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🔗 13 Things You Didn't Know About Google Business Profiles
By FJ Snijman - He writes about divorce, electronics, passive income, ZX14R, local SEO and small businesses
Date: October 24, 2023
Introduction
Hidden Secrets Within Google Business Profiles. The video begins by introducing the concept that there are hidden technical aspects within Google Business Profiles that even most experts aren't aware of. These hidden elements function like cheat codes for improving business rankings in Google's search results.
- Google Business Profiles contain hidden technical features most experts don't know about.
- Understanding these hidden elements can significantly improve business rankings.
- The video will reveal 13 secrets to improve visibility in Google search results.
- These insights can potentially provide immediate ranking improvements.
Secret #1: Bots Run the Show
The first secret reveals that approximately 99% of all actions on Google Business Profiles are processed by automated bots using complex algorithms.
- 99% of Google Business Profile actions are processed by bots, not humans.
- Complex algorithms make most approval and ranking decisions.
- Google's system is designed to identify and respond to patterns.
- Understanding these patterns makes it easier to optimize for better rankings.
Secret #2: Human Oversight Still Exists
While bots handle most operations, some human reviewers still work behind the scenes, especially for brand trustworthiness assessments.
- Some human reviewers still work behind Google Business Profiles.
- Manual checks are occasionally performed, especially for brand trustworthiness.
- It's difficult to get direct human assistance with profile issues.
- Understanding what human reviewers look for helps businesses pass manual checks.
Secret #3: Over 200 Ranking Signals
Google uses over 200 different signals to determine business profile rankings, including profile update frequency, keywords in reviews, and photo quality.
- Google uses over 200 different signals to determine business profile rankings.
- Profile update frequency is tracked and influences rankings.
- Keywords used in customer reviews are analyzed for relevance.
- Photo quality is assessed and impacts overall profile performance.
- A comprehensive approach addressing multiple signals yields better results.
Secret #4: Google's AI Is Watching Your Interactions
Google's AI learns from how businesses interact with customers, review interactions, and photograph engagement patterns.
- Google's AI learns from how businesses interact with customers.
- The system analyzes review interactions and customer engagement patterns.
- AI evaluates how photographs meet customer expectations.
- Understanding what the AI values allows businesses to optimize accordingly.
- There are techniques to identify what keywords Google's AI associates with images.
Secret #5: Google's Affinity for the Number Three
Google prefers the number three in various aspects, such as reviews with three likes ranking higher and Q&As with three likes appearing prominently.
- Reviews with three or more likes rank higher in Google's display order.
- Q&As with three likes may appear directly in the knowledge panel.
- Three separate reports of spam are more likely to trigger Google's review.
- Understanding the 'rule of three' provides tactical advantages for visibility.
- This pattern can be leveraged to gain more prominent display space in search results.
Secret #6: Engage to Boost Visibility
Regular engagement with your Google Business Profile, such as responding to reviews and posting updates, provides a hidden visibility boost.
- Responding to reviews provides a hidden visibility boost.
- Regular posting and updates signal business relevance to Google.
- Keeping business hours current contributes to improved rankings.
- Each engagement feeds fresh data to Google's algorithm.
- Consistent interaction creates a positive feedback loop for visibility.
Secret #7: Google Analyzes Keywords in Reviews
Google doesn't just count stars; it analyzes the actual content of reviews, focusing on keywords and phrases that customers use. The system categorizes these key phrases, allowing users to filter reviews based on common themes. This means the specific language customers use in their reviews directly impacts how Google understands and categorizes your business.
- Google analyzes keywords within reviews, not just star ratings.
- The system categorizes and filters reviews based on common phrases.
- Keywords in reviews directly impact how Google categorizes your business.
Secret #8: Google Cross-References Reviews Across Platforms
Google cross-references its own reviews with those from third-party platforms like Facebook, Yelp, and industry-specific sites. This broader evaluation helps Google establish confidence in a business's reputation. Consistency between Google reviews and external reviews builds trust and authority, positively affecting rankings.
- Google cross-references its reviews with those from third-party platforms.
- Consistency between Google reviews and external reviews builds trust.
- The 'Reviews on the Web' section demonstrates Google's broader evaluation.
Secret #9: The Ideal Review Score Isn't 5.0
Businesses with average ratings between 4.3 and 4.6 appear more authentic and trustworthy to Google's algorithm.
- Google considers ratings between 4.3-4.6 more authentic than perfect 5.0.
- 5-star reviews are the most commonly removed by spam filters.
- Legitimate businesses typically receive occasional lower ratings.
- A mix of ratings appears more credible to Google's algorithm.
- Focus on honest reviews rather than perfect scores.
- Having hundreds of reviews with a 4.3-4.6 average is ideal for credibility.
Secret #10: Local Proximity's Critical Role
Proximity to the searcher's location plays a significant role, but brand authority can override strict proximity in some cases.
- Google typically displays the three nearest businesses to a searcher's location.
- User location is determined through IP addresses and network signals.
- The 'triangle element' refers to how proximity affects local search rankings.
- Brand authority can override strict proximity in search results.
- Strategic optimization can help businesses appear in searches from further away.
- Building authority allows businesses to expand their geographic reach in search.
Secret #11: Google Tracks User Engagement ('Stickiness')
Google closely monitors how users engage with your business profile and website, rewarding high engagement rates with better rankings.
- Google monitors how long users stay engaged with your profile and website.
- User behavior after clicking your listing influences future rankings.
- High engagement rates signal to Google that your business satisfies user needs.
- Users quickly returning to search results can negatively impact rankings.
- Detailed descriptions, compelling offers, and useful content improve stickiness.
- Fast-loading websites and engaging videos help keep users on your pages longer.
- Creating content that encourages longer interaction directly improves rankings.
Secret #12: Consistency Builds Trust
Google rewards consistency across your business information on the web. The presenter introduces the acronym NAP (Name, Address, Phone number), explaining that these core business identifiers should remain consistent wherever your business is mentioned online. Google scans the web for mentions of your business and evaluates whether the information matches what's on your Google Business Profile. When Google finds consistent information across various websites, citations, indexes, and links, it builds trust in your business's legitimacy. This trust becomes a ranking factor, as Google prefers to recommend businesses it's confident about.
- NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistency is crucial for building trust.
- Google scans the web for mentions of your business to verify information.
- Consistent information across websites and directories builds credibility.
- Trust is a significant ranking factor that Google rewards.
- Even minor inconsistencies can reduce Google's confidence in your business.
- Regular audits of your online presence help maintain consistency.
- Uniform business information across platforms strengthens your ranking potential.
Secret #13: Mobile Performance Is Critical
Ensuring your website loads quickly on mobile devices is essential for maintaining high rankings and generating leads.
- Google Business Profiles can function as powerful lead generation engines.
- Website loading speed, especially on mobile, directly impacts rankings.
- Most business profile visitors use mobile devices to access information.
- Google penalizes businesses with poor mobile experiences.
- Check Google Insights to see what percentage of your visitors use mobile.
- Mobile optimization is essential when more than 50% of traffic comes from mobile.
- Fast-loading mobile sites improve both user experience and search rankings.