> ## Content Index
> Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.nearmedia.co/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further.

# Near Media's 2023 Top Stories & Trends to Watch
- URL: https://www.nearmedia.co/top-stories-trends-of-2023/
- Published: 2023-12-29T17:35:25.000Z
- Updated: 2023-12-29T18:22:58.000Z
- Description: These are the 2023 articles, podcasts and videos you read, listened to and watched the most.
- Author: Near Media
- Tags: News

Near Media produced a lot of content in 2023: more than 150 newsletters, 50+ podcasts, 22 in depth articles and a [whole bunch](https://youtube.com/@nearmedia2935?si=sQDsxBDcP-eSwGu3&ref=nearmedia.co) of videos. 

Here are the articles, podcasts and videos that you read, listened to and watched the most. And scroll down for some trends to watch in 2024.

### Most read analysis of the year

1. [Missing Google Reviews: A Step-by-Step Recovery Guide](https://www.nearmedia.co/missing-reviews-at-google-a-step-by-step-guide-to-recovery/)
2. [Step-by-Step Guide to Fighting Fake Google Review Attacks](https://www.nearmedia.co/how-to-fight-a-fake-google-review-attack/)
3. [Google Business Profile: 'Your Business Is Not Visible To Customers'](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-business-profile-your-business-is-not-visible-to-customers/)
4. [Google's New Review Algo: What We Know](https://www.nearmedia.co/a-guide-to-googles-review-filter/)
5. [Bug or Feature: Google Business Profile 'Image Not Approved'](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-business-profile-solving-images-not-approved-problem/)

**Honorable mentions:**

- Apple [New Business Connect Features & Implications](https://www.nearmedia.co/why-is-the-new-apple-business-center-so-important/)
- Should You Invest in [Apple Business Connect?](https://www.nearmedia.co/should-a-business-put-energy-into-apple-maps/)
- When Is the [Right Time to Ask for Customer Reviews](https://www.nearmedia.co/when-is-the-right-time-to-ask-for-customer-reviews/)?
- Google [SGE: Meet the New Pack](https://www.nearmedia.co/google-sge-meet-the-new-pack/)
- Google [Shifting GBP Support to 'Brand Ambassadors' aka Gig Workers?](https://www.nearmedia.co/is-google-shifting-gbp-support-to-gig-workers/)

### Most listened to podcasts

*Podcasts are \~30 minutes in length.*

1. [How Local SEO Agencies are using Generative AI & ChatGPT: tips, tactics and strategies](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/14026056-how-local-seo-agencies-are-using-generative-ai-chatgpt-tips-tactics-and-strategies?ref=nearmedia.co)
2. [Overture Map Foundation goes open source to solve 3D mapping for the rest of us](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13069238-overture-map-foundation-goes-open-source-to-solve-3d-mapping-for-the-rest-of-us?ref=nearmedia.co)
3. [Apple Maps KPIs, SEOs & Google quality guidelines, Google SGE usage decline](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13225157-apple-maps-kpis-seos-google-quality-guidelines-google-sge-usage-decline?ref=nearmedia.co)
4. [Do searchers goto the Local Finder?, How many links does a local website need? Google's BS around creating great content](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13512589-do-searchers-goto-the-local-finder-how-many-links-does-a-local-website-need-google-s-bs-around-creating-great-content?ref=nearmedia.co)
5. [Local Search Ranking Factors Survey with Darren Shaw](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/12549679-local-search-ranking-factors-survey-with-darren-shaw?ref=nearmedia.co)

**Honorable mentions:**

- GA4 [enshittification, Twitter alternatives](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13180745-ga4-enshittification-twitter-alternatives-new-ftc-review-guidance?ref=nearmedia.co)
- High Impact [Content Marketing](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13641963-high-impact-content-marketing-in-the-age-of-ai?ref=nearmedia.co) in the age of AI
- Google [loses product search share, Phone numbers hijacked on Google](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13308795-google-loses-product-search-share-phone-s-hijacked-on-google-yelp-scolds-business-for-soliciting?ref=nearmedia.co)
- New [Local ad format, Updated GBP guideline](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13363195-new-local-ad-format-updated-gbp-guideline-clarifies-policies-google-sge-shows-reference-links?ref=nearmedia.co) clarifies policies
- SMBs [search for services, GBP support bends to European regs, no copyright for AI](https://www.buzzsprout.com/1672252/13469671-smbs-search-to-find-services-gbp-supports-bends-to-european-regs-no-copyright-for-ai?ref=nearmedia.co)

### Most watched videos

*Most YouTube videos run 8 minutes. Interviews run 30-40 minutes.* 

1. [Why the new Apple Business Connect is so important](https://youtu.be/6Nx563dX4E0?si=D7mOwhhDlVmsAvLK&ref=nearmedia.co)
2. [Overture Map Foundation goes open source to solve 3D mapping for the “rest of us”](https://youtu.be/QSVDJvB6DnA?si=Ah5dWniDQtS3yN%5Fz&ref=nearmedia.co)
3. [Consumer Reports new app, Permission Slip eases privacy requests but is still a baby step](https://youtu.be/4B9lb6nWrfI?si=ySaquOtf-rOXqps-&ref=nearmedia.co)
4. [ChatGPT has added plug-ins & the web integration and it sucks](https://youtu.be/0qefaGoM23Y?ref=nearmedia.co)
5. [Failings in Apple Business Connect Agency Model](https://youtu.be/BbzLtZc8txk?ref=nearmedia.co)

**Honorable mentions:**

- How Local SEO Agencies are [using Generative AI & ChatGPT](https://youtu.be/KxdhJxgRKPU?si=EgKf0d8KWpquAv4X&ref=nearmedia.co): tips, tactics and strategies
- [How digital agencies can use AI](https://youtu.be/N5Avhh4MwWU?si=doOP3yQhKnqs3O6b&ref=nearmedia.co) with Joy Hawkins & Kevin Indig
- New Google GPB Bug: [Your Business is not visible to customers](https://youtu.be/3fAAy5DFtuM?si=BxMvWBC5Ogdxg%5FHC&ref=nearmedia.co)
- Barry Schwartz Talks [All Things Google](https://youtu.be/jlXCXjW1ozU?si=cthTHs88gWBagGDX&ref=nearmedia.co) \- UI, Algorithms and AI Spam
- The Future of Search & [Implications for Local](https://youtu.be/rcbS0hZ2JDE?ref=nearmedia.co)

### Trends to watch in 2024

- Apple Maps will continue to improve and take on increasing importance to marketers.
- Google Local Service Ads (and other highly visual ad formats) will be shown more, in more categories, cost more and be worth less.
- As the quality of search results continues to erode Google will be forced to offer more "answers" in the SERP, leading to more zero-click results.
- Google SGE and AI snippets will significantly reduce clicks and traffic to publishers for informational queries, especially on mobile devices.
- Frequent algorithm updates and more SERP volatility will continue in 2024, creating continued ranking instability.
- Courts will rule that Google is an illegal monopoly in its default search and ad-tech cases. Google's deal with Apple will end but little else will happen. In the ad-tech case, there will be a forced divestiture.
- Users will continue to seek out alternatives to Google, including AI assistants, but Google's market share will remain largely unchanged.
- Paid licensing content deals with major publishers will become the norm for AI platforms.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/03/80/0380d96d-ef7e-450e-96b3-2963e18aaab5/content/images/2023/12/2024-HNY.png)

**Happy New Year,** 

David, Mike & Greg