Tag: Google

11Aug By Steve WiidemanNo Comments

Generative AI, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Multi-Location SEO: How To Win Google & AI Search Visibility At Scale

Multi-location brands are currently reviewing their Google Search Console click traffic, comparing 2026 to 2025, and trying to convince themselves and key stakeholders that AI Overviews are responsible for a year-over-year drop in non-branded clicks. Today, visibility is distributed across a multitude of destinations, including features in Google Maps such as “Ask Maps,” AI Overviews, AI Mode, ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Apple Maps, and social search. The challenge for multi-location brands is that while more locations create more opportunities, they also create more complexity. This is why enterprise and franchise brands require a completely different approach than single-location businesses. Building on fundamentals, we’re going to explore how we leverage AI to improve our data, landing...

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22Jul By CallRailNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

The New Google Business Profile Playbook for AI Local Search

You probably set up your Google Business Profile a while back, filled in your address, picked your categories, maybe chased down a few reviews, and then called it done. Totally understandable. That was enough, once. But here’s what’s changed: If you haven’t meaningfully touched that profile in months, you’re losing visibility to competitors who figured out something you haven’t yet. Google transformed GBP from a directory listing into a live engagement surface, and businesses that treat it like the former are quietly bleeding map pack rankings they don’t even know they’ve lost. This applies to every local business. Retailers, yes, but also law firms, dental practices, restaurants, gyms, plumbers, and salons. If your GBP isn’t actively signaling to Google that you’re open for business and e...

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14Jul By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Business Profiles Showing Empty Review Dashboards

Google Business Profile owners are seeing a message in their review dashboards that reads “You have no reviews yet,” even when their public listings still show hundreds of reviews. Complaint threads began to rise in the Google Business Profile Community forum on July 9, as people reported that the reply panel shows zero reviews, while the listing above it displays the public review count. In one case flagged by Amy Toman, a volunteer Google Product Expert, the listing showed 916 reviews at the top and “no reviews yet” in the reply section directly below. In the cases reported so far, the public review count has stayed the same even when the dashboard panel shows none. Google hasn’t confirmed the cause, and it isn’t affecting every profile under management. The Bigger Pattern This is the se...

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12Jul By Dave StysNo Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, email outreach, Internet marketing, Online Marketing, Updates

Your Email Links Automatically Show Up In Google Analytics

By Dave Stys July 7, 2026 Send an email, get a click, make a sale. Now you can trace that sale back to the exact subject line that started it. AWeber automatically tags every link in every email with UTM parameters before your email goes out. Open Google Analytics and the data’s already waiting for you. No manual setup. Every link gets tagged automatically AWeber adds three UTM parameters to every link at send time. utm_source is set to aweber utm_medium is set to email utm_campaign is set to your email’s subject line Each email gets its own campaign label in Google Analytics, named after its subject line. You can compare performance across sends without touching a single URL. Already adding your own parameters? Yours stay put AWeber detects existin...

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28Jun By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Tools

Google Analytics Is Adding Google Business Profile Data

Google has published documentation for a native link between Google Business Profile and Google Analytics, bringing local metrics like calls and direction requests into Analytics reports. The link may not appear in every Analytics account yet. What Shows Up In Analytics Once a profile is linked, a Google Business Profile section appears in your reports. It includes seven metrics: interactions, website clicks, calls, directions, messages, bookings, and menus. You create the link in the Analytics Admin panel, under Product links. What The Link Doesn’t Do If you link more than one profile, Analytics combines the metrics across all of them. You can’t segment or filter by an individual location. The metrics also can’t be used in explorations, comparisons, or filters, and the integration doesn’t...

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24Jun By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

Generative AI, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Ask Maps Updates – How They Impact Your Business Profile

Many businesses see their Google Business Profile as a listing to verify and then leave untouched. Google’s new Ask Maps feature treats it as a conversational dataset for generating helpful answers about a business. The questions Ask Maps answers are what make change meaningful. When someone asks for a 24-hour locksmith who can get into a car right now, they get an immediate answer. That’s one question with multiple conditions taken into account. Showing up as one of the answers depends on having accurate and up-to-date business data. While Google hasn’t said how it chooses businesses to recommend in Ask Maps, it’s clear that the data it pulls from is increasingly important. What Google Says About Ask Maps Google calls Ask Maps a helpful tool for asking detailed, real-world questions and r...

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12Jun By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

Google Is Adding Business Profile Tools To The Gemini App

Google is adding business features to the Gemini app, including a direct connection to Google Business Profile and Business notebooks. The company announced the updates at its Google for Brazil event. Both features will begin rolling out globally this month, excluding the EEA and UK. Business Profile features in Gemini are being released gradually and may not appear for every eligible user yet. Once a profile is connected, Gemini can pull from the reviews, customer questions, and performance data attached to it. Connecting Business Profiles To Gemini The Business Profile connection arrives in the coming weeks, Google says, and works with a single tap. Vishnu Sivaji, senior director for the Gemini app, wrote: “Once connected, Gemini becomes an AI assistant that actually knows your business,...

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3May By John VuongNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Online marketing, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google AI Mode Now Available on Desktop Globally

Google has now expanded AI Mode to desktop users globally after initially bringing it to mobile users in the US, India, the UK, and eventually expanding it to over 120 countries late last year. Google officially confirmed the news, stating, “Starting to roll out on desktop today, you’ll see AI Mode appear as a dedicated tab on your main Search results page across all supported regions.” This seems like this launch is not a Search Labs launch. Meaning, you should just see it in the main search tabs when you query from your desktop computer. You should not have to opt into it through the Labs icon, and you should be able to access it natively right on the desktop search interface, just like you would on your mobile Google app. Here is what the interface looks like when expanded on a desktop ...

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29Apr By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

When Should You Keep That Google Business Profile Page Unverified?

All you know right now is that you’ve got an extra Google Business Profile page showing up on Google Maps and that it’s unverified (so you don’t have ownership or control of it).  You may have found it by poking around on Google Maps, or someone may have told you about it.  You may or may not know who created it: you, a helper, a former SEO person, a customer, a do-gooder, or Google.  You may not know how long it’s been floating around.  You don’t know how much it’s helping or hurting your local SEO effort overall.  And you sure as thunder aren’t sure what, if anything, you should do with it. Sometimes you’re better off leaving a GBP page unverified or soft-suspended.  An unverified page is one you’ve never had control of.  A soft-suspended page is one you did claim at one time or another,...

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30Mar By rsukhraj@hubspot.com (Ramona Sukhraj)No Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, Internet marketing, Online Marketing

How to get found in Google and AI search in 2026

I've spent most of the last 10 years writing, managing, and improving content to reach internet audiences. But even for an ol' marketer like me, AI content optimization was hard at first. Thankfully, I’ve done a lot of the work, so it doesn't have to be for you. (more…)

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24Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Launches AI Conversational Search With Ask Maps

Google Maps is launching Ask Maps, a conversational feature powered by Gemini that lets users ask complex questions about locations and receive AI-generated suggestions on a personalized map. The feature is now rolling out in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS, with a desktop version coming soon. What Ask Maps Does Ask Maps lets you type natural-language questions directly into Google Maps and receive AI-generated answers. Google’s examples include queries like “Is there a public tennis court with lights on that I can play at tonight?” and “My phone is dying, where can I charge it without having to wait in a long line for coffee?” See an example provided by Google below: The feature uses Google’s database of over 300 million places and reviews from 500 million contributors to generate...

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16Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Discover Core Update Data: Local Publishers Lost Reach

An analysis from Discover tracking tool DiscoverSnoop adds to the post-update data available on Google’s Discover core update, confirming some patterns identified in earlier NewzDash analysis while contradicting others. The DiscoverSnoop report compared article counts and audience scores for publishers in the week before the update began (January 26 to February 1) against the week after it completed (March 2 to March 8). That post-completion window differs from NewzDash’s earlier scorecard, which measured a mid-rollout window. For transparency, DiscoverSnoop is a commercial Discover analytics platform. The report is based on its own tracking data. Who Lost Visibility Some publishers lost more than 20% of their article placements in the Discover feed while also seeing audience scores declin...

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14Mar By Phill AgnewNo Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, Internet marketing, Marketing Psychology, Online Marketing

The simple genius behind this long-forgotten Google Chrome ad

We trust simple promises more than long lists. When brands focus on one clear benefit, it feels more believable than trying to do everything at once. Take it from Google. (more…)

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20Feb By Heather CampbellNo Comments

Digital Marketing, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, SEO Strategy, Webinar

Why Your Business’s Google Visibility in 2026 Depends on AEO

In 2026, AI assistants will decide which local businesses get recommended, and which ones disappear. When a customer asks an AI assistant, “Who’s the best plumber near me?” does your business get named? If Google Gemini or ChatGPT had to recommend one local business today, would yours make the cut? Watch webinar on-demand to find out exactly what AI assistants look for and how to fix the gaps that are costing you customers. AI-powered search is no longer experimental. Consumers are already using tools like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Siri to choose who to call, book, and trust. Often without ever clicking on a website.  Most small businesses are invisible to AI because their information is incomplete, inconsistent, or structured in ways AI cannot confidently use.  That means lost calls, lo...

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6Dec By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Maps Lets Users Post Reviews With Nicknames

Google Maps now lets users leave business reviews under a custom nickname instead of their real name. The feature is part of a four-feature Maps update and is rolling out globally on Android, iOS, and desktop. Local SEO agency Whitespark was among the first to document the change in detail, describing it as one of the more notable shifts to Google’s review system in years. What Changed Google’s support documentation outlines the new setting. Users can enable a custom display name and picture for posting through their Maps or Google profile. Once enabled, that identity appears on reviews, photos, videos, and Q&A posts across Maps. The feature works retroactively. If you edit your nickname later, past contributions update to show the new name. Whitespark notes that people have long creat...

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16Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Adds AI Shopping Tools Across Search, Gemini

Google is rolling out AI shopping updates across Search and the Gemini app, introducing conversational shopping and agentic features that automate price tracking and local inventory checks. The updates begin rolling out today in the United States. What’s New AI Mode Shopping Upgrade AI Mode in Search now pairs Gemini models with Google’s Shopping Graph to handle conversational shopping queries, so you can describe products in natural language instead of relying on keywords and filters. See an example below: Image Credit: Google Vidhya Srinivasan, Vice President and General Manager of Ads & Commerce at Google, said during a press briefing that AI Mode shoppers are asking questions that are 23 times longer than traditional searches. Results are tailored to the type of query. Visual shopp...

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23Oct By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Business Profile Tests Cross-Location Posts

Google Business Profile appears to be testing a feature that lets managers share the same update across multiple locations from a single dialog. Tim Capper reported seeing the option. After publishing an update, a “Copy post” dialog appears with the prompt: “Copy the update to other profiles you manage.” You can now post an update across multiple Google Business Profiles After posting this pop up appears if you want to add to other profiles, nice ! pic.twitter.com/tlXHlrxYie — Tim Capper (@GuideTwit) October 16, 2025 The interface displays a list of business locations with checkboxes so you can choose which profiles receive the same update. We’ve asked Google for comment on availability and eligibility requirements and will update this article if we receive a response. What’s New From wh...

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19Oct By John VuongNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

What To Do When Hit With A Google Penalty

Achieving top rankings in search engine results is a primary goal for marketers and website owners. In the quest to climb these digital heights, some may stretch the bounds of Google’s guidelines too far, resulting in their site being penalized. “Authenticity, honesty, and personal voice underlie much of what’s successful on the web.” Rick Levine A Google penalty can have a significant impact on your site’s visibility and traffic, often leading to a downturn in business. Identifying whether your site has been penalized can be challenging, and navigating the road to recovery is even more so. Echoing Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,” it’s always better to avoid penalties in the first place. However, if you find yourself grappling with a Google ...

