Google Business Profile allows users to select up to 10 categories from a list of 10,000+.

The article provides a comprehensive overview of the unconfirmed Google Search ranking updates that have been observed since May 22nd, 2023. It discusses the specific changes and examines their potential impact on digital campaigns, emphasizing the importance of reporting and monitoring during this period.

In a surprising move, Google has started displaying 30-second videos for select listings in mobile search results. This test is unexpected considering Google's previous lack of support for videos in GBP knowledge panels, marking a significant departure from their traditional approach.

Google has now rolled out generative AI into your search experience. This is a mixed exerience utilzing the Bard generative systems while being powered by PaLM2. This has been designed in mind for search, to show off Google's Logic learning machine technology

Google has now offered users a dedicated form to help your business recover any missing reviews. These reviews have gone missing due to a new AI based review filter in early 2022, which removed legitimate reviews and fake reviews with indifference. This form can allow you to potentially reclaim some of these reviews.

Services button is now one of the first action button on a search in Google Maps - even more prominent than the call, website and directions CTAs. Google wants you to give searchers the answers in the search results.

Google has recently introduced "chat with live agent" buttons within targeted local business panels on Google Search. This seems to be a feature of the messaging platform provided through Google Business Profiles.

For enhanced convenience, Google has integrated local listings into the Explore section, allowing easier access. This update ensures that you receive personalized suggestions, popular destinations, and pertinent details to assist you in exploring new places and making well-informed choices.

Users have now documented instances where Google will text owners of a Google Business Profile to verify their information. Google will never ask you to sign up for a service, make a payment, or provide sensitive personal info via calls or texts. You can always opt-out of this service.

In In the United States, Google has recently broadened its Local Service Ads by integrating ten more healthcare verticals. These expanded options now encompass various specialties such as Allergist, Dentistry, Optometrist, and Physical Therapist, among others.

Rather than directing users to the local finder or Google Maps view, Google has implemented a new approach where the business profile panel is displayed directly within the search results when a business in the local pack is clicked. This modification is expected to have an impact on the metric of Google Maps views in GBP Insights.

Google offers a summary of the proportion of positive reviews that include a particular review attribute, which is anticipated to have a significant impact on consumers' buying choices.

In a recent update, Google has introduced a prominent and easily accessible placement for the "request a quote" feature on GB Profiles. This enhancement aims to encourage businesses to efficiently engage with potential customers who are actively searching for products or services, resulting in more effective interactions.

If a user is trying to search for a doctor near by, Google will now display what type of appointments are available and the opportunity to book via a link in the Knowledge Panel.

Hotels now have the ability to add the "Accommodation for Ukraine" attribute to their Google Business listings. Selecting this attribute allows you to offer frree accomodation for your hotel or significant discounts

In the mobile view of Google, users have noticed that owner responses to customer reviews are now appearing on Google Local Service Ads. A user could leave a review in LSA but the origin of these reviews being displayed are from GBP listings

Google has unveiled a new tool within Google Local Service Ads (LSAs) that simplifies the selection of job types. This tool eliminates the requirement of contacting LSA support to add or remove various verticals, thereby enhancing convenience in the process.

Microsoft has dedicated efforts to develop AI and language models. Their primary objective is to integrate these capabilities into search engines, effectively acting as assistants to enhance query responses.

Google has acknowledged that its recent efforts to remove local reviews that violate its policies and guidelines have resulted in excessive removals. In the following weeks, Google will be actively working to reinstate the reviews that were mistakenly removed by its automated systems, considering them as false positives. Reviews that adhere to the policies will be restored accordingly.

Yahoo is actively exploring opportunities to enhance its search service. As the trend of integrating new features into search continues, it will be intriguing to witness how Yahoo strives to transform its offering into a competitive and compelling service.