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Google Asking for Local Business Descriptions from Searchers

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google local descriptionsGoogle is asking searchers for features feedback on local businesses displayed in the search results, and then tag appropriate keywords associated with the business.

Here is what it looks like in the local knowledge panel for a business.

gmb suggest 1

Google is asking:

Know this place?

Suggest how to describe its features and atmosphere.

Searchers can then click through to descriptions for the business.  Here are the options.

gmb suggest 2

For this business, Google is asking for feedback for “Offerings”, “Planning” and “Highlights”.  There is no option to submit your own additions for the business, but only to confirm the ones that Google has listed.

Here is another example, with many more options a searcher can select.

gmb suggest 3

It isn’t clear where Google is getting the information they want searchers to confirm, although it does not seem to be pulling keywords from reviews.  It is possible it is coming from categories chosen by the business, although that wouldn’t contribute to the second two options.

There is the possibility that Google is testing this with fashion retailers, as I couldn’t trigger any for non-fashion related businesses.  But not all fashion retailers are showing this option either.

The fact Google is only asking for confirmation, rather than allowing searchers to submit their own descriptions, means that local businesses won’t have to worry about their competitors submitting poor keywords or descriptions for their businesses.

It is worth noting that these are for businesses that already has a full local profile showing in the Google search results, complete with social media links and reviews.

I can only seem to get this test to trigger on mobile, but it is an international test.

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Jennifer Slegg

Founder & Editor at The SEM Post
Jennifer Slegg is a longtime speaker and expert in search engine marketing, working in the industry for almost 20 years. When she isn't sitting at her desk writing and working, she can be found grabbing a latte at her local Starbucks or planning her next trip to Disneyland. She regularly speaks at Pubcon, SMX, State of Search, Brighton SEO and more, and has been presenting at conferences for over a decade.

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