Why your site needs video watch pages

the last of my local SEO tips for 2025

December 30, 2025

Time for my last newsletter of 2025 🥲

1. Let’s settle this once and for all

Local SEOs just cannot agree on this: Do Google Posts impact rankings?

The answer is, no, they don’t. But also yes, they do. Let me explain.

If you look at the 2026 Local Search Ranking Factors, you will see that Google Posts come in at the bottom of the list, indicating that the top experts do not think they impact rankings.

And I agree with them. They don’t directly impact rankings.

However, the Local Search Ranking Factors also show that engagement signals are a very important ranking factor, and Google Posts will definitely contribute to more engagement on your Profile.

So, everyone is right. Google Posts do not directly impact rankings, but they can indirectly impact rankings by boosting your engagement.

There’s an interesting discussion about this in the LinkedIn comments, too 👀

2. 95% of people don’t know this about Google

Did you know you need to create separate video watch pages on your site? Look at this 👇️

Instagram Reel

3. Two guinea pigs explain review recency

They are very smart!

@darrenshawseo

Here's a local SEO ranking factor that you need to know - Review Recency. #seo #localseo #googlebusinessprofile #googlemybusiness #small... See more

4. Catch up on the pod

For the last podcast episode of 2025, I was joined by the one and only Mike Blumenthal, and we talked about:

  • Google Removing Q&A Feature In Google Maps For AI-Powered Ask Button (Barry Schwartz)

  • A Guide to Web Guide: Our Hybrid Search Future (Dr. Pete Meyers)

  • AI-generated VS Human-written SEO Content (Andrew van Rossenberg)

  • People Prefer AI-written Content (Kevin Indig)

  • The Global Wave of Deleted Google Reviews: What Our Data Reveals About AI, Law, and Trust (Michel van Luijtelaar)

  • AI Mode and Agentic Local Results (Mike Blumenthal)

  • Future of the SERP Is Dynamic (Near Media)

Watch here 👇️

🎧 Or if you prefer listening, you can find it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

That’s all. Happy Holidays and see you next year!

Darren

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