Google Rolls Out “Ask Maps” in Google Maps – It’s like AI Mode In Maps
Google just announced “Ask Maps”, which is a new feature in Google Maps that leverages Gemini to help users research local businesses, plan trips, get recommendations…
Google Post Reoccurring Scheduling Coming
Recently, Google rolled out the ability to schedule Google Posts. Supposedly, soon, Google will also roll out recurring scheduling for posts. So you can set a Google Post to repeat and post over and over again on a schedule.
Careful With Google Business Profile Verification Flow
Some time ago, Google updated the flow for the Google Business Profile verification. And the issue is, if you fill it out wrong, it can have consequences for that Google business listing in the future.
Google Business Knowledge Panels With AI Generated Services
We’ve seen Google use AI for local panel descriptions, menus and more. But now Google is also using AI to generate a list of services a local business offers.
Google Email: Fake Or Incentivised Reviews Found On Your Business Profile
Google is now (past few weeks?) sending out emails when it detects fake or incentivised reviews on your Google Business Profile. Google also says it has removed the fake or incentivised reviews that were identified.
Google Updated The Business Profile Review Policies
As I noted in my story yesterday about Google reviews dropping out, Google has updated the Google Business Profiles review policies, the Prohibited & restricted content section.
Complaints Over Google Reviews Being Removed Again
There has been an uptick in complaints from businesses around Google local reviews disappearing or being removed. We had something similar last October and it was fixed in December and now I am seeing more complaints about reviews going missing.
Google Business Short Names Being Removed From Business Profiles
Google will stop showing the business short names on Google Business Profiles in Search and Google Maps. The short name will still work, if you have one, but going forward, the link in your Google Business Profile will no longer be displayed to you or…
Google Local Hotel Photos “Good To Know” AI Labels
Google is testing labeling some photos in the local hotel listings with “Good to Know” AI-generated descriptions of some of those photos. These labels seem to summarize what the photo and reviews say about the specific area of that hotel.
Google Business Profiles Review Appeals No Longer Delayed
Before the December holidays, Google posted a notice that review appeals for Google Business Profiles were delayed. Well, Google just removed the notice, which likely means the extended delays for review appeals are no longer an issue.
Google Posts Tips To Write Better Review Replies
Google has updated its tips to get more reviews help documentation with a new section on tips to write better review replies. This section includes how to make your replies positive and relevant and a section on giving helpful responses to negative rev…
Gemini Local Results Insights Into How Google Interprets Your Business
Google’s Gemini may be rolling out new local results, it may be new, I am not sure. But the details it shows may give you insight into how Google understands and interprets your business. Gemini gives new headlines and sections about your business base…
Google AI Overview Local Pack Leading To Huge Drops In Visibility
Over the past few weeks, Google has been showing AI Overviews for local packs, leading some businesses to see huge drops in visibility for their Google Business Profile and local listings. Some businesses are seeing 50% declines or more because of the …
Google Hotel Knowledge Panels Posting Currently Turned Off Bug
Google seems to have a bug that prevents searchers from leaving hotel reviews directly in the Google Search desktop interface. It works fine within Google Maps and Hotel search interfaces but not in the web search interface.
PSA: Don’t Create Separate Google Business Profile For Department Listings
Greg Gifford, a veteran automotive and local SEO, published a hard warning to vendors suggesting that they tell automotive dealerships to set up separate Google Business Profile department listings for separate services. He said, do not, do not, do th…
Google Adds Help Page For Link Or QR Code To Request Reviews
Several months ago, back in March, Google added a screen to request reviews by sharing a link or QR code with your customers. Now, it seems Google has added a new help page on how to use this feature.
Google Maps Hotel Results Drop Visit Website Button
Google has removed the visit website button from the first screen of the Google Maps hotel results. Instead, you first need to click on the “Check availability” to get to the visit website button.
Report: Google Deleting Local Reviews More Than Ever
GMBapi posted data that looks at tens of thousands of Google Business Profiles across multiple countries and showed that review deletions have increased significantly over the year, compared to previous periods.
Google Business Profiles Verification Issue Support Form Updated
Google has updated the Google Business Profiles verification issues support form. This makes it easier to pick a specific issue you had when trying to verify a business within Google Business Profiles.
Google Business Profiles Verification Issue Support Form Updated
Google has updated the Google Business Profiles verification issues support form. This makes it easier to pick a specific issue you had when trying to verify a business within Google Business Profiles.