Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• FTC new rules on fake reviews are now in effect.
• AI overwriting business descriptions.
• Local Service Ads will soon require a Google Business Profile.
• How do I rescue a GBP that got suspended for breaking guidelines?
• How do I claim ownership of a Service Area Business?
• Is it possible to have GBPs for multiple businesses at the same address?
• How do I get rid of bad reviews from non-customers?
• Do I need to be on site at the business location to film for video verification?
• How do I resolve a suspension caused by a name change from an unknown user?
• Is there anything I can do to further the verification process while it’s pending?
• Should I split my business into two entities to increase ranking?
• Can I get suspended from making GBP posts?
• What do I need for my GBP to have multiple businesses at one location?
• How do I make sure the right category comes up in search?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• GBP appeals are no longer delayed.
• LSA review links are going away.
• Google confirms Exif data does not affect ranking.
• Should I change my business name through the GBP dashboard or the API?
• What are some good resources on if backlinks still work?
• What are the best tools for Geogrid ranking?
• Why is my GBP category not showing?
• If I switch to a new SEO company, will I lose progress I made with the old one?
• What should I do if my edits have been pending for weeks?
• What is the ‘show business address to customer’ slider meant for?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• GBP appeal delays for longer than normal.
• Google Local Services Ads review links expire.
• Can you nest a service department under the primary sales profile if the service department is in a different location?
• What should I do if I missed the GBP suspension notice email?
• Why is Google Maps showing the wrong location when the address is correct?
• Is Yelp Connect worthwhile for update features?
• How do I remove reviews that violate GBP guidelines?
• What should I do if I get suspended trying to fix a Google Map pin attack?
• Does embedding Google Maps into my website help me rank better?
• How can I avoid my images getting flagged?
• How many reviews a day will get Google’s attention for possible deletion?
• Does making too many edits on my GBP cause suspension?
• Are customers allowed to leave identical reviews?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• FTC announces final rule on banning fake reviews.
• GBP reinstatements may be severely backlogged.
• How do I get Google to recognize my missing reviews?
• How do I geotag my photos?
• Should I expand my open hours to improve visibility?
• Is there a list of GBP categories that are blocked from reviews?
• Why would someone offer to write free five-star reviews for my company?
• How do I deal with the SAB address change “bug”?
• Does geotagging images on my website impact SEO ranking?
• Why do my Product descriptions on my GBP keep getting overwritten?
• Does anyone still use locations.kml?
• Is it worth setting up an agency account?
• Why do some childcare places allow reviews and others don’t?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• GBP Fields that impact ranking.
• Consumer alerts appearing on GBP listings.
• Google update states verification videos disappear from GBP after a certain amount of time.
• How do I get primary ownership of my GBP?
• How do I recover deleted GBP pages?
• What are the “dos” and “don’ts” for internal linking on a single location local business website?
• Should I put blog posts on my website’s homepage?
• How do I encourage reviews for a mental health clinic without compromising patient confidentiality?
• Why am I getting errors after trying to upload more than 10 Q&A’s to clients’ GBPs?
• Should I focus on Yelp listings since Perplexity AI serves local on Yelp?
• Why are images being rejected from my GBP?
• Is keyword stuffing still a thing, or is Google cracking down on it?
• Is there documentation to qualify for map icons on Google Maps?
• What is the difference in category for “Dental Clinic” vs. “Dentist”?
• Has Google done anything to counter pin moving in Google Maps by nefarious actors?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• Upcoming LocalU events in 2024.
• AI overview descriptions showing up on GBP.
• Google Maps tests QR codes on GBP.
• Local Service Ads on Google Maps for iOS.
• Google Maps fake engagement policy update.
• Google Map Pin moving attacks leaves GBPs vulnerable to suspension.
• Google Algorithm leak.
• Does Google give more support to those who pay more for advertisers?
• Have there been any changes to the reinstatement process?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• GBP now allows you to select a preferred menu source.
• OpenAI plans to release a new search engine.
• Google tests local-only results for searches “near me”.
• How do you update the order link on a car dealership GBP?
• How do I acquire worthwhile backlinks?
• How do I get the best output from AI image generation software?
• Are apartment buildings eligible for GBP?
• What should I do if I got suspended for changing branding of a gas station?
• Will having AI generated images on my GBP trigger a suspension?
• Can I rearrange the product section on my GBP?
• What should I do if a business says it’s “located in” my business when it’s not?
• How do I take down Service Area Businesses GBP locations that were created solely for SEO?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com

Each week, Greg and Ben answer your questions on digital marketing for local businesses … local search engine optimization (SEO), Google Business Profile, social media, email marketing, websites, online advertising and more.

Updates and Questions

• Upcoming Local U events in 2024.
• Teaser for upcoming changes to a yet unknown GBP category.
• GBP multi-media manager interface has been streamlined.
• How do I get a negative review from a competitor removed?
• Is it acceptable to use AI generated images in a Google Post?
• Can I transfer reviews from an old deleted GBP to a new one?
• How do I tell if a GBP listing is keyword stuffing?
• What should I do if an edit is verified, but still pending?
• How do I get my ads sponsored on Google Maps?
• Are kiosks allowed to have GBP listings?
• Will changing the name on my GBP affect my rankings?
• What should I do if the Post Office refuses to add a suite for my business, and my GBP gets suspended?

Links mentioned in this session are available on our website at https://localmarketinginstitute.com