Do you want to rank high in local search results? If so, there are three key areas you need to focus on:

1. Proximity
2. Relevance
3. Prominence

Generally speaking, each of these factors affects all businesses the same way. However, Google is changing everything, including the way they rank local businesses, along with how this effects local businesses on Google My Business results.

Some of the latest changes that have been made to Google My Business are listed here.

Permanently Closed Listings Have Been Removed from the Local Finder

If you remember back in 2016 and 2017, you would find a wide array of “permanently closed” listings in the Local Finder display box on Google. In most cases, these would show up at the bottom of the list, after the ones that are still open.

Now they have been removed by Google. However, if your business has practitioners this is something that may prove problematic. For example, if a physician leaves a multi-practice, chances are, this doctor’s office will show up as “permanently closed” under this doctor’s name or even the name of the entire facility.

There’s No Longer the Ability to Access Google Plus’s Classic Version

Back in 2015, Google came out with a new version of Google Plus. However, they left the classic version accessible. The good thing about the classic version is that it included NAP information for a business. With the new version, you can not use this easy method of searching for duplicate client listings because this was only possible with the classic version.

Addition of the “Google Guarantee”

The local service ads that are now displayed by Google receive the “Google Guarantee” badge. This badge represents a paid relationship with Google that proves a business has been vetted. Once vetted, Google guarantees the customer will receive high-quality service.

The changes Google is making are ongoing. The fact is, this is the biggest and most widely used search engine in the world. As a result, it’s up to you to keep up with the changes and ensure you get the best results possible in the search engines.

When you know of the changes being made, you can adjust your efforts accordingly. Be sure to keep this in mind as future changes will most certainly occur. Need help updating and optimizing your business listing or want to talk about where to invest for the biggest bang for your marketing dollar? Give Brady a call at Solutions Digital Marketing: 425.689.7991

Sources:

https://searchengineland.com/what-should-service-area-businesses-be-focusing-on-in-search-308295

https://searchengineland.com/7-unannounced-updates-google-business-2017-274086