Local SEO and Marketing Q&A Session February 3, 2023

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.

This Week’s Updates and Questions

  • Any vehicle with a VIN is now eligible to display in GBP in the US.
  • Google Posts insights are officially deprecated. 
  • You can now post videos on Google Reviews.
  • Personal injury spam networks are back.
  • Google announces AI chat based search.
  • Should I use GMB or GBP in the url when implementing UTM tracking?
  • If I want to add new services to my business, should I add the categories to the existing one, or should I create a new business?
  • What should I do if the Q&A shows the answers are from a manager account instead of the primary business owner?
  • How do I verify listings on Apple Business Connect?
  • What should I do if the threads on the forum are locked?
  • How do I go about ranking when a competitor has the knowledge panel?
  • How is a business removing legitimate negative reviews?
  • How do I claim my profile if my Gmail has been shut down?
  • Will changing my name and domain affect my search results?
  • Are the new Google Analytics good?
  • How do I report spam reviews and spam locations?
  • How can I get access to chat support for GBP?
  • What should I do if Google says my profile information is incomplete, but there is nothing to update?
  • Where can I find the option to set the preferred provider for online ordering at a restaurant? 
  • What are some good resources for creating a Apple Business Connect account as a third-party?
  • Is it possible to change the ‘popular times’ and ‘wait times’ for a restaurant on GBP?
  • If I have multiple services in the same category labeled as separate businesses, should I consolidate or keep them separate?
  • Does Google take reviews down after ten years?
  • How do I get a duplicate listing removed?
  • If a business has two listings, one with the business name, and one with the business and doctor’s name, is this within the guidelines?

Links from This Week’s Session