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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The rise of customer review amplifiers
We live in a feedback economy so if resources and budget are limited, prioritize managing reviews on Google and Facebook.
In feature battle with Google, Yelp improves restaurant waitlist functionality
Yelp is trying to stay one step ahead of Google with tools that benefit both consumers and business owners.
Happy 15th birthday to Google Maps, the company’s second most important product
Google updates the app that embodies its commitment to local search.
Apple’s big maps makeover now available across U.S., Europe coming soon
Apple Maps needs a 'breakout' feature. Could that be privacy?
Get ready for an even stronger Google in 2020
Brands need to monitor and respond to reviews to improve their online experience because customers will vote with their search behavior.
Yelp cracks down on ‘review rings’ as Google continues to see widespread mapspam
Will the problem of fake listings and reviews destroy trust in major platforms?
SMX Overtime: Managing Google My Business profiles, reviews and more
Local search expert Dan Leibson offers advice on how to manage GMB profiles and why it's important to implement a meaningful review system.
How verticalization and zero-click will impact local search in 2020
In the coming year it will be interesting to see how Google balances the priority of verticalization against the growing popularity of Google Maps as the first choice among searchers.
A wishlist of improvements for Google My Business in 2020
Joy Hawkins shares the top 5 features she’d like Google My Business to update or change this year.
The big list of Google My Business changes, upgrades and tests in 2019
The key GMB updates of 2019 with local experts’ perspective on what's most significant.
Good guides gone bad: How Google’s ‘Local Guides’ program fails businesses and consumers
Columnist Jamie Pitman talks to some of the leading figures in local search to find out what went wrong with the Local Guides program, and if enough steps are being taken to fix it.
Google extends ‘Incognito Mode’ in Maps to iOS users
Bulk delete in Timeline is coming to Android next month.
How to level up from a Google My Business apprentice to a GMB master
Your business page is a dynamic asset so prioritize these updates to gain a distinct advantage over those that do not.
Google My Business phone support has ended, but help from the experts has not
Google's social media channels are reported to be helpful as well as connecting with local search pros.
Google Maps the dominant local search tool, followed by Facebook and Yelp
The average user is on a smartphone at home – and is most likely to visit a business the next day after a local search.
Paid search trends to watch for the 2019 holiday shopping season
Maps will play a larger role for retailers with physical stores and while Google Shopping will likely be the star, Amazon is poised to play the Grinch.
Google Maps becomes more ‘social’ with Local Guides follow feature
Local Guides are part of the reason GMB and Maps are so successful.
Here’s what you need to know about Google’s newest local algorithm update
Google’s biggest local algorithm update since 2016 will require businesses and agencies to be more vigilant about fighting spam in affected areas.
What does Google Maps ‘incognito mode’ mean for businesses?
Google is giving consumers more control to opt-out but likely priming the market for more ambitious advertising products in Maps.
Reservations, AR navigation coming to Google Maps
The new features are aimed at making Maps a hub for travelers.
Millions of fake Google Maps listings hurt real business and consumers
Google says it is working on it, but is still positioned to profit as local businesses claw back visibility with paid ads.
Google Maps displaying redirect notice alerts when users click on business website URLs
A bug within Google Maps may be resulting in traffic loss to company websites and locations.
“Popular dishes” have arrived in Google Maps listings
Machine learning will match restaurants’ most popular offerings with corresponding reviews.
Local SEOs mixed, some peeved at idea of paying for Google My Business services
They recognized the logic – but many had strong criticisms.
Building and scaling global SEO Centers of Excellence
Before you can involve your company’s executives in SEO advocacy, you need a set of best practices and clear goals to share. Here's how you do it.
What do the symbols mean in Google’s Map Pack and Local Finder?
Over the past couple of years, Google has been consistently expanding upon its functionality for extracting information and displaying in local search results. Here are four features and how they operate.
Yelps says Google trying to bring back ‘discredited’ shopping antitrust remedy
Company says the approach only delivers marginally better traffic to competitors' sites.
SearchCap: Google Assistant ads, Google Maps reply to reviews & waitlists
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 enables ‘join waitlist’ for restaurantsFeb 13, 2019 by Greg Sterling Functionality is provided by DineTime as part of Reserve with Google. Google tests ads in Assistant resultsFeb 13, 2019 by […]
Business owners can now reply to reviews on Google Maps desktop
If you primarily use a desktop computer, you'll be happy to know that you can now reply to Google Maps reviews without opening a mobile app.
SearchCap: Bing Ads targets, Google AMA & Google Maps AR
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Is Google Maps what augmented reality has been waiting for?Feb 11, 2019 by Greg Sterling AR walking directions could be a breakthrough application for the industry. Bing Ads multiple language targeting: […]
Is Google Maps what augmented reality has been waiting for?
AR walking directions could be a breakthrough application for the industry.
DuckDuckGo map and address searches now powered by Apple Maps
The company had been using OpenStreetMap.
SearchCap: Google Maps personalization, Google AMP report & Google shopping
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: What’s a CDP? Does your company need one?Dec 10, 2018 by Digital Marketing Depot Gartner predicts that the average US adult will own more than six smart devices by 2020, making […]
Google Maps’ ‘For You’ tab comes to iPhones and a whole lot more countries
The personalized recommendations tool will be available in 130 countries on Android and 40 on iOS devices.
Google Map’s tracking problems keep piling up
Investigators seem confused about the differences between Google's account, device, app and web settings.
SearchCap: Local SEO report, Google Maps spam report & following Googlebot
Below is what happened in search today, as reported on Search Engine Land and from other places across the web. From Search Engine Land: Did you know you can report Google Maps-related spam calls and other violations to Google?Nov 28, 2018 by Barry Schwartz Google local has its share of spam and manipulation issues. There’s […]
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 Maps follow business, local voice survey & link building 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: Link building tool roundup: Site crawlersOct 26, 2018 by Julie Joyce Link building is hard work! Here’s how to utilize site crawling tools to make sure your effort pays off. Google […]
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 drops URL submission tool, Ask the SMXperts, Google Maps, link building & 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 Maps now available for Apple CarPlay Sep 18, 2018 by Barry Schwartz The moment many Apple fans have been waiting for – Google Maps on CarPlay devices is now here. […]