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24Sep By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Review Signals Gain Influence In Top Google Local Rankings

A new analysis from Search Atlas quantifies the interaction between proximity and reviews in local rankings. Proximity drives visibility overall, while review signals become stronger differentiators in the highest positions. This study examines 3,269 businesses across the food, health, law, and beauty sectors. It shows that for positions 1–21, proximity influences 55% of decisions, while review count accounts for 19%. In the top ten, proximity’s influence decreases to 36%, but review count increases to 26%, with review keyword relevance reaching 22%. Search Atlas writes: Proximity is the top driver of local visibility. The study also notes: Proximity does not always dominate in elite positions. What It Means You’ll have a better chance of achieving top results by focusing on earning more r...

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26Jul By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Search Can Now Call Local Businesses Using AI

Google has introduced a new AI-powered calling feature in Search that contacts local businesses on a user’s behalf to gather pricing and availability details. The feature, rolling out to all U.S. Search users this week, allows people to request information from multiple businesses with a single query. When searching for services like pet grooming or dry cleaning, users may now see a new option to “Have AI check pricing.” How It Works After selecting the AI option, users are guided through a form to provide details about the service they need. Google’s AI then calls relevant local businesses to gather information such as pricing, appointment availability, and service options. The responses are consolidated and presented to the user. The experience starts with a typical local search, such as...

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12Jun By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, Google Patents & Research Papers, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Local Search Research Paper On Business Type Extraction

Google published a research paper describing how it extracts “services offered” information from local business sites to add it to business profiles in Google Maps and Search. The algorithm describes specific relevance factors and confirms that the system has been successfully in use for a year. What makes this research paper especially notable is that one of the authors is Marc Najork, a distinguished research scientist at Google who is associated with many milestones in information retrieval, natural language processing, and artificial intelligence. The purpose of this system is to make it easier for users to find local businesses that provide the services they are looking for. The paper was published in 2024 (according to the Internet Archive) and is dated 2023. The research paper expla...

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3May By Andrew HutchinsonNo Comments

facebook, facebook marketing, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing, youtube

Google Expands Access To Conversational AI in Search

Similar to how every platform has been turning its focus to short-form video over the past few years, attention is now turning to AI chatbots, with Google being the latest to add a ChatGPT style interface to Search, as a means to capitalize on rising interest. As you can see in this example, Google’s “AI Mode” in Google Search enables you to take a more conversational approach to web discovery, with a ChatGPT-like UI, that you can converse with like a know-it-all human. Google began testing its AI Mode with approved testers back in March, and it’s now expanding access to all Google Labs users in the U.S. As per Google: “Millions of people are using AI Mode in Labs to search in new ways - asking longer, harder questions, using follow-up questions to hone in on what they really want to k...

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1May By Thoriq FirdausNo Comments

building website, creating a website, google web designer, internet design, web design, web design company, web designer, Web Developers, web page design, website builder, website design

How to Use AI for Development Assistance in Google Chrome

Google Chrome is one of the most popular web browsers in the world. It is fast, secure, and packed with features that make it easy to use. One of the most exciting features recently introduced in Google Chrome is AI assistance. Powered by Google’s Gemini model, it can assist you with various development tasks directly in the browser. In this article, we will show you how to enable and use the AI assistant in Google Chrome. Enable AI Assistance First, ensure your Chrome browser is up-to-date and that AI features are enabled. To do this, open Chrome DevTools and navigate to “Settings” (see the screenshot below). In the “AI Innovations” tab, take a moment to read the “Things to Consider” section. This section provides essential information about how generative AI works and is processed. Cu...

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29Apr By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

5 Crazy Phenomena in Google Business Profile Page Suspensions

Like my post? Please share!Google’s local map is a bewildering place for a business owner (or marketer), especially when you try to figure out why some Google Business Profile pages run into trouble and others don’t.  Half the time there’s no clear rhyme or reason, but the rest of the time the rules or their enforcement kinda-sorta make sense on an intuitive level. The people most effective at local SEO don’t fixate on the Google Maps results, because it’s only one prong of the attack.  But to the extent you do spend time on the map, one topic should get most of your attention: suspensions.  That is, how to avoid having your GBP page suspended, how to get yours reinstated most quickly if ever is suspended, and how to get Google to fix competitors’ spammy pages.  You don’t always need to kn...

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9Apr By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

Google Maps Gets An Upgrade To Combat Fake Reviews

Google has updated its AI systems for Maps and Business Profiles, which now use Gemini to identify risky profile edits and fake reviews. Gemini Finds Suspicious Profile Edits Google is employing Gemini to spot fake changes to Business Profiles. It can distinguish between a regular update, like a slight name change, and a sudden, suspicious shift, such as changing a business category from a “cafe” to a “plumber.” In its announcement, Google said: “We trained a new model with the help of Gemini that identifies potentially suspicious profile edits. A business that changes its name from ‘Zoe’s Coffee House’ to ‘Zoe’s Cafe’ isn’t suspicious—but a business that suddenly changes its category from ‘cafe’ to ‘plumber’ is.” Google says this new system has blocked thousands of risky edits this year. ...

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3Apr By Monika AhujaNo Comments

Blogs, facebook, facebook marketing, Review Management, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing

How to Add Google Reviews to Shopify Website (2025)

Imagine walking into a store you’ve never visited before. What’s the first thing you do?  You might look around for signs of credibility, like some certificates on the wall, testimonials from satisfied customers, or perhaps a friendly nod from the shopkeeper.  In the digital world, this trust-building exercise is no different. About 75% of people read online reviews and research businesses, before actually buying from them. Studies also show that adding Google reviews to your website can boost its organic traffic by up to 25% and conversion rates by up to 67%. This tells us that displaying reviews on a website serves as a virtual nod. It assures your potential customers of your reliability and helps them build trust in your brand, thus improving your website traffic and brand conversions. ...

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24Mar By Mike BlumenthalNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Business Profile Suspensions Rise, But Appeals Are Delayed

Google Business Profile (GBP) suspensions have steadily risen since January, and as they increase, appeal resolution times have grown significantly – from about five days to nearly five weeks. As a Platinum Product Expert in the Google Business Profile Support Forums, I help small businesses navigate Google’s GBP platform. For many of these SMBs, Google is a primary lead driver, and when their listing goes south due to a suspension, life can get very hard. Image from author, March 2025 What We Know We noticed in February that forum complaints about suspensions reached their highest level since last August. Users typically try support first but when frustrated, a subset of them find their way to the forums to see what their next steps are. The forums provide a canary-in-the-coal-mine functi...

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20Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Launches AI Phone Assistant To Call Businesses For You

Google has launched a new tool called “Ask For Me” that uses AI to help you make phone calls to local businesses. “Ask For Me” is designed to streamline the process of calling multiple businesses to compare quotes and schedule appointments. This feature is being rolled out first for auto repair shops and nail salons, and following this initial experiment, it may expand to other businesses. “Ask For Me” is available to people in the United States who opt-in via Google’s Seach Labs. How “Ask For Me” Works If you’re located in the US, you can opt-in via the landing page. Here’s what it looks like: Screenshot from: labs.google.com/search/experiment/26, January 2025. Clicking the toggle button will activate the “Try it out” button. Screenshot from: labs.google.com/search/experiment/26, January ...

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16Mar By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Confirms Business Profile Reviews Outage

Google confirmed an outage in business profile reviews that has resulted in missing reviews for many local business profiles and is working toward fixing the problem. Google Business Profile Google Business Profiles are a way for local businesses to add their business to Google and have it show up in local search and Google Maps. It also allows businesses to manage how their site shows up in search, enabling Google to show accurate information about hours, website, contact information, images and reviews. The reviews is a feature that allows users to share their experiences with businesses. It’s a useful way for businesses to increase earnings through positive word of mouth. GBP Reviews Outage Google Business Profile reviews have gone missing, which is bad news for businesses because of ho...

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31Jan By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Does Your Google Business Profile Page Get WAY More Clicks on Mobile? How and Why to Check

Like my post? Please share! This check-up will take about 2 minutes if you’re already using UTM tracking links on the landing page URLs of your Google Business Profile page or pages (which I hope you are, because they’re mighty useful). If you’re not using a tracking URL, you can set one up in a couple of minutes now, and then do the quick check-up (described below) in a week or two. If you’re not sure why or how to set up tracking links for your Google Business Profile page (or anything else), either check out Claire Carlile’s excellent and easy-to-follow guide, or adapt either of the following URLs and paste it into the “Website” field of your GBP page: If you’re using the homepage as your landing page URL: https://yourwebsiteurlgoeshere.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&...

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29Dec By Jesse KennedyNo Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, email list, Email Marketing, email outreach, Internet marketing, New Features, Online Marketing, Updates

Fast login with Google One Tap

By Jesse Kennedy December 16, 2024 For anyone looking to streamline their email marketing experience, simplicity and speed can mean everything. Now, there’s a new way to get started and stay connected, without the fuss of traditional sign-up and login steps. Introducing Google One Tap, a more direct path to accessing AWeber and unleashing the full potential of your marketing campaigns. What Is Google One Tap? Google One Tap puts an end to juggling multiple passwords, waiting for verification emails, and filling out lengthy forms. Whether creating a brand-new account or logging back in, a single tap grants immediate access using your trusted Google credentials. How Does It Help You? Faster onboarding for new customers:Instead of wrestling with email confirmations...

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14Dec By Abhas MathurNo Comments

Blogs, Review Management, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing

How to Embed Google Reviews

There are many upsides to displaying your customer’s positive Google reviews on your website. When people visit your website, what they see will leave a lasting impact on them. 87% of the time, whether someone decides to visit you again depends on your reviews. Therefore, embedding Google reviews on your website is crucial for building trust with potential customers. Reviews provide social proof, showcase your business’s credibility, and can significantly influence purchasing decisions, helping you attract more visitors and convert them into loyal customers. In this blog, we will discuss the benefits of embedding Google reviews on your website and also look at how to do so easily. Benefits of Embedding Google Reviews For Your Business Google Review widgets help to enhance the appeal of you...

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2Dec By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Tinkering with Your Google Business Profile Page Is Dumb: 10 Reasons

Like my post? Please share! It’s tempting to tweak various settings on your Google Business Profile page, or to add “content” to it in any way you can, or to try out and maybe max out new features on it.  Your hope is that that will help your visibility in the Google Maps 3-pack, and a lot of local SEO advice seems to encourage it, so why not? Lots of reasons not to.  My basic advice is simple: touch your GBP page as little as possible.  Sure, fill out your basic info, and fix glaring issues (or, better yet, avoid them).  But you probably don’t need to or should not “manage” it, or pay someone else to.  The busywork I’m referring to includes things like tweaking your categories repeatedly, changing your “service area,” publishing GBP “posts,” posting tons of photos, and responding to all o...

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28Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Business Profile Update Targets Delivery Of Age-Restricted Products

Google has updated its Business Profile rules for service-area businesses that sell age-restricted products. Now, businesses selling alcohol, cannabis, weapons, and similar items must have a physical storefront to maintain their Google Business Profile. We were alerted to this update by Stefan Somborac on X: Google actually uses the phrase "Businesses associated with…" not "Businesses selling…", which significantly broadens how this new change can be applied. 2/3 pic.twitter.com/FD31fUmm94 — Stefan Somborac (@StefanSomborac) November 27, 2024 Changes To Service-Area Business Guidelines Google has updated its guidelines to prevent businesses that sell age-restricted products from operating only as service-area businesses. The updated guidelines state: “Businesses associated with products ...

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20Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Rolls Out AI-Powered In-Store Shopping Tools

Google announced new features for in-store shopping and expanded payment options, marking changes to its retail technology offerings. Key Updates Google Lens Google Lens, which reportedly processes 20 billion searches monthly, will enable users to photograph products in stores to find price comparisons and reviews. The system uses Google’s product database of over 45 billion listings and its Gemini AI models. Google announcement states: “This new update is made possible by major advancements in our AI image recognition technology. It’s powered by the Shopping Graph’s 45 billion+ product listings, in-stock inventory data from a range of retailers and our Gemini models to bring you an entirely new way to shop in-store.” Internal research cited by the company suggests that 72% of Americans us...

