Google has been busy, as always. There are a lot of changes going on in the world of local search, and it can be challenging to stay up to date. This post will cover the latest local search updates from Google. It will also discuss how these updates can impact your business and a few takeaways that you can use to improve your local SEO strategy.

Here is a list of some of the latest updates from Google that you should know about.

The New Map and Local Interface in Search

Earlier, when you searched for a local business on Google Maps, the results used to appear below the map. However, this has changed with the latest updates. Now, the results will appear on the left and not at the bottom of the map.

With the new map and local interface, Google has made it easier to find your nearby locations. The map is larger and more prominent, with a search bar at the top. This makes it easier to find local businesses because the map takes up more of the screen than before.

It’s essential to keep an eye on changes to Google Maps because they can affect the number of people who find your business through the service. Always ensure your business listing is up to date so you don’t confuse customers and lose sales.

Editing Business Listing

If you’re a business owner, you may have noticed that your Google Business Profile has been updated. Previously, you could not change your listing information from the search query in the Google Business Profile. You had to do that by going to the directory and changing it. The change to Google’s interface allows for direct editing within the search.

Business owners can search for their business on Google while signing into GBP to pull up a dashboard where they can quickly edit their profile. With the new inline dashboard, business owners can see who’s visited their listings, check performance indicators, and access other information.

New Features in Google Maps Live View

Google’s Live View feature shows real-world directions in a mini-map at the bottom of your device’s screen. However, this three-year-old Google maps feature is getting some updates now.

Besides the usual navigation functions, the Live View will now also allow you to search for anything in your immediate vicinity. For example, while navigating a street on foot, the app will show you the nearest ATM within your phone’s camera view if you search for an ATM nearby.

Neighborhood Vibe

Google Maps will now show you what the vibe is like in a neighborhood before you visit. Google will use AI combined with the information submitted by users to facilitate this feature. It will show any helpful image or other content uploaded by anyone in the neighborhood when you search for something.

With this update, businesses can find out the latest trends in their local areas and build a relevant strategy to attract more and more consumers. For instance, suppose you own a fashion store in Metairie, Louisiana. You can check the neighborhood vibe to see what clothes are in fashion and what the people of Metairie enjoy wearing and click photos of them. This will give you insight into the latest fashion.

You can then collaborate with a local Metairie SEO company and develop SEO-optimized content relevant to fashion keywords. You can include images of the clothing range you have that is relevant to the latest fashion, and your SEO partner will help optimize it. By working with the Metairie SEO company, you can ensure that your business appears top on the list next time any local consumer searches for buying the latest fashion clothing.

Expertise, Authority, and Trust

Google wants business owners to focus on expertise, authority, and trust. This means that you must demonstrate expertise in your field by developing authoritative content about your niche and making readers find you trustworthy. The only way to achieve this is by acquiring inbound links from other authoritative sites.

Google considers it a sign of authority if other sites link to your site, which means you should focus on getting quality backlinks instead of just any backlink. It’s also essential to ensure that your content is unique and valuable so people will want to share it with others.

Search-Intent Relevance

In the past, websites used to focus only on keywords and nothing else. They simply created any content with many keywords and published any generic content to get high rankings on Google. Although this method used to work, Google’s “Helpful Content” algorithm updates in 2022 have rendered it ineffective.

Businesses that practice keyword stuffing now may experience drops in ranking. This can happen if a business fails to answer search-intent questions through its content. To avoid this, you should use contextual relevance. This means that try to answer specific search queries in your content, avoid stuffing your text with too many keywords, and ensure that your page includes related search terms.

GBP Attributes

You can list your business’s hours, payment options, and services on your Google Business Profile. Recent additions include health and safety disclosures and information about nearby restaurants and hotels.

You can list the attributes important to you, such as whether a space is wheelchair accessible, if masks are required, or if a temperature check is necessary. You can also indicate if you accept credit cards and identify if your space is black-owned, veteran-led, or LGBTQ+ friendly.

Pay Attention to These Google Updates if You Have a Local Business

Google’s constantly changing search algorithms affect how well a website ranks, which can be worrisome to business owners. It is essential to stay optimistic because this trend will not slow down anytime soon. Investing in search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), and Google-approved SEO tools will help you create high-quality website content and boost your web traffic.

Search engine optimization is one of the most critical aspects of digital marketing. It helps you build a strong online presence and increase your website’s organic traffic. The process involves on-page and off-page activities that help Google understand what your site is about. You can also use it to increase the number of people visiting your website from search engines like Bing or Yahoo!

Conclusion

If you run a local business and want to stay up-to-date on what’s new in the world of Google, this article should be helpful. It has covered some significant updates to Maps and local search results that will impact how users find businesses near them. It has also discussed the importance of having a unique GBP attribute for each listing, which can help boost visibility. The bottom line is that there are plenty of opportunities for local businesses who want more traffic—and these changes make it easier than ever!