Webinar Wednesday 232 – October 7, 2026

Introduction (00:00:00)

• Brilliant Directories held a webinar to discuss recent platform updates, including a new administrative area and mobile notification features (00:00:12).
• Users are encouraged to subscribe to the Brilliant Directories YouTube channel to receive notifications regarding scheduled webinars and the availability of replays (00:01:20).
• The Brilliant Directories Facebook group serves as a community resource for members to ask questions and observe how others manage their websites (00:01:39).
• Real-time push notifications are now available for the Brilliant Directories mobile app (00:02:08).
• To enable push notifications, existing mobile app users must log out and log back into the application to establish a connection with their website (00:02:27).
• A new administrative dashboard has been introduced, which includes a "Switch Website" feature and a centralized "Notification Settings" area under the system menu (00:03:12).
• After logging into the mobile app, users must navigate to the new notification settings in their browser-based admin area to enable the receipt of push notifications (00:03:26).
• Users can enable mobile notifications for various events, including new member sign-ups, new payments, plan changes, and the acquisition of new leads (00:03:33).
• Mobile notifications become active once a user logs into the mobile app using the same email address associated with their desktop account (00:03:46).
• While notification settings are currently managed via the desktop interface, plans are in place to integrate these settings directly into the mobile app in the future (00:04:00).
• Opportunities exist for collaboration between the platform and external podcast or webinar hosts, specifically regarding topics such as technology, directories, and artificial intelligence (00:04:14).
• Interested parties can reach out to [email protected] to discuss potential guest appearances on webinars or podcasts (00:04:33).
• Webinar Wednesday serves as a recurring forum to introduce new platform updates, many of which are developed based on community feedback (00:05:01).
• The webinar sessions provide a space for users to receive assistance with technical issues, marketing strategies, website management, and revenue generation (00:05:20).
• Participants are encouraged to submit questions via the comments section during the webinar to be addressed during the dedicated question-and-answer segment (00:05:33).

MOBILE APP: Get real-time notifications about your site’s activity. (00:05:42)

• The mobile app now provides support for real-time push notifications regarding website activity (00:05:42).
• Users can access this functionality by downloading the mobile app from their respective app store (00:05:49).
• To activate the feature, users must navigate to the notification settings located within their website's dashboard (00:05:55).

NEW ADMIN: Find settings faster and edit records more easily. (00:05:58)

• The administrative area is undergoing a redesign with the primary goal of making the entire interface mobile-friendly to allow for site management on the go. (00:05:58)
• The redesign includes improvements to record editing workflows and the implementation of more robust filtering options for searching records. (00:06:11)
• The developer hub and the side menu were the first sections of the admin area to be updated with the new design. (00:06:52)
• New filtering capabilities have been introduced, such as those seen on the 301 redirects page, which allow for more specific search criteria compared to previous versions. (00:07:20)
• The updated admin interface will utilize pop-out windows for editing records, replacing the previous system that required navigating to separate pages or using intrusive pop-ups. (00:07:34)
• These pop-out windows are designed to facilitate faster modifications for various record types, including member information. (00:07:49)
• The redesign will expand the availability of one-click export buttons to more areas of the admin dashboard, such as member reviews and leads. (00:08:02)
• The rollout of these updates is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with the development team working through various sections of the admin area. (00:08:29)
• Completing this redesign is intended to simplify the process of adding new features to the platform in the future. (00:08:35)

CODE EDITORS: Switch to full screen or Dark Mode. (00:08:42)

• Recent updates to the platform include quality-of-life improvements for code editors, which are frequently used for tasks such as copying and pasting code with tools like BD Butler. (00:08:42)
• Users now have the ability to toggle the code editor to full-screen mode, removing the previous limitation of working within a fixed height of approximately 300 pixels. (00:08:59)
• A dark mode option is now available for the code editors, and the system will remember the user's preference for this setting. (00:09:09)
• A copy button has been added above every code editor, allowing users to copy all content within the code view with a single action. (00:09:27)
• These features are part of a series of smaller updates being implemented prior to a complete revamp of the admin area. (00:09:34)

GOOGLE CRAWLING: Improved crawl efficiency on large directory sites. (00:09:43)

• Google frequently updates its algorithms, which has led to reports of sites experiencing issues with indexing. (00:09:48)
• Google allocates a specific "crawl budget" to websites, which limits the number of pages its bots will index on a given site. (00:10:01)
• Directory sites often face challenges with crawl budgets because they contain a massive number of pages, including deep layers of search results based on categories like location and profession. (00:10:08)
• To improve crawl efficiency, priority has been shifted toward "money pages"—such as member profile pages and blog posts—rather than search results or thinner content pages. (00:10:28)
• This prioritization ensures that Google’s crawl budget is directed toward the pages that site owners most want to rank in search results. (00:10:41)
• These configuration settings are enabled by default, meaning no immediate action is required from site owners. (00:10:47)
• Future plans include providing a quality checklist of recommended default settings to optimize directory sites for both Google’s crawl budget and AI SEO. (00:10:58)

