Google Business Profile
Search Engine Land is your definitive source for Google Business Profile news and content. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data-driven insights to help you optimize your local search presence, work smarter, and make better decisions.
Why Google Business Profile matters for your strategy
Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for businesses looking to attract local customers, improve their online visibility, and manage customer relationships effectively. With new features like AI-transcribed menu uploads, staying updated on GBP innovations can significantly impact your local SEO strategy. Whether you’re optimizing GBP listings, managing reviews, or utilizing advanced insights, this page offers tools and tips tailored to your business goals.
Our comprehensive coverage ensures you stay ahead of trends, such as new features for Google Business Profile, changes to local search algorithms, and actionable tips for maximizing the impact of your GBP; we break down what these changes mean for your local SEO strategy.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, alongside subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
Explore strategies to improve your local visibility, manage customer interactions seamlessly, and improve your business’s reputation online
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Google My Business API v4.3 has been released
The new Google My Business API adds read and respond to customer Q&A, read reviews in bulk, identify unclaimed locations, report location issues and much more.
Did you know you can report Google Maps-related spam calls and other violations to Google?
Google local has its share of spam and manipulation issues. There's a form you can use to report some of those violations.
SearchCap: Google hotel packs, impression share target & user comments in search
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Cast your vote: Let’s give ‘exact match’ real meaning with a new nameNov 19, 2018 by Ginny Marvin We’re holding a totally unauthorized vote to rename exact match. Cast your best […]
Google My Business Insights to get more recent data
Google promised to reduce the latency of the Google My Business Insights reports and tools.
SearchCap: Survey for agencies, Cortana app update, Bing Ads headlines, more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Help us understand how digital agencies are evolving: Take our survey Nov 15, 2018 by Ginny Marvin If you work at a digital agency, we want to hear from you. Getting […]
SearchCap: Google My Business app, Bing ads insights & web site trust
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing Ads’ Competition Tab offers new insights, recommendationsNov 14, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Now rolled out globally, advertisers can access deeper Auction Insights and machine learning-powered recommendations. Google releases improved GMB […]
Google releases improved GMB app: Now much more than a local listings management tool
GMB is becoming a customer relationship management and "engagement" platform.
SearchCap: Google News update coming, local features & Search Console stats
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Digital work crisis — take the survey…Nov 5, 2018 by Search Engine Land You’re not alone. And we want to hear from you. MarTech Today and Workfront are conducting a survey […]
Google My Business rolls out feature for new businesses, updates local service area settings
Here are two changes that happened in local search over the weekend.
SearchCap: Google Assistant GMB setting, voice assistance & SMX West
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: The age of voice assistance and a new input paradigmNov 2, 2018 by Eric Enge SMX East’s opening keynote from Google’s Naomi Makofsky outlined how marketers can find opportunities for the […]
Google asks SMBs if they’ll accept calls from Google Assistant
Google is testing business owner interest in receiving calls from an AI robot.
SearchCap: Google SEO feedback, fake local reviews & Google walkout
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google employee walkout followed by call for Google blackout at 11:10 am Pacific timeNov 1, 2018 by Greg Sterling There is a call to users to stop using Google services for […]
Google Maps ‘Follow’ button gives businesses a new way to connect with users
Users can get updates from businesses in the "For You" tab.
SearchCap: Bing Search Ads with LinkedIn data, Google cache bug resolved & cross channel attribution
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google fixes the cache 404 issue with mobile-first indexingOct 23, 2018 by Barry Schwartz After several months, Google has fixed the bug that caused the cache page to fail to load. […]
SearchCap: Bing Ads conversion reporting, Google local pack booking & Apple search ads
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Apple search ads expected to generate $2 billion in revenue by 2020Oct 22, 2018 by Amy Gesenhues The ad units are on track to bring in $500 million by the end […]
SearchCap: Reporting delays in Google Search Console, navigate in search & structure data
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: ‘Navigate’ query prompts Google to ask, ‘Were do you want to go?’ Oct 19, 2018 by Barry SchwartzA new one-box answer now gives you quick access to driving directions in Google […]
SearchCap: Google My Business Insights, search industry honors Barry Schwartz, more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: 5 ways ignoring SEO could affect your bottom line Oct 18, 2018 by Stephan Spencer It may be possible to run a business in 2018 without doing search engine optimization, but […]
Is Google rolling out a new more graphics-heavy design for local pack results?
Make sure to get your business photos in Google My Business in tip-top shape.
Google My Business Insights adds branded search reporting
Google added a new metric in the local Insights report to show how many people search for your brand.
