Google My Business Updates: The Latest in Local SEO

TL;DR

In this video, you will learn about the latest updates and challenges in Google My Business, including the new short name feature, product beta, and issues like business suspensions and missing reviews. The discussion also covers the impact of these updates on local SEO and provides insights into managing Google My Business effectively.

Transcript

still six questions from yep I see it in the chat here I'm good okay alrighty we're live hi everybody welcome to what's new Google my business my name is Kerry though I'm pinch-hitting for Andrew shot one who had some connection issues this morning but we're just gonna we're gonna the show must go on right I'm joined by Mike Blumenthal from gather ... Read More

Key Insights

• Google My Business has introduced a new short name feature, which initially caused issues like listing suppression but has since been resolved.
• The product beta feature in Google My Business is now live, allowing businesses to showcase products prominently in the knowledge panel.
• Suspensions of Google My Business listings have increased due to efforts to combat fake listings, impacting legitimate businesses as well.
• Missing reviews are a recurring issue as Google's algorithms sometimes mistakenly remove legitimate reviews while targeting fake ones.
• Posts in Google My Business have evolved, with snippets now appearing in search results and providing additional visibility for businesses.
• Google is testing a local scroll pack feature, which could change how local search results are displayed, though it's not widely available yet.
• Citations have minimal impact on rankings, and many SEO experts advise against focusing heavily on them due to diminishing returns.
• Service area businesses face challenges with visibility and legitimacy, and Google is working on improving the handling of such listings.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is the new short name feature in Google My Business?

The short name feature allows businesses to create a custom URL for their Google My Business profile, making it easier for customers to find them online. Initially, this feature caused listing suppression issues, but Google has since resolved these problems.

Q: How has the product beta feature impacted Google My Business?

The product beta feature enables businesses to showcase their products prominently in the knowledge panel, enhancing visibility. This feature is particularly beneficial for businesses that can creatively use it to display services or other offerings, even if they don't have traditional products.

Q: Why have Google My Business suspensions increased?

Suspensions have increased as Google intensifies efforts to combat fake listings. Unfortunately, this has also led to legitimate businesses being caught in the crossfire, resulting in longer wait times for reinstatement and increased challenges in maintaining an active listing.

Q: What issues are businesses facing with missing reviews?

Businesses are experiencing missing reviews due to Google's algorithms mistakenly removing legitimate reviews while targeting fake ones. This is a known issue, and Google has acknowledged that it is an intentional part of their efforts to combat spam, although it can negatively impact real businesses.

Q: How have Google My Business posts evolved?

Posts have become more significant as Google now pulls snippets from them into search results, providing additional visibility. This evolution means that businesses can use posts to highlight products, services, and promotions, potentially improving their search presence.

Q: What is the local scroll pack feature?

The local scroll pack is a new feature Google is testing, which changes the display of local search results by showing a single result with options to scroll for more. It includes filters for features like Wi-Fi availability and reviews, but it's currently in limited testing and not widely available.

Q: What role do citations play in local SEO?

Citations have a minimal impact on local SEO rankings, with many experts advising against focusing heavily on them. The consensus is that citations offer diminishing returns, and businesses should prioritize other SEO strategies that drive more significant results.

Q: What challenges do service area businesses face in Google My Business?

Service area businesses struggle with visibility and legitimacy due to Google's ongoing efforts to reduce spam. These businesses often face challenges in maintaining accurate listings, and Google is working on improving how it handles service area listings to address these issues.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The video covers recent updates and issues in Google My Business, such as the short name feature and product beta. It discusses the impact of these changes on local SEO and offers insights into managing listings effectively.

• Experts share their experiences with increased suspensions and missing reviews, highlighting the challenges businesses face in maintaining their online presence on Google My Business.

• The discussion also touches on the evolving role of posts in Google My Business, the significance of citations, and the challenges service area businesses encounter in the current SEO landscape.