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.

In a recent update, Google has released an article in the "Map User Contributed Policy" help center, which focuses on posting restrictions. This is a significant development as it is the first time Google has presented a comprehensive breakdown of the various types of restrictions.

With Apple Business Connect, users have the ability to discover your business on Apple Maps, granting you control over its visibility. By creating a place card that is accessible to Apple device users globally, you can conveniently provide directions, contact information, and other useful actions all in one centralized location.

Beginning February 15th, 2023, the option to indicate price ranges or customize calls to action for products on your Google Business Profile (GBP) will no longer be available. Only single-priced items will be supported moving forward.

Google has expanded the enrollment for dentists in its Local Service Ads (LSAs). While LSAs are available in 11 countries, the dental vertical is currently restricted to the United States.

Google Business Profiles are now featured in Discover, a personalized feed that provides users with a diverse selection of articles and news. This integration enables businesses to expand their reach and improve online visibility, thereby driving increased traffic to their listings.

Google has added a new feature to the New Merchant Experience (NMX), the updated in-search editing interface. This new capability empowers businesses to generate a personalized map that can be seamlessly incorporated into their website.

Clients who have listed products now have the Product Data section visibly displayed on their Google Business Profile (GBP) profiles. This feature allows them to effectively showcase comprehensive product details, including descriptions, pricing, availability, and customer reviews.