GOOGLE MY BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION 101
GMB 101: New Updates to Google My Business in 2022!
If you’re a local business owner, you might have seen the recent changes to Google My Business. We’ve taken a look at all of the recent announcements and digested them for you! What does it mean for how you should be running your page? Let’s dive in and investigate!
Google Business Profile Manager
The biggest change to the Google My Business platform in 2022 is the name itself! Google will be renaming Google my Business to Google Business Profile. You may have noticed that a few users have already been switched to the new name.
What does this mean for you?
With the change in name, Google is preparing to retire the Google my Business dashboard entirely in 2022 for users managing only a single business. That means that business owners will need to update business information directly on Search and Maps.
Of course, Map Ranks subscribers do not need to worry as our service includes consistent updates to your Google Business Profile. Simply let us know what needs to be changed and we will save you the hassle and make sure it is done right!
Distance, Prominence, and Relevance
Google’s algorithm takes into account three factors that matter when it comes to ‘near me’ searches: distance, prominence, and relevance. With more and more users searching from mobile devices to find local business that are nearby, it is important to keep Google three ranking factors in mind when setting up your Business Profile.
- Distance – Businesses that are closer to the searcher’s physical location will typically be shown higher on search engine results pages.
- Prominence – Prominent businesses that are searched for more frequently by other searchers will appear more prominently as well.
- Relevance – Google defines relevance as the amount of customer interactions your Business Profile receives. Some customer actions that Google uses to determine your relevance are amount and quality of reviews, ratings, and click-through rates. Relevance can help your business appear higher on Google searches even if your business is further away or less prominent than your competitors.
Distance and prominence are difficult to change in order to increase rankings. Relevance, on the other hand, has a lot of room for optimization because there are lots of ways for you to increase relevance on Google such as creating regular content on your Business Profile, asking your customers to leave a positive review, and answering questions in the Google Knowledge Panel.
Customers who update their profiles more often are more likely to appear in search results based on Google’s ranking algorithm. Due to the importance of relevance in Google search rankings & 3 pack rankings, Map Ranks focuses on increasing the number of customer actions for all of our customers through a combination of regular profile updates, responses to customer reviews, weekly posts, and much more.
Reviews & Keywords
Reviews are one of the most important factors in local SEO. Google sees reviews as a great indicator of how business owners interact with customers, and by extension, a great indicator of how they will treat customers in the future.
Google has made it clear that reviews are one of the top ranking factors on Google Business Profile listings. Reviews and ratings from customers will carry additional weight in an effort to help consumers make more informed purchasing decisions when searching for local businesses in Google Search.
This is great news for businesses that have been building positive online reputations through positive online reviews.
What happens when your company doesn’t have many reviews?
It might seem impossible to compete with large chains that have thousands of reviews – but it’s not. There are plenty of way you can to get reviews from your customers and improve your local SEO ranking.
The easiest one is to simply ask for reviews from your clients! As simple as it sounds, asking for reviews is still one of the best ways to increase your overall review count.
Map Ranks has developed effective strategies to get more reviews for our clients and help them boost their relevance and rankings in Google searches.
Relevant Keywords Can Help Boost Rankings
Since Google’s algorithm is always changing, it is difficult for businesses to know exactly what will affect their ranking in the future. However, based on current trends, there seems to be a strong correlation between the number of relevant keywords used throughout the Business Profile and its rankings within Google’s search engine results.
Optimizing your content for the keywords you want to rank for is one of the most powerful and most effective ways to increase Google search engine rankings. However, keyword research is not a “set-it-and-forget-it” type of job. It’s an ongoing, dynamic process that requires constant monitoring and adjustments.
Map Ranks conducts extensive research into the right keywords for your particular business so that we can use them in our optimization process and help you increase your customer actions!
Conclusion
Google my Business has gone through a number of changes that can affect the way that your business is being found of Google. Overall, these changes may seem relatively minor but can affect rankings significantly if not taken into account. We hope that by reading this blog, you are ready to keep your business rankings high as we enter 2022.
