Google confirmed a bug in Local Services Ads (LSA) making businesses show up in search results for their competitors’ names.

Interestingly, this issue popped up only two weeks after Google began testing Direct Business Search, which is essentially a branded version of LSA. Google assured Search Engine Land that under this new ad type, only your business should show up in search results when your brand is searched – so clearly, something has gone wrong somewhere along the road.

Unfortunately, it seems like Direct Business Search hasn’t exactly made the best impression on advertisers so far.

Nicola Agius,
Paid Media Editor

PPC

Google investigating Local Services Ads bug

Google Ads is working on a fix to prevent businesses from appearing in search results for their competitors' names.

SEO

Google SGE testing and development is ongoing, growing

Google's Search Generative Experience presence is growing in industries and new countries. Here's what the latest SGE activity signals.

PPC

LinkedIn publishes actionable steps before third-party cookie deprecation

The platform released a new guide outlining five key steps to take right now to maximize performance in the privacy-first era.

SEO

How to improve and monitor Interaction to Next Paint

What you need to know about Interaction to Next Paint, Google’s new Core Web Vitals metric.

MarTech webinar

AI-Driven Content Strategies for 2024

Join this webinar to learn how to leverage AI across your content ops to drive more efficient and effective marketing workflows and digital experiences.

SearchBot

Best of SearchBot: Guide me through a technical SEO audit

We ask Search Engine Land's SearchBot how to carry out an effective technical SEO audit.

SEO

How to speed up site migrations with AI-powered redirect mapping

Website migrations often involve painstaking redirect mapping, but AI can help. Here's a walkthrough of the process to help you save time.

SEO

Project management for in-house SEO teams: 6 best practices

Master project management for in-house SEO teams and navigate the never-ending flow of SEO projects while supporting broader business goals.

SEO

The latest jobs in search marketing

Land your next job in SEO or PPC. These brands and agencies are hiring to fill open search marketing positions right now.

Content marketing

Reducing time spent searching for assets

Download this guide from Adobe and learn how to help your organization build a connected content supply chain.

PPC

Google Ads API version 16 is launching

The updated Google Ads offers new capabilities and features to help track campaign performance more efficiently.

PPC

Instagram expands Creator Marketplace to help brands find creators for ads

The feature will be introduced to eight new markets in the coming weeks.

Become a master of search

This week: Live training + Q&A with search marketing experts

Sharpen your search marketing skills, expand your horizons, and stay a step ahead of the competition with the SMX Master Classes, happening online this Wednesday and Thursday (Feb. 28-29).

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