If you’ve got a local business, you’ve got a digital front door—and it’s called Google My Business (GMB). No matter how killer your product or service is, if your GMB profile isn't optimized, you’re losing customers to the competition. That’s why it’s critical to stay up to date with the latest features, updates, and even experimental changes Google rolls out. Spoiler: it’s happening fast, and you need to be in the loop.
Here’s the inside scoop on the most important GMB updates from March to May and how they affect your business. Spoiler alert: some of these might make or break your local SEO game.
Competitors in Your GMB Messaging? Yep, It's Happening
Imagine this: a potential customer messages you on GMB asking for a quote. They’re interested, you’ve almost got them. But wait—Google swoops in and offers them competitor quotes too. Yeah, you read that right.
LocalU dropped the bomb that some users are seeing competitor quotes directly after sending a message. Talk about a quick way to lose a sale. You’re doing the hard work, and Google’s handing your customers off to someone else. What can you do? At this point, disabling messaging might be your best bet. If it’s losing you business, it’s not worth the convenience.
“Google could be helping to push your potential customers in the direction of other businesses with this feature. It’s not the first time we’ve seen Google try to provide more diverse results, but popular opinion seems to be that this feature could cause more harm than good.”
The Fake Review Plague Might Be Ending
Fake reviews are one of those things that just make you grind your teeth, right? Well, Google finally seems to be stepping up to the plate with a new tool that lets you flag and manage the removal of bogus reviews. Hallelujah!
Why does this matter? If you’re like most businesses, your reviews are gold. And when a fake one comes through, it’s like someone just threw a wrench in your whole reputation. With this new tool, you can take action immediately and track your requests. It's a game changer for agencies and business owners who have been burned by fake feedback.
AI-Powered Features in Google Maps—How This Helps You
Google Maps is getting smarter by the day. With new AI-driven features like indoor live view and updated directions, navigating through malls, large buildings, or shopping centers just got easier for your customers. If your business is located in a hard-to-find spot, this feature is going to make sure people can find you faster.
Also, new GMB attributes—like curbside pickup and delivery—make it easy for businesses to highlight services that have become essential in the Covid-19 era. If you’re not taking advantage of these attributes, you’re missing out on customers who want convenience.
Say Goodbye to the Classic 3-Pack? Hello, 2-Pack
Ever searched for a local business on mobile and noticed something... off? LocalU reported that Google has been testing a 2-Pack, replacing the usual 3-Pack on mobile search results. That’s less space for businesses to show up and more pressure on ranking higher.
This could mean fewer spots available for organic results and more real estate for ads. The bottom line? You’ll need to work harder to make sure your business doesn’t get pushed out of this critical spot.
Keep Those Reviews Coming—Google’s Watching
Here’s something fresh: Google’s added a “new” label for reviews. Yup, they’re putting extra emphasis on the most recent feedback, giving it more visibility. That means your best bet is to keep the reviews coming in consistently. Don’t wait months between requests—ask your happy customers regularly. The more recent, the better.
Wix + GMB Integration: Making Life Easier for Small Businesses
Wix just made a move that could change the game for small business owners. They’ve integrated directly with GMB, meaning you can manage everything—hours, photos, reviews—straight from your Wix dashboard. This integration is making it easier than ever for small businesses to stay on top of their GMB profiles without needing to be a local SEO expert.
Why should you care? If you’re running a small business and you don’t have time to jump between platforms, this new feature makes managing your online presence more seamless.
GMB Call History: No More Missed Opportunities
Imagine being able to see exactly who called your business, when they called, and even call them back directly from your GMB dashboard. That’s what the new Call History feature is all about. Right now, it’s rolling out slowly, but once it’s live for everyone, it’ll be a must-have tool for following up with potential customers who reach out through GMB.
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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