Category: Google Maps

Google is testing bolding the name of the business within the local panel in the search results. I was unable to replicate this but my screenshot shows my company name in normal text, while the test shows a bolded font for the company name.

Joy Hawkin and team posted about a new Google local ranking factor – the factor is is if a business is currently listed as open or closed based on its business hours. She said businesses that are currently closed are now ranking lower than they did a f…

There are some reports of the reviews left on some Google Local Service Ads that say those reviews are being hijacked. In a sense, the reviews are being taken from one local listing and placed on another.

Google is testing showing a justification (or label) for local restaurant listings within Google Search and Google Maps that says “serves vegetarian dishes” with a green leaf icon.

Google seems to be testing allowing searchers to “heart” a photo in the local search results. This can be a way for Google to learn if the images uploaded to the hotel listing is useful to searchers and maybe also help searchers interact with the Goog…

Google redid its Google Business Profiles reinstatement process and I think as part of that (I can be wrong), Google added this review service restrictions webpage. It will show you if you have any business listings that you manage that have any restri…

Google may be testing showing longer-form justifications in the Google local results. In the example below, provided by Miriam Ellis on X, it showed a more extended description/justification provided by Yelp.

Google Business Profiles is adding a verification method for some categories of businesses to make it easier for them to verify their business with Google. This one, you can upload a picture of your vehicle in the local area where you meet your custom…

Google is rolling out new Google Business Profiles attributes for gyms. You can add these attributes by editing your Business Profile and then they should show up in the local listing in Google Search and Google Maps.

Google seems to be testing showing multiple local packs in its search results as you scroll down the page. I cannot replicate this, which makes me believe this is a limited test. But Christian Kunz was able to repeat this over and over again, showing m…

Google is testing a new reviews user experience from the local panel listing in the search results. Instead of popping up the reviews in a new window over the search results, Google is taking you to a reviews card summary.

Google has added a new “activities” section to some business types within Google Business Profiles. It seems to be for some sort of hotel like businesses but not all hotels see this option yet, so maybe it is being tested.

Google Business Profiles has added a huge list of detailed parking attributes you can add to your business. I am not sure if this is fully rolled out to all businesses but you may be able to see it when you edit your business profile.

Google added a new business attribute for small businesses to showcase they are small. You can add it under your Google Business Profile, where you edit your listing and select your attributes.

Google Merchant Center Next, its upgraded version of its Merchant Center platform, reportedly just gained integration with Google Business Profiles. Emmanuel Flossie reported, “Google Merchant Center Next now allows you to connect your Google Business …

Google is now showing, in some regions, “photo-first” search results within the Google Maps search result listings. Google said this is to help search “find inspiration” a different way.

Google has updated its suspension notice emails from Google Business Profiles. Now when your business is suspended, Google will send an email explaining why it was suspended, i.e. for a policy violation.

Google is now showing for some urgent cares and other medical offices, how long it would take to get an appointment at that facility. This shows both in the local pack and also in the specific local listing.

Google is testing a new local pack design that shows reviews, menu details and more in these card design. It is not too far off from the original local pack design in Google Search, outside of these cards under the main action buttons.

Google has added two new attributes for businesses listed in Google Business Profiles. These attributes are identifies as disabled-owned and identifies as Indigenous-owned.