Local Search Roundup Archives - BrightLocal https://www.brightlocal.com/tag/local-search-roundup/ Local Marketing Made Simple Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:31:01 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.5.5 Local Search Roundup – June 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-june-2023/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 09:31:21 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=113004 It’s that time again… welcome to The Local Search Roundup! As we finish up the month that saw the launch of Google’s SGE, a number of GBP bugs rearing their ugly head, and a suspicious amount of local packs dropping from search results, we’re taking a look back at what happened across local search in May 2023. 

Google Business Profile and Maps Tests and Updates

New GBP Conversion Options Added to Google Ads

Google Ads has launched new conversion options which lead to Google Business Profiles. Users might see the option to add in GBP Call, Tracked Call, or Learn More conversions to their ad campaigns. 

        Conversion Actions

 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Live Chat Availability Added to GBP

Want to chat with the business you’re searching for? Now’s your chance! (Sort of.) Google is testing a “Chat with live agent” button to some business profiles. It’s available if the business has Messages switched on, and are using a third-party tool. So if your business is hot on customer service, this could be a game-changer for you. 

Chat With Live Agent Seroundtable

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Spotted: New Google Business Profile Tests

A number of new tests have been spotted on Google business profiles and Maps, including a box labeling sponsored listings on maps: 

Maps Listing Sponsored Seroundtable

 

Users have also seen a new label stating whenever your profile is ‘pending’ an edit. 

Profile Pending Pin Seroundtable

Plus, a new label in the Map Pack has also been found which shows the user that reviews aren’t verified. This label has previously been seen on the Reviews section of a GBP, but never on the Map Pack (until now!). 

Reviews Arent Verified Seroundtable

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

New Functionality to Share Recent Maps Searches

You might now be able to share a link to recent map searches! This new feature has been seen on Google Maps and gives the user the opportunity to share a link to a list of recent searches. For users, this is a great addition, but early days for businesses to see if it has any effect on performance. 

Google Local Panel Slider Images 1684955204

Source: Search Engine Roundtable 

Does Google Want to Prioritize Services in Maps?

A few local SEOs have noticed the Services button is now shown first in a search in Google Maps. Allie Margeson has advised “Google wants you to give searchers the answers in the search results. Don’t sleep on optimizing Services!”

 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Is Testing an Image Slider for GBP Photos

It looks like Google is taking a leaf out of social media channels such as Instagram and LinkedIn’s book, with a test being spotted of a sliding carousel for images on business profiles. 

Google Local Panel Slider Images 1684955204 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Bugs and Glitches

Another day, another Google bug. This time, you might have found your images are getting rejected; which, frankly, could be a bug… or it could be that your images are simply just rejected. This bug seems to come and go, so Near Media wrote a comprehensive guide on what to look out for if you think this is happening again. 

Not Approved Nearmedia

Source: Near Media

Users then found that editing posts and updates on Google left them with a blanked-out screen. Cue more confusion over another bug. 

Google Posts Edit Bug Seroundtable

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

And if that wasn’t enough, users found that GBP wouldn’t let you invite new owners to your business profile, though now Google is on the case to fix this. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

One user has also found that even changing Owner to Primary Owner on the back-end of a GBP is glitching. Will this rigmarole ever end? 

Gbp Owner Bug

Source: The Local Pack Facebook Group

Algorithm and Ranking changes

A month in search wouldn’t be complete without ranking changes and disruptions, potentially down to a change in algorithm. This month, local search experts found that there has been a significant drop in local packs, particularly on common terms which always used to generate local packs in results.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

What’s New in Local Search?

Incentivizing Reviews by Donating to Charity Is Not Allowed

In a recent post on The Local Pack, one user asked if donating money to charity in exchange for a review was allowed. Google Product Expert Joy Hawkins took this question straight to Google and found the answer for us. Spoiler alert: This is against Google’s guidelines. 

Source: Sterling Sky

Search Generative Experience (SGE)

Probably one of the biggest news updates this month (and we saved the best until last) is the launch of Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE).

What Google's Search Generative Experience Means for Local Search
What Google's Search Generative Experience Means for Local Search

Find out what SGE might mean for local search

Read More

At this month’s Google I/O conference, Google announced their new AI-assisted search which, as of May 25, was made available to users on a waitlist across the US. 

Having had a very quick play with local search queries, we’ve explored what SGE looks like for local search and what it might mean for local marketers. 

 

That’s it for this roundup! For the very latest in local SEO, updates to Google Business Profile, and more, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account!