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16Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Launches Product Search: Steps For Retailers

Google has updated Maps to include product-specific search capabilities, just in time for the holiday shopping season. This feature allows consumers to search for specific items and find nearby stores with available inventory. Key Features The update lets you search for products directly within Google Maps and find real-time inventory availability at nearby stores. Shoppers can find a wide range of items and have immediate access to local pickup options. In an announcement, Google states: “Need a last-minute gift? Now, you can search in Google Maps for items like pickleball rackets, board games, ice cream makers and more to find nearby stores that have them in stock so you can pick up what you need, stat. No empty stockings here!” Implementation Guide For Retailers Retailers should focus o...

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8Nov By WhitesparkNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How to Remove Fake Reviews from Google

Businesses struggle to deal with the effects fake Google reviews have on their Google Business Profile (GBP) search engine rankings. Sadly, receiving phony reviews on your GBP is not a rare occurrence. But it is easier than ever to report and hopefully have them removed using the review management page accessible through your GBP. That is true whether they’re unwarranted bad reviews on your own profile or fake glowing reviews acquired by competitors. Google continually works to improve their algorithmic ability to detect fake reviews. In January, 2023, they shared details with the FTC on how they fight against fake reviews. However, their system still struggles to identify and detect inappropriate content without negatively affecting your real reviews. Key Takeaways Understand Google’s Re...

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11Oct By Casie GilletteNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot messenger, chatbot online, chatbot website, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, facebook bot, facebook chatbot, facebook messenger bot, google chat bots, robot chat

Google Ads Customer Match: How to Use First-Party Data for Smarter Retargeting

As long as I can remember, advertisers have been hesitant to send their first-party data to Google Ads audiences. Why? The onus of privacy. Advertisers, and specifically agencies, didn’t want to be the ones responsible for leaking any personal customer info. And let’s be real – Google made it quite clear they wouldn’t be taking responsibility.  So, for years, as privacy moved to the forefront of technology, cookies lessened, and targeting capabilities became worse and worse, we’ve just simply dealt with it.  Until now.  In September 2024, Google Ads Liason Ginny Marvin announced confidential customer match, a way to securely connect your first-party data to Google Ads for Customer Match. Here’s the breakdown: “Confidential matching is powered by a technology called confiden...

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5Sep By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Business Profile Video Verification Best Practices

Google Business Profiles (GBP) are one of the best ways for a local merchant to get online exposure. But before your GBP becomes visible to the public, you must verify it by clicking on the Get Verified link. Screenshot from Google Business Profile, June 2024 When a business sets up a Google Business Profile, Google offers a method (or sometimes several ways) to verify the profile. This verification process helps Google ensure that the business is a real and legitimate business that is eligible for a GBP and meets Google’s guidelines for representing your business on Google. In an ideal world, Google would visit each location with a GBP to ensure that the business is real and meets all guidelines. But that is not possible. One of the ways Google can verify a business is through video verif...

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1Sep By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

Yelp Sues Google Over Local Search Dominance

Yelp has filed an antitrust lawsuit against Google in federal court in San Francisco. The suit alleges that Google has illegally leveraged its monopoly in general search to dominate the local search and local search advertising markets, harming competition and consumer choice. Key Allegations Yelp’s complaint accuses Google of engaging in anticompetitive conduct, including: Self-preferencing its own “inferior” local search product over competitors Driving traffic and revenue away from rivals like Yelp Making it harder for competitors to achieve scale Increasing costs for rivals Limiting consumer choice to grow its market power The company claims Google’s local listings are “on average, shorter, more prone to error, less subject to quality control, and less likely to be useful to consumer...

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28Aug By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Fresh Edits: a Hidden Advantage in Google Maps Spam-Reporting

Like my post? Please share! When you’re trying to clean up a competitor’s dirty Google Business Profile page, it’s not enough just to be right: You also need to make your move at the right time. When’s the right time to send in a “suggest an edit”?  It’s (1) as soon as you notice a problem, (2) as soon as you know specifically what change(s) you’ll suggest to Google, and (3) after you’ve had a long pause from reporting other Google Maps spam. The first point is intuitive enough.  Don’t wait until a competitor is outranking you to send in your edit.  Report Google Maps spam that you outrank by a country mile.  Today it ranks #14 in the 3-pack, but tomorrow you may be stuck under its kilt, with nowhere to look but up. The second point might also be intuitive.  If you can tell Google exactly ...

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13Jun By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google To Shut Down Business Profile Chat Feature

Google has announced that it will discontinue the chat feature in Google Business Profiles. The wind-down process will start on July 15, and the functionality will complete on July 31. The news was emailed to businesses, acknowledging the potential difficulty of the decision and emphasizing Google’s commitment to remaining a helpful partner in business management. Google’s email to businesses reads: “We are reaching out to share that we will be winding down Google’s chat feature in Google Business Profile on July 31, 2024. We acknowledge this may be difficult news – as we continually improve our tools, we occasionally have to make difficult decisions which may impact the businesses and partners we work with. It’s important to us that Google remains a helpful partner as you manage your busi...

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11Jun By Editorial TeamNo Comments

analytics, building website, creating a website, google web designer, internet design, Marketing & SEO, SEO, Tools, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

A Better Google Analytics Alternative

Our recent migration to GA4 left a lot to be desired and led us to explore for better google analytics alternatives. We tried just about everything out there, including Plausible, Fathom, and several others, all with their own pros and cons. The biggest hurdles were: limited features and higher costs. That’s why we were so excited when we stumbled across Fullres recently. Not only do they have the best pricing around but they’re bundling multiple tools we use—ad revenue, analytics, web vitals—all into a single platform. Usually, you have to subscribe to multiple services and jump between browser tabs to see that amount of data together. Looking at their roadmap, there’s a lot more coming too. Fullres also stood out with their quick 5-second installation setup. You get instant access to aud...

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1Jun By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

How to Get More Google Reviews to Improve Your Local SEO

Let’s play a game! Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. Keywords in reviews impact rankings.B. Keywords in review responses impact rankings.C. It doesn’t matter if you get 20 reviews all at once, or over a longer period of time. The ranking impact will be the same.D. Both B and C.E. Both A and B. And the correct answer is… D! (for Darren, duh) If you got it right, congratulations! You have not been bamboozled by all the false information out there. If you didn’t pick the right answer, don’t stress. I’m here to help you learn. Whether you’d like to brush up on your reviews knowledge or learn how to craft a successful review strategy, this week’s episode is for you. We cover everything you need to know about reviews: from common myths, to review-related ranking and conversion facto...

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20May By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Backlinks: Why Are They Important and How to Get Them | Ep.15 | Get RANKED on Google Maps

The post Backlinks: Why Are They Important and How to Get Them | Ep.15 | Get RANKED on Google Maps appeared first on Whitespark.

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17Apr By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Search & Maps Get Upgrades For Greener Travel

Google announced updates to its Maps and Search products on Monday aimed at helping users find and choose more sustainable transportation options over gas-powered vehicles. James Byers, Google Search’s Group Product Manager, states: “When it comes to traveling and commuting, we want people to have the right information to make more sustainable choices.” Eco-Friendly Route Suggestions Screenshot from: blog.google/products/search/, April 2024. If travel times are comparable, one of Google Maps’ key new features will be the provision of transit and walking route suggestions alongside driving routes. This update will be rolled out in over 15 major cities worldwide in the coming weeks, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, Rome, and Sydney. Train & Bus Route Information Google is expandin...

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13Apr By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Limits News Links In California Over Proposed ‘Link Tax’ Law

Google announced that it plans to reduce access to California news websites for a portion of users in the state. The decision comes as Google prepares for the potential passage of the California Journalism Preservation Act (CJPA), a bill requiring online platforms like Google to pay news publishers for linking to their content. What Is The California Journalism Preservation Act? The CJPA, introduced in the California State Legislature, aims to support local journalism by creating what Google refers to as a “link tax.” If passed, the Act would force companies like Google to pay media outlets when sending readers to news articles. However, Google believes this approach needs to be revised and could harm rather than help the news industry. Jaffer Zaidi, Google’s VP of Global News Partnerships...

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12Apr By Loren BakerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How To See Google Search Results And Rankings For Different Locations

As a business owner or digital marketer, understanding your local search ranking on Google is crucial for attracting nearby customers and increasing your online visibility. With so many consumers using search engines to find local products and services, optimizing for local search has become a key component of any successful SEO strategy. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to check your local ranking on Google, ensuring that your business stays competitive in your target market. Why Do Search Results Vary By Location? Google prioritizes local relevance in its search results to provide users with the most helpful information based on their location. The search engine uses various factors to determine a user’s location, including: Device location (via Wi-Fi, cell phone triangulat...

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12Apr By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

How to Get Instant Verification for Your Google Business Profile

Multi-location Pricing Request Our platform is designed to help multi-location businesses manage their reputation, whether you have 2 or 1,000 locations we can facilitate each business, and set-up your account with a plan that best suits each location’s needs. Fill out the form below to get a quote for your multi-location business. We will email you back directly and answer any additional questions you may have.

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4Apr By Loren BakerNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How To See Google Search Results And Rankings For Different Locations

As a business owner or digital marketer, understanding your local search ranking on Google is crucial for attracting nearby customers and increasing your online visibility. With so many consumers using search engines to find local products and services, optimizing for local search has become a key component of any successful SEO strategy. In this article, we’ll explore various methods to check your local ranking on Google, ensuring that your business stays competitive in your target market. Why Do Search Results Vary By Location? Google prioritizes local relevance in its search results to provide users with the most helpful information based on their location. The search engine uses various factors to determine a user’s location, including: Device location (via Wi-Fi, cell phone triangulat...

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3Apr By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Doing Google Posts the Right Way

Welcome to Episode 12 of Get Ranked on Google Maps, where Anne and I work together to boost her to the top of Google’s results and get more clients for her business. We’ve already covered the Q&A section of her Google Business Profile. Now it’s time to turn to her Google Posts. In this episode, Anne and I discuss all the ways to use Google Posts to stand out from the competition and get more leads from her Google Business Profile. I also share some little-known tips on creating next-level Google Posts that are guaranteed to “stop the scroll”, such as: Did you know that you could add videos to your Google Posts, and they autoplay as you scroll through them? Utilizing video content in your Posts can make them more eye-catching and engaging, increasing the likelihood that viewers will tur...

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19Mar By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

How to Optimize the Q&A Section of Your Google Business Profile

Multi-location Pricing Request Our platform is designed to help multi-location businesses manage their reputation, whether you have 2 or 1,000 locations we can facilitate each business, and set-up your account with a plan that best suits each location’s needs. Fill out the form below to get a quote for your multi-location business. We will email you back directly and answer any additional questions you may have.

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17Mar By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Business Profile Suspended? Here’s How To Get Reinstated

For most small businesses, Google Business Profile (GBP) is their marketing lifeblood. Because it’s free, many local businesses rely solely on their Google Business Profile to generate traffic and calls, as well as to bring customers to their business. Marketers know it’s risky to put all your marketing eggs in one basket. But for a local business that has a limited budget – or no marketing budget at all – a free GBP listing is often all they have to promote their business online. When a business’s GBP listing gets suspended, it can literally make a company’s sales come to a screeching halt. And in some cases, I’ve seen companies go out of business due to a suspension. A suspended GBP listing will cause the business owner a lot of stress and worry – especially when most aren’t sure why the...

