Webinar

Local Search in 2026: Expert roundtable and predictions

Wednesday, October 15, 2025   |   5:30 pm GMT   |   45 min

2025 marked a turning point for local search; the most disruptive shift in more than a decade. AI-powered search experiences, Google’s rapid-fire core updates, and major changes to Google Business Profiles reshaped how consumers discover businesses. At the same time, platforms like Apple Maps, Yelp, and even Reddit surged forward, forcing brands to think beyond Google in new ways.

As we kick off 2026, the landscape is evolving even faster. Join our panel of experts as we unpack the seismic changes of 2025 and explore how they’re shaping the next generation of local search. You’ll walk away with clear insights, practical next steps, and a forward-looking view of where local discovery is headed in the AI era.

Register now

What you will take away

  • How AI-driven search is reshaping local visibility and discovery
  • What Google’s 2025 core updates mean for rankings and stability
  • Why reviews, trust, and multi-platform presence matter more than ever
  • Predictions for 2026: generative AI as default search, Apple’s entry, and the rise of alternative platforms

Featured speakers

Joel Headley

Joel Headley
VP of Product
Press Ganey

Prior to working at Press Ganey, Joel notably spent 12 years at Google, where he led Consumer & Partner Operation teams for Geo products such as Google Maps, Google Earth, Local, and SketchUp, as well as integrations in Search and Knowledge Engine. He went on to serve for five years as the Director of Product of Local SEO and Practice Marketing at PatientPop, where he helped grow the company from $1MM to $77MM in annual recurring revenue (ARR). In 2020, Joel founded Leadferno, a SaaS company enabling businesses to create conversations that increase sales lead volume and close rate with omni-channel messaging.

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Scott McNulty

Scott McNulty
Director of Account Strategy
Rio SEO

Scott McNulty is Director of Account Strategy at Rio SEO and an experienced Mobile and Location Strategist. Scott has been working in local search for over 10 years and has over 20 years of sales and marketing experience. Scott is the President of the SoCal Chapter of the LBMA.

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Joy Hawkins

Joy Hawkins
Owner/Founder
Local Search Forum, LocalU, and Sterling Sky

Joy is the owner of the Local Search Forum, LocalU, and Sterling Sky, a Local SEO agency in Canada & the USA. She has been working in the industry since 2006, writes for publications such as Search Engine Land, and enjoys speaking regularly at marketing conferences such as MozCon, LocalU, Pubcon, SearchLove, and State of Search. You can find her on Twitter or volunteering as a Product Expert on the Google My Business Forum.

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Mike Blumenthal

Mike Blumenthal
Co-founder
Near Media and LocalU

Mike has offered web services since 1995 and has focused on Local Search since Google Maps was released in 2004. He co-founded LocalU in 2009 (acq. by SterlingSky) GatherUp in 2012 (acq. by Traject).

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Mr John Doe

Mr John Doe
Chief Story Teller5
ABC Corporation Ltd

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Mr John Doe

Mr John Doe
Chief Story Teller6
ABC Corporation Ltd

Aliquam a risus et purus imperdiet fringilla in nec odio. Nullam malesuada, ipsum sit amet mollis sollicitudin, neque nisi congue mi, vitae fringilla sapien enim vitae risus. Nam accumsan congue nisi. Maecenas urna ligula, tristique non ullamcorper ac, efficitur sit amet velit. Donec vestibulum cursus eros, vel feugiat arcu interdum vestibulum.

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