]]> Local Search Roundup – May 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-may-2023/ Thu, 04 May 2023 12:17:23 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=112332 Welcome back to the Local Search Roundup! This month, we saw changes to Google Business Profile (GBP) and Microsoft Bing, and tests to local search results pages. From personal reservations now showing on GBP listings to local finder images only being shown for ad content (what?!), let’s dig into some of April’s biggest stories in search. 

What’s new with Google Business Profile (GBP)?

Google (Appears to be) Testing Text Communications to Verify GBP Information 

Google may be moving to text to communicate with business owners. Molly Youngblood shared screenshots (shown below) on her Twitter when she received a message from a verified Google Support number requesting verification for the information shown on her GBP. 

Other business owners have started to receive similar messages, and while the texts are coming from a real Google Support number, some local SEOs are concerned that these messages aren’t really coming from Google, and Google has not publicly confirmed whether it’s them sending these messages. 

While this could be a handy feature one day, right now we don’t know enough to feel anything except a little perplexed by the phantom messages. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Molly Youngblood on Twitter

Local Search Testing New Placement for “Request a Quote”

The “Request a Quote” button has moved in local search results, now located next to the Website, Directions, Save, and Call buttons, putting a new emphasis on the function:

One small step for Google Search Results, one giant leap for… those requesting quotes. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Joy Hawkins on Twitter

New Overlay Interface for Business Profile Listings Being Tested

Google seems to be testing a new overlay interface for business profile listings. With this function, clicking on a business listing in the local pack prompts an overlay with more information to appear in the web search results rather than redirecting the user to Google Maps. Colan Nielsen, who spotted the change, speculates that this could have an impact on the Google Map views metric in Google Insights. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Colan Nielsen on Twitter

Personal Reservations Showing on GBP Listings

Reservations made through ‘reserve with Google’ via the local pack or Google Assistant now may show on the Google Business Profile listing. 

Big news for those of us who stare longingly at the GBP of a restaurant we’re due to visit. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Krystal Taing on Twitter

GBP Adds Copy Menu Function 

When going to add or edit a GBP menu, restaurants will be prompted with the option to copy a menu associated with their business from elsewhere on the web. Once copied, each menu item can be individually edited.

While the function may not be perfect, it provides a foundation for restaurants to build out their full menu off of existing ones. 

Hopefully this feature, in addition to being a massive timesaver for restaurants, will lead to more complete menus available in the local pack. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Lluc B. Penycate on Twitter

New Tips to Avoid Bulk GBP Verification Delays 

A Google help document focusing on “Common issues that delay bulk verification” has been updated with new tips including using official domain emails, making sure all listed addresses are on (and matching those on!) the business’s website, and always using exact addresses—including suite numbers, floor numbers, etc. 

Krystal Taing (@krystal_taing on Twitter), who spotted the changes, summarized them in a Tweet: 

For those out there working with bulk verification, hopefully these new tips will help cut back all that waiting time and get those GBPs up and running smoothly.  

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Krystal Taing on Twitter

What’s new in local search?

Yelp Hones In on User Experience and Engagement

Yelp has announced 3 new features aimed at improving user experience and boosting business/user engagement. 

The first feature, known as Yelp Guaranteed, is a satisfaction-guaranteed program for users requesting quotes from home service providers; the program offers up to $2,500 back in the event that something goes wrong with their home improvement project. The program is available to users who got into contact with an eligible business through Yelp’s “Request a Quote” feature. 

Yelp has also introduced advanced search functionality based upon Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs). This new search model offers a variety of functions, including clickable category tags on business profiles, search suggestions based on search intent rather than location, and a “Surprise Me!” feature for finding new restaurants. 

Finally, Yelp is tackling user engagement features, adding video capacity to reviews, review topics such as “food” and “service,” and new review reactions such as “Helpful,” “Thanks,” and “Oh no.” According to Yelp, these new reactions have increased their review engagement six-fold. 

Source: Search Engine Land via Yelp

Google Prioritizing Primary Categories as a Ranking Factor

Following the March 2023 rollout of the broad Google Core update, certain businesses are finding their visibility being impacted in a big way. According to an analysis by Sterling Sky, the primary category has been prioritized as a ranking factor. 

Graph showing how primary category has strengthened as a ranking factor.
Source: Sterling Sky

In addition to this, the analysis suggests that query matching has broadened, roping more loosely related queries to search results and that some categories are now matching to more related keywords, increasing competition. 

Source: Sterling Sky

Grid Format for Local Search

Users have spotted a grid format being used to showcase local search results on mobile, indicating that Google might be playing with a new layout. We’ve seen the grid format for some time now in the form of product and shopping search results, however, this is the first time we’ve seen it applied to the local search results. 

