Category: Google Maps

Just like when Google was testing an expandable locations section that is in a collapsible menu in the Google Search results, now Google is testing an “in-store nearby” section that is expandable within a collapsible menu.

Google is testing a new local widget for businesses owners to help them maintain their Google Business Profile. The widget is named “profile strength” and it shows up in the Google Search results when you search for a company you manage in Google Busin…

Google is testing hiding the local pack within a locations tab that expands when you tap on it or the arrow down. When it expands, it shows you the full local pack listings.

There is a complaint in the Local Search Forums from a local SEO saying that Google has emailed businesses of the local SEO with a message that they automatically turned on messaging on their business profile in Google Maps and Google Search.

It seems like there is another set of reviews going missing or being removed by Google in the Google Maps and local listings. Joy Hawkins noticed an increase in complaints from businesses over the past week but Mike Blumenthal thinks it is more intenti…

The folks at WhiteSpark showed screenshots of Google Business Profile limiting the control you have over your product listings within your local panel. They showed how “businesses can no longer edit existing Products on their Google Business Profiles …

Google is now showing justifications directly in the Google Maps mobile interface and app for businesses that you might be interested in. Justifications are basically reviews or comments about the business that Google might think you want to see overl…

Google seems to be testing adding a local pack for ads along with a normal organic local pack, I believe. Here is a screenshot showing a local pack labeled as “Ads” that show a list of stores that have shoes near you. You can click “more places” that…

Google for years has been doing super fancy search features based on reviews left in Google Maps. Here are some more features that may or may not be new, but you should be aware of in any event. Specifically, Google using hotel reviews to build lists …

We know Google has a lot of those question and answers sections in the Google Maps business listings. We saw Google showing this in the maps interface (not just the search interface) recently but now Google is showing “others are asking” to trigger mo…

Google has added new local business profile guidelines for virtual food brands and delivery-only food brands. This would be for businesses that re-package a local restaurant’s food but technically does not have its own location or business in that area…

Google has added a new option in the Business Redressal Complaint Form under the “Identify the content on Google Maps that you claim might lead to fraudulent activity” drop down. The new option is “this business doesn’t exist” and the local SEO communi…

Google announced a bunch of new travel search features the other day across flights, hotels, destinations of interest and more. These new features aim at helping you “get inspired and research your options so you can book with ease when the time is ri…

Google has recently changed how it shows what edits or updates were made to a Google Business Profile listing in Google Search and Google Maps. Prior, Google four different types of colored label notifications for edits, now it only has two. It now o…

When you try to access the Google Business Profile Manager at google.com/business, Google will prompt you with a notice that “you can no longer manage your business here” from early 2022. After you login and click on a business, you are presented with…

Google is showing a “deals” tab on some local business listings. I am not sure if this is new or not, I know I covered deal labels in the local business listings but I am not sure if I saw a tab devoted to just deals?

It seems that the Google Maps team is asking some Google Local Guides to update older reviews they have left in the past. Tricia Clements posted a screenshot on Twitter of the Google Maps request.

There are scam and spam attempts being conducted through the Google Business Profile messaging platform. This is a tactic of someone looking to hire you for a service but they ask if you take credit card or other online payments. The trick is, they th…

Google Local listings has a feature that shows what else is in that venue, it is called “at this place.” This reminds me of Google showing mall directories and what businesses are near other businesses in the local listings.

Google Screened local listings are through Local Service Ads that a third party conducts background and license checks for those listed in that section. It is mostly for realtors, lawyers, financial planners and chid car providers. Google has a sectio…