Aiwyn
Local Radar: Waste Management, Accounting & HR
In this edition of Localogy’s Local Radar series, we examine newly funded companies Hauler Hero, Aiwyn & OnPay
Meta
Meta’s Elevates its Visual Search Aspirations
This week saw the latest clues in Meta’s beleaguered but potentially-promising spatial computing roadmap. Otherwise known as extended reality, we’re talking about the spectrum of AR, VR, and MR. These are often lumped into the gaming realm but have other endpoints, such as local commerce.
Pro Features
What’s Behind T-Mobile’s Vistar Media Acquisition?
T-Mobile has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Vistar Media. For those unfamiliar, Vistar is a formidable ad network and adtech play in the digital out of home (DOOH) realm. This diversifies T-Mobile’s revenue mix and achieves some synergies with its core business.
Data Scout
Sphere of Influence: Word-of-Mouth Aint What it Used to Be
Based on a survey of 1,000 U.S. consumers conducted in September, a GoDaddy report signals that recommendations from family, friends, and colleagues are losing their potency, given the greater trust that’s now put in the influencer economy.
Pro Features
What Does a Post-TikTok World Look Like?
Though there are orbiting variables that could change the fate of TikTok in the coming days, the current reality is that its “divest or die” congressional act is in effect. What will this mean for SMBs that rely on the platform?
Pro Features
Specialization and AI: Hiring Trends to Define 2025
Where are we now in the world of hiring? Skills marketplace Upwork has ample first-party data to answer that question… and insights to make sense of it all. We recently gathered some of those insights.
Pro Features
Google and Microsoft Double Down on AI Productivity
Two notable AI updates crossed our desks this week: One from Microsoft and one from Google. Both continue to push AI features front & center in their respective productivity suites. This will be a high-stakes arms race for both.
Local Radar
Local Radar: Independent Hotels & Healthcare
In this edition of Localogy’s Local Radar series, we examine newly funded companies Safara, Carecode & Culina Health
Pro Features
Sprout Social Emphasizes the Why and How of Social Marketing
What’s the latest consumer behavior on social media, and how does that translate to brand marketing tactics?
Pro Features
Thryv Ties it All Together with SMB Reporting Center
A few weeks ago, Thryv added an analytics tool to its arsenal of SMB SaaS offerings. Known as the Thryv Reporting Center, it “ties everything together”
Pro Features
TikTok & the Local Landscape: A Conversation with Damian Rollison
What’s the fate of TikTok’s U.S. operations, and what are implications for SMB marketing? We interview SOCi’s Damian Rollison for insights.
Local Radar
Local Radar: SMB Expenses, Cross-Border eCommerce, and Legal SaaS
In this edition of Localogy’s Local Radar series, we examine newly funded companies Mynt, Zimi & Lawhive.
Pro Features
Tiger Pistol’s Planning Guides Get Targeted & Tactical
To kick off 2025, Tiger Pistol has announced a series of planning guides for localized marketing. Following in the footsteps of its “Playbook” reports published
AI
Explore vs. Exploit: The Shifting Ground of User Intent
User intent continues to be a key target in optimizing one’s presence. But the game has changed in terms of how that’s done, given new search players and user behavior. Christian Ward breaks it down.
Google
Google Goes to Washington, Part II: JOTO PR Disruptors Weighs In
What’s Google’s fate if it has to spin off Chrome? The latest figure to weigh in is Karla Jo Helms, whom we interview for her insights.
Pro Features
Will 2025 Be All About ‘Convincing the Machine?’
Appease the mightly algorithm as always been at the core of digital marketing. But that principle will both amplify and take on new forms in 2025 says Christian Ward.
Pro Features
What’s the State of SMB-Focused Website Builders?
CNET recently named the top-ranked website hosts/builders for SMBs. To save you time, we’ll highlight their top takeaways… and also name the companies we believe they missed in their evaluation.
AI
What Does ChatGPT Search Mean for Local Search?
Chat GPT has launched its free search feature – the latest move that disrupts traditional search. We gather insights from Yext CDO Christian Ward.
Amazon
Will Amazon Autos Transform Local Car Sales?
Amazon has found its latest conquest: selling cars. This follows its entries into massive new markets such as healthcare, advertising, and cloud computing.
Google
Google Goes to Washington: A Conversation with Andrew Shotland
What’s Google’s fate if it has to spin off Chrome? The latest figure to weigh in is Andrew Shotland, whom we interview for his insights.