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 Local Service Ads mass policy violations
Google is investigating if this is a bug or a new enforcement of some kind.
Boost your visibility in search with online reviews
Take a closer look at how Google reviews, rankings, and ratings work together to help new businesses and get tips on how you can start getting reviews.
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.
2 free tools for tracking your Google reviews
Monitoring reviews is a must for businesses with an online presence. Here are some tools to include in your local SEO toolkit.
How to manage and edit your Google Business Profile from Google search
Managing your GBP listing from Google search is the new norm. Here's an overview of the in-search experience features you need to know.
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.
How to make the most of the new Google Business Profile dashboard
Google's New Merchant Experience (NMX) has rolled out. Here's a rundown of the changes in GBP and how to get used to them.
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.
How to do a competitive analysis for local SEO
Here's how to identify your top local competitors on search engines and determine what it will take to outrank them.
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.
Google may update business hours in local listings with AI
So make sure to routinely review your business hours to ensure they are accurate.
How to use Google Business Messages to talk to your customers
Google's Business Messages is one of the best ways to connect with your customers and future customers.
Google launches Google Business Profiles calls API
Businesses can pull call history data from this API and into their CRM software.
4 things to beware of with Google’s Performance Max automated campaigns
Google’s made it easier than ever to run PPC ads. But beware of these pitfalls.
Google Business Profiles sets waiting period for new owners and managers
Newly granted users now must wait 7 days before they can manage all the features of the profile.
Google now lets you place products at the top of your local and Maps listing
Google Business Profiles now let's you mark a product as special to pop it to the top.
SEO 2021 in review: Endless updates, title rewrites, GMB becomes GBP and more
Despite facing a still-raging pandemic and a slew of updates, SEOs rose to the challenge. Here’s our recap of the year’s most important SEO stories and news.
PPC 2021 in review: Privacy and automation force advertisers to adapt
From the deprecation of broad match modified keywords to FLoC to RSAs becoming the default, PPC professionals dealt with a lot of change in 2021.
Inclusive marketing resources to strengthen your brand’s messaging
Consumers aren’t just buying your product, they’re buying your brand values. Inclusive marketing can help you deliver those values to more audiences.
The ‘Vicinity Update’: Winners and losers from the November 2021 local update
This update seemed to be focused on changes around proximity and distance.
Exclusive: The most popular Yelp search filters
While the most common filter, “Open Now,” isn’t surprising, the data can inform local business owners of what consumers prioritze as they browse different business categories.
Google rolling out new map and local interface in search
Google will show local results on the left and a map on the right of those results.
Seismic event or overblown rebrand: Local search experts weigh in on ‘death’ of Google My Business
Google’s recent rebranding and new profile management options may be a sign that it’s improving features for multi-location brands, while driving adoption with SMBs via profile controls in Search and Maps.
Google Search lets you see if a doctor or healthcare facility takes your insurance
Make sure to update your healthcare client's Google Business Profile and website to ensure Google is showing accurate details.