AI Search
SOCi Study: LLM Queries Are 6x Longer Than Traditional Search
According to SOCi, LLM search queries now average 23 words, which is almost 6x that of traditional search engines. What are tactical takeaways for marketers?
Nextdoor
Is Ring Local Media’s Next Sleeping Giant?
Is Ring a sleeping giant in the world of local media, advertising, and commerce? This is a field that’s led by the Googles, Yelps, and Metas of the world. But does the Amazon-owned Ring have an underutilized set of assets that it could activate any time to compete with these incumbent giants in Local?
AI
Google Embeds Gemini Deeper into Maps … and Search Gets More Conversational
As Google continues to flex its muscles with Gemini, the latest search product getting an AI infusion is mapping and navigation. By bringing Gemini to Google Maps, users can have conversational dialogues, a la AI Mode, as they’re out shopping or looking for something to eat in a new neighborhood.
Harmony
Wix Harmonizes Vibe Coding with New Tool
Wix this week launched Harmony, a new vibe coding tool that will help individuals and developers streamline the process of building websites. With lots of moving parts, one of Harmony’s hallmarks is balancing the right dose of AI for automated workflows, while preserving human agency and creativity.
AI
HR for AI: How Can People Strategies Support AI Adoption?
Among the many angles surrounding the AI discussion these days, one that’s seldom discussed is how the technology is integrated into a given organization. We’re not talking about product integrations – though that’s closely related – but rather AI’s integration into company culture.
AI Search
SOCi’s LVI Report Reveals How AI Is Rewriting Local Search Visibility
Search and social visibility powerhouse SOCi has released its 2026 Local Visibility Index. The wide-reaching report reveals tactics that multi-location brands should execute to boost presence in local search and AI engines.
Pro Features
Can AI Tip the Scales Toward All-in-One SMB SaaS Platforms?
Among all the areas that AI could accelerate and elevate, another one occurred to us recently: All-in-one software offerings. These SMB SaaS platforms span several marketing and operational functions. How does AI align? The technology’s need for federated data compels platforms that process more stuff.
Pro Features
Yelp’s $300M Hatch Deal Signals a Bigger Bet on AI for SMB Operations
Yelp is expanding its push beyond marketing and deeper into SMB operations with the acquisition of AI-powered lead management platform Hatch. The $300 million deal strengthens Yelp’s ability to help local service businesses convert leads, automate customer communications, and reclaim time through AI-driven workflows—signaling a continued shift toward operational SaaS for SMBs
Pro Features
Thryv’s Joe Walsh on Taking a Measured, Practical Approach to AI for SMBs
As AI spending and hype accelerate, Thryv is taking a more disciplined path – a path that’s less about transformation for its own sake and
Pro Features
ChatGPT Healthcare Spinoff Faces Backlash
About a week after ChatGPT announced that it will spin out a healthcare version of ChatGPT, we’ve seen some backlash and ripple effects throughout the healthcare and digital media landscape.
chatgpt
OpenAI Opens the Floodgates for Ads in ChatGPT
OpenAI has announced what everyone knew was coming at some point: ads in ChatGPT. The company will begin testing ads in the U.S. in its free tier and $8 per month “Go” tier.
Pro Features
Scorpion Expands SMB Video Push With TikTok Partner Status
Scorpion this week strengthened its marketing muscle. The SMB-focused digital marketing powerhouse has officially joined TikTok’s Marketing Partner Program as a badged Marketing Technology Partner. This will broaden and embolden Scoripion’s already-robust capabilities in SMB marketing.
Apple
Can Google Revive Apple’s Struggling AI Strategy?
Google and Apple have announced that Gemini will be the brains behind Apple’s long-awaited and AI-upgraded Siri. It will power Apple’s flagship personal assistant and elevate it to the standards of the AI age.
HR
How Vendasta Aligns People Strategy With Product Success
In November, Vendasta was named one of Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures™ by Watersone Human Capital. What best practices and lessons led to this accolade. We talked to Vendasta VP of People Operations Jean Parchewsky to find out.
local marketing
Why Pizza Franchises Are Becoming a Test Case for AI-Powered Local Marketing
Entitled Slices of Influence: The Pizza Franchise Marketing Playbook, Tiger Pistol’s latest playbook zeroes in on national multi-location pizza brands and how they can excel in AI SEO.
chatgpt
OpenAI Creates a Healthcare-Focused ChatGPT Experience
Amidst OpenAI’s master plan to take over the universe, today’s prize goes to whoever had healthcare on their bingo card. OpenAI announced that it will create a forked ChatGPT environment that’s purpose-built for healthcare queries and chatbot-centric conversations. This is the beginning of something bigger.
AI
Vendasta Launches AI Reputation Management Employee to Scale Review Responses
Expanding from the AI receptionist that it launched back in August, and the marketing agent it rolled out just a few weeks ago, Vendasta is out with its latest AI employee: a reputation management specialist.
AI
Amazon Embeds Local Commerce Into Its AI Strategy With New Alexa+ Integrations
Amazon recently showed its hand with respect to local commerce. It will launch apps within Alexa+ for local commerce staples, such as Angi, Square, Yelp, OpenTable, and Thumbtack.
Pro Features
Can Tiger Pistol’s CA-Studio Help Marketing Agencies Scale?
Tiger Pistol is out this week with the latest addition to its arsenal, a product that it’s calling the Creative Automation Studio for Marketing Resellers. Abbreviated as CA-Studio, it’s an AI-fueled environment for local marketing agencies and resellers to create campaigns with speed and ease.
Local Radar
Local Radar: Fintech, Home Services & Housekeeping
In this edition of Localogy’s Local Radar, we examine newly funded companies LaceAI, Faireez & Finom