Twitter user @Beymour, who first pointed out the new setup, noted it seemed to be especially prevalent in “best” queries (such as “best dentist near me”):

And that in some cases, the first or second result displayed as a full-width image:

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Brandon (@Beymour) on Twitter

“Often Searched Together” Added to Local Search Panel

Google has added an “often searched together” section to the local search panel, offering businesses a glimpse into who their top competitors might be while making search results more comprehensive for users. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Mordy Oberstein on Twitter

Local Finder Images Only Showing for Ads

In somewhat disappointing news, Google may be testing only showing local finder images for ad content. While there is some speculation that this may be a bug, others believe that this could be a new approach that Google is taking to the local finder. In this format, all non-sponsored results show up with only a map image. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Justin Mosebach on Twitter

Blended Local Finder Query Results 

While blended query results aren’t new, users are noticing a new trend in local finder results. Google, in some instances, is now displaying two or more different (but still similar) queries together and accompanied with a short line of text explaining the match. 

While there is speculation around how new this is, SEOs are agreeing that this format effectively makes sponsored content appear organic. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable via Mordy Oberstein on Twitter

What’s new with Microsoft (and Bing!)? 

Microsoft Rolls Out Professional Service Ads Globally

Microsoft has announced that their Professional Service Ads for their vertical ad suite are now available globally. This announcement comes on the tail of their beta for doctor and clinic ads, and is designed to “help consumers connect directly to professionals in a variety of industries such as insurance, real estate, doctor & clinics, tax services, and home services.”

Source: Microsoft

Site Names and Favicons Added to Search Results

Following in Google’s footsteps, Bing has just site names and favicons to their search results… in some cases. 

A search completed by Search Engine Land showed these changes in action: 

Screen capture from Search Engine Land showing Bing's new favicons/site names.
Source: Search Engine Land

However when we tried it for ourselves, we were met with the classic Bing format: 

Classic Bing search format

We’re looking forward to seeing if Bing continues to roll this out here in the UK—that BrightLocal green just adds a certain something to the SERP, in our opinion. 

Source: Search Engine Land

Updates to Bing Chat Functions

Bing’s chat function has been taking big steps to ensure better user experience. The latest? Image and video, improved local search, more robust summarization, and more inter-product compatibility. Specifically:

  • Images and videos can now be sent by Microsoft directly in the chat
  • General improvements to the local search function, allegedly improving the results for any local searches
  • The summarization tool can now be used on bigger documents
  • You can now use the Bing Image Creator in the Microsoft Edge sidebar

And there are more changes to come, of course. Talk of Bing Translate integration, the use of inline images, improved copy and paste, and a potential text-to-speech function are swirling around. 

Bing certainly seems to be listening to user’s concerns, and is ready to continue rolling out changes to ensure the best possible experience for them. 

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

But Wait, There’s More

Finally, while it may not be all new information, we want to give a quick shoutout to this piece from Local Guides Connect, which highlights five ways you can use Google Maps to help the environment. 

That’s it for this roundup! For the very latest in local SEO, updates to Google Business Profile, and more, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account!

]]> Local Search Roundup – April 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-april-2023/ Thu, 06 Apr 2023 15:21:15 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=111941 Welcome to our monthly roundup of all things local. Now, you might think that with the rise of AI and a Core Algorithm Update rolling out March might have been a quiet one for local search news, but as you’ll see below, it’s been a busy month full of tests, bugs, research and, well, yes… AI. Of course.

What’s new with Google Business Profile?

New Tests for Google Posts/Updates Overlay

Two new tests around Google Posts/updates have been spotted in the wild. In the first test, Google updates get overlaid over images for the business listing…

And in the second test spotted, users can click to see ‘More Posts’ when browsing the most recent updates:

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Shopping Results Displaying GBP Products

Google has started showing products added to Google Business Profile via the Products & Services feature in the Google Shopping section of Search. Great news if you’re selling products and you want more visibility of what you have in store!

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Prompt to Link to Better Business Bureau Appearing in GBP Verification

Google has started including a few new questions in its GBP verification process, and one might come as a surprise…

Yes, apparently Google trusts data from the Better Business Bureau enough that, for US-based business at least, it’s asking for a link to their company information on the popular directory.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

“Similar To” Personalization Appears in Google Business Profile

Google users performing local searches may find themselves being prompted by Google that a business in their search is “similar to” another business they’ve frequented in the past.

It’s an interesting step in the name of personalizing your search experience, but sometimes this stuff just errs too much on the creepy.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Fixed: “Your Business Is Not Visible to Customers”

Local SEOs had a panic in mid-March when a confirmed bug at Google’s end left them seeing this message when accessing or editing their Google Business Profiles. A fix came a day or two later, and it seems like it was a glitch and that these businesses were actually visible and editable during that time.

