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 then ask you to front them the money and pay you […]

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 section in the screened local listings for what is “at this business.”

Google local listings have been pushing products for the past several years, in fact, it just recently added in-store products in the help document around improving visibility in Google local search. Google has been showing browse by products and browse by stores also recently – although, I am not sure how new this is.

Google Maps is testing a new position for the local listings when you click on a specific listing from the search results on the left hand side. The local listing is overlayed on top of the map, hovering in its own position instead of positioned on the left bar.

Google announced that it will update the local business hours listed in Google Maps and Google Search of over 20 million businesses using AI. How? Google said it looks at a multitude of things including popular times (real user location data), the hours posted on your store front via street view imagery and more.

Google Maps announced a bunch of updates for the iOS and Android app including the prices of tolls, displaying traffic lights and stop signs on the map and additional iOS integrations. These are also rolling out on Android Auto and CarPlay.

Google on April 1st announced the launch of a new business attribute for select business categories. The new attribute is for recycling that lets local storefronts and shops clearly demonstrate their recycling services.

According to Ben Fisher, Google has opened up the Google Business Profiles maps reviews tool to those who manage over 10 accounts. Previously, the tool only worked for those who managed a limited number of accounts.

Google has added a section to the how to improve your local ranking on Google that talks about adding in-store products. Google also added to the edit your business profile a section on these products as well. Google clearly wants you to add products to your local listing, if that is applicable to your business.