Be the business AI recommends nearby.

The best free resources

1. Local Search Ranking Factors 2026 — Darren Shaw, Whitespark (2025-11-06)
   The industry's standard factors study, now with a separate AI-search category

2. What 200k local AI searches tell us about what businesses get recommended — Mike Hawkes, BrightLocal (2026-09-16)
   200k searches: Maps rank doesn't predict AI picks; the website matters

3. Local SEO and AI: AI is Quietly Taking Over! No One's Ready for This — Joy Hawkins, Sterling Sky (2026-09-21)
   AI Local Packs show fewer businesses and cut calls; what to do

4. The State of Local AEO (Duda AEO MegaWebinar 07.30.26) — Andrew Shotland, SlideShare (Duda webinar) (2026-07-30)
   22M Google and ChatGPT results; local AI tests with results

5. Whitespark's Guide to Google's AI Mode for Local Businesses — Miriam Ellis, Whitespark (2026-05-22)
   Practical AI Mode checklist: listings, FAQs, reviews, citations

6. How to run a local GEO baseline audit — Adam Heitzman, Search Engine Land (2026-07-16)
   Step-by-step local prompt audit: mentioned, correct, or losing to competitors

7. Does ChatGPT Recommend Local Businesses? 250 AI Picks Tested — Ryan Doser, ryandoser.com (2026-10-07)
   Open data: only 23% of AI picks were Google's top 3

8. The AI Visibility Crisis: Why 83% of Restaurants Don't Exist in ChatGPT — — (Local Falcon research), Local Falcon (2026-03-03)
   190k ChatGPT results: local AI visibility is winner-take-all

Curated by effectiveGEOstrategy.com. Every link checked 2026-11-10. Know a better free resource? Tell us.