Way to keep us on our toes, Google!

Google Inserts Incorrect Prices Into GBP Services

We all know Google, rather frustratingly, likes to pull your business information from places you might not be able to control, but this is the first time we’ve seen it completely make up your service prices!

If you haven’t checked in on your services in GBP lately, now might be a good time to do so!

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Related: Ten Tips for Monitoring Your Google Business Profile

New ‘About’ and ‘Reviews’ Tab on Desktop Mirroring Mobile Experience

Is Google starting to go mobile-first with GBP, and bringing the experiences closer together? This new feature, in which ‘Reviews’ and ‘About’ are tabbed rather than appearing vertically in a desktop GBP, certainly suggests so.

Manage Your Menus via the New Merchant Experience (NMX)

Restaurants can now use the NMX (in-SERP GBP management) to select a preferred source for their menus, or create a custom menu in GBP.

We don’t know about you, but we’re still going to rely on the photo of the coffee-stained, laminated menu taken and uploaded by a visitor five years ago instead…

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Online-conversion Local Ads (OLAs) Allow for More Targeted GBP Advertising

Shown in Google Business Profiles in Search and Maps, these ads allow you to promote products or services relevant to specific locations (e.g. a competitor’s GBP listing, or your own, if you want to ensure no one else can make the land-grab on your own listing).

OLAs


Source: GMBapi.com

What’s new with reviews?

Google Expands Documentation Around Personal Info and ‘Fake Engagement’

In an update to its ‘Prohibited and restricted content’ guidelines, Google has turned existing vagueness around what personal info can be used where into an absolute rule (with exceptions, of course).

Google Personal Information Guidelines

It has also added guidelines around fake engagement, e.g. using an automated tool to post reviews.

Fake engagement Google guidelines

Definitely worth reviewing if you’re considering engaging in automated fake reviews. Whether this applies to businesses using automated tools to respond to reviews at scale remains to be seen.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Restaurant Reviews Encouraged to Include Recommendations of Specific Dishes

When reviewing a restaurant, you might now be asked to recommend a specific dish while you’re rating elements like food, service, and atmosphere.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Releases Reviews Mistakenly Removed as Spam as “New”

What the searcher doesn’t know, can’t hurt them, right? That’s true until Google hands the business reviews it mistakenly removed back to you, but labels them as “new”.

After Google’s initial admission that they would be reinstating these reviews, DAC found that over the following weeks, a significant number of them were being reinstated as “new” reviews on businesses’ GBPs.

If you like the look of lots of fresh, new reviews on your profile, then this is probably a good thing, but not so much if they are old reviews contain information and opinions that no longer reflect your business.

Google Details Progress Made in Tackling Fake Contributions in 2022

In its annual report on its progress towards finally making Google fakery-free (hey, we can dream!), Google released some key stats, including:

  • 115m+ policy-violating reviews removed, including a 20% increase in the removal of fake reviews
  • 200m photos and 7m videos were blocked or removed for being blurry, low quality, or violating content policies
  • 20m attempts to create fake Business Profiles stopped

Google puts a lot of its success in these increases down to the evolution of its machine learning capabilities.

Surprise, Surprise: Review Spammers Are Using AI

File this under: no sh*t. Although OpenAI and Google disallow the use of their generative AI technology to produce spam, spammers aren’t exactly ones to follow the rules, so it should come as no surprise that AI is clearly being used to create fake business reviews at scale.

AI Review Spam

Perhaps Google could see which way the wind was blowing, hence the ‘Fake Engagement’ guidelines mentioned above?

Sources: Review Fraud via Search Engine Roundtable

What’s new in local search?

New Local Ranking Factors Survey Released

Whitespark have released their survey of local SEO expert opinions on what does and doesn’t impact local rankings, including questions around negative ranking factors, LSA ranking factors and suspension risk factors for the first time.

Darren Shaw goes into detail on what’s changed over at Near Media. It’s well worth a watch.

Google Explore Now Features Local Search Results

Google has added business profile overlays and scrollable business info to the Google Explore section of search (which Search Engine Roundtable’s Barry Schwartz rightly describes as “that weird feature you get when you keep scrolling and scrolling through the search results”).

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Tests Blend of Search and Local Snippets

Here’s a strange one: an odd mix of local business info and standard search snippet appearing in search results. It has some of the local features you’d want to see (map, directions, how to call, etc.) but very little actually useful info like business or product description.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Testing Reviews Icon Limited to One Star

You’d be forgiven for having a coronary if you spotted this one when searching for a client’s business!