Overall, the frequency of interactions that customers have with your Google Business Profile will impact rankings and help you appear higher in Google searches.
Trying to manage your GMB business listing on your own can be challenging, especially if you are juggling other priorities. It’s easy to make mistakes that can jeopardize your standing in search results, or worse, not get the visibility you need to attract new customers.
Leave the Work to Us!
Map Ranks is an all-in-one Google Profile management service that keeps your business profile up-to-date, optimized, and ranking higher on Google Maps. Leave the small details to us:
- Perform keyword research for your industry
- Setup products/services/descriptions with the proper keywords
- Manage your customer reviews
- Create weekly posts for your listing
- Setup the integrated GMB website builder
- Create and manage citations/directory listings
- Send weekly performance reports
Businesses large and small are finding success with Mapranks. Call us today and learn more about how we can help you grow your business.
Read Our Google Reviews
Real reviews from our actual clients on Google
- Map Ranks is awesome!! They have helped my company grow immensely. Extremely professional and ontop of every detail. Every small business should seek their help!! Thank you guys for everything!!Joseph Gelo12/03/2023I have used many services and platforms and finally found the one that works. After a short period that I have connected and used Map Ranks, I've already witnessed an increase in calls and patients. I'm glad my friend introduced me to them and look forward to a brighter future for our practice.Vahe Gyulnazaryan, MD11/14/2023Look no further! If you are looking for a service to help grow traffic to your business Shaun and Map Ranks are who you need to call!!! They guarantee their work without a contract and we have gotten AMAZING results since hiring them! We will never use anyone else and appreciate all the work they've done for us!!! Thank you... read moreLook no further! If you are looking for a service to help grow traffic to your business Shaun and Map Ranks are who you need to call!!! They guarantee their work without a contract and we have gotten AMAZING results since hiring them! We will never use anyone else and appreciate all the work they've done for us!!! Thank you Map Ranks!!! read lessTalia Reyes10/19/2023
- I have been using MapRanks for multiple businesses and Shaun and the MapRanks team have done a great job at helping increase traffic to our locations. Additionally, the services they provide are done with a high level of attention to detail and communication. We are looking forward to continue working with themOsama Shabaik9/19/2023
- I almost ignored Map Ranks' service, lucky that I didn't. After I used their service for 1 month, what I can see quite obviously is the search result. It's getting better which I satisfied pretty much. And the way they respond to customer's Google review is awesome. They are very knowledgeable in what they are doing. Thank you so much.... read moreI almost ignored Map Ranks' service, lucky that I didn't. After I used their service for 1 month, what I can see quite obviously is the search result. It's getting better which I satisfied pretty much. And the way they respond to customer's Google review is awesome. They are very knowledgeable in what they are doing. Thank you so much. I really appreciate your service. read lessASP Suanpan8/20/2023The team at Map Ranks has been incredible to work with. Alex walked us through the entire process and on-boarded our company quickly and professionally. She has been a constant person of support answering all questions. We have seen an immediate impact in our visibility and rankings across the board. So happy we went with them, definitely recommend.Kristy Rumsey8/11/2023
- An absolute pleasure to work with Shaun and the rest of the team. It’s only been a couple of weeks and I’m already seeing lots of dramatic changes in our presence and awareness. Use these guys if you want to grow your business.Lyle DeColyse8/05/2023My name is Christibell Alphonso and I am the Founder of Lite Touch Mobile Phlebotomy Services. I have been trying to find a company to merge and optimize my Google profiles. I came across Map Ranks. I spoke to Shaun Salehyan and he assured me he could get the job done. speaking to Shaun I felt a... read moreMy name is Christibell Alphonso and I am the Founder of Lite Touch Mobile Phlebotomy Services. I have been trying to find a company to merge and optimize my Google profiles. I came across Map Ranks. I spoke to Shaun Salehyan and he assured me he could get the job done. speaking to Shaun I felt a sense of ease and comfort and I gave him the green light. I asked when will the project be completed and he gave me a time frame of one week. I am giving Map Ranks 5 stars on the basis of Shaun being a professional and honest businessman that kept his word and making me extremely happy on the results that I have seen this far. This has been a positive experience and I plan to do more business and definitely send more referrals Map Ranks way. if you are hesitant or skeptical about spending time and money with no results. look no further contact Map Ranks they are the way to go. read lessLite Touch MPS8/05/2023Map Ranks has successfully optimized our local footprint just as they said they would. Clients are finding us more easily and quickly. In just a few months we’ve had a double digit percentage increase in direct calls as a result. Their service is personalized and professional. We can’t recommend Sean and company enough!CoolVu View7/25/2023