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15Mar By Casie GilletteNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, chatbot wordpress, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, Digital Marketing, google chat bots, robot chat

Can AI Help Overcome the Loss of Third-Party Cookies? Google Thinks So

In June of 2021, Google announced they would sunset cookies come 2023. Sure they delayed it a few times but let’s be honest, as marketers, we’ve had plenty of time to adapt and adjust to a web without cookies. Yet, here we are in 2024 and people still aren’t ready.  In fact, according to Dan Taylor, Google’s VP of Global Advertising Strategies, only 30% of marketers feel prepared for third-party cookie deprecation and both advertisers and publishers have been reluctant to invest in cookie alternatives. Well, guess what? There is no more time and Google’s latest announcement is a wake-up call for marketers.  There will be no more delays, third-party cookies are on their way out, and marketers had better adapt.  But how?  While we don’t often find ourselves nodding our ...

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15Mar By cperricone@hubspot.com (Christina Perricone)No Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, Google Ads, Internet marketing, Online Marketing, PPC

The Ultimate Guide to Google Ads [Examples]

Given Google’s expansive reach, with somewhere with over 8.5 billion searches per day, chances are you’ve seen (and probably clicked on) a Google ad — and so have your potential customers. (more…)

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13Mar By Casie GilletteNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, chatbot wordpress, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, Digital Marketing, google chat bots, robot chat

Can AI Help Overcome the Loss of Third-Party Cookies? Google Thinks So

In June of 2021, Google announced they would sunset cookies come 2023. Sure they delayed it a few times but let’s be honest, as marketers, we’ve had plenty of time to adapt and adjust to a web without cookies. Yet, here we are in 2024 and people still aren’t ready.  In fact, according to Dan Taylor, Google’s VP of Global Advertising Strategies, only 30% of marketers feel prepared for third-party cookie deprecation and both advertisers and publishers have been reluctant to invest in cookie alternatives. Well, guess what? There is no more time and Google’s latest announcement is a wake-up call for marketers.  There will be no more delays, third-party cookies are on their way out, and marketers had better adapt.  But how?  While we don’t often find ourselves nodding our ...

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12Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Integrates Social Media Posts Into Google Business Profiles

Google has introduced a feature that automatically displays social media posts from platforms like Instagram and Facebook directly on Google Business Profiles (GBP). This update aims to give customers a more comprehensive view of a business’s online activity and engagement. According to a Google help page, businesses that have associated their social media links with their GBP may now find their social media posts automatically surface on their profiles. This feature is currently available for select regions and may not be accessible to all Business Profiles. Manage Your Social Media Links To take advantage of this new feature, businesses can manage which social media links are displayed to customers on their Google Business Profile. You can add one link from each platform: Facebook, Insta...

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7Mar By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Business Profile Suspended? Here’s How To Get Reinstated

For most small businesses, Google Business Profile (GBP) is their marketing lifeblood. Because it’s free, many local businesses rely solely on their Google Business Profile to generate traffic and calls, as well as to bring customers to their business. Marketers know it’s risky to put all your marketing eggs in one basket. But for a local business that has a limited budget – or no marketing budget at all – a free GBP listing is often all they have to promote their business online. When a business’s GBP listing gets suspended, it can literally make a company’s sales come to a screeching halt. And in some cases, I’ve seen companies go out of business due to a suspension. A suspended GBP listing will cause the business owner a lot of stress and worry – especially when most aren’t sure why the...

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5Mar By Chandal Nolasco da SilvaNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

A Guide to Star Ratings on Google and How They Work

The elusive five-star review used to be something you could only flaunt in a rotating reviews section on your website. But today, Google has pulled these stars out of the shadows and features them front and center across branded SERPs and beyond. Star ratings can help businesses earn trust from potential customers, improve local search rankings, and boost conversions. This is your guide to how they work. Stars And SERPs: What Is The Google Star Rating? A Google star rating is a consumer-powered grading system that lets other consumers know how good a business is based on a score of one to five stars. These star ratings can appear across maps and different Google search results properties like standard blue link search listings, ads, rich results like recipe cards, local pack results, third...

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1Mar By Kristi HinesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Websites Created With Google Business Profiles To Shut Down In March

Do you have a website created through Google Business Profiles for your local business? If so, you must find an alternative website solution as Google plans to shut down websites created with Google Business Profiles in March. Websites Created With Google Business Profiles Will Redirect Until June 10, 2024 A redirect will be put in place from your GBP website to your Google Business Profile until June 10, 2024. “Websites made with Google Business Profiles are basic websites powered by the information on your Business Profile. In March 2024, websites made with Google Business Profiles will be turned off and customers visiting your site will be redirected to your Business Profile instead. The redirect will work until June 10, 2024.” How To Find Out If You Have A Google Business Profile Websi...

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29Feb By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Why Does One of Your Business Locations Outrank Another in the Google Maps Results?

Like my post? Please share! There’s a long list of reasons one of your Google Business Profile pages might be riding high on the local map while another is buzzard bait.  My aim in this post is simple: to help you narrow down the list of possible causes, so you can make your weakest location more visible and bountiful.  To do that you’ll probably need to try something you haven’t tried or considered yet, or at least know what to expect. There will always be differences between locations of your business, of course.  Just as discrepancies are natural in the real world, they’re unavoidable in the search results.  One of your establishments will always do better than the other – or better than many others – in one way or in many ways.  It’s always relative, and the ground under your feet is a...

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22Feb By MonsterPost EditorialNo Comments

building website, creating a website, google web designer, internet design, Internet marketing, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Grow Revenue with Google Ads Campaign Creation Service

Are you looking for a strategic approach to increase your audience and boost revenue? Here's what you need. Our Google Ads Campaign Creation service simplifies the complexity of online advertising and offers new avenues for revenue growth. As part of a Media Marketing Package, this is a must-have for TemplateMonster authors. Problem-solving Approach Our Google Ads Campaign Creation service has been fine-tuned specifically to meet the needs of TemplateMonster authors, focusing on a seamless and financially beneficial process. Here's how to benefit from this opportunity. Previously priced at $159, our Google Ads Campaign Creation service is now free for authors. This $159 fee can be redirected to your advertising campaigns, giving you more flexibility in promoting your products. Put aside t...

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21Feb By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Get RANKED on Google Maps – E8 – Can You Rank #1 in the Local Pack for Every Keyword?

The post Get RANKED on Google Maps – E8 – Can You Rank #1 in the Local Pack for Every Keyword? appeared first on Whitespark.

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15Feb By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

The Perfect Google Business Profile Website Alternative

Earlier this year, Google made the decision to delete all Google Business Profile websites on March 1st. This will leave more than 20 MILLION small businesses around the world without a website. While these simple one-page websites were nowhere near brilliant, many small businesses depended on them. Now, they have been given 3 months to create a brand new website on another platform. But many of these businesses have a limited budget and/or insufficient tech knowledge, which will leave them with no website at all. This is why our team has created a tool that can keep those websites alive. How businesses can rescue their GBP websites Let me introduce you to the new GBP Website feature in our Local Platform! Your site, just the way it was (but a bit better)  We’ve built our website feature t...

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7Feb By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Get RANKED on Google Maps – E5 – Establishing and Analyzing Baseline Local SEO Rankings

The post Get RANKED on Google Maps – E5 – Establishing and Analyzing Baseline Local SEO Rankings appeared first on Whitespark.

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5Feb By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Launches AI-Powered Local Business Search

Google is introducing an experimental feature in Google Maps that uses AI to help users discover local businesses that meet specific needs. AI-Powered Discovery The new feature utilizes large language models to analyze Google Maps’ database of over 250 million places, photos, ratings, reviews, and more. After entering a conversational search query, Google Maps will suggest personalized recommendations for businesses, events, restaurants, and activities in the area. For example, you can ask Maps to recommend “places with a vintage vibe in San Francisco,” and it will return suggestions like clothing boutiques, record stores, and flea markets. The results are categorized with photos and review highlights to explain why they meet your criteria. You can refine your search by asking follow-up qu...

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31Jan By Casie GilletteNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot messenger, chatbot online, chatbot website, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, facebook bot, facebook chatbot, facebook messenger bot, google chat bots, Outbound Email Marketing, robot chat

Gmail Inbox Insurance: Expert Advice for the Google Spam Update

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you know the new Google bulk sender guidelines roll out on February 1st.  As we’ve previously discussed, this is a big deal for email marketers and sales teams, especially those who tend to rely on cold outreach and ABM efforts.  Meeting the 0.3% spam complaint threshold will be challenging for a lot of people and if teams don’t adjust, they are in big trouble. To help you prepare for the impending update, we brought in six email marketing experts to discuss not only what the impact of the bulk sender update will be but how companies can prepare and adapt.  From tips on email deliverability and infrastructure to engagement and frequency, get ready, because our experts are going to help ensure your inbox is insured against these new ru...

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30Jan By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Maps “Suggest an Edit” Loophole: 2nd Reports Approved (Sometimes)

Like my post? Please share! When you use “suggest an edit” to report a business that’s spamming Google Maps, your standard operating procedure might go something like this: you send in only one report per Google Business Profile per violation, and you wait until Google approves or rejects it before you do anything else.  That’s not bad SOP, and often it’s good enough. But impatience can be a virtue – at least if you measure success by how many of your Google Maps anti-spam reports get approved, or by how quickly they’re approved.  Some forms of repetition Google ignores.  Other kinds of repetition seem to make Google’s ears perk up. Maps spam has been a problem forever, and it’s probably a problem in your market, to one degree or another. That’s why you occasionally or routinely send a “su...

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17Jan By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Get RANKED on Google Maps – E5 – Establishing and Analyzing Baseline Local SEO Rankings

The post Get RANKED on Google Maps – E5 – Establishing and Analyzing Baseline Local SEO Rankings appeared first on Whitespark.

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28Dec By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

What Makes Some Google Maps Spam Stick?

Like my post? Please share! Some businesses flout Google’s suggestions rules, moon their competitors, and are punished with great local rankings and plenty of business.  How do they get away with it so often? The reasons vary from case to case, but they’re always more specific than “duh” explanations like that “Google doesn’t care” (it doesn’t) or that some people play dirty pool (they do).  I don’t claim to know exactly what goes into Google’s internal decision-making.  But I have observed when a dubious Google Business Profile page is likely to be removed or fixed, and when it’s likely to linger and stink up the joint. Why does that matter?  You need to know what’s most likely to stick if you’re trying to scrape it off of your local map, and likewise if you’re trying to harden up your Go...

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26Dec By Hongkiat LimNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Google, google web designer, Image Optimization, internet design, optimization, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, webp, website builder, website design

How to Use .webp Images on Websites (Complete Guide)

WebP is an image format developed by Google around 5 years ago. Commonly referred to as weppy, this format is a boon for web designers and developers who aim to minimize and optimize image sizes. In this guide, I will shed light on why WebP might just be the solution you’ve been looking for. Key Features of WebP Images But first, let’s quickly touch on some key features of WebP: It has the file extension of .webp. It supports both lossy and lossless compression techniques. Images in WebP with lossy compression are typically 25-34% smaller than their JPEG counterparts. For lossless compression, WebP images can be 25% smaller than PNG images. It fully supports lossless transparency, similar to PNG with an alpha channel. WebP even supports animation, making it a potential replacement for an...

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21Dec By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

[SOLVED!] Google Business Profile Video Verification

Google Business Profile video verification has been the bane of business owners’ existence. Unclear directions, failed upload attempts, bugs, and lack of assistance from Google are among the many pain points people have when trying to video-verify their business profiles. Well, Whitespark just went through it, too. The good news is, I got to go through this painful process myself, and, after much suffering, I successfully re-verified our Google Business Profile! And now I get to share all the tips and tricks I learned along the way with all of you. In this video, I will teach you all the requirements for GBP verification, I will outline the steps you need to take for a successful video verification, and I will take you behind the scenes of verifying Whitespark’s Profile (Spoiler alert: You...