No, those businesses don’t just have one-star average review ratings. That’s just Google trying to save a bit of space in the already cramped local pack by having the single star signify what the number next to it refers to, rather than showing the full amount of stars.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

What’s new with Local Services Ads?

Services Supported by LSAs See Massive Expansion

In early March, Google expanded the business types that can use Local Services Ads far beyond the usual remit of home services, law practitioners, and real estate agents.

The new list of supported businesses, which you can find here, includes education, people care, pet care, wellness, and healthcare—so Google is clearly still sticking to the sorts of businesses that involve handing over a lot of trust, often known as YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) industries.

Related: What Are Local Services Ads?

You Can Now Report (Some) Reviews on LSAs—Finally

In news that many have been looking forward to, Google has now added the function to ‘Report a review’ on Local Services Ads. This naturally doesn’t include verified reviews (a big part of Google’s offering here) but it at least helps to bring some parity between the usual GBP review experience and LSAs.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

It’s Now Much Easier to Add and Remove Verticals in Local Services Ads

The interface that allows you to edit, set up and optimize your Local Services Ads has been updated to make it easier to select those that apply best to your business.

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

That’s it for this roundup! For the very latest in local SEO, updates Google Business Profile, and more, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account!

]]> Local Search Roundup – March 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-march-2023/ Fri, 03 Mar 2023 10:00:28 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=111175 Welcome back to the Local Search Roundup! We’re going to take a look back at the biggest, and most important updates across local marketing over the last month. As ever, it’s been a busy month. So grab a hot drink and read everything that happened in February 2023.

Google Business Profile (GBP) and Google Maps

GBP Removed Emojis and Special Characters From Business Names

While Emojis in business names aren’t something many would recommend in the first place, Google started removing them from GBP in February. Not only that, but they started removing special characters too, like ® and others.

T Google Business Profile Change Notice

Source: SEO Roundtable

Many received notifications from Google showing them what their current name was and detailing what the new name would be. While this would make the results more accessible for users, it likely caused issues for many businesses that actually have those characters in their names.

Google Maps Removed Policy-abiding Reviews from Local Guides…

According to its own Google Local Guides Connect blog, there was an issue with moderation. Their own attempts to avoid spam and policy violations went too far and they removed completely legitimate reviews, including those from Google Local Guides.

… Then Reinstated Them

They stated right away that they were working on a fix though, and not long after they reinstated all the Google Local Guide reviews.

Crisis averted!

Updates to the NMX dashboard

Since rolling out the new, and much-maligned, NMX dashboard Google has been tweaking it left constantly.

In February alone each of these was added:

  • First up, Google added an ‘Edit rates’ option for hotels

  • Next, they added a ‘Get Started’ prompt for the Merchant Center in the NMX to encourage people to list their products on Google Shopping

  • Finally, they’ve started adding menu options for other tasks, such as ‘See photos’. We think this one is just a test at the moment.

The New “Profile Strength” Label

One of these updates to the dashboard was a new ‘profile strength’ meter, that appeared in the top corner. We’ve covered what this means, and why you shouldn’t panic if your score isn’t at 100, in a guide to the Profile Strength Label.

The NMX with the Profile Strength Label in the top right hand corner

Business Tab added to Google Maps App

While you’ve been able to edit your GBP on the Google Maps app for a long time, they’ve added some functionality on Android to make it easier. Now you’ll find ‘Business’ added to the tab at the bottom of the screen. Now you just need to click here and it’ll take you to your GBP screen.

GBP Sunsetted the Old Insights API

Finally, and one that’s been on the cards for a while, Google has sunsetted the GMB Insights API for GBP.

This is specifically the Google My Business Insights reporting API. It went offline on February 20th, 2023. You should have already, but if you haven’t you need to update to the new Business Profile Performance API.

Local SEO

Yahoo search is coming back

Ok, ok, this was actually announced right at the end of January, but it’s something you may want to keep an eye on. Yahoo announced they were relaunching their own search engine sometime soon. There’s a growing appetite for alternative search engines to Google, so it’s understandable that they’re considering the move.

John Mueller Says Local Businesses Don’t Need to Worry so Much about Core Web Vitals

Speaking on Mastodon, John said that local businesses, “in most cases” shouldn’t have Core Web Vitals at the top of their list of priorities. This mainly comes down to page experience. Google generally only shows data in Search Console on Web Vitals and Page Experience for “sufficiently popular sites”.

This means that small businesses with only a few pages on their websites shouldn’t worry too much. John isn’t saying to ignore it, but more that you shouldn’t focus as much on it as some people do.

New location snippets appearing in Bing

This is currently just a test, but Bing is trying out serving maps within search snippets. At the moment you can only trigger this map within a snippet with specific search queries.

An example of this can be seen with our own brand name below.

