Google: Maps & Local
SEO year in review 2019: Zero-click searches, BERT, local spam and more
What’s past is prologue. Here’s our recap of the stories that will shape search for years to...
Google now showing ‘request quotes’ button above local pack on mobile
Large button appears above 3-pack, connected to GMB messaging....
Consumers more invested in reviews, but also more skeptical of authenticity — survey
Users now consult multiple sites and expect reviews to be relatively fresh....
Google now shows carousels of reviews on local business profiles
Reviews carousels surface when relevant to the query and the business has enough high quality reviews, a Google spokesperson...
LocalU acquired by Sterling Sky founder and SEL contributor Joy Hawkins
Hawkins says the Local Search Forum & the LocalU forum will merge....
Google extends ‘Incognito Mode’ in Maps to iOS users
Bulk delete in Timeline is coming to Android next...
TripAdvisor buys SinglePlatform to enhance services for restaurants
The acquisition is part of a strategic shift to deepen restaurant relationships and diversify revenues to better compete with Google....
Google confirms Nov. 2019 Local Search Update
Google added neural matching in local search, which is why many are seeing local ranking changes in the past...
Google Maps the dominant local search tool, followed by Facebook and Yelp
The average user is on a smartphone at home – and is most likely to visit a business the next day after a local search....
Nearly 60% prefer PC to smartphones for local search survey finds, but there’s a catch
There are material differences between user behaviors of different generations....
Google’s ‘Duplex on the web’ enables the Assistant to buy movie tickets for you
The move is part of a much larger strategy to host the transaction. ...
2020 SEO trends that will influence your work
Google is aiming to be the end destination of their users' journeys. This, more than anything, defines major SEO trends for...
Google Maps becomes more ‘social’ with Local Guides follow feature
Local Guides are part of the reason GMB and Maps are so successful....
Local business study finds 0% of site traffic coming from email, paid media
Are small businesses not using email or digital advertising? The 'Google Analytics for Local Businesses Study' looked at 11K 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....