Link building is a must no matter what. On the other hand, local SEO is much easier and you get the benefits of EMDs if it's service-related. I've had mind-blowing results with PBN link building, and the best part is it's almost cost-free with AI era. I am having very opposite results than other users saying. I am running specific product and target specially for local location and I am number one at AI content and no PBNs nothing just EMDS (location based) and para sites blasts with tier 2 links which I built with Codex Sol 5.6 + GSA SER,zenno and MR .