Brightlocal Bing Map Snippet

Google says embedding third-party local reviews won’t help search rankings

This was another case of John Mueller being asked about a specific ranking factor. On Twitter, he was asked whether embedding reviews from GBP, Bing, or Facebook on your site through an API would provide a benefit.

He said that they won’t improve your rankings, and re-iterated previous guidance that any review not collected on your site shouldn’t use structured data if you choose to showcase it.

At BrightLocal, we obviously have some thoughts on showcasing reviews. While Google may not use them as a local ranking factor, they provide important social proof and add trust for your potential customers, so don’t ignore them simply because they may not improve your rankings.

The Local Pack Disappeared, for 15 Minutes

It’s been reported that the Google Local Pack disappeared in its entirety. The good news is that it only happened for about 15-20 minutes. It’s unlikely that it’s anything to worry about beyond a bug, but as ever, it’s good to be aware of these things.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI seems to be moving at a face pace lately, so there are a few things you should know from the last month.

ChatGPT is going to cost $20

We’ve known that ChatGPT wasn’t going to stay free forever. The good news is that the paid version isn’t as wallet-busting as originally thought. For now, the premium tier, known as ChatGPT Plus, is $20 a month and gets you access to a couple of features the free tier won’t have, including priority access at peak times.

Google Announced Bard

After all the noise from Bing and Open AI, Google finally announced their own search AI; Bard. Bard itself is a chatbot a little like ChatGPT, but Google is aiming to combine it with their regular search engine, in the way that Microsoft intends to with Bing.

Currently, the main use for Bard appears to be to field informational queries, often without sourcing the answers it supplies. We’ll keep you updated if and when Google gives us any updates on how it could affect local.

Read more: What does AI mean for local SEO?

Test driving Bing

If you want to see how ChatGPT integrates with Bing then Search Engine Land has done a detailed deep dive into how AI will look on the platform that specifically uses local examples.

]]> Local Search Roundup – February 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-february-2023/ Wed, 01 Feb 2023 09:17:11 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=109311 Welcome back to the Local Search Roundup! This month, we’re taking a look back at the biggest local search stories from January 2023 and, unsurprisingly, the star of the show is Google. Grab a beverage and dive in.

Bug affecting Google Business Profile image uploads

If you had the issue recently where you couldn’t upload images to Google Business Profile, then rest assured you were not alone. It happened to most people at the time but has since been resolved. 

Bug affecting Google Business Profile image uploads

Source: Tim Capper, Twitter

Google allows reviewers to add more details about chosen attributes 

When you edit your attributes in Google Business Profile, you may see a box under the attribute to “say more about” it. This allows a reviewer to add more details about the attributes chosen. It seems Google has been beta-testing this since around November 2022.

‘Check wait time’ button added to Google Local

Available for a few months now, searchers can hit the ‘Check wait time’ button on local listings to find out how long they’ll have to wait to receive services, such as a takeaway meal from restaurants. 

‘Check wait time’ button added to Google Local

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google Posts insights discontinued

Google Posts insights are no more! The service has been discontinued according to Google Business Profiles API documentation. However, Google Business Profile users will continue to have access to a number of profile insights like profile views, number of calls, messages, bookings and others.

Google publishes content on restrictions for user-generated content

For the first time ever Google has broken down the various types of restrictions for posting user-generated content (UGC). The restrictions refer to things like user-uploaded photos, videos, and reviews.

Some local results in Google showing double justifications 

Google’s local search results have a feature to highlight a review in the map pack and local search results snippet. These highlights or summarizations are known as justifications. 

Google was testing this feature in 2020. It officially went live in 2021 and the double justifications is new for 2023.

Some local results in Google showing double justifications

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Any vehicle dealer can now list inventory on Google Business Profile

Until recently, only US-based car dealers could list their inventory on their Google Business Profiles. Now, anything that has a Vehicle Identification Number is eligible to be listed. That means motorcycles, RVs, powersports, and Commercial vehicles are all allowed. Importantly though, this feature is not yet available internationally. 

Cars For Sale Google Business Profile 1641397271

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

For the very latest in local SEO, updates Google Business Profile, and more, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account!

]]> Local Search Roundup – January 2023 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-january-2023/ Wed, 11 Jan 2023 09:25:07 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=108576 Welcome back to the Local Search Roundup! This month, we’re taking a look back at the biggest local search stories from December 2022. So, what’s been going on?

Well, if you didn’t think Google would let us all rest over the holiday period, turns out it actually kind of did. The announcement that its Helpful Content Update would be delayed was welcome news for some, albeit slightly frustrating for those waiting for the rollout to be done … and waiting. As far as other updates are concerned, it was a quieter month in all. 

