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.
Report: Menu Items & Popular Times Are Google Local Ranking Signal
There is a new report out that says menu items and how busy you are during Google Maps popular times are both ranking factors and signals for Google’s local ranking system. Claudia Tomina posted the details on her blog and told me she tested this acro…
Google Verification Status Tool Gains New Options
Google has added new fields and options to the Google Business Profiles verification status tool. These options should help some businesses that are having issues getting verified on Google Maps.
Google Using AI Overviews On Business Profiles Local Listings
Google is now using AI Overviews to write descriptions for the local panels shown in Google Search on Google Business Profiles. This is weird because Google Business Profiles lets you use AI to write business descriptions if you want to (at least they …
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 Map Pin Exploit Leads To Local Rankings Drop & Possible Suspension
A few months ago I posted about a possible bug with Google Maps where map pins were being moved around into one location. I later updated the post to suggest it was more of a spam or hack exploit. Yep, spammers are hijacking the location of businesses…
Google Local Panels Gains Menu Button
Google seems to be adding a “menu” button to the Google Business Profiles, the local panels, in the web search results. I think Google has tested this one and off over the years, but as Marcin Karwowski noted, it seems to be rolling out now to some bu…
Google Maps Adds Edit & Post Button To Business Profile Listing
Google has added an “edit” and “post” button more prominently as big buttons to Google Business Profiles within the Google Maps interface. Previously, these buttons were not as accessible in the Google Maps interface.
Google Maps Updates Fake Engagement Policy With More Detail
Google has updated its Google Maps contributor fake engagement policy to flesh out in more detail how the policy works. The new text is like 40% longer and seems to have received a nice refresh.
Google Business Profiles Websites No Longer Load – 404
Google Business Profiles websites, which stopped loading websites and began redirecting to the Google Business Profiles listing on Google Maps now completely 404 – as expected. It was supposed to stop working completely this past Sunday, but it did not…
Google Local Pack Photos With Labels
Google seems to be testing adding labels and descriptions on the photos within the local business profile listings. These are on both the carousel of images and on the detailed business profile page.
Google Maps Tests QR Codes On Business Profiles
Google is testing QR codes on the Google Business Profile listings within Google Maps. The QR code shows on the right side of the action buttons (i.e. directions, save, share, etc).
Google Business Profiles Locksmiths Reinstatements Now Being Processed
Google paused Google Business Profiles restatements for the locksmith industry but has now resumed those requests and is working through the backlog now. Google paused them early last week and began processing them once again on Friday afternoon, June…
Google Tests Local Five Pack (Up From 3 Pack)
Google is once again testing showing five local results, a five-pack, instead of the typical 3 local results, a three-pack, in the search results local results section. Google tested this in 2021 and also had this for the SGE labs results and now it is…
Google Business Profile Bug Causing Hidden Questions & Answers
For the past few days there has been a number of complaints about not being able to see Questions and Answers on Google Business Profile listings. While some can see some Q&As, not everyone can see all of the past Q&As posted on those Business Profiles…
Google Business Profiles Tests Chat With SMS & WhatsApp
Just last week we reported that chat is going away from Google Business Profiles. Well, Google may be adding native SMS and WhatsApp messaging support for your Google Maps business listings.
Google Maps Adds Wheelchair Accessible Icon To Business Listings
Google has added a wheelchair-accessible icon to the Business Profile listings in Google Maps of businesses that self-claim they are wheelchair-accessible. There is a little wheelchair-accessible icon next to the business name, but this only shows in …
Google Maps Adds Wheelchair Accessible Icon To Business Listings
Google has added a wheelchair-accessible icon to the Business Profile listings in Google Maps of businesses that self-claim they are wheelchair-accessible. There is a little wheelchair-accessible icon next to the business name, but this only shows in …
Google Business Profile Call History & Chat Going Away
Google will be removing the call history reports and the Chat feature within Google Business Profiles on July 31, 2024. Google said, “We acknowledge this may be difficult news,” but added, “We occasionally have to make difficult decisions.”
Google Business Profiles Shows Product Rejection Details
Google Business Profiles can now show you why your uploaded products were rejected by the system. I guess previously Google did not do this but now Google can show you the reason why your products were not processed properly by Google Business Profiles.