Google: Maps & Local

Businesses can now sign up to add booking buttons to their Google local results

After many questions, Google finally adds a feature to let you easily add a "book online" button to your local business on Google Maps or Google...

Barry Schwartz | Oct 23, 2017 at 8:56 am ET

A brief history of Google’s most important local search updates

How has Google's local search changed throughout the years? Columnist Brian Smith shares a timeline of events and their impact on...

Brian Smith | Oct 20, 2017 at 10:42 am ET

Ignoring these 6 SEO strategies could come back to haunt you

Sure, they're scary, but sometimes it's worth putting on a brave front. Contributor Sherry Bonelli demystifies techniques that can yield sweet...

Sherry Bonelli | Oct 17, 2017 at 11:25 am ET

Google now has 50M Local Guides adding content to Google Maps and Search

The number of Guides has grown by 10x in just one year....

Greg Sterling | Oct 13, 2017 at 9:38 am ET

Markets with home service ads: Service-area businesses are coming back to the local results

There's good news and there's bad news in the local service-area business space. Contributor Joy Hawkins brings us up to date....

Joy Hawkins | Oct 12, 2017 at 1:22 pm ET

Google locally focused ads poised to play important holiday season role for brick-and-mortar brands

If 2016 trends are any indication, search ads aimed at driving offline traffic are likely to have a big impact this year. Contributor Andy...

Andy Taylor | Oct 12, 2017 at 10:39 am ET

Local SEO: 7 Google My Business questions asked and answered

At first glance, Google's offering for local businesses might appear fairly simple. But questions inevitably arise. Contributor Sherry Bonelli...

Sherry Bonelli | Oct 6, 2017 at 11:19 am ET

Are Home Service Ads the death of home-based businesses on Google?

Google is expanding their Home Service Ads across more and more cities in the US, and some home-based business owners are worried. Columnist Joy...

Joy Hawkins | Oct 5, 2017 at 10:46 am ET

Google local finder rolls out website mentions matching your query

After a few weeks of testing, Google is now rolling out a feature that shows local listings can surface content available on local business...

Barry Schwartz | Sep 28, 2017 at 9:15 am ET

Google is making strides with Google My Business 

Though Google My Business isn't perfect, columnist Brian Smith believes that recent updates and added features illustrate Google's commitment to...

Brian Smith | Sep 22, 2017 at 10:21 am ET

Yelp says Google violated ‘do not crawl’ provision of 2013 FTC settlement agreement

Reportedly, numerous Yelp business images were found in Google Maps. ...

Greg Sterling | Sep 12, 2017 at 11:00 am ET

August 22, 2017: The day the ‘Hawk’ Google local algorithm update swooped in

Have you noticed a recent shift in Google's local search results? Columnist Joy Hawkins shares everything you need to know about the 'Hawk'...

Joy Hawkins | Sep 8, 2017 at 5:35 pm ET

6 things you need to know about Google’s Q&A feature on Google Maps

Noticed the new "questions & answers" section in Google Maps app listings? Columnist Joy Hawkins shares her observations about this helpful new...

Joy Hawkins | Sep 7, 2017 at 10:05 am ET

Google My Business now lets businesses edit their listings directly in search results

After months and months of testing, Google is rolling out inline editing in search for local...

Barry Schwartz | Sep 6, 2017 at 3:30 am ET

Google My Business fixes week-long reporting bug with photo insights

Google has finally fixed the Google Insights reports in Google My...

Barry Schwartz | Aug 31, 2017 at 10:17 am ET

Google local pack tests displaying website mentions matching your query

Google local results is aware of the content on the local business website and may even show the matching keyword in the local pack...

Barry Schwartz | Aug 30, 2017 at 4:43 pm ET

Google says we don’t need no stinking location modifiers… or do we?

Google recently stated that users are beginning to drop location qualifiers when searching for local businesses. But is it time for local SEOs...

Andrew Shotland | Aug 30, 2017 at 9:51 am ET

Google Maps Android app adds ‘find parking’ feature to show you nearest parking garage

Starting today, Google Maps users can tap the “find parking” button on the Android app to see a list of parking garages and lots in 25 US...

Amy Gesenhues | Aug 29, 2017 at 5:27 pm ET

Google upgrades flight and hotel search to provide price grid views & more

Google's new features can help you find the perfect route and most economical prices for your upcoming...

Barry Schwartz | Aug 29, 2017 at 3:44 pm ET

Google debuts giant new look for Local Inventory Ad product search in Knowledge Panels

A search bar and multiple product listings are part of the...

Ginny Marvin | Aug 28, 2017 at 4:37 pm ET