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 rolling out LSAs and ‘Google Screened’ to select professional services nationally
After successful test, the program goes into general availability.
How 9 major Google My Business updates in 2020 can help you rebound
A long road of recovery awaits but the good news is that your customers are paying attention to your GMBs so capitalize on that to help your business make it to the other side.
Google offering ‘upgraded’ GMB profile with Google Guaranteed badge for $50 per month
Google tested the idea of subscription-based services for GMB in April 2019.
Google will now notify GMB account owners by email when local listings suspended
Seen as a major step forward, the notice still won't explain the reason for a Google My Business account suspension.
With new ‘pilot program,’ Google again testing ads on local business profiles
The ads can't be removed or influenced by the business owner.
Google positioned to dominate the ‘O2O economy’
Online-to-offline: Nearly $12 trillion in offline economic activity is likely impacted by the internet.
Google upgrades enterprise messaging capabilities in Maps and Search
Enhanced features include smart replies, visual product carousels, custom welcome messages.
Google to shutter CallJoy, virtual agent for SMBs, on July 22
Call intelligence service was another Area 120 project.
The Google Assistant may start calling businesses to confirm in-stock inventory
Google is expanding the use cases of its 'Duplex' AI tool.
Google adding local store details to Shopping, free Promoted Pins for Smart campaigns, more
New features and updates are aimed at local businesses and services in the "reopening phase."
Local SEOs most focused on link building and content development, report finds
80% of survey respondents said they were also buying (local) ads on Google.
Google My Business offers more flexibility with business hours
Check your Google My Business console to set your "more hours" to reflect COVID-19 precautions.
Google Ads credits for SMBs start rolling out
The $340 million program will phase in over the coming weeks.
New Google My Business features aim to help SMBs pivot and survive COVID-19
The new tools and capabilities mirror the expanding role of GMB as a gateway to both offline and online services.
Call Analytics tools in the spotlight: Marketing’s unsung heroes
The current environment is spurring a resurgence of voice calls -- a medium ripe with potential for analysis and insights.
Is automotive a bellwether for Google My Business trends during COVID-19?
Compared automotive results with all others to find customers are actively interested in supporting businesses that share updates and respond to reviews.
More missing Google My Business reviews appearing as publication speed picks up
Google is now posting user reviews and photos in all countries and the vast majority of business categories.
What do local SEOs really think of Google My Business support?
The quality of support isn't likely to magically improve once the virus clears, so let's hope that the future doesn't so clearly reflect the past.
Don’t try to reinvent the SEO wheel, says Google’s Martin Splitt
Splitt addresses the most common indexing and JavaScript mistakes, why he doesn’t take ranking questions and shares why Google’s communications aren’t always as proactive as we’d like.
Google tests ‘Curbside Pickup’ badge for local Shopping ads
Local Inventory Ads gain prominence with "In store" mobile experience and "Curbside pickup" option.
Shielding your business in a pandemic
SEO is one of the best channels to invest in right now to attract new customers and reinforce the loyalty of your existing client base.
GMB usage declines, but poised to become more powerful post-coronavirus
Google, and the pandemic, have made GMB into the most important local marketing tool for SMBs and multi-location brands.
When your Google My Business listing becomes your lifeline
During coronavirus, we see how GMB can be a business’s lifeline during a time of disruption. Here are some lessons learned.
Google shouldn’t pause algorithm updates during the pandemic, expert SEOs say [Video]
While it’s not business as usual, search engines need to continue to help users, provide vital resources and fight against misinformation.
SMX Overtime: Here’s why optimizing images in Google My Business is important
SEO pro Greg Gifford explains why professionally shot, high-res photos will win over user-uploaded photos if you take the time to manage it right.
SMX Overtime: When to use the Q&A in Google My Business and how to keep it fresh
SEO expert Niki Mosier of Two Octobers shares insights about managing Q&A and when it makes sense to add a service menu.
Google allows retail chains to Post at scale via GMB API — will it last post-COVID?
Google Posts are free and can be a very effective communication or promotional tool.
Video: Dan Leibson on local neural matching and Google My Business issues
Google My Business support is lacking in a big way according to Dan.
Google reviews coming out of quarantine
New user reviews, photos, Q&A will return gradually, by category and country.
Google introduces new COVID-19 and Telehealth GMB links for healthcare providers
These new links are part of the company's larger effort to make healthcare information more accessible through Google Search.
Is recent Google algorithm volatility related to COVID-19 or normal? Live panel to discuss Tuesday
Live with Search Engine Land to livestream discussion with Barry Schwartz, Moz's Dr.Pete, Marie Haynes, Olga Andrienko and Mordy Oberstein. Join us.
Facebook rolls out hours and services update for COVID-19 communications
There are a number of ways to communicate virus-related updates to customers on the platform.
Should you continue to solicit reviews during the outbreak? Local SEOs disagree
There are a mix of considerations, on a spectrum from idealistic to pragmatic.
How local businesses should be communicating with customers during COVID-19
Hear how local search veterans are using every channel available to help their clients stay relevant and keep customers informed.
Google creates best practices guides & support for health organizations around COVID-19
Google is offering more guidance and support to those in the health space..
Google Posts, ‘temporarily disabled,’ now back
Marketers had been having trouble with Posts over the past two weeks.
Google My Business: When should you use ‘special hours’ vs. ‘temporarily closed’?
A discussion with Google My Business Gold Product Expert Krystal Taing.
Live with Search Engine Land: Local SEOs talk ‘buggy’ Google My Business, COVID-19
Search Engine Land's Greg Sterling hosted an hour-long discussion with leading local SEOs to talk about how local or multi-location businesses are coping with the economic and human effects of COVID-19.
Video: Kevin Doory on difference between traditional SEO and local SEO
He also shared some fun tips on Google My Business.
Search marketers are volunteering services, support to help small businesses get through COVID-19
Consulting, web hosting, budget coaching — marketers are extending help to ease the strain on businesses.