Google: Maps
EU consumer groups accuse Google of violating GDPR with location history
The groups argue Google doesn't sufficiently disclose how location data is being used and has not obtained consumer consent....
How the hospitality industry should approach online reviews and citations
Looking for more positive reviews? Here are some smart ways to build citations and reviews plus tips to boost the visibility of businesses in...
Report: Arizona attorney general investigating Google location tracking
Arizona becomes the first in what may be a round of new state investigations of data usage and privacy targeting big tech companies. ...
Google faces potential class action, FTC penalties for ‘surreptitious’ location tracking
A lawsuit filed last week and a request for the FTC to enforce a consent decree both stem from the AP story about location tracking....
AP: Google collects location data when ‘Location History’ is turned off
Google says it tells users exactly what it's doing. It does, though some of the information is buried....
Do Google reviews impact local ranking?
Based on her research, contributor Joy Hawkins thinks reviews may play some part in how a local page ranks. Here is a case study that shows her...
Google My Business Q&A: What you may be missing
Did you know you can add a custom FAQ to your GMB listing? Contributor Sherry Bonelli explains how to use the often-overlooked Q&A feature to...
It’s time for local business to take voice search seriously
Pokémon Go and fidget spinners are fads, but voice search for a local business is not, says contributor Jamie Pitman. With new technologies...
Yelp asks Europe to take new antitrust action against Google
Complaint to European Commission applies the logic of the Shopping Search case to local...
Look Ma, no keywords! Phrase-free AdWords campaigns are here
Contributor Andy Taylor discusses Google's new Local Search Ads Experiment in AdWords, which uses address and location categories in lieu of...
Hooray! Google My Business descriptions are back
Contributor Joy Hawkins points out that GMB has brought back the business description field and shares helpful tips on how a business owner can...
Reports: Fake reviews are a growing problem on Amazon, Google
Facebook is reportedly the source of some of the fake review...
Why we need to fight fake reviews
As a business owner, are you tempted to slip in a few positive reviews since you think everyone is doing it? Resist, says Contributor Wesley...
6 smart e-commerce lessons to boost local business
With more and more people window shopping on a small screen, contributor Wesley Young shares six ways to use online tactics to drive customers...
Google’s new #SmallThanks Hub automatically creates digital & printed marketing assets for SMBs
Using content pulled from Google reviews, businesses with verified Google listings can create posters, social media posts, window clings,...
Do Google Posts impact ranking? A case study
Columnist Joy Hawkins shares the results of a case study to see whether Google Posts can move the needle for local search...
YouTube location extensions & in-store visits measurement come out of beta
The new features are now generally available for TrueView in-stream and bumper...
Google rolling out GMB simple website creator
Designed for developing markets, it may become popular in the US, where large numbers of SMBs still don't have websites....
Apple adds indoor mapping for malls and airports, Do Not Disturb mode
Google and Bing have similar indoor mapping initiatives....
YouTube location extensions, in-store sales measurement now available
Google beefing up offline analytics with more in-store visitation and sales data....