The Latest Local Search Updates From Google You Should Know

October 12, 2022

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!

0 Comments

Is Your Business Being Found Online?

Laptop Metrics Colorado

Free Digital Marketing Report ($150 Value)

marketing module lineWant to know how your business stacks up against the competition?

Read more articles about Marketing.

The Key Elements of Effective Site Architecture 

The success of a website may all but boil down to the site architecture. This basically refers to the elements that determine how easily users and search engines can visit and make use of your content. It goes without saying that a site that's well-structured can...

How to Leverage Digital Marketing to Attract B2B Clients in the Modern Sanitary Industry

The sanitary industry has seen rapid advancements, with businesses like Alsanit NL leading the charge in innovation. However, even the most cutting-edge products require effective digital strategies to connect with the right B2B clients. To thrive in this modern...

Verbatim Coding and Open-Ended Survey Analysis

In today's era of data-driven decision-making, understanding customer preferences and behavior mandates the use of surveys. Open-ended questions are useful in responses that detail unfiltered thoughts of the respondents. However, analyzing this raw data poses a...

The Benefits of SaaS Digital Signage Software for Modern Businesses

In a world that is becoming increasingly and irreversibly digital, it makes sense that businesses are always on the look out for new and innovative ways to connect and communicate with their target audiences.   In response to this, SaaS digital signage software...

Why Are NHS Waiting Lists Longer Than Ever?

The NHS is facing its highest waiting lists in history. The barriers to providing treatment have been there for years. And now, with so many reasons combined, like lack of workforce and demand for services growing, they have intensified recently.     ...

How Do Digital Marketing Agencies Help SAAS Companies Attract Customers?

Intro   In the evolving realm of Software as a Service (SaaS), attracting and retaining customers is crucial, given the competition in the market that necessitates unique approaches for differentiation and visibility. Digital marketing agencies for SaaS play a...

The Key to Accurate Campaign Tracking: Mastering UTM Naming Conventions

Introduction   No one wants to waste time or budget on a strategy that doesn’t deliver. That is why, in digital marketing, data drives everything. However, without accurate tracking, you’re essentially flying blind, and here’s precisely where UTM parameters come...

Best Jobs with an MBA in Business Analytics

In the modern era, data drives nearly every aspect of life—from how we shop to how businesses operate. Patterns in data help us make better choices, whether it’s adjusting a marketing campaign or forecasting inventory needs. For companies, data doesn’t just provide...

Read more articles about business.

The Key Elements of Effective Site Architecture 

The Key Elements of Effective Site Architecture 

The success of a website may all but boil down to the site architecture. This basically refers to the elements that determine how easily users and search engines can visit and make use of your content. It goes without saying that a site that's well-structured can...

Best Jobs with an MBA in Business Analytics

Best Jobs with an MBA in Business Analytics

In the modern era, data drives nearly every aspect of life—from how we shop to how businesses operate. Patterns in data help us make better choices, whether it’s adjusting a marketing campaign or forecasting inventory needs. For companies, data doesn’t just provide...

When Do You Stop Being a Small Business?

When Do You Stop Being a Small Business?

There is a lot of advice and help out there for businesses just starting out – small businesses, in other words. However, this term doesn’t just refer to when you’ve only recently begun your entrepreneurial journey; it can still apply after years if you feel like...

Protect Yourself Against Mis-Sold Car Finance Deals

Protect Yourself Against Mis-Sold Car Finance Deals

In recent years, car finance deals have become increasingly popular, offering many people an affordable way to drive the car they want without facing large upfront costs. While car finance can be a convenient and beneficial option, not all deals are as advantageous as...

Top 6 Test Automation Tools to Accelerate Your Development Cycle

Top 6 Test Automation Tools to Accelerate Your Development Cycle

Ready to speed up your software development and eliminate those pesky delays? Test automation is all that you need! Having the right automation tools can transform how you work. Picture this: quicker testing, fewer bugs, and smoother collaboration with your team....

Share This