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
Don’t miss out! Get the Search Engine Land newsletter delivered daily to your inbox. Subscribe for free and stay ahead in the ever-changing landscape of local search marketing!
Google Business Profile chat and call history going away
July 31, 2024 Google will shut down call history and chat - you can download your history now.
How to reappeal a Google Business Profile suspension
Follow these steps to appeal your GBP suspension and increase your chances of getting reinstated on Google Maps and local search results.
What to do when Google changes your GBP information
Learn how to effectively manage and protect your Google Business Profile from unexpected updates by Google.
Google Business Profiles tools are temporarily unavailable
Verification status, managing appeals and managing reviews currently may not be working.
Google Business Profile websites are now redirected to Google Maps
Eventually these redirects will go away and the website URLs will lead users to a dead end.
Google removes option to see more local results in the search results
It is unclear if this was intentionally removed or if this is a bug that Google will fix soon.
Google gets tough on third-party ordering and booking providers hogging GBP listings
Google mandates third parties to let merchants easily disconnect services from Business Profiles. Learn more about the new opt-out process.
Google local pack not showing for many searchers
In some regions outside of the US, some are seeing local packs in the Google search results but in many regions they are not.
Google says it took down 45% more fake reviews in 2023 thanks to new algorithm
Google also shared new stats on actions it took in 2023 to block fake reviews and local listings.
Local SEO success: How to track rankings, conversions, calls
Learn tips for setting up and analyzing local SEO ranking reports to uncover opportunities and measure success.
Google Business Profile performance insights: What you need to know
Learn how to access and understand your Google Business Profile's performance. See metrics for views, calls, directions, bookings, and more.
Google is shutting down websites made with Business Profiles
Businesses wanting to maintain their online presence will need to rebuild their sites using an alternative platform.
Google local search ranking algorithm strengthens ‘openness’ signal
If your business isn't open 24/7, Google does not recommend you change your business listing to be open 24 hours per day.
Google adds small business filter to shopping search results
Google said it is "making it easy for U.S. shoppers to discover and shop at small businesses this weekend and beyond."
Google Business Profiles adds disabled-owned attribute to listings
Google also added new accessibility features to Google Maps.
How to follow Google Business Profile guidelines
Here's why understanding Google's guidelines is vital for your Business Profile's success and how to avoid suspension.
Google Business Profiles to let you manage your social links
While Google showed social media profile links for local listings for a long time, Google Business Profiles may soon let you manage those links.
Google files lawsuit over fake review scams
Google said in this case the alleged scammers created 350 fraudulent Business Profiles and over 14,000 fake reviews.
Google SGE now uses photos and reviews from Google Business Profile listings
Google has updated the Search Generative Experience to use Business Profile data for its AI-snapshots.
Google Local Service Ads mass policy violations
Google is investigating if this is a bug or a new enforcement of some kind.
5 reasons your Google Business Profile might get suspended
Some “unwritten” rules can trigger your GBP's suspension and impact your local search visibility. Here are some violations to watch out for.
Google Maps can detect fake phone numbers in photos and remove them
Google also shared some states on how it fought fake reviews and content in local search.
How ChatGPT can help with local SEO
From Google Business Profile to reviews and local link building, here are specific ways ChatGPT can (and can't) help in local SEO.
Google local map pack goes missing in search results (now fixed)
The local pack that Google generally shows for queries with local intent has gone missing.
Google rolling out cars for sale in Google Business Profiles
US-based dealerships can now add all their inventory to their local business profile in Google.
Google Business Profiles to stop allowing price ranges on products on February 15
Also, Google will no longer support custom call to actions.
Location pages in Google’s crosshairs after October spam update
Ranking drops and deindexed pages are plaguing service area business sites. Let's explore the potential cause and what local SEOs can do.
Google files lawsuit against company falsely promising Page 1 rankings
Google's lawsuit alleges that a company called G Verifier scammed and harassed hundreds of Business Profile merchants.
Don’t fall for fake ownership requests for your Google Business Profile
There are reports of an increase in fraudulent ownership requests, so be careful.
Report: Google Business Profiles bug causing reviews to disappear
A bug with automatically applied suggested edits leads to some businesses seeing all their reviews vanish from Google.
Google review guidelines say discouraging negative or selectively soliciting positive reviews is not allowed
Google is now being very explicit about this in their guidelines, so be careful.
How to turn your Google Business Profile into a revenue-generating channel
An enhanced GBP can drive more traffic, leads and sales to your local business. Focus on these areas when optimizing your Business Profile.
Google Business Profile guidelines updated to include products
Product listings on Google Business Profile give advertisers and retailers a new way to promote in-store items.
Google updates Business Profile posts spam policies
The posts that do not comply with this guideline may be rejected and removed from Google Maps and Google Search.
Google adds Asian-owned attribute to business profiles
These labels can help some businesses with visibility and potentially increase conversions.
Google adds automated messaging through Business Profiles frequently asked questions
For small businesses, this can help reduce necessary resources to respond to customer questions in Google Search and Google Maps.
Google My Business mobile app has stopped functioning forever
You can no longer use the app to make profile edits, communicate with customers and so on.
Google introduces three new travel products for hotels
Hotels will now have a much easier streamlined process for adding room rates and availability to their Google Business Profiles.
Google now allows virtual food brands to have Google Business Profiles
Google has updated its business profile guidelines to allow some delivery-only food brands.
Business redressal complaint form adds option for ‘This business doesn’t exist’
You can now identify the content on Google Maps that you claim might lead to fraudulent activity by saying the business doesn't exist.