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16Dec By Kristi HinesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Confirms Business ‘Openness’ As Local Ranking Factor

Recent findings by SEO professionals suggest that Google has recalibrated its local search algorithm, placing more emphasis on a business’s listed hours of operation as a key ranking signal. According to Joy Hawkins of Sterling Sky, the trend became noticeable after the November 2023 core update, leading to businesses that appear as closed being significantly less visible in local search results. 😱Well the news is out, the new ranking factor we are seeing that has a massive impact on ranking is HOURS. We're seeing that businesses literally vanish in the local pack when they are not open. We started seeing this with the November 2023 core update. This is also making… pic.twitter.com/kDzfrbNmB5 — Joy Hawkins (@JoyanneHawkins) December 7, 2023 Business Hours Confirmed As ‘Stronger’ ...

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11Dec By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Get RANKED on Google Maps – E4 – Pitching ……..

The post Get RANKED on Google Maps – E4 – Pitching …….. appeared first on Whitespark.

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9Dec By Kristi HinesNo Comments

Generative AI, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

OpenAI Investigates ‘Lazy’ GPT-4 Complaints On Google Reviews, X

OpenAI, the company that launched ChatGPT a little over a year ago, has recently taken to social media to address concerns regarding the “lazy” performance of GPT-4 on social media and Google Reviews. Screenshot from X, December 2023 This move comes after growing user feedback online, which even includes a one-star review on the company’s Google Reviews. OpenAI Gives Insight Into Training Chat Models, Performance Evaluations, And A/B Testing OpenAI, through its @ChatGPTapp Twitter account, detailed the complexities involved in training chat models. Screenshot from X, December 2023 The organization highlighted that the process is not a “clean industrial process” and that variations in training runs can lead to noticeable differences in the AI’s personality, creative style, and political bia...

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5Dec By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Get RANKED on Google Maps – E3 – Crafting the Pitch

The post Get RANKED on Google Maps – E3 – Crafting the Pitch appeared first on Whitespark.

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2Dec By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Announces New AI Features Coming To Google Maps

Google has announced several new AI-powered updates coming soon to Google Maps that aim to help users plan trips, navigate unfamiliar areas, find electric vehicle charging stations, and discover new places and activities. Immersive View The most visually advanced new feature is Immersive View for routes, providing users with a detailed preview of their journey from start to finish. Using advanced AI to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images, Google claims Immersive View will allow users to experience simulated journeys as if they were there. The Immersive View preview is an interactive experience, allowing users to explore routes from different vantage points, zoom, pan, and even change the time of day or weather conditions. This gives users a sense of what the journey will be like...

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1Dec By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Why Google Search Console Is the Best Way to Measure, Track, and Troubleshoot Your Local SEO

Like my post? Please share! What about Google Analytics, and GBP Insights, and third-party rank-trackers?  Each of those has its place in the world and can come in handy.  You may use them, and they may help.  But if you had to pick ONE way to measure how you’re doing in the local search results, one place to monitor progress, one tool to help you troubleshoot, Google Search Console is your best (or least-bad) choice.  In my experience, it’s the sturdiest buoy you can cling to. Whether you do your own local SEO, are part of a team that works on it, or are an SEO professional who needs to put out the occasional fire, here’s why I say Google Search Console (“GSC”) is uniquely helpful to help you figure things out, and why digging around in its data is a uniquely high-payoff use of your time:...

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26Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Introduces New Ways To Plan Travel & Navigate

Google Maps gets holiday travel boost with smarter transit, group planning, and community engagement features. Google Maps is updating transit directions to recommend smarter routes. New tools will allow for easier group trip planning on Maps. Users can now react to Maps content with emojis.

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25Nov By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Reveals Best & Worst Times For Holiday Travel

With the holiday season fast approaching, Google has released data to help people navigate traffic and crowds more efficiently. Analyzing trends from last year’s holidays, Google published a blog post highlighting the optimal times to travel, shop, and run errands. “Whether you’re hitting the road early or heading out on Thanksgiving day, we looked at traffic patterns to help plan your trip,” writes Google’s Madison Gouveia in the blog post. Thanksgiving Travel Tips Google recommends departing on Monday or Tuesday around 8 p.m. local time for those driving before Thanksgiving. Avoid the peak traffic period on Tuesday and Wednesday from 4-5 p.m. On Thanksgiving Day, the best strategy is to leave before noon or after 4 p.m. to miss the peak congestion between 1-4 p.m. “Heading out on Thanksg...

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25Nov By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

New Video Series: Get RANKED on Google Maps – Step by Step

The post New Video Series: Get RANKED on Google Maps – Step by Step appeared first on Whitespark.

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23Nov By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Local SEO Keyword Research Doggie Door: How and Why to Search Google Maps Reviews by Keyword

Like my post? Please share! Here’s the doggie door, which I’ll explain more in a minute: 1. Go to the Google Maps tab OR open up the Google Maps app and pull up any business. You must go either to maps.google.com or open the app, because this won’t work anywhere else, like in the Google Business Profile “dashboard,” in the Chrome app, etc. 2. Click on the “reviews” tab, as though you’re a customer who wants to browse them.  (Of course, I’m assuming that the business has reviews.) 3. Click on the magnifying glass icon, type any word or brief phrase into the search bar that pops up, and check out the list of all reviews containing that word or phrase.  The word or phrase will show up in bold lettering. Here’s where the keyword-search feature is in the Google Maps app: Handy, isn’t it? No...

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23Nov By Larry KimNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot messenger, chatbot online, chatbot website, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, facebook bot, facebook chatbot, facebook messenger bot, google chat bots, Outbound Email Marketing, robot chat

A Deep Dive into Google and Yahoo’s Email Spam Filter Changes

Google and Yahoo recently announced significant changes to their spam filter algorithms, prompting a reevaluation of strategies for email marketers and sales teams engaged in both inbound and outbound marketing efforts. Here at Customers.ai, we see this as an opportunity for better email marketing campaigns. Because the reality is, when it comes to email, less is more. The more targeted you get, the better. The more intent signals you have, the better. The more customized your campaigns are, the better they will perform. If you are doing email the right way, these updates shouldn’t have a significant impact on your business.  We have a lot more to dig into here. To help our customers and email marketers as a whole better understand what these changes mean, we are going to exp...

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5Oct By Courtney FeairhellerNo Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, Internet marketing, Online Marketing

13 Tips on Writing Blog Posts That Rank on Google

If you've ever written a blog post before, you know how much time it can take. (more…)

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23Aug By Heather CampbellNo Comments

content, Content Trends, Digital Marketing, Digital Trends, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, On-page SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, SEO Strategy, Webinar

Essential Google Algorithm & AI Updates For Agencies & Brands

Staying ahead of the curve is essential for agencies and brands looking to succeed in 2023. With Google’s algorithm constantly updating and AI technology quickly advancing, how can you use these changes to your advantage? How can you stay up-to-date and streamline and maximize your online reputation? In order to thrive in the world of search and SEO, it’s important to know what to expect so you can adapt accordingly. So, if you’re ready to elevate your service offerings and boost your search rankings, our upcoming webinar has all the insights you need. Join industry experts Morrissey Balsamides and Cynthia Sener of Chatmeter as they delve into five crucial Google Algorithm & AI changes that you need to know to remain competitive. Discover the strategic advantages of AI integration, how...

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17Aug By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Lets Businesses Add Social Media Links To Profiles

Google has introduced the ability for businesses to add social media profile links directly in their Google Business Profile. This new option enables companies to showcase their social media presence alongside other information in Google Search and Maps. By having social media links accessible on their Google Business Profile, businesses can provide customers with more ways to connect, acquire information, and resolve issues. New Feature Rollout A new Google support page explains businesses can now control which social media links are displayed on their Google Business Profile. Businesses can add one link per social media platform to their Business Profile. The supported platforms include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and YouTube. This feature is b...

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16Aug By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Does Setting Your Google Business Profile as “Temporarily Closed” Impact Local SEO Rankings?

Back in 2020, Google claimed that setting your Google Business Profile as “Temporarily Closed” did NOT impact your rankings.  Well, what if I told you that this is not the case anymore and that marking your business as “Temporarily Closed” CAN absolutely negatively impact your rankings?  Here’s what I found out. Google’s Stance on the Subject In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, many businesses had to shut their doors and mark their Google Business Profiles as “Temporarily Closed”. Around that time, Google’s Danny Sullivan was asked on Twitter if this would have any impact on those businesses’ Local SEO rankings and visibility.   Danny Sullivan reassured all local business owners that “Temporarily Closed” wouldn’t affect their rankings or visibility. That Tweet was la...

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4Aug By Nataliia RaskopaNo Comments

building website, creating a website, google web designer, internet design, Internet marketing, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Transitioning from Google Analytics Universal to Google Analytics 4 ⭐MonstersPost

Google introduced its new analytics system back in the fall of 2020. Users had the choice to continue tracking their metrics in Universal Analytics or make an immediate transition to the next-generation analytics. However, starting from July 1st of this year, the option to choose will no longer be available as GA3 in its familiar interface ceases operation. In this article, we delve into how to collect data in Google Analytics 4, the changes that have occurred in the reports, and why sessions in GA3 ≠ sessions in GA4. Our exploration is led by Pavlo Fortelnyi, the Team Lead of the Analytics Department at Promodo, who provides a detailed breakdown of these topics. What will happen to historical data after transitioning to GA4? Let's put your mind at ease: there will be no immediate loss of ...

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31Jul By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Fudging Video Verification of a Google Business Profile

Like my post? Please share! I’m not saying you should do this, but if for whatever reason you need to fudge and fib your way through the video-verification of your Google Business Profile page, it’s not that hard to do.  First tested in 2016, in recent months that verification option has gone from relatively rare to somewhat common to non-optional in most cases.  Whether you’re trying to add a business or location to Maps for the first time, or you just need to re-verify your GBP page, you’re likely to run into video-verification (let’s call it VV) sooner or later, and it may not be optional. The inherent problem is that Google is forcing you into a process filled with human error, run by people (however well-intentioned) who know little or nothing about your business.  Google has invited...

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30Jun By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Why Are Google Maps Results More Volatile Than Organic Search Results?

Like my post? Please share! In my experience and probably in yours, the Google Maps / 3-pack results jump up and down constantly, and more often and less predictably than the organic results do.  The 3-pack changes when you go from one end of town to another, and they change when you wait for 8:00AM to become 8:00PM.  Competitors new and old start and stop ranking for no apparent reason.  The organic results jump around, too, of course.  But one bucks like a rodeo horse, and the other bucks like a rodeo horse that’s becoming a gelding. The Google Maps results are hard to measure, harder to understand, and nigh impossible to predict.  Doesn’t mean you can’t do effective local SEO anyway, but you’ll have an easier time of it and might lower your blood pressure a little if you have a better h...

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28Jun By Veena GandhiNo Comments

ads, Blog, Digital Marketing, Digital Marketing Agency, digital mkt, Google, Google Ads, Internet marketing, Marketing Strategy, Online Marketing

Money Down the Drain: 5 Google Ad Mistakes You Need to Fix

Imagine you are a chef trying to cook a delicious meal. You have all the ingredients you need, but if you don’t follow the recipe correctly, your dish is likely to turn out subpar. The same is true with Google Ads. Even if you have a great product or service to offer, if you don’t set up your campaigns correctly, you’re not going to get the results you want. After auditing literally 1000s of Google ad accounts at my agency Digital Street, even the top-spending ad accounts have one or more of these costly mistakes. The numero uno on the list is: 1. Conversion Tracking Not Set-up Properly: The Blindfolded Marketer Imagine walking into a labyrinth without a map or any sense of direction. That’s exactly what happens when you neglect to set up conversion tracking. Without conversion...

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13May By ximnetNo Comments

artificial-intelligence, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, chatbots, chatgpt, creating chatbots, Google, google chat bots, openai, robot chat

Switching to ChatGPT: My Two-Week Experiment Without Google | by ximnet

Photo by Samantha Gades on UnsplashIn today’s fast-paced world, time is very valuable. We often find ourselves struggling to keep up with the demands of our daily tasks. Fortunately, with advanced technologies, we now have access to innovative tools that can help us optimize our daily routines. ChatGPT is one such tool that has completely revolutionized the way I approach my daily tasks.Since there are already numerous articles and videos about how ChatGPT works and is being used, let’s not write another article about it.Instead, let’s discuss how I incorporated ChatGPT into my daily life for the past two weeks. In this article, I will share my experience of using ChatGPT and how it has transformed my daily productivity.Before we proceed, let’s determine the last time ChatGPT was trained b...