BD BUTLER: Use Butler throughout the admin and edit pages from the front end. (soon) (00:11:14)

• BD Butler is a feature currently available on a limited number of pages within the administrative area. (00:11:14)

ADMIN: Updated look, simpler workflows and more powerful Butler tools. (1–2 weeks) (00:11:19)

• A new admin area rollout is currently in development, which will feature an updated visual design (00:11:19).
• The BDB Butler tool will be integrated throughout the entire admin area and the front end of the site (00:11:19).
• The BDB Butler tool is designed to function similarly to the "sidekick" feature found in Shopify, remaining accessible as a persistent sidebar regardless of the user's location within the admin interface (00:11:37).
• Users will be able to utilize BDB Butler to request insights, perform specific tasks, and ask questions about data, such as identifying top-selling products (00:11:51).
• On the front end, BDB Butler will be capable of performing actions such as enriching member profile pages by locating and adding social media information to accounts (00:12:08).
• The updated admin area and the expanded availability of BDB Butler are expected to be released within one to two weeks (00:12:26).

FREE TRIAL SITES: Create up to 10 at a time and copy data between sites. (soon) (00:12:35)

• Existing users will soon be granted the ability to create up to 10 free trial sites simultaneously to test multiple concepts or ideas at once (00:12:35).
• The current plan is to allow users to manage up to 10 trial sites at a time, though the exact number is still being finalized to ensure proper balance (00:13:01).
• A new feature will allow users to copy data between their various sites (00:13:05).
• The ability to copy data is intended to help users transfer elements such as custom designs or widgets from an established site to a new trial site (00:13:11).

DRIP EMAILS: Send sequences when users sign up, submit forms, or take action. (soon) (00:13:21)

• Drip email sequences are identified as a significant feature currently missing from the platform. (00:13:21)
• The planned drip email functionality will allow site owners to send a series or chain of emails to members rather than relying on a single automated message. (00:13:30)
• These email sequences will be triggered by specific events, such as a user signing up, submitting a form, or performing other defined actions on the website. (00:13:36)
• The development team does not intend to replicate the full capabilities of dedicated email marketing platforms, but rather aims to provide enough functionality for users to operate their sites effectively. (00:13:50)
• Further updates and developments regarding the drip email feature are expected in the future. (00:13:57)
• The platform developers acknowledge the community for providing feature suggestions and for their ongoing trust and support. (00:14:03)

Claude + Google: Save Time & Grow Your Website (Intro) (00:14:20)

• Previous discussions regarding artificial intelligence integration have focused on the BD Butler tool and the BDM MCP, which allow users to connect their own AI accounts to their websites (00:14:24).
• The current objective is to present more impactful and actionable use cases and demonstrations for utilizing personal AI subscriptions in conjunction with Brilliant Directories websites (00:14:39).
• These demonstrations aim to provide practical examples of how website owners can leverage AI tools to save time and grow their platforms (00:14:46).

Claude + Google: So Many Possibilities (00:14:48)

• Brilliant Directories websites can be integrated with various AI tools, including Claude (AI), ChatGPT, and Grok (chatbot) bots (00:14:48).
• Previous instructional resources are available to guide users through the process of connecting AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT to a Brilliant Directories website (00:15:09).
• The integration process for these AI applications is generally consistent and can be completed in a few minutes (00:15:22).
• Utilizing a combination of Claude and Gmail can assist in increasing productivity, efficiency, and the growth rate of a Brilliant Directories website (00:15:43).
• The Brilliant Directories Model Context Protocol (MCP) serves as a framework that allows AI tools to connect to, analyze, and make changes to a Brilliant Directories website (00:15:58).
• Users can configure recurring tasks within Claude to automate processes on a set schedule (00:16:26).
• Similar automation capabilities are referred to as "skills" when using ChatGPT (00:16:26).
• Because individual use cases and business needs vary, users are encouraged to adapt these AI integrations to fit their specific requirements or explore entirely new applications (00:16:38).
• Connecting AI models to a website provides extensive control and functionality, which continues to improve as new, more powerful AI models are released (00:16:55).

