{"id":11909,"date":"2019-11-20T11:17:18","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T17:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.advicelocal.com\/?p=11909"},"modified":"2019-11-20T11:17:18","modified_gmt":"2019-11-20T17:17:18","slug":"how-mentions-help-google-my-business-listings-map-pack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.advicelocal.com\/blog\/how-mentions-help-google-my-business-listings-map-pack\/","title":{"rendered":"How Mentions Help Google Business Profile Listings Surface in the Map Pack and Finder"},"content":{"rendered":"

These days, Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business)<\/a> is extremely important for any local SMB. I doubt you\u2019ve used any business or been in any store recently that doesn\u2019t have a Google Business Profile (GBP) listing. In fact, you\u2019ve likely found some of the businesses or stores you\u2019ve shopped at recently through Google Business Profile.<\/p>\n

\"Local<\/a><\/div>\n

Yet even though so many businesses have a GBP listing, not many understand the different nooks and crannies of how consumers are seeing their listing online.<\/p>\n

Understanding Mentions and How Google Business Profile Work Together for the Good of SMBs<\/h2>\n

When people search for a product or service with Google Search or on Google Maps, the results can draw keywords from your client\u2019s GBP, including from places you may not expect. Below we\u2019ll go over the different types of \u2018mentions\u2019 that Google draws from to display with GBP results in the map pack and local finder.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Review Mentions<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Review Mentions occur in both the map pack and the local finder when a search matches keywords used in a consumer\u2019s GBP review. Google can show either exact keyword matches or synonyms of the searched keyword in Review Mentions. For example, when I searched \u201cfood with music near me,\u201d here was the top result:<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

This is why it\u2019s important to encourage consumers to mention your client\u2019s business\u2019 services or products when leaving a review. Be careful that this does not cross the line into making reviews seem spammy, however. You always want reviews to sound as natural as possible.<\/p>\n

Website Mentions<\/h3>\n

Website Mentions appear in both the map pack and local finder when a search matches keywords used on a website that Google associates with that business entity. Note that this doesn\u2019t only include the business\u2019 website linked through their GBP profile. Like Review Mentions, Website Mentions can show either the same keyword used in the search or a close synonym.<\/p>\n

Website Mentions are pretty simple and are more common than some of the others we\u2019re discussing here. For example, I searched \u201cmountain bikes near me,\u201d and here was the first result:<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

When I click on their GBP listing, Google prominently lists the search result from their website it tagged at the top of their GBP profile.<\/p>\n

Website Mentions in GBP search results are yet another reason you need to be optimizing your clients\u2019 websites for different keyword variations and for local SEO<\/a> to build trust with search engines.<\/p>\n

GBP Post Mentions<\/h3>\n

Google Post Mentions appear in both the map pack and local finder when a search matches keywords used in the content of a GBP Post. Google Post Mentions in search results are a relatively new feature \u2014 it was first observed in February 2019<\/a>. Here\u2019s how it works.<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

I searched \u201cDallas bankruptcy lawyer,\u201d and here\u2019s one of the results it gave. Notice the Post Mention symbol in the result that looks like an exclamation point in a star.<\/p>\n

When I click on the listing, it takes me to their GBP listing. Notice that the GBP Post Mention from the search results is now prominently at the top with a \u201cRelated to your search\u201d heading.<\/p>\n

\"Google<\/p>\n

This feature works for all types of GBP posts, including Event and Offer posts, and for posts that are no longer listed as active on the business\u2019 listing.<\/p>\n

GBP Post Mentions seem to be the least common of the ones we\u2019ve discussed, and Google may still be testing this feature to some extent. But the infrequency may also be due to the fact that not as many people are utilizing the GBP Post function as you would think.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re not already publishing GBP posts for your clients\u2019 businesses, you should be! Here\u2019s what you need to know about GBP posts:<\/p>\n