Research Reports

Local marketing intelligence.

Data-backed research for Des Moines-area businesses, refreshed monthly.

July 8, 2026
The Des Moines Small Business Visibility Report 2026
We scanned 411 Des Moines-metro small businesses across 12 local industries. Median 4.8 stars — but 59% sit below the 150-review line where AI search starts naming businesses, and 1 in 6 has no website at all. The local visibility gap, quantified.
June 15, 2026
Local SEO Ranking Factors: What Actually Moves the Needle in 2026
GBP still dominates the Local Pack, but the game shifted — review recency now beats raw count, social signals are a factor, and AI Overviews are a whole new visibility layer with a 150-review floor.
May 20, 2026
Digital Marketing for Local Businesses: What's Working in 2026
What's working, what's shifting, and what to act on — synthesized from web, industry, and community signals. The headline: 47% of local businesses still have zero AI-search strategy.