Calls and clicks keep falling as Google Maps becomes the destination
New findings show rankings remain stable while customer behavior changes, making profile quality and reviews critical for local visibility.
Topic: Joy Hawkins
Why Google Business Profile address changes can disrupt local rankings
Changing an address doesn’t always change where Google thinks a business is located. Here’s what to check before updating your GBP.
The new reality of Google’s spam enforcement
A Google spam update targets manipulative content, links, and behaviors that violate Search Essentials. Learn how spam updates work, how to tell if you were hit, and how to recover.
How AI is impacting local search and what tools to use to get ahead
Understand AI’s role in local SEO: See how AI is changing local results, user behavior, and optimization strategies — and explore the top tools to use now.
Local SEO sprints: A 90-day plan for service businesses in 2026
From GBP fundamentals to reviews and service pages, this framework helps you turn local visibility into consistent calls and booked jobs.
What 75 SEO thought leaders reveal about volatility in the GEO debate [Research]
AI search sentiment is positive, but consistency isn’t. Data shows why volatility – not acronyms – is the real risk.
Google updates local ranking documentation
Are these changes signaling changes to how Google local rankings work or did Google just clarify its existing document.
What is local SEO? Guide to ranking in local search results
Learn what local SEO is, how it works, and why it's vital for businesses. Discover strategies to boost visibility in Google’s local search and map pack.
What is the Google Local Pack? How to rank in the 3-pack
Learn what the Google Local Pack is, why it matters for local SEO, and proven tactics to rank your business in the 3-Pack and boost local search visibility.
AI and local search: The new rules of visibility and ROI in 2025
As AI reshapes search and customer journeys, learn how to optimize your local presence for visibility in 2025.
Local SEO audit guide: How to improve local rankings
Run a successful local SEO audit with this step-by-step guide. Uncover issues, optimize your local presence, and boost visibility in local search and Google Maps results.
AI, SEO, and Client Success: 7 Agency Trends Defining the Year
Navigate the year with AI. From automating tasks and optimizing SEO to building authentic client connections and increasing visibility.
How geotagging photos affects Google Business Profile rank: Study
How does geotagging photos affect local SEO? A 10-week study reveals surprising effects on 'near me' vs city-based Google ranking.
Google bug cause reviews to drop out of local listings
Starting this past Friday, Google seems to be showing fewer and fewer reviews on Google local listings. It seems like it is a bug that Google is working to fix.
What is search intent in SEO? Using different types of keyword intent
Learn why search intent matters in SEO, the different types of search intent and how to create content that targets keywords effectively.
Google and guest posts: What gets indexed and what doesn’t
Does Google index guest posts from reputable sites? Find out why some guest posts succeed while others fail in this study.
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 investigating Local Services Ads bug
Google Ads is working on a fix to prevent businesses from appearing in search results for their competitors' names.
Local search in 2024: Key trends and tactics for marketers
Location-based businesses must focus on five areas – discovery, relevancy, experience, engagement and conversions – to drive impact today.
Google tests Branded Local Service Ads with opt-out option
Marketers expressed concern about being unable to opt-out, but Google confirmed this functionality will be available for everyone.
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.
This day in search marketing history: March 25
Google Panda patent granted, plus: Microsoft starts IndexNow push, mobile-friendly update details, AdWords remarketing and more.
This day in search marketing history: March 24
Google’s top 3 search ranking factors, plus: Google Maps blocks abusive business profile edits, Google penalties and more.
This day in search marketing history: March 23
March 2022 product reviews update launches, plus: PPC salaries, Google Panda 3.4, Yahoo Search Direct and more.
This day in search marketing history: March 22
Google AdWords forces use of call extensions, plus: zero-click searches, rel=next/prev apology, PC search query volumes peak and more.
This day in search marketing history: February 25
SEOs upset over Google featured snippets, plus: Google's red Slow label, Google Panda fallout, PageRank 301 redirect dilution myth and more.
This day in search marketing history: February 22
Google page experience update for desktop rolls out, plus: Google’s Pirate Update impact, Google Shopping experience scorecard and more.
This day in search marketing history: February 21
Google Search Console sends alerts for big drops in clicks, plus: CTR myth resurfaces, poor grammar and typos impact Bing rankings and more.
This day in search marketing history: February 14
Google Webmaster Tools comes out of beta, plus: Chrome's personal blocklist, AdWords video ads and quality score updates and more
This day in search marketing history: February 13
Google AMP stories launch, plus: unconfirmed algorithm updates, faceted navigation and infinite scroll, AdWords display URL policy and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 28
Featured snippets introduced, plus: Hamlet Batista passes away, Google buys DeepMind, Google ad labeling and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 26
LinkedIn Ads launches, plus: holiday retail insights, crappy results, Google Panda 3.2, sitemap testing, DuckDuckGo and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 25
Google defuses miserable failure, plus: Topics API replaces FloC, value-based bidding, average search ranking position and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 10
Google launches Search Plus Your World, plus: subtopics ranking, Google Ads custom dimensions, links within widgets and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 6
Google Webmaster Tools added unnatural links and cloaking spam warnings, plus: Google Shops, how Yahoo angered advertisers and more.
This day in search marketing history: January 3
Why Google penalized Google Chrome, plus: DuckDuckGo launches Donttrack.us, Google challengers, Google newspaper ads and more.
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.
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’s Local Services Ads platform has a problem with spam
Fake business names, virtual offices, multiple rankings... Google has a spam issue with LSAs and getting it fixed is easier said than done.
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.