TL;DR Are virtual offices allowed for Google Business Profiles? No. Google's Business Profile guidelines state that a virtual office is not eligible if the business does not actually operate from that location. A coworking or office location may qualify only…
TL;DR Learn the difference between soft and hard Google Business Profile suspensions. Understand the most common reasons Google suspends listings and user accounts. Find out how suspensions can affect rankings and why you should avoid creating duplicate profiles. Follow…
TL;DR: Google review extortion scams can flood a business with fake 1-star reviews and demand payment for removal. These attacks often involve networks of fake profiles, repeated profile images, WhatsApp numbers, and suspicious links. Businesses should flag every fake review…
Ever wondered if you could hack your way to a higher Google ranking by faking engagement and clicks? We did too. So, we ran an experiment to find out if click-through rate (CTR) manipulation still works, and the results might…
TL;DR Â Google removes reviews that violate its policies, including fake, incentivized, spammy, or conflicted reviews. Businesses can report policy-breaking reviews, but negative opinions and legitimate one-star reviews usually stay. Review reporting is generally anonymous, and Google may review reports…
TLDR: Local Guide Google reviews stay at the top of a listing longer than reviews from non-Local Guides, making it beneficial to encourage customers to join the Local Guides program before leaving a review. Though longer reviews remain within the…
TL;DR: Google’s “Edited” label appears when a reviewer updates or even re-submits an existing review. Editing a review changes its displayed date to the most recent edit date. Google is prompting some reviewers to add more detail, which can…
TL;DR Hiding a Google Business Profile address may cause a significant drop in local rankings and calls. A test showed rankings and calls declined after the address was hidden, then recovered when it was restored. A second listing showed a…
I regularly run across businesses that are paying thousands of dollars to have negative reviews removed from Google. I’ve always been interested in finding out the shady secrets behind this process and how these companies accomplish getting the reviews removed,…
TL;DR: Google can allow multiple Business Profiles at the same address, even for service area businesses. The businesses must operate in completely different industries with different categories and services. A plumber and house cleaner can share an address, while two…
TL;DR Google may mark an open business as “Temporarily Closed” because of user edits, conflicting data, or automated signals. Website changes, third-party directories, and incorrect business information can trigger the status. Businesses can usually remove the label by clicking “Mark…
TL;DR Embedding Google Maps lets visitors see your business location, reviews, ratings, and directions directly on your website. Adding a map usually only requires copying and pasting Google’s HTML <iframe> code. Embedded maps can make it easier for customers to…
Grapevine, TX
A full day of education from the best in local search. Your $299 ticket includes breakfast, lunch, and on-demand video after the event.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
8:45 AM – 5:00 PM CT
We’re partnering with State of Search on October 19. Attend both events for $500.