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.
Topic: Google Maps
Businesses need to think differently about customer feedback data in 2020
Improving the customer experience and improve your business operationally means keeping up with the many ways customers communicate with you.
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.
Google now showing ‘request quotes’ button above local pack on mobile
Large button appears above 3-pack, connected to GMB messaging.
Consumers more invested in reviews, but also more skeptical of authenticity — survey
Users now consult multiple sites and expect reviews to be relatively fresh.
Google extends ‘Incognito Mode’ in Maps to iOS users
Bulk delete in Timeline is coming to Android next month.
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.
Nearly 60% prefer PC to smartphones for local search survey finds, but there’s a catch
There are material differences between user behaviors of different generations.
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.
Google on building a better holiday omnichannel strategy
From optimizing for omnichannel ROI to dialing up in-store foot traffic, Google outlined key considerations for holiday campaigns at SMX East.
Reviews platform GatherUp acquired by martech holding company ASG
Company run by local search veterans Mike Blumenthal and Aaron Weiche joins a larger portfolio of software companies.
Google expands Local campaigns inventory, BOPIS offers for Shopping campaigns
New Local inventory includes Promoted Pins in Maps and catalog-style ads in Display.
Google My Business discontinues toll free phone support
This will impact how quickly your Google My Business issues can be addressed.
Google doesn’t have an ‘ideal’ page speed
The most meaningful speed metric depends on how users interact with your site, said Google's Martin Splitt.
Google begins testing Duplex internationally
Duplex will be powering automated calls to confirm holiday business hours in New Zealand.
The future of search begins with a ‘V’
Voice and visual search will ultimately become significant drivers of query volume beside text input.
Google showing mobile ‘search by photos’ option in selected local verticals
The new element appears to not have a fixed position but resides below the local pack, sometimes right below.
Nextdoor’s ‘Local Deals’ ads let SMBs target specific neighborhoods
Appearing in multiple places, it's both a paid search and display ad in one.
A eulogy for Mapquest
Once the dominant mapping site, the decline of Mapquest is a story of disruptive competition and corporate complacency.
Google rolling out ‘Incognito Mode’ for Maps, activity data deletion via Assistant
These privacy controls promote trust and won't impact targeting and analytics.
Nextdoor in new deals with directories to monetize local search
Nextdoor is trying to ramp up revenue growth as it heads toward a likely IPO.
How to track traffic quality and boost conversions
Traffic quality is a key aspect of driving conversions.
Yelp introduces ‘Connect’ and new Waitlist features for restaurants
Connect is a publishing tool not unlike Google Posts, but with differences.
Google now showing competitor ads on local business profiles
The unit is from Local Campaigns and businesses cannot pay to remove them.
Video: Greg Gifford discusses Google Posts, Google Q&A and local SEO
Learn more about local SEO from the super passionate and smart Greg Gifford.
Why is there so little innovation in local?
The alpha and omega of local is now Google.
SMX East: now with extra local
GMB, maps, reviews, voice and offline conversion tracking are all on the agenda.
Hotels can now add services, amenities in Google My Business
Now you can control your hotel details on Google Maps and Google Search.
Reservations, AR navigation coming to Google Maps
The new features are aimed at making Maps a hub for travelers.
Google discontinues Trips mobile app
Users will be directed to use Search and Maps for their travel planning.
New site Hotspot Law like ZocDoc for lawyers
The startup is entering a mature vertical but one "in need of an upgrade."
Google says shortnames bug resolved, local listings restored
It's unclear yet whether the missing reviews issue has also been fixed.
Google shortnames and the case of the disappearing reviews
SEOs complained that adding shortnames to GMB profiles causes reviews to disappear or listings to be suspended. Google says it's working on it.
Yelp offering more paid profile upgrades for business owners
These new subscription products are part of broader push by the company to enable more business profile customization and generate new revenues.
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 My Business adds more branding tools, introduces searchable @shortnames
The top 5% of local businesses in each category will also be eligible for a new "Local Favorite" badge.
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.