22:04 Wrap-Up & Call to Action

Google Business Buzz Podcast
Brought to you by:
OMG National
www.omgnational.com