By Mike Hawkes
Welcome to the Local Search Roundup! March was a whirlwind, and if you blinked, you probably missed some major updates. Don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Grab that coffee, and let’s dive into everything that went down in local SEO, Google Business Profiles (GBP), and the ever-evolving AI landscape last month.
Google Business Profile (GBP) and Google Maps
Emojis and Special Characters? Not Anymore
If you’re the type who loves adding a little flair to your business name with emojis or special characters like ®, Google’s got some bad news. They started scrubbing these from GBP listings in February. While it might make your listing a bit more “vanilla,” it’s all about making search results more user-friendly. Got hit with this change? You’re not alone.
Google Maps Takes Down—and Then Restores—Local Guides’ Reviews
In a classic “whoops” moment, Google’s overzealous spam filter accidentally removed a bunch of legitimate reviews from Local Guides. The good news? They realized their mistake pretty quickly and reinstated those reviews. Crisis averted!
Updates to the NMX Dashboard: It’s Still Evolving
If you thought the NMX dashboard was going to sit still for a minute, think again. February brought a slew of updates:
Edit rates for hotels: Finally, hotels can tweak their rates directly from the dashboard.
Merchant Center prompt: Google’s nudging you to list your products on Google Shopping. Don’t ignore this if you want more eyeballs on your offerings.
Menu options test: Google’s playing around with adding new task options like ‘See photos.’ This one’s still in beta, but it could make your life easier.
The “Profile Strength” Label
One of the more talked-about updates was the introduction of the “Profile Strength” label. You’ll see this little meter in the top right corner of your GBP dashboard. Don’t stress if your score isn’t a perfect 100—just think of it as Google’s way of nudging you to optimize your profile a bit more.
Business Tab in Google Maps App
For the Android users out there, managing your GBP just got a little easier. Google added a “Business” tab at the bottom of the Maps app. Tap it, and you’re straight into your GBP screen. No more fumbling around!
Goodbye, Old Insights API
It’s been a long time coming, but Google finally sunsetted the old GMB Insights API in favor of the new Business Profile Performance API. If you haven’t made the switch yet, you’re officially behind the curve. Get on it!
Local SEO Highlights
Yahoo Search Is Making a Comeback
Remember Yahoo? Well, they’re trying to make a comeback in the search engine game. Announced right at the end of January, Yahoo plans to relaunch their search engine. With a growing appetite for alternatives to Google, this is something to keep on your radar.
John Mueller on Core Web Vitals: Don’t Sweat It, Local Businesses
Google’s John Mueller dropped a bit of wisdom on Mastodon, advising local businesses not to lose sleep over Core Web Vitals. For small websites, the impact is minimal. Focus on what matters most to your customers and don’t get bogged down by the techy stuff unless you’re running a big, high-traffic site.
Bing’s New Location Snippets
Bing is testing maps within search snippets. Right now, it’s limited to specific queries, but it could be a game-changer for local businesses if it rolls out fully. Imagine someone searching for your business and instantly seeing your location on a map—no extra clicks required.
Embedding Third-Party Reviews? Not a Ranking Boost
Got a shiny API that embeds Google or Facebook reviews on your site? Cool, but don’t expect it to boost your rankings. John Mueller clarified that while showcasing these reviews can build trust with users, it won’t give you any SEO brownie points. Keep them on your site for social proof, but don’t expect miracles.
The Local Pack Went MIA… Briefly
In what can only be described as a “moment of panic,” the Google Local Pack disappeared for about 15 minutes. No one knows exactly why, but it was back before most people even noticed. Still, it’s a reminder that nothing is set in stone when it comes to Google’s ever-changing landscape.
The AI Takeover
ChatGPT: Now With a Price Tag
It had to happen sooner or later—ChatGPT introduced a premium tier, ChatGPT Plus, for $20 a month. The free version is still around, but the paid tier offers priority access during peak times. If you’re relying on AI for content or customer service, it might be worth the investment.
Google’s AI Play: Bard
Not to be outdone by Bing and OpenAI, Google announced Bard, their own AI chatbot. While it’s still early days, Bard aims to blend AI with traditional search. We’ll be watching closely to see how this impacts local search strategies.
Bing + ChatGPT = The Future?
Bing’s integration of ChatGPT is already making waves. Search Engine Land did a deep dive, showing how AI is being used to deliver local search results. It’s early days, but the implications for local SEO are huge. If you want to stay ahead of the curve, now’s the time to start experimenting.
That’s a wrap for March’s Local Search Roundup! It’s clear that the local SEO landscape is evolving fast, and staying on top of these changes is crucial for staying competitive.
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.
Commentaires