Monday Morning Website Briefing (00:17:17)

• A Monday morning website briefing can be configured to deliver a concise summary of website activity directly to a Gmail inbox or other email providers (00:17:17).
• Using AI tools like Claude (AI), website owners can receive a weekly report that compares current performance metrics, such as engagement levels and member signups, against the previous week (00:17:43).
• The briefing serves as a pulse check or checklist, allowing users to identify actionable items and determine focus areas for the upcoming week (00:18:12).
• Beyond general summaries, the AI can generate a call list of active members, including their contact information and activity history, to assist in outreach efforts like upgrading free members to paid plans (00:18:40).
• This functionality is enabled by connecting the AI tool to a Brilliant Directories site and an email account, such as Gmail (00:18:52).
• Users can connect additional services to the AI, including Google Drive, Google Sheets, and calendars, to further integrate data (00:20:03).
• In a demonstration, Claude was instructed to search a fitness website for the three most recent events, job posts, and members, and then automatically email that information to a specified address (00:20:11).
• The AI is capable of drafting and sending these emails independently using the connected email account (00:20:43).
• Artificial intelligence can be utilized to synthesize data from a Brilliant Directories website by connecting the site to an AI tool and requesting specific analyses (00:21:21).
• Users can prompt AI to generate actionable insights, such as identifying member sign-up trends or geographic clusters, which can then be exported to Google Sheets, Google Drive, or sent via email (00:21:30).
• AI tools can be instructed to perform routine tasks, such as a "Monday morning briefing," to review website activity and provide regular updates (00:21:47).
• Insights gained from AI analysis can help inform business decisions, such as determining where to invest pay-per-click advertising dollars to generate more leads and referrals for members (00:22:51).
• Some AI systems feature internal "wall clocks" that allow them to wake up and execute scheduled tasks at specific times (00:23:29).
• Because many of these automations run locally, users may need to keep their computers powered on for the tasks to execute as scheduled (00:23:44).
• If a computer is turned off, automations may trigger or catch up on backlogged tasks once the device is turned back on (00:24:10).
• Users can schedule automations to run during times when they are typically active on their computers to ensure the tasks execute successfully (00:24:02).
• AI can be prompted to compare website activity across different time periods, such as the past seven days versus the preceding seven days, and automatically email a summary of key metrics, issues, and recommended actions (00:24:24).

Weekly Growth Opportunity Radar (00:24:44)

• Automations can be utilized to identify growth opportunities for websites by analyzing member profile clicks, leads, and published content on a weekly basis. (00:24:44)
• Automated reports can be delivered directly to an inbox, providing a digestible summary that includes the five strongest growth opportunities, supporting evidence, relevant links, and recommended next steps. (00:25:18)
• AI tools can assist in identifying specific member segments, such as the most active free members or those who frequently purchase leads, to determine if they are suitable candidates for membership tier upgrades. (00:25:54)
• Research strategies include searching the internet or competitor websites to identify potential members who might be interested in being listed on one's own site. (00:26:12)
• A specific outreach tactic involves contacting competitors of current members to suggest that they join the site as well, highlighting where they would be listed. (00:26:25)
• Company email accounts can be connected to Gmail, allowing for outreach emails to be sent from a branded domain name while utilizing AI tools like Claude (AI). (00:26:36)
• AI can function as a virtual marketing assistant by researching, providing insights, crowdsourcing industry knowledge, and performing soft outreach tasks. (00:26:49)
• Claude features an internal clock that allows for the scheduling of recurring tasks, such as sending weekly analytical reports. (00:27:16)
• The scheduling functionality for Claude is available through the desktop application rather than the web browser version. (00:27:45)
• Analytical reports generated by AI can track key metrics, such as new posts and content mix changes, to serve as a guide for website performance. (00:28:12)
• Identifying active members and dormant paying members is a strategic priority, as dormant paying members represent the highest risk for cancellation. (00:28:45)
• Engaging or promoting content to dormant members before they decide to cancel can help retain them, though caution is advised to avoid prompting unnecessary attention from those who are otherwise satisfied. (00:28:57)
• BD Butler routines can be configured to automate the creation of industry-related articles, such as news regarding fitness industry leaders. (00:29:27)
• Automated content creation processes can be instructed to include relevant videos of industry icons within the generated articles, though the tool may not always successfully locate a video for every subject. (00:30:04)
• The Monday morning report provides site administrators with configurable data insights to assist in the management and growth of their directory websites. (00:30:40)
• AI tools can be utilized to analyze member profile clicks, leads, and published content to identify growth opportunities and increase member value. (00:30:58)
• AI routines can be programmed to perform data enrichment tasks, such as searching the internet for missing social media links, phone numbers, or biographical information for member profiles. (00:31:33)
• Reports detailing the specific data enrichment actions taken on member profiles can be sent via email on a daily or weekly basis, depending on the size and needs of the directory. (00:32:02)
• For newer websites with limited existing data, AI tools can still be connected to the directory via the MCP to begin leveraging automated features. (00:32:20)
• The system possesses context regarding the nature of a website, its specific subject matter, the niche it occupies, and the likely target demographic of its audience. (00:32:33)