What’s new with Google Updates?

Google begins rolling out another iteration of the Helpful Content Update

After an initial launch midway through 2022, the Helpful Content Update got a refresh. The global algorithm update aims to help searchers find useful content by promoting more helpful websites and content. Initially predicted to take several weeks to roll out, Google confirmed an extension was taking place, before a slight pause in the holiday period. The pause of the holidays has now ended.

December 2022 Link Spam Update rolls out

Initially expected to take a couple of weeks to roll out in December, Google has confirmed that its Link Spam Update is also rolling into January… so keep an eye on any ranking fluctuations.

Introducing E-E-A-T

After everyone finally got used to E-A-T and what it meant for local content, Google decided to update it with an extra E. The concept of E-E-A-T marks a significant update to Google’s Quality Rater Guidelines, introducing ‘Experience’ as a key indicator of trustworthiness.

Refined search capabilities rolling out on mobile

After months of testing and a feature at Search On, Google is rolling out topic filters at the top of some search results pages. Using “dinner ideas” as an example, users can narrow down their results with filters such as “vegetarian” or “healthy” and find more relevant content.

Seroundtable Google Topic Search Bar Refinements 1670166684

Image: SERoundtable

Latest Updates to Google Business Profile

A bug affecting photo and logo uploads 

Another day, another Google Business Profile (GBP) bug! It seems mostly newly verified businesses were having issues being able to upload photos and logos to business profiles. This was resolved around a week later.

Disclaimers added to appointment providers

Business profiles with associated appointment providers now have a disclaimer, reading: “providers are listed in random order.” —however, this can be expanded to explain that if the business does have a preference, then this provider will be displayed first.

Appointment Disclaimers GBP

Option to download your Google Business Profile when removing a listing

When users navigate to the option to remove a GBP listing, they can now ‘Download content’ to save their listing data.

…but they made it a little too easy to delete your GBP altogether

It was noted by Claudia T on Twitter that the option to permanently delete your GBP was possibly a little bit, well, reckless.

Photos added to GBP are now marked as ‘pending’

Notices have been spotted on images added to Google Business Profiles to reflect that they are pending approval.

Services now showing on GBPs via desktop

An expandable list of services can now be seen on Business Profiles when using a desktop interface. Where categories are limited, this update is helpful for local businesses as they can be more visible to prospective customers.

NMX allows custom maps to be created for websites

The new in-search editing interface now allows users to pick a design and show a custom Google map on their websites – this is particularly useful for businesses with multiple locations.

Latest in Reviews News

Studying the influence of review count on conversion

SOCi’s State of Google Reviews report examined the Google profiles of 31,000 chain and franchise businesses to measure the influence of review count on conversion, further highlighting the importance of actively working on your business review profile.

What do we know about the new Reviews algorithm?

Following the chaotic bug causing the removal of GBPs in November, Mike Blumenthal of NearMedia examines the new review filter. Findings show their benefits but, as we know, there have been cases of false positives and plenty of confusion, too.

Local Guides Do Matter!

A case study by Joy Hawkins has found that business reviews by Google Local Guides stay at the top of reviews for longer, as do those from reviewers with profile photos. 

Local Marketing

BrightLocal releases first Local Marketing Confidence Survey

As well as a generally positive outlook for marketers in 2023, we delve into some of the biggest challenges agencies and consultants face with winning new clients.

Local Marketing Confidence Survey 2023 New Business Challenges

You can read the full findings, key insights, and recommendations of the Local Marketing Confidence Survey here.

What does Continuous Scrolling mean for advertisers?

Continuous results scrolling has been confirmed as rolled out on desktop. But what does this mean for ads? Advertisers may see higher impressions and a lower CTR on Search, Shopping, and Local Ads, says Search Engine Land. 

For the very latest in local SEO, updates Google Business Profile, and more, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account!

]]> Local Search Roundup – December 2022 https://www.brightlocal.com/blog/local-search-roundup-december-2022/ Thu, 08 Dec 2022 14:01:02 +0000 https://www.brightlocal.com/?p=107136 Welcome to the Local Search Roundup! This is our space to bring you a summary of all that matters in local search. Whether it’s important Google Business Profile updates, recent industry findings, or developments in marketing technology, every month you’ll find the latest in local marketing and how it affects your business as a whole. 

What’s new in Google Business Profile?

The in-SERP edit experience fully rolls out

Google has rolled out its new editing experience within the search engine results pages (SERPs) for anyone managing Business Profiles. Users are no longer given the option to continue editing their profiles within the traditional dashboard.

