![\"Download](\"https:\/\/www.advicelocal.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/11\/voice-search-guide-ad.png\")
<\/a><\/div>\n1. When It Comes to GBP Spam, Google Is Still Fighting the Good Fight<\/h3>\n
Do you remember back in 2021 when Google shared how they were tackling spam? We highlighted the most important data<\/a> they reported, including their stopping 3 million bad actors from verifying Google Business Profiles that didn\u2019t belong to them.<\/p>\n Well, last week Google<\/a> shared how they kept information on Google Maps reliable in 2021. The report revealed that they removed more than 7 million fake Google Business Profiles (GBPs), stopped 12 million attempts to create fake GBPs, as well as 8 million attempts to claim GBPs that didn\u2019t belong to them. They also shared information about reviews, photos, etc. It\u2019s quite the data-packed read \u2013 you might want to check it out.<\/p>\n They did give some of the credit to those of us who are Local Guides, stating that this \u201clocal knowledge that our global community contributes is a huge part of what makes Google Maps more than a navigation tool<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n If you are not a Local Guide, it\u2019s pretty simple to sign up<\/a>. And once signed up, you\u2019ll earn points for reviews, photos, etc. that you upload. The higher your Local Guide status, the easier it will be for you to get your edits accepted where you report GBP spam.<\/p>\n In other GBP news, it seems Google is testing the ability for consumers to see appointments and booking availability for medical appointments directly through search. At this point, it seems they\u2019re testing this only with a few healthcare providers. Barry Schwartz covered the topic on Search Engine Land<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not every healthcare provider uses booking apps to manage their patients\u2019 appointments, and if this change goes out mainstream, their decision to avoid booking apps could hit them hard. We agree with Greg Sterling, who stated on Near Media<\/a> that this is Google\u2019s attempt to once again be a gatekeeper and insert itself into more local transactions.<\/p>\n Google has once again rolled out its Google Partners directory<\/a>, this time with requirements that are a bit less restrictive. If you\u2019re thinking about becoming a Google Partner, you may want to check it out.<\/p>\n Business listings seemed to be a hot topic on Search Engine Journal over the last week with several blog posts that caught our attention, including Why NAP & User Experience Are Crucial to Local SEO<\/a> and 21 Web Directories You\u2019ll Still Want to Use<\/a>. In this second article, pay close attention starting at point #5 on the list, and review some of the many directories we can help you with \u2013 and more.<\/p>\n Hopefully you\u2019re well aware of the fact that we are strong proponents of business listings and their value, and how building citations on authoritative data sources will help you improve your clients\u2019 visibility in the local pack, Google Maps \u2013 and ultimately organic search results.<\/p>\n For those of you who follow social media closely (or have in the past), you may remember when Facebook updated its algorithms to detect clickbait and reduce the visibility of this type of content in the newsfeed. Well, Facebook<\/a> is now telling users they cannot use watchbait tactics. They present a list of strategies that a video should avoid using, which includes withholding, sensationalizing and misleading.<\/p>\n Click To Tweet<\/a><\/p>\n Request a demo<\/a> of our listing management solution today to learn about how we do listing management better \u2013 real fast and in real time. Call (214) 310-1356<\/a> for help today!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" With it being the 5th week of the month, we thought a roundup post would be useful. There were quite […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":17821,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-google-my-business"],"yoast_head":"\n2. Google Is Testing Booking Appointments Within GBPs for Some Healthcare Providers<\/h3>\n
3. Google Partners Directory Is Available (Again)<\/h3>\n
4. Business Listings Are the Hot Topic on Search Engine Journal<\/h3>\n
5. Facebook Says Watchbait Is a No-No<\/h3>\n
Need Help With Local Business Listings?<\/h2>\n