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10May By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Whitespark Weekly

How to Get Social Media Links on Your Google Business Profile

How to Get Social Media Links on Your Google Business Profile - Whitespark Want to know how to get your social media links on your Google Business Profile? Google doesn’t provide a way for you to add or edit these, so you have to help it connect the dots on its own. Here’s how to do it. Add Social Media Links to Your Website The number one place that Google looks to make these connections is your website, so make sure that you have the links prominently placed in either the header or the footer. If you’re linking with icons, make sure you add descriptive text to t...

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21Apr By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

How a Hacked Site Affects Your Google Business Profile Page and the Rest of Your Local SEO

Like my post? Please share! After 14 years of nary an incident, and despite pretty solid security SOPs, this site was hacked earlier this month and shot up with malware.  It was fine last time you read one of my blog posts, and it’s fine now.  Most likely the problem was a bad plugin (a common weakness).  For now, let’s just say that old Cochise had a bad hoof. If your business rides on your site, then there’s always a chance you can get hacked, and so can just about everyone else.  (Not having a site isn’t a good alternative: you’re still in a forest of Google Maps spam and other spam, and may look even tastier to the local wildlife.)  That’s probably not news to you, but a possible hack may seem like an abstract problem that you can’t do much about, or the kind of bridge you cross when y...

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14Apr By SEO NinjaNo Comments

googe optimize, Google, google optimization, google seo, Google Updates, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Unleashing Recovery Tales Of Google March 2019 Core Update

What has changed after 12/03/19 for you? For most of the world, nothing very significant but when we hit in the landscape of search engine optimization, we see many businesses awestruck in response to the core quality update made by Google. Nevertheless, beans were spilled in last year itself with two consecutive algorithm updates in the months of August and September. This article will throw torch on the impact (all positive in every case) made by this update on sites like nutrition, small e-commerce, and large informational site. Each one of these is believed to have undergone changes as per Google’s Quality Raters’ Guidelines and post March update traffic for these sites has increased. It will be interesting to elaborate on the changes made by each one of them though it is not cent per...

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31Mar By Roger MonttiNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Reveals How It Catches Fake Local Business Reviews

Google published a blog post that shared that they updated their machine learning systems in order to catch and remove more fake reviews, fake business listings and fraudulent contributed images and videos. The automated systems and human review teams removed over 200 million photos, 7 million videos and blocked or removed over 115 million reviews, which represents a 20% increase over the prior year, 2021. How Google Catches User Contributed Spam Google is using brand new machine learning models to catch and remove fake and fraudulent content. These machine learning models look for unusual patterns in user contributed content, including flagging new forms of abuse that hadn’t previously been seen. Google shared: “We’ve long used machine intelligence to help us spot patterns of potential ab...

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28Mar By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Uncategorized

Another Underused Local SEO Tool in Google Search Console: the Internal Links Report

Like my post? Please share! Why are those rock-solid pages not ranking as they should?  Why aren’t those pages helping you pop into the Google Maps 3-pack for certain search terms?  Why is one of your Google Business Profiles or one of your “city” pages clobbering the other?  If you just can’t figure out why Google spits some of your home cookin’ into the napkin, you may be low on internal links. Of course, many other ingredients go into the haggis.  Sometimes the problem is a lack of backlinks, or a thin page, or your developer goofed, or that not enough time has passed, or some combination of the above, or some other problem(s) altogether.  You may very well need to work on those areas. But if you’ve looked at the problem up and down, you’ve worked on it, and you can’t shake the feeling ...

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10Mar By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local Insider, Local SEO, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Whitespark Weekly

Why is Google Rejecting My Google Business Profile Photos?

Why is Google Rejecting My Google Business Profile Photos? - Whitespark 1. Google has a bug where photos show as rejected, but if you wait 24-48 hours, they actually publish. So, as Mike Blumenthal likes to say, “drink 4 beers and come back on Monday.” It’s likely that the issue will fix itself. 2. If your Profile is less than 2 weeks old or was recently reinstated, you can’t publish images. This is because new GBPs are “sandboxed” for 2 weeks until they have built up some trust.Wait at least 14 days after you have been verified/reinstated before you upload images. 3....

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15Feb By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profiles, google optimization, google seo, Local Insider, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Whitespark Weekly

How To Do Google Posts the RIGHT Way

Video Transcript Most businesses are doing Google Posts all wrong. They look at it as like a social media channel. But let me tell you, it is definitely not a social media channel. Someone scrolling through social media is looking to be entertained, learn something new, or see what’s going on with their friends. In general, the audience on social media doesn’t want to be sold to. Your audience for Google Posts, however, is in a transactional state of mind. They’re actively looking to be sold to. Google Posts should not be about entertaining the reader, they should not be about educating the reader, and they should not be about what happened at your holiday party. Instead, your Google Posts should talk about your services, your products, and your specials and offers. Let me show you some ex...

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8Feb By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Maps Brings A New Level Of Interactivity To Your Journey

New features announced today at a live event in Paris demonstrate how Google is utilizing AI to bring its vision of a more immersive, intuitive map to life. With these updates, Google Maps is making it easier to explore, navigate, and make sustainable choices, whether driving an EV or exploring a new city on foot. Immersive View Immersive view, which allows you to explore a place virtually, is rolling out now in London, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Tokyo. Google Maps’ immersive view uses advances in AI and computer vision to fuse billions of Street View and aerial images to create a rich, digital model of the world. Further, immersive view layers helpful information on top likethe weather, traffic, and how busy a place is. In a blog post, Google explains that it uses neural ra...

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8Feb By Darren ShawNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Insider, Local SEO, On-page SEO, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, Whitespark Weekly

Does Google Penalize AI-Generated Content?

With the rise of AI, many businesses and SEOs are turning to Artificial Intelligence for generating SEO-optimized website content. However, Google is constantly rolling out new updates to combat spam, and they can and do sometimes crack down on AI-generated content. Watch my new video to find out how AI-generated articles may hurt your website. Video Transcript Case Studies on AI-Generated Website Content I saw this comment on LinkedIn. Graham had talked about how they were generating AI content at scale, 50 pages generated in one click, and how these pages are actually performing pretty well. Then, Mark Williams Cook, a very smart SEO, replied and said: “well here’s what happened when we did it on 10,000 pages.” So, it was going really well, ranking really well. An...

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7Feb By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Uncategorized

10-Second Local SEO Win: Request Indexing of That New Page in Google Search Console

Like my post? Please share! It took blood or treasure or both for you to get those new pages written and up on your site.  Even before that, you may have struggled in the local search results, struggled to figure out what may help you gain traction, and struggled to set aside the time to get it done.  After all of that, wouldn’t it be shame if you didn’t see any SEO benefit for weeks or months?  Wouldn’t it be a double shame if 10 more seconds of work could have saved your pages from weeks or months of invisibility? My suggestion is simple: every time you create a new page (or post or similar resource), immediately go into Google Search Console and request indexing.  That’s it*. (*Of course, you will need to have installed Search Console – formerly known as Webmaster Tools.  It’s free and...

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1Feb By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Uncategorized

Can You Get Notifications of New Google Reviews Even When Your GBP Page Is Suspended?

Like my post? Please share! Yes, at least in certain cases.  By my lights, even if your Google Business Profile page has been soft-suspended and you’re locked out of your own page unless and until you re-verify, Google may still send you an email notification that a customer has posted a review.  It’s a ghost in the machine. You won’t get the alert in all cases, of course.  You won’t get notifications if, for instance, someone reviews a GBP page you never created or verified – perhaps one that Google auto-generated.  That’s because Google doesn’t know you have any connection to it. I’d always assumed and observed that if Google makes you re-verify your GBP page to confirm your ownership, you are considered a stranger until you’ve re-verified.   The rules may not be so hard and fast, though...

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31Jan By Doug GargaroNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Vertical SEO

Google Business Profile Optimization For The Financial Vertical

The financial vertical is a dynamic, challenging, and highly regulated space. As such, for businesses in this vertical, optimizing local search presence and, specifically, Google Business Profile listings requires a greater level of sensitivity and specialization than industries like retail or restaurant. The inherent challenges stem from a host of considerations, such as internal branding guidelines, accessibility considerations, regulatory measures, and governance considerations among lines of business within the financial organization, among others. This means that local listings in this vertical are not “one size fits all” but rather vary based on function and fall into one of several listing types, including branches, loan officers, financial advisors, and ATMS (which may be inclusive...

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27Jan By Andrew HutchinsonNo Comments

facebook, facebook marketing, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing, tiktok, twitter, youtube

Google Outlines Ongoing Efforts to Combat China-Based Influence Operations Targeting Social Apps

Over the past year, Google has repeatedly noted that a China-based group has been looking to use YouTube, in particular, to influence western audiences, by building various channels in the app, then seeding them with pro-China content. There’s limited info available on the full origins or intentions of the group, but today, Google has published a new overview of its ongoing efforts to combat the initiative, called DRAGONBRIDGE. As explained by Google: “In 2022, Google disrupted over 50,000 instances of DRAGONBRIDGE activity across YouTube, Blogger, and AdSense, reflecting our continued focus on this actor and success in scaling our detection efforts across Google products. We have terminated over 100,000 DRAGONBRIDGE accounts in the IO network’s lifetime.” As you can see in this chart, DR...

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25Jan By Atul JindalNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Vertical SEO

6 Google Business Profile Tips For Hotel Brands

Google is the answer to most people’s problems. Feeling hungry, need to get lunch? Find it on Google. Need to book a hotel? Google its reviews. This is why Google gets over 3.5 billion searches each day. And interestingly, a large percentage of these searches have local intent. Since Google is the first place many people go when looking for hotels, the saturated hospitality industry has much to gain from the search engine giant’s remarkable features. Google Business Profile (GBP) is one feature that helps even smaller hotels have good exposure with their target audience, despite their chances of ranking through regular SEO being relatively slim. This article will give you practical tips for optimizing your GBP to get the most out of Google’s awesome offering. Benefits Of Google Business Pr...

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23Jan By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Verify Your Google Business Profile With Video Verification

Verification is an important step in properly setting up a Google Business Profile (GBP). Before your GBP will become visible to the public and you can do all the fun things with your profile – like creating posts, responding to reviews, updating your profile, and more – you must first verify it. Screenshot from Google Business Profile, August 2022 When a business (i.e., merchant) sets up a Google Business Profile, Google offers a method (or sometimes several ways) to verify the profile. This verification process helps Google ensure that the business is a real and legitimate business that is eligible for a GBP and meets Google’s guidelines for representing your business on Google. In an ideal world, Google would actually visit each and every location with a GBP to make sure the business is...

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23Jan By Jason HennesseyNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, SEO Strategy

Google Local Pack: What Is It?

Google Maps is a tool we easily take for granted. Looking for a tasty new restaurant? Google Maps pulls up the hottest spots near you. Need a local plumber? Google Maps will show you the providers with the best customer reviews. Google Maps provides a massive benefit to users looking for businesses – and to businesses looking to attract customers. That’s why the Google Map Pack is prime real estate for businesses hoping for more online and local traffic. What is the “Google Local Pack,” you ask? In this guide, we’ll tell you all about it, the features that matter most, and how to use it to drive leads to your business. What Is The Google Map Pack? The “Google Map Pack” (or the Google Local Map Pack) is a prominent section in the Google local search results that showcases the top-ranking lo...

