Embedding location-based schema on AI-generated images—trend or trash?

Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Embedding Location-Based Schema on AI-Generated Images—Trend or Trash?
Podcast: Voices of Search
Host: Tyson Stockton
Guest: Helen Pollitt (iStock)
Air Date: December 4, 2025

This episode examines whether embedding location-based schema on AI-generated images is a valid trend or merely another manipulative tactic (a "cheap trick") in the ever-evolving world of SEO. Tyson Stockton and guest Helen Pollitt discuss the ethics, efficacy, and search engine implications of this practice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Central Question: Trend or Trash?

[00:44] Host: "Is embedding location based schema on AI generated images. Is this a trend or trash?"

• Helen Pollitt’s Immediate Take ([00:52]):
  • Pollitt firmly states she considers the practice “trashy to do that because that's just not truth. Is it? If you've generated the image, it isn't from a particular location. Therefore, adding location data is not honest.”
  • While acknowledging why marketers might do it (to potentially increase relevance or ranking for local search), she is ethically opposed.
  • “You're not really fooling anyone. Why try? We don't need that level of sort of spammy manipulation. It's just unnecessary. So I'd say trash.” ([01:16])

2. Search Engine Detection & Efficacy

Host’s Follow-up ([02:47]):

• Tyson Stockton builds on Pollitt’s view, calling it “a little bit of a cheap trick” and notes how easy it is for search engines to identify and flag AI-generated images, especially when paired with artificial location data.

• “That seems to be an easy thing to catch from a search perspective.”

• Helen Pollitt’s Agreement ([03:07]):

  • Concurs and relates the tactic to prior manipulative SEO tricks:
    • “Historically those things have been the cheap tricks ... algorithm updates or manual actions have really kind of tried to stand down on. I wouldn't be surprised if LLMs are also aware or become aware of that sort of cheap trick and try to prevent it influencing their results as well. So yeah, trash 100%.” ([03:10])

3. The Future: Algorithm Updates Against “Cheap Tricks”

• Discussion emphasizes how search engines and large language models (LLMs) have historically targeted and nullified low-value manipulations.
• Predicts ongoing advances in algorithms to specifically address and disregard such inauthentic tactics in the context of AI-generated content.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Helen Pollitt ([00:52]):

  "I'd say it's trashy to do that because that's just not truth. Is it? If you've generated the image, it isn't from a particular location. Therefore adding location data is not honest. I can see why you would do it, but I don't agree with it."

• Helen Pollitt ([01:16]):

  “You're not really fooling anyone. Why try? We don't need that level of sort of spammy manipulation. It's just unnecessary. So I'd say trash.”

• Tyson Stockton ([02:47]):

  “It feels a little bit of a cheap trick...that seems to be an easy thing to catch from a search perspective.”

• Helen Pollitt ([03:10]):

  “Historically those things have been the cheap tricks...algorithm updates or the manual actions have really kind of tried to stand down on. And I wouldn't be surprised if LLMs are also aware or become aware of that sort of cheap trick and try to prevent it influencing their results as well. So yeah, trash 100%.”

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:44: Introduction of the main topic—embedding location-based schema on AI-generated images.
• 00:52: Helen Pollitt’s ethical objection and summary view.
• 02:47: Host’s perspective on search engine detection and “cheap tricks.”
• 03:07-03:10: Helen Pollitt on search engines' attempts to stamp out manipulative tactics.
• 03:30: Episode wrap-up and guest thank you.

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Tone and Takeaways

The episode maintains a candid, practical tone, mixing professional skepticism with a focus on integrity in SEO. Both host and guest firmly agree: embedding location data on AI-generated images is not just ineffective but also unethical, representing a form of manipulation that search engines are increasingly capable of detecting and penalizing.

Key Takeaway:
Attempting to artificially boost local relevance for AI-created images with location schema is an outdated “cheap trick”—not a forward-looking or sustainable SEO trend. The ethical and algorithmic risks far outweigh any perceived short-term gains. As summarised by Helen Pollitt:

“So yeah, trash 100%.” ([03:10])

Transcript

[Tyson Stockton]

The Voices of Search Podcast is a proud member of the I Hear Everything Podcast Network. Looking to launch or scale your podcast, I Hear Everything delivers podcast production, growth and monetization solutions that transform your words into profit. Ready to give your brand a voice? Then visit iheareverything.com welcome to the Voices of Search Podcast. A member of the I Hear Everything Podcast Network, ready to expedite your company's organic growth efforts. Sit back, relax and get ready for your daily dose of search engine optimization wisdom. Here's today's host of the Voices of Search Podcast, Tyson Stockton so, next one.

[Host]

Is embedding location based schema on AI generated images. Is this a trend or trash?

[Helen Pollitt]

I'd say it's trashy to do that because that's just not truth. Is it? If you've generated the image, it isn't from a particular location. Therefore adding location data is not honest. I can see why you would do it, but I don't agree with it. So I would say trash because you're not really fooling anyone. You're not really fooling anyone. Why try? We don't need that level of sort of spammy manipulation. It's just unnecessary. So I'd say trash.

[Sponsor Voice]

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[Host]

And it feels a little bit of a cheap trick kind of in that sense where with how easy it is to identify and kind of flag an IM as being AI generated if you're looking at location data, am I generated? Like that seems to be an easy thing to catch from a search perspective.

[Helen Pollitt]

Yeah.

[Host]

So yeah, I would tend to agree with you on that one too.

[Helen Pollitt]

And historically those things have been the cheap tricks have been the things that the algorithm updates or the manual actions have really kind of tried to stand down on. And I wouldn't be surprised if LLMs are also aware or become aware of that sort of cheap trick and try to prevent it influencing their results as well. So yeah, trash 100%.

[Host]

Well with that, that's going to wrap up this episode of the Voice of Search Podcast. Thanks again to Helen Pollitt from iStock for joining us. If you'd like to contact Helen, you can find a link to our LinkedIn profile in the show Notes, or be sure to check out our company's [e-mail] if you haven't subscribed yet and want a daily stream of SEO and content marketing knowledge in your podcast feed, hit that subscribe button on your podcast app or on YouTube and we' be back in your feed soon. So with that, that's all for today.

[Helen Pollitt]

Look forward to seeing you in the next episode.