SearchCap: Schema strategies, Google Shopping Insights, Google Cache
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google Ads Report Editor gets two new landing page reports Oct 16, 2018 by Ginny Marvin New columns are available with an update to what was the final URL report. Developing […]
SearchCap: Google Discover ads, YouTube engagement metric & PPC tools
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: YouTube now counts ‘engagement’ for YouTube for action ads at 10 seconds, not 30Oct 15, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Google says the new attribution will better reflect the role of video […]
SearchCap: Google Ads recording calls, Sitelinks snippets & Google Easter Eggs
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Updated: The big list of Google Easter eggsOct 9, 2018 by Chris Sherman We’ve updated this post to include new Easter eggs that Google has placed as part of its 20th […]
SearchCap: Google+ closing down, Bing Ads Editor in-marketing audiences & Google My Business analytics
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing Ads Editor now supports in-market audiencesOct 8, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Manage in-market audience associations in bulk. Google to close Google+ after 7 years: A look back at the impact […]
Google to close Google+ after 7 years: A look back at the impact it once had on Google search
This should come as no surprise, Google is closing down Google+ over lack of use and security issues.
SearchCap: Bing political ads & Google Search Console issues
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Bing votes ‘no’ on political candidate and ballot measure adsOct 5, 2018 by Amy Gesenhues The policy will not likely impact Bing’s ad revenue as the search engine reports political ads […]
Google Search Console snapshot arrives in search results
Google may be testing a way to get more site owners to look at their Google Search Console data.
SearchCap: Google family led icon, link building and SEO audits
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: A basic SEO audit for small businessesSep 28, 2018 by Marcus Miller Most small businesses can perform a simple audit and improve their SEO considerably without involving an agency. Ten steps […]
Google adds new ‘family-led’ attribute to Google My Business profile
Joining the women-led and veteran-led icons is a new family-led icon for your Google local listings.
SearchCap: Shoppable Image ads debut at Google, GMB testing new feature, building citations & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: New report from MarTech Today: Enterprise Customer Data Platforms: A Marketer’s Guide Sep 14, 2018 by Digital Marketing Depot The customer data platform (CDP) market is expected to generate $1 billion […]
Google My Business testing future opening dates in the local panel for new businesses
Google can let searchers know when a new business will be opening its doors.
6 ways the August core algorithm update impacted local business
Was your site affected by the recent core algorithm update? Here's a look at the changes made to local and small business sites after the update.
SearchCap: Google launches Google Dataset Search, insider look at SMX East & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Here’s an exclusive insider look at SMX East Sep 5, 2018 by Chris Sherman Search Engine Land’s SMX® East returns October 24-25. We’re bringing a revamped, updated agenda and more than […]
Search Cap: Google Ads Overview page changes, GSC updates, Bing WMT & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Now you can make edits to keywords, ads, campaigns, bids right from the Google Ads Overview page Aug 30, 2018 by Ginny Marvin Make quick changes on the fly from several […]
Google My Business API v4.2 has been released
New features in the Google My Business API include verification options, new location end points, expanded search, chain membership and product posts.
SearchCap: GMB gets new ‘veteran-led’ attribute, smartphone shopping survey, SEO nerds & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Don’t take it from us. Here’s what SMX attendees say! Aug 28, 2018 by Search Engine Land Attending a conference is an investment. You expect sessions, keynotes and clinics that unearth […]
Google adds new ‘veteran-led’ attribute to Google My Business profile
It becomes the second business owner identity attribute, following 'women-led' in March.
SearchCap: Managing multiple GMB listings, malicious content take down & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: How to manage multiple GMB listings for service area businesses Aug 24, 2018 by Brian Smith Contributor Brian Smith offers insights on how service area businesses can use GMB’s bulk syndication […]
Ask an SMXpert – Significant changes to local search
Looking for a way to maximize local ads or geotargeting? SMXperts Dana DiTomaso, David Mihm and Andy Taylor share valuable tips and advanced tactics to help you succeed in local search.
SearchCap: Google’s latest algorithm update, local SEO myths & the Mary G. Ross doodle
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google extends added character benefits of Responsive Search Ads to text adsAug 9, 2018 by Ginny Marvin The new text ad format will continue to roll out this fall. In the […]
SearchCap: Ask an SMXpert, Google update fully rolled out, paid search campaigns & more
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Google’s August core search algorithm update is now fully rolled out Aug 8, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Some SEOs are seeing more fluctuations with the Google rankings now, but Google has […]