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22Jan By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Announces 7 Local Search Updates

At Google’s annual Search On conference, the company announced seven new features and updates to local search. These updates will significantly enhance how people explore neighborhoods, businesses, and restaurants in Google Search. The local search changes rolling out soon include: Search for restaurants by dish Discover restaurant specialties More support for digital menus Enhancements to Google Maps’ Live View Aerial views of famous landmarks Immersive view Neighborhood vibe checks Read all the details about these updates in the below sections. 1. Search For Restaurants By Dish Google is upgrading its restaurant search capabilities with the ability to find local places that serve a specific dish. The new search experience will allow you to enter a query like “soup dumplings near me,” and...

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19Jan By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Reveals Top Search Trends For Halloween 2022

Google reveals the latest data on top Halloween costume searches in the US in an update to the Halloween Frightgeist website. Halloween Frightgeist is a website powered by Google Trends designed to highlight popular costume ideas. Google’s data can be helpful to marketers who work in related verticals and are looking to get high-value products in front of last-minute shoppers. With two weeks left until Halloween, it’s not too late for one last marketing push before the season ends. Data is limited to searches in the United States, though you can drill down into the data at a city and state level. For example, businesses and marketers in the Santa Barbara area might be interested to learn that the most popular costume search is the 1980s. Local retailers can capitalize on this by running ad...

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15Jan By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Google Is Restoring Missing Reviews In Business Profiles

Google is fixing a bug that caused reviews to go missing from Google Business Profiles. Google confirms reviews are getting restored. Google’s Search Liaison, Danny Sullivan, announced on Twitter in reply to Mike Blumenthal, who says he reported the bug a week ago. Our apologies here. The team is aware of this bug and has been actively addressing it. Many reviews have been restored, and that work will continue. — Google SearchLiaison (@searchliaison) November 15, 2022 Blumenthal isn’t exaggerating the seriousness of the bug. Reviews are a restaurant’s bread and butter, and removing them can significantly impact revenue. There are numerous threads in the Google Business Profile help forums started by business owners who lost most or all of their reviews. In each thread, the business owners...

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29Nov By Bot LibreNo Comments

ai, ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, amazon-web-services, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, cloud-computing, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, google chat bots, google-cloud-platform, robot chat, sagemaker

Artificial Intelligence in the Cloud — Comparing Google Vertex AI vs. Amazon SageMaker | by Bot Libre | Nov, 2022

Cloud solutions make it easier for businesses to manage, track, and move their apps, files, and other resources to the cloud without having to deal with many obstacles.Several benefits exist for moving to the cloud, including increases in scalability, security, and flexibility, as well as decreases in cost and environmental effects.Artificial Intelligence in the cloud enables businesses to train, test, and deploy deep learning models using cloud infrastructure and services. The leading cloud providers are Amazon AWS, Google GCP, and Microsoft Azure. All three providers provide quality, highly scalable and secure cloud solutions and a huge set of cloud services.This article focuses on cloud artificial intelligence services, specifically Google Vertex AI, and Amazon Sagemaker. Microsoft Azur...

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19Nov By Andrew HutchinsonNo Comments

Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing

Google Wins Court Case Against Russian-Based Bot Scam Group

Google has won a significant court case against a group that had been operating a network of bots to manipulate its systems, which could have major implications for future cybercrime cases. The case relates to a Russian-based group called Glupteba, which had used bot exploits to infiltrate millions of Windows devices. The Glupteba system stole user credentials and cookies, mined cryptocurrencies on infected hosts, and deployed proxy components that would target Windows systems and IoT devices. The malware was primarily distributed through questionable download links for pirated software. Such cases are difficult to litigate, largely due to the perpetrators living in foreign nations, and thus, outside the jurisdiction of US law - but in this instance, the court found in Google’s favor: ...

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16Sep By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Uncategorized

Bug Messing with Service-Area Google Business Profiles: Page Removed But Reinstated Once Address Is Shown Publicly

Like my post? Please share! This story should interest you if you’ve got a service-area business and noticed anything strange with your Google Business Profile page, if you suddenly can’t find your page when you search for it, or if you’re weighing the pros and cons of hiding or showing your address, or if you just like to learn about GBP / GMB bugs before they bite. Greg McBrien of Wolf Web Co. in NSW, Australia, told me about a strange situation one of his clients had just run into. The problem is odd: a Google Business Profile with a hidden address stops showing on the map, but isn’t suspended, as in the admins are still verified and not booted out and forced to re-verify.  The temporary (possibly longer-term) solution is odder: showing the address publicly, even though technically that...

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15Sep By afrost@hubspot.com (Aja Frost)No Comments

Digital Marketing, digital mkt, email list, Email Marketing, email outreach, Google Analytics, Internet marketing, Online Marketing

The Ultimate Guide to Google Analytics in 2022

Are you confused — even intimidated — by Google Analytics? Good news: you’re not alone. GA is notoriously complicated, and with the latest release — GA4 — things are just about clear as mud. (more…)

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14Sep By DigitalMarketerNo Comments

Blog, Digital Marketing, digital mkt, Google, Google Ads, Internet marketing, marketing news, Online Marketing, Trending, trending marketing stories

The Next Google Slap? How to Prepare for Google’s Updated Destination Requirements Policy

Next month (October 2022), Google is updating the Destination requirements policy requiring that ad experiences on destinations (i.e. blogs and landing pages) follow the Coalition for Better Ads Standards. The impact on publishers and advertisers could be significant, as they’re used to having more control over their ad placements. To help you get ready for the new advertising policy requirements, we’ve put together a list of resources that includes information on what to expect and how best practices can be used. What are the updated requirements? The updated requirements are that ad experiences on landing pages must conform to the Coalition for Better Ads Standards. This means that ads must be less intrusive and more user-friendly. Google will consider a number of factors when d...

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9Sep By Eric KarkovackNo Comments

building website, creating a website, Design Clients, Freelance Clients, google web designer, internet design, Marketing, SEO, web design, web design company, web designer, web page design, website builder, website design

Taking a Look at Google Analytics 4

Google Analytics has been a staple in the toolbox of web designers, marketers, and SEO specialists for years. And although there’s a steep learning curve, it offers an in-depth view of who’s visiting your website and the actions they take. The massive piles of data Google Analytics provide hasn’t necessarily kept up with an evolving web, however. Privacy regulations and competitors with leaner products have forced the venerable tool to reconsider its practices. That’s why the next version is likely to surprise some longtime users. Google Analytics 4 (GA4) takes a vastly different approach, with a focus on user events rather than sessions. This eliminates some privacy concerns – not to mention user-specific data that was of interest to those of us reading the reports. And it’s also going to...

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23Aug By Tapaan ChauhanNo Comments

ai, artificial-intelligence, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, creating chatbots, Google, google chat bots, google-nest, robot chat, technology

How to keep your Google Home, Nest Mini, Nest Audio, Home Max, or Google Nest Hub fully updated | by Tapaan Chauhan

Because your Google Home smart speaker is constantly receiving innovative features and tricks, it’s important to take advantage of the latest with the latest software.Fortunately, every Google speaker should automatically receive updates.If your Google Home or a Nest Mini, Home Max, Nest Audio, or Google Nest Hub smart display is connected to Wi-Fi, it should automatically scan for updates and begin downloading them.If you’re not sure if your Google Home system software is up to date, go to:1. Launch the Google Home application.2. Decide which Google Home speaker you’d like to use.3. Select Device Settings from the drop-down menu.4. Go to the base of the page and scroll down. The present system firmware is displayed here.You can also see if that’s the most recent Google Home firmware versi...

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11Aug By Dani OwensNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profile, Google Business Profile Optimization, google optimization, google seo, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

Google Business Profile Conversion Factors

What makes users convert once they’ve viewed your Google Business Profile? There are many possible factors. We’re going to dive into all the GBP features that may affect conversion rates for Google Business Profiles. Each is something you’ll want to consider when you run a Google Business Profile Audit. Let’s go! Review Factors It’s a no-brainer that GBP reviews impact conversion rates. Number of Reviews If you looked at a listing that only had one review and its rating was five stars, would you trust it? Or would you want to see more reviews to know if the overall review rating was accurate? That’s why the number of reviews can affect conversion rates. Make sure to collect as many reviews as possible so that users know they can trust your overall rating. Overall Review Rating As we just m...

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22Jul By Tapaan ChauhanNo Comments

ai bot, ai chat, ai chatbot, artificial-intelligence, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot ai, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, conversation with ai, creating chatbots, Google, google chat bots, google-cloud-platform, nlp, robot chat, technology

GOOGLE CLOUD COLLABORATES WITH COHERE TO SET UP NPL MODELS | by Tapaan Chauhan

Google Cloud has recently announced their multi-year collaboration with Cohere, the startup platform for developers to make Natural Language processing model-building easier, in applications. The whole process requires a lot of infrastructure and hardware resources to run and currently Cohere doesn’t own that many resources of infrastructure. So Google is going to work as an infrastructure resource by helping Cohere with Google cloud’s machine learning hardware and infrastructure.For taking out the best conclusion and trends Cohere draws an enormous amount of unstructured data and texts and this collaboration will support Cohere’s language model development with Google’s infrastructure. Additionally, Google will allow Cohere to get access to the Tensor processing unit. Besides these, Coher...

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7Jul By Jamie PitmanNo Comments

googe optimize, Google Business Profile, google optimization, google seo, Introduction to Google Business Profile, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

What is Google Business Profile?

Have you ever wondered how Google knows to show you a store or service near your location, even if you don’t add ‘near me’ to your search? This isn’t search engine magic. Many local businesses shown in Google search results will have done one simple thing: they claimed their Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business).  You too can harness this powerful SEO weapon—and get your business in front of people looking to buy products or services close to your location.  What is a Google Business Profile? A Google Business Profile is a free tool used by businesses for better marketing to local customers. It offers an easy way to create, manage, and optimize the information that appears for their business in Google search results, on Google Maps, and (sometimes) in Google Shoppi...

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6Jul By Jimit BagadiyaNo Comments

Blog, facebook, facebook marketing, Google Business Profile, instagram, pinterest, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing, twitter

How to Optimize a Google Business Profile Listing

Marketing is a crucial component of every business. As trends change, more options become available for promoting your business. Most notably, a social media presence has grown into a must-have for businesses due to its ability to reach potential customers. There are currently 4.48 billion users on some form of social media! You have already created your marketing plan and included Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You are further optimizing your site for SEO, and your Facebook ads are pulling in new visitors each week. But there’s one place you may have neglected. Have you checked out Google Business Profile (GBP) yet? If you haven’t heard of GBP, I bet you have seen it. As you enter a search on Google for “plumbers near me” or “dentists in Maryville,” a box appears on the righ...

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26Jun By Manvi AgarwalNo Comments

Blog, Google Business Profile, linkedin, Small Business, Social Marketing Strategies, social media, social media marketing, youtube

A Small Business’s Guide to Marketing on Google My Business

Just Google it! That’s what you (and I) do when we’re looking for a restaurant, a car repair shop, or practically anything under the sun. It’s no wonder that 82% of people use search engines like Google to find local businesses. If you own a local small or medium business, you understand that’s a considerable number of customers. Now, consider this: 70% of your potential customers look up your business online before making a purchase decision or visiting. For this reason, services like Google Places, Maps, and Google Business Profile have been very crucial for small businesses. In June 2017, Google went a step further and launched GBP posts – a way for you to advertise your business listings for free. How do GBP Posts Help Small Businesses Achieve Their Business Goals? Customers love stor...

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2Jun By Tapaan ChauhanNo Comments

artificial-intelligence, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, creating chatbots, Google, google chat bots, guides-and-tutorials, how-to, robot chat, technology

Guide to How you can use Google Assistant Guest Mode on your Google Home smart speaker

As a Google assistant owner you must have wanted a feature like incognito mode or something like that to search for a surprise gift on your partner’s birthday. So Google now made your wish true. With this new ‘Guest Mode’ on Google Home and Google Nest smart speakers any of your conversations with Google assistants won’t get saved.However, Google doesn’t state the fact they save your ‘ok Google’ recordings by default and you can view or delete data anytime but still we wanted something more prominent and for that ‘Guest Mode’ is here to do that job. It will automatically delete all the recordings and conversations you had with Google assistant and nothing will be stored on your history.So now let’s get straight to how you can enable Guest mode on your Google Home speakerThe best part of th...

