Darren Shaw

In 2005, Darren laid the foundation for Whitespark as a web design and development firm. However, driven by his unwavering passion and insatiable curiosity for the intricacies of local search, he made a pivotal decision in 2010 to shift the company’s focus. This transformative shift led Whitespark to become the esteemed entity it is today.

Presently, Whitespark stands as a renowned authority in local search software and services, earning widespread respect and recognition within the industry. Darren’s extensive experience of over 19 years in the online realm has fostered a deep love and understanding of all aspects of local SEO. He spearheads research initiatives such as the influential Local Search Ranking Factors survey and the comprehensive Local Search Ecosystem study.

As a prominent figure in the field, Darren actively contributes to esteemed search marketing publications, sharing his valuable insights and expertise with the wider community. Furthermore, his expertise and captivating speaking style have made him a sought-after speaker at conferences across the globe, where he imparts his knowledge and illuminates the latest developments in local SEO.

Darren’s remarkable journey showcases his unwavering commitment to the ever-evolving world of local search. Join us as we delve into his wealth of knowledge, unravelling the intricacies of local SEO and exploring the cutting-edge advancements that shape this dynamic landscape.

Darren can be contacted on Twitter @DarrenShaw_ or via LinkedIn.

Recent Shows with Darren Shaw
  • 469 | Local SEO Myths with Darren Shaw
    469 | Local SEO Myths with Darren Shaw469 | Local SEO Myths with Darren ShawInterview / podcastDarren Shaw of Whitespark.ca joins the EDGE in the second of two parts as we dive into the persistent Local SEO Myths. We covering a great deal that Darren has seen for years and we kill them off, one by one. Darren is a fantastic resource for understanding the true impact that Google My Business (now Google Business Profile) has on a local service company’s customer relationship and conversions. Local SEO Myth: Does everything have to be perfect for Google? Local SEO Myth: Using a Call Tracking Number Negatively Impacts Rankings Local SEO Myth: Setting Service Area in Google My Business Impacts Ranking Local SEO Myth: Keywords in the Business Description The Absolute, Most Important Thing to Convey: Trust Local SEO Myth: Geotagging Images Google Knows Your Space, Knows Your Brand, Knows Your Business Local SEO Myth: No One Reads Reviews Anymore Consumer Reviews Are A Conversion Step Shoppers Are Not Clicking Through to Websites Anymore [...] December 31, 2021
  • 457 | Local Search Ranking Factors with Darren Shaw
    457 | Local Search Ranking Factors with Darren Shaw457 | Local Search Ranking Factors with Darren ShawInterview / podcastDarren Shaw of Whitespark.ca joins the EDGE again (been a while) to discuss Local SEO, Google Business Profile as well as his annual Local Search Ranking Factors survey from 40 of the top Local SEO professionals in the business. Get up to date on what affects local search engine optimization and where Entity SEO works into the Local SEO concepts, today on the EDGE. What Does Whitespark Do for Companies? QR codes are back! Stats on Local Search In some industries, Google drives upwards of 90% of all of their business. Google as your new homepage, care of Mike Blumenthal  In the past 6 years, Google has been rolling out a ton of incredible features What are the first steps you help a business owner understand in Local SEO? What is the top local search ranking factor? Three Pillars of Local Search What are citations? Consistency is a myth in Local SEO Local SEO = Entity SEO Get the keywords in the review! The Local Search Ranking Factor Survey Keywords in the Business Name?  Seriously, Google?     [...] November 26, 2021
  • Darren Shaw – How Effective is Yext? – Show 186
    Darren Shaw – How Effective is Yext? – Show 186Darren Shaw – How Effective is Yext? – Show 186Interview / podcastThe Industry’s Favorite SEO Podcast #EDGETALK : Darren Shaw – President & Founder of Whitespark Darren Shaw, President and Founder of Whitespark, joins us on the podcast this week. We wanted to connect with him after is Q&A session at SMX Advanced in June. We also were interested about his thoughts about Yext, a popular local SEO tool. Yext is quite the controversial tool and might not be the best tool to use for most businesses and Darren shares with us why that could be. Also in the podcast we talk with Darren about his thoughts on many things Local SEO which includes, the perfect local SEO landing page, how to get more reviews for your Google and Yelp pages, and what impact Angie’s List will have on the local SEO game. We’re talking with another top leader in the SEO industry – TODAY ON THE EDGE! [...] July 26, 2016