New-Member Onboarding Concierge (00:32:39)

• Artificial intelligence tools can be utilized to perform daily or weekly competitor analysis, identifying successful strategies from similar sites or different niches to provide actionable growth recommendations (00:32:39).
• The BD Butler tool can be used to enrich member profiles by searching the internet for missing information, such as social media links, based on a specific member ID (00:33:07).
• Website owners can integrate AI models like Claude (AI), Codeex, or Grockbot with Brilliant Directories and Gmail to analyze and synthesize site data, providing insights into opportunities or potential issues (00:34:39).
• AI can assist in identifying specific member behaviors, such as flagging paying members who have become dormant or have not logged into the site for an extended period (00:35:00).
• Effective new member onboarding is critical for maintaining engagement and reducing churn, particularly for sites relying on recurring membership payments (00:35:25).
• An automated onboarding concierge process can be established where an AI reviews members who joined within the last 7 to 14 days and sends a daily summary email to the site owner (00:36:04).
• These daily AI-generated reports can include links to member profiles, identify specific missing profile elements, suggest next actions for the owner, and highlight individuals who may require personal assistance to get started (00:36:33).
• Automations can be used to identify newly joined members who have not yet completed their profiles, allowing for personalized outreach to improve member onboarding and long-term retention (00:37:02).
• Users can prompt the system to review recent members and receive an email summary via Gmail that includes profile links, missing information, and recommended next steps for those with incomplete profiles (00:37:57).
• BD Butler has the capability to perform data enrichment on member profiles by searching the internet to populate previously blank fields, such as street addresses, zip codes, website URLs, and social media links (00:38:26).
• Beyond data enrichment, BD Butler can generate directory summaries and search snippets to provide more comprehensive information on member profiles (00:39:07).
• BD Butler is designed to access the live internet to conduct research, including competitor analysis, industry trend identification, and gathering topics for blog articles (00:39:50).
• Users can establish routines within BD Butler to automatically create content such as blog posts, events, and job listings tailored to a specific local market or industry (00:40:52).
• When setting up automated event searches, users can provide custom instructions to narrow results by specific criteria, such as family-friendly activities, competitions, or indoor and outdoor events (00:41:12).
• Users can configure specific parameters to determine the types of posts and routines generated by AI tools (00:41:28).
• Plans are underway to integrate these automated routines into BD Butler in the near future (00:41:36).
• AI models like Claude (AI) can be tasked with reviewing the 10 most recent website members and summarizing their onboarding status (00:41:42).
• The AI process includes identifying which members are missing specific information or requirements during the onboarding phase (00:41:50).
• Automated workflows can be set up to send summaries of member data directly via Gmail (00:41:50).
• Current AI capabilities allow for the enrichment of member data and the generation of actionable insights from website activity (00:42:04).

How to reply from a BD email account instead of Gmail (00:42:16)

• Users can connect a brand's domain email address to a Gmail account to send and receive emails using that specific brand identity rather than a personal Gmail address (00:42:16).
• To configure this, users should navigate to the "Accounts and Import" section within Gmail settings and utilize the "Send mail as" feature to add the desired brand email address (00:42:49).
• Once configured, a dropdown menu appears in the Gmail compose window, allowing the user to select which email address to use as the sender (00:43:38).
• An analysis of the 10 most recent member signups revealed that seven entries contained placeholder emails and five were identified as Core Power Yoga franchise locations, both of which resulted from using the business importer tool (00:44:26).
• A feature has been released for the business importer tool that allows users to skip imports if a company name already exists on the website or to prevent duplicate names within a single import job (00:45:08).
• Users can further refine business imports by using a keyword filter set to "does not match," which excludes specific companies—such as a major franchise—from the search results (00:46:03).
• Artificial intelligence tools can provide insights into member data, such as identifying the origins and current status of recent signups without being explicitly prompted to do so. (00:46:34)
• An onboarding scoreboard can be generated to track specific member details, including profile completeness, email validity, photo presence, and bio length. (00:46:49)
• The scoreboard can be customized to identify missing information, such as profile photos, phone numbers, or short search descriptions, and provides direct links to the relevant member profile pages. (00:47:20)
• Data analysis can highlight gaps across a cohort, such as identifying that none of the members in a specific test group were verified or that import batches failed. (00:47:48)
• AI analysis can distinguish between members who are "onboarding problems" and those who are potential sales leads, such as identifying a member who has logged in and has a nearly complete profile. (00:48:22)
• Proactive engagement, such as calling a member who has logged in to assist them with completing their profile and offering a paid subscription plan, is suggested as a sales strategy. (00:48:43)
• Integrating AI tools like Claude (AI) or Codex with existing platforms and automation services can enhance site management and marketing efforts. (00:49:04)
• Users are utilizing AI to improve SEO by creating "money pages" for conversions and supporting them with linked articles and content. (00:49:25)
• AI functions as a virtual assistant for marketing and copywriting tasks, often operating at a very low cost or for free. (00:49:45)

