Category: Google Maps

So we have a dozen or so Google web search rank checking tools that tell us if they pick up on Google algorithm or ranking fluctuations. But we don’t have much when it comes to local ranking changes. BrightLocal has just released a tool it named Local…

Last week we reported that the pagination feature for the Google Maps local results went away. Well, now it appears to be back. Some are seeing the old user interface for pagination, but I am seeing a new more slim version.

Recently, I guess the past couple of weeks or so, the Google Discover feed started showing restaurants you might be interested in. This is obviously important if you help local restaurants with their Google My Business listings.

Google has made a small change to the Google My Business Guidelines explaining and clarifying the roles of practitioners. Joy Hawkins posted in the Local Search Forums that the line that was added was “Sales associates or lead generation agents for cor…

If you go to Google Maps, search for a service in a locale, Google will not let you go to page two of those results. Instead, Google will just stop showing you results and ask you to “see web results” for more. Previously, Google would let you click t…

A lot of local SEOs are talking about how Google’s hotel search results now are showing searchers how far away a specific hotel is from an attraction you are looking to visit. Gus Pelogia posted a screen shot on Twitter of this and I think it is new.
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Google announced it is removing the remaining distance-based service area businesses. It will be converting them to the closest named area. Google said “Service-area businesses currently based on a distance will be automatically converted to the clos…

Cordell Crowley posted in the Local Search Forums a screen shot of Google showing him the business locations you have access to in Google My Business but directly in the search results. This is similar to Google Search Console showing your stats in th…

This isn’t a good thing – Google can show a carousel feature of competitive businesses in the area when someone specifically searches for your company name in Google. So for a branded search that brings up a local knowledge panel for that business, Goo…

Google is now showing your Google My Business insights, or a snap shot of it, directly on your Google Maps profile – if you are the business owner or manager.

Joy Hawkins posted in the Local Search Forums that Google has added, for some industries, new service options that these businesses can choose. She posted about plumbers, music schools, piano instructors, and more. Other local SEOs are seeing this as…

Google now lets owners and managers of verified businesses can reply to reviews directly from their Business Profile on Google Maps Android. You are able to reply to reviews many ways, including Google Maps desktop, Google My Business console and othe…

Ben Fisher posted on Twitter a screen shot of Google showing an ad within the Google Local Knowledge panel for a Dodge dealership. The interesting thing is the ad is from a different brand, a Toyota!

Google has added delivery icons to the local pack listings that Google can send searchers directly to an online delivery service. If you search for [McDonalds] you might be able to see it, here is a screen shot.

Google said you can now manage reviews in bulk for multiple listings. Google wrote “businesses can view reviews for multiple listings at once. With bulk reviews, you’ll be able to view, reply to, and flag reviews for multiple listings from one place.”
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Google My Business can sometimes transfer your business reviews when you move, set up a new office, change names or whatever. But that is currently not possible. A Local Search Forum thread has the local SEO folks saying Google is unable to do it rig…

Hotels can now edit its services and amenities in the “Hotel attributes” section of their Google My Business account. Google My Business was having issues with hotel edits earlier last week and it might have been related to this upgrade? In any event, …

Tons of local SEOs are reporting seeing a notice in Google My Business for “missing store code” for listings. Justin Mosebach posted in the Local Search Forums “Just checked the dashboard in Google My Business this morning and noticed that all of the…

Google announced new Google Maps travel features and also promised to show you the best prices for that travel or your money back – this is no joke.

Google launched three new features or changes to Google My Business including messaging insights, a site manager sign-up link on a business profile and changes to status names.