News

Search Engine Journal · 6h

Google & Apple Maps: 20% of Local Searches Now Start Here

Map platforms like Google, Apple, and Bing Maps now drive 20% of local searches, according to new research. BrightLocal research shows that one in five local searches now happens in map apps. Google Maps has become the second most popular platform for local searches.
Fast Company · 5d

Google’s crackdown on fake listings: What it means for local businesses

Google’s recent lawsuit exposed a global scam network that created fake Google Business listings for services like locksmiths and tow trucks. The scammers rerouted customer calls, charged inflated prices, and used AI-generated reviews to boost their visibility.
Icon for searchengineland.comSearch Engine Land · Feb 24, 2025

The current state of Google local justifications

Local justifications are bonus textual snippets Google can use to enhance your listings in their local pack, local finder, and Maps results. Not all listings in a given set of results will feature ...
Search Engine Roundtable · 7d

Google Local Panel Tests Get There & From Your Location

Google is testing a newish section in the Google local panel to tell searchers how far that business is from your location. Google is testing adding either a "Get there" data point and/or a "From your location" data point.
Icon for www.msn.comMSN · Mar 19, 2025

Google finds 10,000 fake listings on Google Maps, sues alleged scammers

This is when someone searches for a local service but instead of ... How Google says it's protecting users Fake business listings are prohibited on Google Maps and the company says it uses a ...
Icon for www.searchenginejournal.comSearchenginejournal.com · 15d

Local SEO: The Definitive Guide to Improve Your Local Search Rankings

For local SEO, you need to consider a Google Business Profile, inclusion in Google maps, making sure your name, address, phone number (NAP) information is applied correctly in the right places ...
Icon for www.zdnet.comZDNet · Mar 25, 2025

You can ask Google Maps questions now, thanks to Gemini

The next time you're using Google Maps to research a business ... To test out the feature, I pulled up Maps and tapped on the listing for a local restaurant. I opened Gemini and asked it to ...
Icon for searchengineland.comSearch Engine Land · 22d

Google credits Gemini for better detection of fake business reviews and maps spam

Google is crediting its AI advancement, such as Gemini, to help detect and remove fake reviews and listings within Google Maps ... If you are in the local SEO space, none of this is probably ...
Icon for bgr.comBGR · Mar 26, 2020

Google Maps listings will display ‘temporarily closed’ warning during coronavirus outbreak

Google Maps now lets business owners update their listings with ‘temporarily closed’ warnings. The feature can be very helpful when planning trips to stores during the coronavirus outbreak ...