Google GBP Suspensions Update, AI in Local Search, Google Selling Chrome? & Tesla’s Brand Freefall

Buckle up for another Near Memo packed with search drama, AI experiments, and a high-speed Tesla takedown. Mike and Greg dive into Google’s ongoing Business Profile suspensions, unpack the latest AI-driven search changes, and speculate on whether Elon Musk has permanently tanked Tesla’s brand. Plus, a peek at Google’s antitrust battle and what losing Chrome could mean for search dominance.

00:00 The State of Google Business Profile Suspensions
09:39 Trump's DOJ to Force Google to Sell Chrome?
12:26 AI Mode and Local Search
24:59 Tesla's Brand Reputation Crisis

The State of Google Business Profile Suspensions: What’s Going On?

Google Business Profile suspensions are on the rise, and support is crawling at a snail’s pace. Mike breaks down why small businesses should not touch their listings right now (seriously, don’t even breathe on them). Is this a bug, a crackdown, or just Google losing control of its own algorithm?

Google’s Antitrust Battle: Will Chrome Be Sold Off?

The DOJ wants Google to offload Chrome as part of its latest antitrust smackdown. Google, of course, thinks that’s a terrible idea. But if the judge agrees, this could shake up search in a big way—especially since Chrome feeds Google a ton of juicy user data. The appeal process will be long, but this could be the biggest change to Google’s search empire in years.

AI Mode and Local Search: A Game Changer or a Mess?

AI-powered local search is officially here! Greg takes us on a tour of Google's experimental AI Mode, which is serving up completely different local results than the usual search listings. Businesses, buckle up—this could make optimizing for local search way more unpredictable. Is AI Mode the future, or is it just another search rabbit hole?

Tesla’s Reputation Crisis: Can the Brand Recover?

Tesla's reviews are tanking, and it’s not just because of Elon’s Twitter antics—customers are furious about service and quality issues. But now that Musk has also alienated half his customer base, things are getting worse. Will Tesla pull a Microsoft-style comeback, or is this the beginning of the end? Mike and Greg break it down.

Takeaways
There has been a dramatic increase in Google Business Profile suspensions since January.
Google's support is resource-constrained, leading to delays in addressing suspensions.
Businesses should avoid making changes to their Google profiles to prevent further complications.
The Department of Justice is pursuing antitrust actions against Google, which could lead to significant changes in the market.
AI mode in local search is showing different results compared to traditional search methods.
Tesla's brand reputation is suffering due to a combination of service issues and political controversies surrounding Elon Musk.
The correlation between Tesla's sales and declining ratings suggests a complex relationship between customer satisfaction and sales performance.
Google's algorithm changes may be causing unintended consequences for businesses.
The verification process for Google Business Profiles is often seen as irrational and overly rigid.
The future of Tesla's brand depends on addressing service issues and the public's perception of Elon Musk.

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