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Introduction and Background (00:01 - 10:30)

The conversation opens with Greg Sterling introducing Raj Singh, the founder of Soloist.ai, an AI-powered website builder targeted at small businesses and freelancers. Raj shares his background as a serial entrepreneur, highlighting his previous ventures, such as Pulse, acquired by Mozilla, and his journey through the tech landscape from file-sharing companies to AI-driven website creation. This segment sets the stage by exploring Raj’s entrepreneurial journey and interest in simplifying website creation for non-technical users.

Soloist.ai’s Purpose and Unique Features (10:30 - 39:00)
Raj delves into the features and goals of Soloist.ai. Unlike other website builders, Soloist.ai focuses on simplicity, eliminating design paralysis by limiting customization options and streamlining the site creation process. The platform is tailored for solopreneurs and small businesses needing a fast, functional web presence. Raj discusses Mozilla’s support and Soloist’s AI capabilities, enabling users to build single-page sites quickly. The conversation also touches on Mozilla’s broader mission to avoid dark patterns and keep the product free from hidden fees, making it accessible to freelancers and small businesses.

Future Directions and Local Marketing Challenges (39:00 - 59:39)
As the conversation wraps up, the discussion shifts to the future of Soloist.ai and the challenges of digital marketing for local businesses. Raj explains plans for monetization through Mozilla’s ad network and potentially integrating tools like invoicing and CRM into the platform. The team addresses concerns about fraud, site security, and SEO strategies, with Raj considering features for long-term growth while maintaining simplicity. Emphasis is placed on the importance of local SEO and building trusted partnerships, ensuring Soloist’s continued utility for small businesses seeking to establish an online presence.This structure highlights key discussion areas, showcasing the potential and challenges faced by Soloist.ai in its goal to support small businesses in a crowded website-building market.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 180

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Apple Expands Business Connect Beyond Brick-and-Mortar:

It was announced that Apple Business Connect will now include a broader range of businesses, such as e-commerce, work-from-home, and service-area businesses. Businesses will still undergo the Apple verification process but will benefit from a consistent brand presence across apps like Mail, Apple Pay and ultimately Messages. While non-brick-and-mortar businesses won't appear on Apple Maps, their verified logos will be visible in key Apple services like Siri and Spotlights, enhancing brand trust within the Apple ecosystem. This move strengthens Apple's position as a trusted platform for businesses and customers alike, despite some limitations for smaller agencies and vendors.

BrightLocal Study: Which Directories Matter?

A recent study by Bright Local revealed that while platforms like Yelp maintain a significant presence in Google search results, the majority of high-ranking directories are vertical-specific, varying by industry. Key directories such as ZocDoc for healthcare and TripAdvisor for hospitality were identified as essential for consumer engagement. The study emphasized the importance for businesses to focus on directories that are relevant to their specific verticals, rather than relying on broader platforms.

SEMrush Acquires Search Engine Land & Third Door Media:

The acquisition of Third Door Media, parent company of Search Engine Land and Martech World, by SEMrush was announced this week. The move has sparked concerns about the potential loss of independent industry voices, with fears that SEMrush may shift focus toward promotional content. However, some view the acquisition as a strategic decision, allowing SEMrush to capitalize on the domain authority of these platforms. It is expected that the move will enhance SEMrush’s reach, particularly among beginner and intermediate SEO users, while maintaining a balance between transactional and informational content.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 179

Subscribe to our 3x per week newsletter at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/

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Google Tests AI-organized Carousels in Local Search Results for Restaurants & Bars:

Recent test search results for local businesses on Google, particularly restaurants and bars, have been dominated by AI-organized carousels. Searches like “best cocktail bar” now return multiple carousels sequentially down the page, with categories such as rooftop bars, artisanal cocktail bars, and budget-friendly options. These results feature large visuals, ratings, and addresses, allowing users to scroll through various options to view and choose from local listings. Interestingly, the number of carousels varies depending on the location—New York City displayed more than 12, while smaller cities like Rochester and Buffalo showed fewer or none at all, with traditional results like Yelp or Reddit appearing so far down in the search results below the carousels​ that they are largely invisibile.

Facebook Tests New Local Tab, Aggregating Content from Reels, Marketplace, and Events:

A new local tab by Facebook has been introduced in several U.S. cities, aggregating content from Reels, Marketplace, and local events. This move consolidates previously dispersed local content, aiming to create a more streamlined and engaging user experience. Cities like Austin, New York, and Los Angeles were selected for the initial rollout. While no new content is being created, Facebook is leveraging its existing local data. The strategy is expected to enhance engagement by making local information easier to find, though questions remain about how successful this product will be in the long run.

Google Experiences Significant Decline in Customer Loyalty Rankings Over Past Two Years:

Google experienced the largest decline in customer loyalty among top 100 brands, dropping from 9th place in 2022 to 25th in 2023, according to a list compiled by Brand Keys. The annual report assesses nearly 1,500 brands across 140 industries using consumer feedback. While Google's decline was noted, YouTube rose from 21st to 6th place over the same period. Additionally, ChatGPT entered the list at 49th in 2023 and advanced to 40th in 2024. The rankings, based on customer feedback and loyalty metrics, suggest shifting consumer sentiment despite Google's continued market dominance​.

The Near Memo is a weekly conversation about Search, Social, and Commerce: What happened, why it matters, and the implications for local businesses and national brands.
Ep 178

Subscribe to our 3x per week newsletter at https://www.nearmedia.co/subscribe/