With more and more stories of contracts including clauses that prohibit leaving negative reviews or threaten fines or lawsuits for doing so, US lawmakers are wanting to make the practice illegal. The law would make SLAPPs – strategic lawsuits against public participation – illegal. There are some states that already have SLAPP laws in place […]
Google Removes Local Link from Google+
With the launch of Google Collections – which is Google’s answer to Pinterest – it has affected another feature within Google+. Local SEOs noticed today that when the Collections link was added to the Google+ menu, they dropped the Local link from the menu. Linda Buquet from the Local Search Forum asked Google whether this […]
Google Removes “More Reviews” Link from Local Knowledge Graph Results, Uses Google Reviews Only
If you are a local business who hasn’t focused much effort on getting reviews on your Google My Business page, you will probably be regretting that decision now. Google has removed the “more reviews” links from local knowledge graphs appearing in the Google search results, in favor of linking to Google reviews alone. Mike Blumenthal […]
Google Maps Plans Improved Spam Detection Following Recent Prank Edits
An Android bot peeing on an Apple logo is the latest Google Maps prank which is leading Google to improve their spam detection for user edits on the popular mapping site. At the heart of the issue is a popular program – Google Map Maker – used by Google Maps enthusiasts to add mapping information […]
Google Warns of Local Scams & Give Tips to Protect Businesses
The Google My Business local team is warning local businesses about some companies implying they are Google and unfairly taking advantage of businesses who don’t realize the service is available for free. It has definitely been a problem where companies cold call businesses and trying to sell them their Google My Business listing. And because […]
Google Testing Image Thumbnails for Local Restaurants in Pack Results
Google is running a new test where they are replacing the usual thumbnail with map marker for local restaurant results with one showing off a photo that showcases the restaurant instead. These are showing up for desktop results. It is interesting to note that they do not have an accompanying map on the right hand […]
Want Your Google Local Pack Listing to Stand Out? Use a Very Long Address
I noticed this example of a Google Local Pack listing, and noticed one listing standing out significantly. It is taking advantage of how a business can list their local business when they have both a lengthy physical address along with a long shopping center name. The reason was due to the use of an abormally […]
Japanese Courts Order Google to Remove Reviews from Google Maps
The court in Japan ordered Google to remove two negative customer reviews from Google Maps that were left anonymously on a location of a medical clinic. According to TechCrunch, Google is “considering our options”, so it is likely we could see an appeal. But it is unknown if the two reviews have been removed already. […]
Google’s Mobile Friendly Ranking Signal Will Not Affect Local Pack Listings
Gary Illyes, a Google Webmaster Trends Analyst, was speaking at Brighton SEO today, discussing the upcoming mobile friendly ranking signal that will be starting on April 21st. And he had some interesting things to say about local businesses at their pack listings. According to Illyes, if a local business is appearing in the Google Pack […]
Google Entering the Home Service Providers Market
In a move that is sure to get many businesses offering home services more than a little concerned, Google is reportedly planning on entering the home service providers market space. And they want to integrate it with their search results. It definitely raises some interesting questions… particularly how Google could implement it without raising the […]