These are the latest Google updates from Google My Business to search results. 

1. Google My Business to Google Business Profiles

Google My Business has been known by many names such as Google Places, Google+ Local, Google Locals, and the list continues to grow. With the switch to Google Business Profiles, Google wants to create a better experience for businesses to grow on search while integrating Google Maps to provide better shopping experiences and local search results. 

As of November 4, companies were able to claim their business on Google Maps and Search. The Google My Business app will be shut down and larger businesses with several locations will be using Google Business Profile Manager. Google recommends using the search or the maps app. 

In addition to the various changes regarding Google Business Profiles, Google Maps has now added better shopping features. 

2. Google Maps added shopping features

For those searching to increase their local business sales, the latest Google update is working on improving the holiday season shopping experience for small businesses through better local results. 

A consumer can now see how busy an area will be with the new Area Busyness feature. It is estimated that search results for popular shopping stores increase  100 percent during the holiday season, so this new feature will help shoppers avoid larger crowds!

Are you at the mall or shopping center and can’t find a directory? Google has you covered with another new feature that gives you the ability to search within the mall and find the store or where it is located. 

What about changes to their search? 

3. Continuous scroll on mobile search

In 2008, Google started to work on their update that now prioritizes mobile-friendly websites. 13 years later, over 50 percent of search results occur on mobile devices, and mobile search is projected to grow another 25 percent by 2025. 

No one wants to go to a website and zoom in and out to read the information, and with the constant improvement of the update, this continues to happen less and less!

However, when it comes to an SEO standpoint, how does continuous scroll affect ranking? 

The reason it is being called “continuous scroll” versus “infinite scrolling” is because the scroll stops at page four of the search results. Will this help with websites and blogs that are ranking on the second or even fourth page? 

While Google is constantly making small changes to its SERP, it is important to note that these larger changes can affect a company’s presence on Google in multiple ways. If you are ready to start ranking on Google, contact us today. Let’s work on the latest Google update together.