How to connect a BD email account to another platform using SMTP (00:50:07)

• Connecting a Brilliant Directories email account to a third-party platform, such as a bulk email service, typically involves using SMTP settings. (00:50:07)
• Third-party email platforms generally require users to add specific DNS records, such as MX records, TXT records, A records, or CNAMEs, to the Brilliant Directories site. (00:50:26)
• These DNS record configurations are typically managed within the cPanel area of the Brilliant Directories developer hub, specifically through the zone editor. (00:50:41)
• Users may also need to create and manage specific email accounts within their hosting environment to facilitate the connection. (00:51:06)
• Most third-party email services provide step-by-step documentation on how to connect their platforms to external email accounts. (00:51:13)
• The access provided within the Brilliant Directories cPanel is generally sufficient to establish a connection with a third-party emailing platform. (00:51:29)

Plans for AI-powered data enrichment using credits (00:52:16)

• AI-powered data enrichment will be offered in the future using AI credits. (00:52:16)
• Enrichment functionality is currently being tested internally to make it available for users. (00:52:22)
• There are two planned methods for data enrichment: having the AI search the internet and company websites for information like social media profiles, or leveraging third-party enrichment tools. (00:52:28)
• Costs for third-party enrichment will be attributed to AI credits, with a potential conversion rate such as ten enrichments equaling one credit. (00:52:40)
• Data enrichment is intended to help address issues with outdated member email addresses by using other available data points, such as company names, addresses, or phone numbers, to triangulate contact information. (00:53:05)
• BD Butler will be capable of scouring public pages, such as company contact pages or Facebook profiles, to locate updated email addresses. (00:53:27)
• While some email addresses may remain impossible to find, the implementation of enrichment tools is expected to be particularly beneficial for business directory websites. (00:53:39)

Can BD Butler be used on the front end for advanced member searches? (00:53:54)

• There is an intention to make BD Butler available for front-end member searches, allowing users to find members through an AI-driven interface rather than traditional filtered search boxes (00:53:54).
• A primary technical challenge involves ensuring that AI access respects existing privacy settings, such as member-only content or restrictions that limit which members can view or find other members (00:54:01).
• The goal is to ensure that the AI only retrieves data that a public visitor or a logged-in member is authorized to access based on their specific permissions (00:54:18).
• Once the privacy hurdle is resolved, the plan is to implement a system where users can enter search queries into a chat module or a global search results page to receive AI-generated suggestions and links to relevant records (00:54:29).
• Development on a beta version of this feature is expected to begin within approximately one month (00:54:43).
• The transition toward AI-based search is viewed as highly valuable, as it aligns with current industry trends where sites replace filtered searches with conversational interfaces that provide targeted suggestions (00:54:48).
• Multiple implementation methods are currently being explored to determine the most effective way to integrate this functionality into the platform (00:55:03).

Updates on secondary admin logins for members (00:55:19)

• A request was made regarding the availability of secondary admin logins for members, specifically to allow virtual assistants to access accounts separately from the business owner (00:55:19).
• The Multi-Member Manager add-on provides a feature where a parent account can create sub-accounts, each with its own unique email address and password (00:55:33).
• The Multi-Member Manager allows individual members to manage multiple listings from a single master account, with each additional listing having a login that provides access only to that specific sub-account (00:56:04).
• There is uncertainty regarding whether the Multi-Member Manager add-on fully addresses the specific need for multiple users to access a single account (00:56:28).
• Requests for allowing multiple email addresses to log into the same account have not been popular, partly due to potential security risks (00:56:37).
• The webinar concluded with an announcement that a replay would be posted in the Brilliant Directories Facebook group for further review (00:57:36).
• Unanswered questions can be posted in the Facebook group, where they are monitored and answered (00:57:59).
• The next webinar is scheduled to take place in two weeks (00:57:54).