Google Maps
Google Maps is a free web mapping platform that helps searchers find directions to their chosen destinations and allows businesses to list their store locations.
This app is connected to Google Business Profile, allowing searchers to find even more business information on the Maps listing.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, and subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
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Report: Menu items, busier businesses may be Google local ranking signals
Google has not specifically confirmed this but a new local SEO report says these may be newly discovered local ranking signals.
Google ties in Local Services Ads advertisers to Maps app
Google is launching Local Services Ads on the iOS version of Google Maps, with no option of running LSA without having it on.
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 maximize your local business’ Google Maps presence
Practical tips for optimizing your Google Maps presence to boost local visibility and drive more in-store customers.
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 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.
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 adds small business attribute and other information to business profiles and shopping listings
Google is also rolling out Product Studio.
Google Maps new search results makes photos significantly more important
This is a new "photo-first" search result layout where business owners need to pay more attention to the photos that show up for their business listings.
Google Business Profiles adds disabled-owned attribute to listings
Google also added new accessibility features to Google Maps.
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 Local Service Ads mass policy violations
Google is investigating if this is a bug or a new enforcement of some kind.
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.
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.
New with Google multisearch, Google Maps, and more previews of Bard
Google Lens is now used over 10 billion times per month.
Google Maps removed policy-abiding reviews from Local Guides
Google is working on restoring the reviews over the next few weeks.
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.
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.
Google launches new search, shopping and maps features
Multisearch for food, Google Lens translation, AR beauty and shoes, Maps live view search and more.
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.
Google prohibits incentivizing customers to remove or modify negative reviews
Now you can't offer incentives to ask people who left negative reviews to revise their reviews.
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 to test AR prototype glasses, lenses for visual search and more
Is this the second generation of Google Glass, how will this change the future of search and marketing?
Google Maps adds new store location feature, Locator Plus, Reserve with Google integration, new analytics and more
The familiarity of these features might be welcomed by your website users but it might also make you more reliant on Google services.
Google adds LGBTQ+ owned attribute to business profiles
These labels can help some businesses with visibility and potentially increase conversions.
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 multisearch to gain near me support
Soon you will be able to search by image for matches of places, stores or restaurants near you.
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.
Is the Google Business Profile Manager going away for multi-locations businesses as well?
Previously Google said the Google Business Profile Manager will remain for larger businesses that manage multiple locations but maybe that is not true?
Google may update business hours in local listings with AI
So make sure to routinely review your business hours to ensure they are accurate.
Google Business Profile review management tool expands support to those with many local listings
Previously, this tool only let those with a few listings manage their reviews.
Google Business Profiles add new recycling attribute
This new attribute may help your business stand out from the competition in the Google local results.