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31May By Qiannan ZhangNo Comments

googe optimize, Google My Business, google optimization, google seo, Local SEO, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google Products Shake-up: Is the Products Feature Moving to Merchant Center?

Google Products Shake-up: Is the Products Feature Moving to Merchant Center? - Whitespark Is it the end of Google Products as we know it? Businesses can no longer edit existing Products on their Google Business Profiles (GBP) and can only add new Products through...

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28May By Claire CarlileNo Comments

googe optimize, Google My Business, google optimization, google seo, Learn, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Google My Business Photos: The Ultimate Guide to Looking Good Online

We’ve all heard the saying that first impressions count, and this is just as true online as it is in real life.  Internet users are inherently visual creatures, with approximately 50% of the surface of the human brain devoted to processing visual information. Images and visuals are much more powerful and easier to understand than just text, as well as being easier to recall. You can find all the data behind this here . Given the human propensity to form impressions and take in information via a visual format, images are tremendously influential and key to your business looking good online.  As businesses and individuals, we’re all very used to curating the images on our website and on our social media channels in view of what we think they say about us both professionally and personally. B...

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15May By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Set Holiday Hours On Your Google Business Profile

Setting holiday hours on your Google Business Page is an easy way to ensure customers never face the disappointment of finding your location closed when they expect it to be open. From a customer standpoint, it’s infuriating to look up a business in Google and see it listed as open, only to arrive there in person and learn otherwise. Customers should be able to depend on something as vital as the opening hours displayed on your Google Business Page. It’s difficult to regain that customer’s trust once it’s broken. Thankfully, Google makes it simple to keep your business hours accurate and up-to-date, even on holidays. You can literally set it and forget it. If you know your business will have modified hours for a holiday three months from now, set them today and Google will automatically ch...

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14May By Kristian BannisterNo Comments

Blog, BrightLocal Products, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, News, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO

Understand Ranking Performance at a Glance with Average Google Position

It’s a big day here at Brightlocal! We have three new updates to Local Search Rank Checker. 1. Local Search Rank Checker is now called Local Rank Tracker It’s probably best we tackle this one first so it’s easier for you to follow this launch post! Local Search Rank Checker is a name we chose over 10 years ago, and since then we’ve outgrown it. ‘Checker’ suggests it checks rankings once, or on an ad hoc basis, but that’s not how our customers use it. They use it to track rankings over time so they can measure the impact of their local SEO efforts. This new name makes it easier to understand what the product does and the value it brings. This name change is reflected in the BrightLocal platform, on our website, and in our supporting content. So if you’re looking for guides in the Help Cente...

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10May By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Uncategorized

Google Throws More Reviews into the Filter Van

Like my post? Please share! In recent days a couple of clients and others have told me of increased filtering of Google reviews – as in they see fewer reviews by the day on their Google Business Profiles, and for no clear reason. Google has filtered reviews for many years, to one degree or another.  About 10 years ago Google filtered reviews even more aggressively than Yelp did (after having done basically no filtering).  In March of 2020 Google temporarily froze all new reviews from going up.  Most of the time, Google alternates between long stretches of filtering far too reviews and brief blasts of filtering too many. If this isn’t another bug, then it seems to be the start of one of Google’s more-aggressive filtering periods.  Here is what a few business owners have described, and what ...

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4May By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Set Holiday Hours On Your Google Business Profile

Setting holiday hours on your Google Business Page is an easy way to ensure customers never face the disappointment of finding your location closed when they expect it to be open. From a customer standpoint, it’s infuriating to look up a business in Google and see it listed as open, only to arrive there in person and learn otherwise. Customers should be able to depend on something as vital as the opening hours displayed on your Google Business Page. It’s difficult to regain that customer’s trust once it’s broken. Thankfully, Google makes it simple to keep your business hours accurate and up-to-date, even on holidays. You can literally set it and forget it. If you know your business will have modified hours for a holiday three months from now, set them today and Google will automatically ch...

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3May By Jenny BernardeNo Comments

googe optimize, Google My Business, google optimization, google seo, Local Search Clinic, Local SEO, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services, Webinars

Google Business Profile Optimization with Joy Hawkins

In our first Local Search Clinic of 2022, host Claire Carlile was joined by Joy Hawkins (Sterling Sky) to answer your burning questions on Google Business Profile.  Thank you to everyone who attended the clinic, asked your questions, and shared your own insights. It’s always great to have so many of you take part! During the event, we answered questions ranging from image optimization, tips for service-area businesses, and rankings after the Vicinity update. You won’t want to miss this – check out the recording below.  Recording Resources What are the Key Optimization Strategies for Google Business Profiles?To maximize google business profile conversion optimization, start with complete and accurate information about your business. Use high-quality images that showcase your products o...

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1May By cwainwright@hubspot.com (Corey Wainwright)No Comments

Content Planning, Digital Marketing, digital mkt, email outreach, Internet marketing, Online Marketing

How to Create an Editorial Calendar in Google Calendar [Free Templates]

Whether you're managing thousands of blog posts or a few dozen articles, you know that it's imperative to have an editorial calendar to keep track of it all. (more…)

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29Apr By Chelsea AlvesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

Is Getting Your Google Business Profile “Google Guaranteed” Worth It?

When customers are searching locally for products and services like yours, they often seek validation to ensure they’re making the right choice. This includes reading online reviews, asking for personal recommendations, or looking for more information about your business on your Google Business Profile. Google offers a way for businesses in some industries to earn consumers’ trust by becoming a Google Screened or Google Guaranteed provider. Eligible businesses advertising through Google Local Services Ads can receive the Google Screened or Google Guaranteed designation. This designation appears when local consumers search for services in their area. Professional service providers’ ads will appear on Google Search and the Local Services site, and only pay if a customer calls or messages the...

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27Apr By Sherry BonelliNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

4 Top Reasons Your Google Business Profile Information Keeps Updating

For any local business that qualifies, claiming your Google Business Profile is a must-do to help your business rank higher on Google. Regularly optimizing your business profile with content such as posts, new products or services, holiday hours, photos, and other updated information about your company keeps your listing fresh and current for potential customers. But did you know that the information on your Google Business Profile could get changed at any moment? In many cases, these changes go live without you even knowing it. Some updates to your business profile could even impact your business. If your profile is changed, you should receive an email letting you know of any changes or suggestions. But that’s not always the case. That’s why it’s crucial that you keep an eye on your busin...

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22Apr By John VuongNo Comments

Business advice, googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Internet marketing, pagerank, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

How to Increase Your Google Rankings: Tips from the Pros

Anyone who has ever tried to increase their Google rankings knows that it can be a daunting task. There are so many factors that go into ranking high on Google, and it can be hard to know where to start. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips from the pros on how to improve your Google rankings. We will cover everything from keyword research to link building, and we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to get started. If you’re ready to start climbing the ladder of Google success, keep reading! How to Do Keyword Research For any business that wants to succeed online, keyword research is essential. By understanding which keywords are most popular with users, you can ensure that your website is ranking highly for terms that will actually lead to clicks and conversions. Bu...

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8Apr By Brian FrederickNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company, seo services

New Google Attribute Helps Businesses Promote Sustainability

Google now allows businesses to display their commitment to environmentalism in their Google Business Profile. This helps companies capitalize on growing eco-consciousness among consumers in the wake of concerns about climate change and sustainability. Increasing Number Of Customers Value Eco-Consciousness In a survey conducted by Google, 82% of consumers reported sustainability as a top priority when making purchasing decisions. Reflecting this, it has seen “recycling” as one of its most popular searches, with an average popularity score of 81 out of 100. Queries such as “climate change,” “sustainability,” and “renewable energy” have all also seen significant interest. A 2021 report by Ipsos, the world’s third largest research company, found 68% of people believe that if businesses do no...

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31Mar By PhilNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services, Uncategorized

How to Remove a Permanently Closed Google Business Profile Page from Google Maps for Good

Like my post? Please share! A longstanding gripe of business owners, local SEOs, and others is that Google Business Profile (AKA GMB) pages linger around on the map even after they’re marked as “permanently closed.”  Most often it’ll be a page you once created or claimed, or it may be a competitor’s spam page or a page that’s causing some other problem.  In any event, you want the page completely gone from Google Maps, rather than in “permanently closed” purgatory. Google’s stated policy on removing GBP/GMB pages has been that a business owner need to relinquish control of a page, mark it as permanently closed, and then Google may or may not choose to remove it.  Google may keep it around long-term if it sees some benefit to keeping the listing accessible on Maps.  Google’s MO is to hoard ...

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26Mar By Matt G. SouthernNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, News, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo company

Google Removed 7 Million Fake Business Profiles In 2021

In a report from Google about how it keeps Maps information reliable, the search company reveals it removed seven million fake business profiles in 2021. Additionally, Google prevented tens of millions of fake business profiles from being created, and disabled over a million user accounts belonging to “bad actors.” Verifying the legitimacy of information in Google Business Profiles and Google Maps is increasingly challenging, as the number of contributions continues to rise year over year. Google now receives 20 million contributions every day from people using Maps, such as updated business hours, contact information, photos, and reviews. Here are the key highlights from Google’s report on what goes into keeping Maps & Business Profile information accurate. How Google Keeps Local Bus...

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25Mar By Sam HollingsworthNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

How To Completely Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is a free feature from Google that helps business owners manage their online presence across the search engine and its growing portfolio of utilities, including Google Maps. Seasoned SEO professionals use Google Business Profiles to leverage a location-based strategy. Creating a Google Business Profile is the first step to local search success. And for good reason. GBP offers the greatest impact for brands seeking local exposure. A feature like Google’s Local Search emphasizes the need for a GBP for both new and established businesses. Navigate to:Google Business Profiles: The BasicsStarting Your Google Business ProfileVerifying Your Google Business ProfilePublishing Your Google Business ProfilePhotos & Videos For Your Google Business ProfilesMonitoring Your Goo...

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24Mar By Kristopher JonesNo Comments

googe optimize, google optimization, google seo, Local Search, search engine optimisation, search engine optimising, search engine optimization, SEO, seo services

4 Quick Tips To Boost Your Google Business Profile Visibility

Every business out there wants to attract more online visibility – especially on Google. How can you get in front of just the right people in local search listings and the Map Pack? Optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP) listing puts your local business in the best position to get found and convert motivated searchers to paying customers. Here are a few tips to get you some quick wins without breaking the bank. 1. Encourage Reviews Reviews are one of the best ways to grow your GBP. They cost nothing but do much to raise your business’s profile to organic searchers. Think about how you might go about weeding through a large selection of local general contractors if you have never employed one before. You have no idea if the claims made on a contractor’s website are accurate since yo...

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22Mar By Tapaan ChauhanNo Comments

ai, artificial-intelligence, best chatbot, chatbot, chatbot app, chatbot online, chatbot website, creating chatbots, Google, google chat bots, robot chat, technology, wifi

How to connect, update, and troubleshoot your Google Home Wi-Fi network | by Tapaan Chauhan

Your Google Home or Google Assistant speaker listens intently to your every word to deliver music requests, smart home control, and answers to questions — but only if it’s connected to the internet.This connection should be formed during the first setup of your Google Nest Mini, Nest Audio, or Nest Hub, however, if you’re changing Wi-Fi networks or reconnecting after the initial setup, you’ll need to go through the menus of the Google Home app.However, as long as you’re trying to connect your speaker to the same network as your phone or tablet, this should be rather simple. When completing the instructions below, have your Wi-Fi password and name handy.You’ll be asked to link your speaker to a Wi-Fi network during setup, but you can always go into the settings menu of each item and connect...

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