Google Local Services Ads just added new categories for businesses that can now leverage better visibility. These new additions are Beauty school, Driving instructor, Funeral home, House cleaning services, Massage school, Tutor, and Veterinarian.

The launch of a new business attribute for select business categories. The new attribute is for recycling that lets local storefronts and shops clearly demonstrate their recycling services.

The new local pack design looks more like local service ads and gives you the option to refine the query and location. This testing out of a specialized view is something to keep an eye out for.

Images uploaded by users are now appearing on Google Maps Listings. This is almost the same as a Google Post, but it feeds from local guides reviews. This hybrid post in Maps will read as "Updates from customers".

The appointment link in the "Info" section of the GBP Manager is not available. This is confusing multiple Google Business Profile users as were using it, onlyu to see it dissapear overnight. Speculation is swirling around whether google wants to sunset this feature in favor of third party appointment links.

Google has updated their language to help users better understand the limitations of assigning a new owner or manager to a GBP. When a manager/owner is added to a listing they must now wait 7 days before they can make any changes to the profile. The goal is to reduce the logistical headaches assosciated with adding now admins to listings.

Google is constantly exploring ways to connect people with the helpful information that they're seeking. They are rolling out an update to the Search interface on desktop so that when people search for places or businesses nearby, like 'parks near me' or 'restaurants near me', can allow users to easily see local results on the left and a map on the right.

There has been a prescedent for a while now in Google Maps to show a singular ad when searching. Now users are reporting that they are seeing two ads stacked on one anonther when searching for goods and services nearbye.

In an attempt to make finding a doctor easier within the United States, Google now lets searchers filter the local search listings for healthcare providers, facilities, and doctors. Searchers can check which insureance networks are accepted. You can also see if that healthcare facility speaks your language, Google added the option for healthcare professionals to let prospective patients know what languages are spoken at their office.

Google is now offering you the ability to ship an item to a store near you in their local ad spaces. This is a new rollout from Google in their local pack. Retail and restaurant advertisers can now use Google Smart Bidding for store sales to optimize bids for in-store transactions, not just visits.

Customer can now get in touch directly with you via the Google Business Profile. With this new chat feature integrated with your listings Knowledge Panel. From this chat feature you can get notifications for the messages that show up in your Business Profile, can customize the automated welcome message that customers get when they message you, and share photos with your customers in the chat. If multiple people own or manage your Business Profile, each one can chat with customers.

While being logged into your Google Business Profile, you have a new messages section. It has been reported on that notifications can be displayed as new messages despite already being replied to.

Google has been looking for a replacement sytmbol to be shown for women owned busineses. Originally it was a women icon, the purple heart icon is now the evolution in this attribute. This is clearly a test as users have identified that the logo reverts to its old design when scrolling images in Local Pack.

Google is yet to clarify the sighting of a local five-pack.

Google looking at new ways to surface GBP Offer Post in the SERPs.

The update will appear on GBP accounts, local finder, Google Maps, and the three-pack.

Reconsidering how to grant access to business listings.

Posts are being intercepted and appearing on sites one wouldn't expect to see them.

Healthcare providers are encouraged to include non-English languages supported at their locations.

Google recognizes that it is not the only review platform, offers a tally of reviews that can be found elsewhere.