Google: Maps & Local
CallJoy, Google’s virtual phone agent for SMBs, gets an upgrade
The service is Google's first real foray into SaaS for SMBs....
Google My Business discontinues toll free phone support
This will impact how quickly your Google My Business issues can be...
Achieving 3.7 Google My Business rating stars delivers highest conversion boost, study finds
Replying to a third of reviews may increase conversions by 80% for enterprise...
What does Google Maps ‘incognito mode’ mean for businesses?
Google is giving consumers more control to opt-out but likely priming the market for more ambitious advertising products in...
The future of search begins with a ‘V’
Voice and visual search will ultimately become significant drivers of query volume beside text input....
Restaurant app Tobiko goes old school by shunning user reviews
The app represents a return to the simplicity of expert reviews....
Google showing mobile ‘search by photos’ option in selected local verticals
The new element appears to not have a fixed position but resides below the local pack, sometimes right below....
A eulogy for Mapquest
Once the dominant mapping site, the decline of Mapquest is a story of disruptive competition and corporate...
Google rolling out ‘Incognito Mode’ for Maps, activity data deletion via Assistant
These privacy controls promote trust and won't impact targeting and analytics....
Businesses can now opt out of Google’s online food ordering
Here's how restaurants can opt out of "order online."...
Store visits now available for Google Ads smart bidding optimization
Now smart bidding can take foot traffic and online conversion actions into...
Google now showing competitor ads on local business profiles
The unit is from Local Campaigns and businesses cannot pay to remove them....
Video: Local search expert Joy Hawkins shares an unexpected finding from her Google reviews research
Hawkins talks to Search Engine Land editor Barry Schwartz about breaking out on her own, buying Local Search Forum and a recent discovery she...
Google’s inconsistency with third-party reviews is a confusing user experience
Google would be better off removing “reviews from the web” because the lack of enforcement with their own guidelines makes it difficult to...
Why is there so little innovation in local?
The alpha and omega of local is now...
Google My Business adds bulk review management
You can now save time and find reviews faster with this new Google My Business...
Hotels can now add services, amenities in Google My Business
Now you can control your hotel details on Google Maps and Google...
Reservations, AR navigation coming to Google Maps
The new features are aimed at making Maps a hub for...
Google discontinues Trips mobile app
Users will be directed to use Search and Maps for their travel...
Video: Mary Bowling on the growth of local SEO and importance knowledge panels
What a fun discussion with this local SEO legend, who has devoted her life to helping small businesses succeed....