Photo insights are not being transferred to the NMX

The new editing and insights experience for Google Business Profile will not include photo insights. Many local SEOs are frustrated with this change, but Google has stated: “While we are moving away from providing Photo Insights, Business Profile users will continue to have access to a number of profile insights like profile views, number of calls, messages, bookings, and others.”

Photo cropping added to the NMX

The new in-SERP editor now has an easy-to-use photo cropping tool to Google Posts and Updates. This means it’s easier to create images cropped to your preference when uploading. 

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Source: Claire Carlile

Videos in GBPs are automatically playing in the Google Maps app

Videos uploaded to business profiles are now auto-playing and seem to appear in second place within the carousel of images. This may prompt more video views, encouraging business profile users to upload videos alongside photos. 

Hospitality businesses can select preferred menus for business profiles

Business profiles offer a ‘Manage your menu’ option, where restaurant and hospitality businesses can select their chosen menu from the ones automatically sourced by Google.

Image

Google Business Profiles now include a ‘Showing the World Cup’ attribute

You can now let customers know if your establishment is showing World Cup matches by adding a new attribute to your business profile. Users will also be able to search for “Where to watch the world cup near me” to find a nearby venue of their choice.

GBP World Cup Attribute

Source: Google

Google Map’s Augmented Reality Live view is now rolling out

Announced earlier this year, you can now view Google Maps in AR. You’ll find ATMs, coffee shops, and more on the map. These are just some of the updates Google has made to make Maps more interactive for users. 

You can now search restaurants by dish

Also announced earlier this year, and now rolling out, is the functionality to search for a specific dish near you. Results will show restaurants with the dish on their menu.

A new layout test has been spotted, with larger photos and street view formats

A number of local search experts have spotted a full-screen experience for business profile photos and street views. These images appear when clicking through from the knowledge map. 

Google New Local Knowledge Panel Photo Street View Layout 1668601189

Source: Search Engine Roundtable 

Google is testing a new placement for local businesses in SERPs

A test has been spotted where business maps are placed underneath their respective snippets. There’s also a slightly updated design for the local panel which appears on the side of the results.

T Google Map Box In Search Results Snippet 1669724924

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google is suggesting service areas to add to your Google Business Profile

For service-area businesses, Google is prompting ‘Suggested service areas’ to include on your business profile. Remember, just because they’re ‘suggested’ doesn’t mean you should include them, as you should only include the areas you actually serve. 

A spike in scam ownership requests from Google Business Profiles

There’s been an increase in fake ownership requests over the last few weeks. Please be on the lookout for these requests as they may look official. 

Some business profiles are displaying a label for edit review times

A new label estimating how long your requested edits may take to be reviewed has been spotted. Most local search experts have said these edits have taken around ten minutes to be reviewed as stated. 

T Google Business Profiles Edit Review Time 1669648923

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google is now identifying previous business locations

A pin on maps has been spotted which shows a business’s ‘previous’ location. According to Mike Blumenthal, these pins will only be visible for verified businesses and for people viewing the suggested edits via the NMX.

Local pack headers are now generic headers

In a report earlier this year, Miriam Ellis and Dr Pete J Meyers reported on the diversity of local pack headers. It’s since been spotted that local pack headers are now made up of generic terms. 

What’s new in Reviews?

Google reviews are displaying the number of reviews left in that city 

Google reviews are now showing the number of reviews left by a user in that particular city. This is another step towards helping users assess the legitimacy and trustworthiness of reviews.

Google Local Reviews Count City 1667742240

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Google reviews are displaying the number of reviews left in that category

Similarly, Google reviews are also showing the number of reviews left by a user within that particular business category. A user can see reviews grouped by locations and business category when viewing their own profile. 

Source: Damian Rollison 

Google reviews are now showing a positive vs unfavorable percentage bar 

A new rating bar has been added to some business types, to demonstrate positive vs unfavorable reviews. This bar appears when clicking into one of the ‘People often mention’ categories when viewing a business’s reviews. 

T Google Local Reviews Bar Slide 1668949882

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

Does the length of a Google review matter?

A new case study has revealed that reviews that are longer in length, stay at the top of Google local listings for a longer period of time.

What’s new in Local Services Ads?

New headers have been spotted in Local Services Ads results

Some minor variations in headings have been seen on Google Guaranteed & Google Screened results. Some of the headers also include an ‘Ads’ label. 

Google Local Service Ad Headings 1669641763

Source: Search Engine Roundtable 

What’s new in Marketing?

Are ad agencies advising their clients to quit Twitter?

With the uproar of new ownership, many businesses are taking a step back from using the social media platform. But are agency experts advising their clients do the same?

Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on our Twitter account for the very latest in local search, Google Business Profile, and more as it happens!

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