Google: Maps & Local
Google will now auto-delete your location history after 18 months
The update is part of a number of new privacy changes being implemented....
Google adding local store details to Shopping, free Promoted Pins for Smart campaigns, more
New features and updates are aimed at local businesses and services in the "reopening...
Local SEOs most focused on link building and content development, report finds
80% of survey respondents said they were also buying (local) ads on Google....
Google My Business offers more flexibility with business hours
Check your Google My Business console to set your "more hours" to reflect COVID-19 precautions....
Google local ranking changes in early May? Thank a bug
Google confirmed fluctuations seen in local rankings was a bug and says it fixed the...
New Google My Business features aim to help SMBs pivot and survive COVID-19
The new tools and capabilities mirror the expanding role of GMB as a gateway to both offline and online services....
More missing Google My Business reviews appearing as publication speed picks up
Google is now posting user reviews and photos in all countries and the vast majority of business categories....
Google tests ‘Curbside Pickup’ badge for local Shopping ads
Local Inventory Ads gain prominence with "In store" mobile experience and "Curbside pickup"...
Fake reviews problem is much worse than people know
Like a virus it infects all the major review sites, especially Google and Amazon....
Google allows retail chains to Post at scale via GMB API — will it last post-COVID?
Google Posts are free and can be a very effective communication or promotional tool....
Google introduces new COVID-19 and Telehealth GMB links for healthcare providers
These new links are part of the company's larger effort to make healthcare information more accessible through Google Search....
What location data can tell us about the COVID-19 pandemic
Tools used for ad analytics can provide enormous social insights and even speed recovery, but they require clear safeguards....
Should you continue to solicit reviews during the outbreak? Local SEOs disagree
There are a mix of considerations, on a spectrum from idealistic to pragmatic....
Live with Search Engine Land: Local SEOs talk ‘buggy’ Google My Business, COVID-19
Search Engine Land's Greg Sterling hosted an hour-long discussion with leading local SEOs to talk about how local or multi-location businesses...
Google temporarily disables local reviews
The company has hit pause on review creation or responding for now....
Google helping to build pilot coronavirus testing website
Engineers are contributing to the project aimed at helping people find nearby drive-through COVID-19 testing...
Fake and inaccurate reviews driving billions in ‘wasted’ consumer spending [Report]
Roughly 90% of adult internet users rely on reviews, but with growing awareness of fraud and manipulation....
In feature battle with Google, Yelp improves restaurant waitlist functionality
Yelp is trying to stay one step ahead of Google with tools that benefit both consumers and business owners....
Google: Spam less than 1% of Maps content
The company cited spam fighting data in a post on contributed content....
Google backtracks on using (relevant) keywords in your Google My Business description
An update to the help page about adding keywords to improve visibility in local search results was disputed by local SEOs and quickly...