TL;DR: Google’s Diversity Update can limit how often the same business appears in local and organic search results. The change may reduce organic rankings for pages already appearing in the local pack. The impact appears to have started around August…
TL;DR: Google Maps now lets users choose a custom display name, profile picture, and optional bio. The custom identity appears across all publicly visible contributions, including past and future reviews. Users cannot switch between their real name and custom name…
TL;DR: Google may remove a negative review from a non-customer in cases involving extortion, public review attacks, or ex-employees. Businesses should save screenshots and other evidence when reporting suspicious reviews. Google generally won’t remove a rating with no written review,…
TL;DR: A missing Google Business Profile usually results from a suspension or accidental deletion. Account changes, email migrations, and Google Workspace changes can cause profiles to disappear. Contact Google support to request reinstatement or recover the missing listing. Your GBP’s…
TL;DR: Longer reviews tend to stay near the top of Google Business Profile listings longer. Reviews from Local Guides, reviews with profile photos, upvotes, and added photos may have stronger visibility. Review attributes, the reviewer’s total number of reviews, and…
TL;DR: GBP Services lets businesses list their offerings by category, with descriptions and pricing when available. Testing suggests adding services can improve rankings for related search terms. The impact appears to vary by industry, market, and keyword type. Google offers…
TL;DR: A Google Business Profile’s service area does not currently affect local rankings for service area businesses. Rankings are primarily tied to the physical address used to verify the business. Service areas are still useful for showing customers where a…
TL;DR: Home-based and service area businesses must follow specific rules when creating multiple Google Business Profiles. Multiple listings may be allowed when different staff serve non-overlapping service areas. Employee homes, virtual offices, and coworking spaces generally do not qualify as…
TL;DR: Google can merge duplicate Business Profiles when they represent the same business at the same location. Storefront, service area, and practitioner duplicates have different rules for merging. Listings at different addresses usually need to be moved or removed instead…
TL;DR Google Business Profile now lets businesses hide their phone number from their listing. The option may help businesses that do not have a phone number for customers to contact. Google can still prompt users to add a phone number…
TL;DR Google My Business drives more leads than organic search for many small businesses. Google Business Profile leads have generally increased over time. GMB Insights can undercount actual phone calls. Call tracking and UTM codes help measure leads more accurately.…
TL;DR The GBP Agency Dashboard gives agencies a centralized way to manage multiple Google Business Profiles. Agencies need a domain-based email and must follow specific steps to request or receive listing access. User groups make it easier to organize employees…
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.