- Shaun and his team have been incredible to work with! Map Ranks possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in managing our multi-location, franchise-based business, CoolVu Glass and Surface Solutions. Their personalized approach to each of our locations is impressive, ensuring that every franchisee feels supported and valued. We highly recommend Map Ranks to any business.FutureVu Brands7/24/2023The Map Ranks is the only advertising company I had been work really delivered what they promised to me. My Google business got better view and reviews. They organized the photos and content on my profile. My profile got more traffic and leads. Thank you Map Ranks.Madeira Construction7/14/2023I have been using WestWind for a few years now. They are awesome. The are quick and efficient and very reasonably priced. They even have caught typos and errors on my requested product, and then even fixed for me with out charging a ridiculous fee. They are my ' Go To' for all my printing.Kandee Alix7/08/2023
- We just started working with Map Ranks. So far everything has been great! The account optimization process was easy and smooth. They are awesome to work with so far. We are excited to see the progress the account makes.Isabeau Kennedy7/05/2023Mapranks is an amazing company, I had tried it for more than 3 months and wrote this review. They take care of my business profile, and do a great job. I had a new business, but still got around 3 calls a week from new patients. Jonathan is great, and I trust him, and sometimes I ask him for advice,... read moreMapranks is an amazing company, I had tried it for more than 3 months and wrote this review. They take care of my business profile, and do a great job. I had a new business, but still got around 3 calls a week from new patients. Jonathan is great, and I trust him, and sometimes I ask him for advice, I am never disappointed. I highly recommend Mapranks as your marketing company. read lessRachel Shu6/27/2023
- Map Ranks has been an great find and a great addition to our business. Besides the fact that they know their stuff, they are thorough, follow through and deliver. As a small business owner with multiple priorities, what more can you ask for!Lynette Vallecillo5/31/2023I love this company. I was losing money on other services that really didn't help. Ever since I started to use Mapranks I actually get calls from google searchers. They send me my weekly reports very Monday on the dot. I love their serivces. I have already recomended them to others!Kary Ortiz5/31/2023
- Highly knowledgeable in their work, I’ve been using them for a month and already have noticed a big jump in traffic to the business! Thank you Shaun!Araz Amedy4/14/2023
- This team knowing their responsibilities and their speciality is on google promo, I have been use multi company take care my google account, they’re the only one make me satisfied with no issue so far.Kenny Chen4/01/2023
- Map Ranks and the entire crew are absolutely amazing. I recently started with Map Ranks, and their onboarding is not only thorough; they want you to understand how they will help you increase traffic, how to look at metrics, and what they plan to do moving forward to have Google rankings be a success. They also immediately removed several... read moreMap Ranks and the entire crew are absolutely amazing. I recently started with Map Ranks, and their onboarding is not only thorough; they want you to understand how they will help you increase traffic, how to look at metrics, and what they plan to do moving forward to have Google rankings be a success. They also immediately removed several negative reviews that were clearly incorrect about our business which I know is very frustrating for us business owners who get reviews that don't truly reflect our business. Map ranks and my business are going to have a long-standing relationship. I can't wait to discuss how we rank in the next couple of months. So far, they are deserve 10 stars if I could give it to them! It's so refreshing to work with an ethical company in the online ranking world that delivers on its promises. read lessamir karkouti3/13/2023We highly recommend working with Map Ranks! We have worked with a few similar companies with minimal success. Not only is Map Rank very reasonably priced but we saw a major increase in our calls within a week or two of them beginning to clean up our business listing on Google!Painting Plus Co., Inc.3/04/2023