Google’s recent policy update regarding local spam detection has caught the attention of many businesses and online marketing experts alike. In August 2022, Google quietly released an update to their algorithm that now includes duplicate photos, posts, videos, and logos on Google Business Profiles as spam. The lack of an official announcement from Google has left many web admins, SEO specialists, and business owners surprised and struggling to adjust their local SEO efforts accordingly.

As a result, the impact of this update on businesses can be significant, affecting their visibility on the search engine results pages (SERPs) and potentially damaging their online reputation. That’s why it’s essential to stay informed and take the necessary steps to avoid falling victim to this update’s negative effects.

To help you navigate this change, our team at DigiPanda Consulting has compiled a comprehensive guide that includes actionable tips and best practices for optimizing your Google Business Profile and avoiding local spam detection. Stay tuned to our blog for more updates and insights on this important topic.

The Impact of Google My Business Updates on Local Spam

Google Business Profile posts offer a range of benefits for businesses, including improved local SEO rankings and lead generation. Optimizing your Google Business Profile can also lead to enhanced customer engagement and increased traffic to your site. Consider the following data:

• Google-certified business listings can increase website traffic by 35%. (Barcelona Creative Group, 2020).
• Providing your local phone number in your Google business listing can increase the customer call rate by 61% (The Media Captain, 2023).

However, the recent local spam update has impacted businesses’ ability to leverage their Google Business Profile. Posts marked as spam can be removed, reducing the benefits of local SEO strategies.

Partnering with a local marketing agency like digiPanda Consulting can help businesses navigate these changes and optimize their Google Business Profile to maximize local SEO solutions and boost local business citations.

Understanding the Spam Update: What Business Owners Need to Know

As a business owner or local SEO strategist, staying on top of Google’s spam policies is crucial for maintaining a positive online presence. While many spammy tactics are easy to identify, Google’s recent update adds a new layer of complexity:

“Duplicate photos, posts, videos, and logos” are now included on the list of spammy practices that can lead to posts being flagged or removed.

While using duplicate content may not result in negative reviews, Google’s crawlers can still interpret it as spam, potentially damaging your local SEO efforts. If a post is flagged, it can take weeks for Google to evaluate and reinstate it, leaving you without the benefits of a fully optimized Google Business Profile.

Avoiding Google My Business Penalties: Tips and Guidelines

Here are some tips and guidelines to help you avoid getting flagged or suspended by Google My Business:

• Use original and relevant videos
• Stick to original photos and use similar colour palettes
• Include image source attribution when necessary
• Provide accurate information
• Avoid overusing your company’s logo
• Add variety to your business profile posts

Partner with digiPanda Consulting, a Leading Local Marketing Agency

If you need assistance with your Google Business Profile posts or local marketing campaigns, consider partnering with a seasoned agency like digiPanda Consulting. Our team of subject matter experts can help your business increase brand visibility, attract more customers, and improve your bottom line.

We provide custom engineered local SEO solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of businesses of all sizes. From optimizing your Google Business Profile to creating compelling content, we can help you navigate the ever-changing algorithms and get ahead of the competition.

Contact us right away to find out more about our offerings and how we can help your business grow and prosper digitally. Our specialists are standing by to answer your questions and provide the support you need to achieve your marketing goals.