Google is constantly releasing new features and changing how things work. What updates/changes in 2018 do you need to be aware of and how should you change your SEO strategy as a result of these?

1. Local Search Changes that
Matter in 2018
By: Joy Hawkins
Pubcon Las Vegas 2018

2. www.sterlingsky.ca/google-local-changes

3. January 2018
Google Updates the Review Filter

4. If you have reviews on
disappear, it could be 1 of 3 things.

5. 1. They were removed manually by Google due to violating policies.
3244 to 622

6. 2. There is a bug that caused them to disappear

7. 3. They got removed automatically by the algorithm.
● There are some trigger words that will
cause reviews to get filtered.
● These don’t seem to vary based on
language.
● They are the same words that will cause a
Google Post to get rejected.

8. Words that Trigger Removals
● Tool
● Bite Me
● Yuk
● Coon (as in Coon Rapids)
● Stripping (as in weather stripping)

9. Google Adds Opening Date in GMB
February
2018

10. Source:
https://plus.google.com/+TimColling/posts/TGwnZ46dQjy

11. https://searchengineland.com/google-my-business-testing-future-opening-dates-in-the-local-panel-for-new-businesses-305376

12. Google Launches Product Posts
March 2018

15. Google Updates Review Guidelines
April 2018

16. “Don’t discourage or prohibit negative reviews or
selectively solicit positive reviews from
customers.”

17. Are you
happy with
our service?
Leave us a
Google
Review!
Private
Feedback
Form

18. This was not a new policy, just a
clarification.

19. Recent Case:
● 400+ Reviews
● Over 80% were removed
● Dating back 2 years
● Average rating dropped by 0.2

21. Google Emails Customers
Review Responses
May 2018

22. June 2018
Google Launches the GMB Agency
Dashboard

24. Easier to Manage Pending Invitations

25. Easier to Get Employees Access to Listings

26. GMB Launches
Search Queries
July 2018

27. ★ July 2018: GMB Search
Queries Launches
★ August 2018: Became
available for everyone

28. Yes, You Need to Pay Attention to These.

32. They report on 3-packs that return no websites which are not
reported in Search Console.

33. Use UTM Codes in GMB!
1/2 the impressions, yet twice the clicks.

34. More than 4x the Conversions

35. Google Releases the (Medic) Algorithm Update
August 2018

36. According to a study done by Nifty Marketing in 2016:
75% of ranking local listings also
rank organically on the first page

37. local algorithm = organic
algorithm + some local factors

39. I have personally witnessed several
factors that are not organic ranking
factors impact local ranking.

40. The gap between organic and local is increasing.

41. Don’t be shocked when you
see listings without
websites outranking you.

42. [auto insurance + NYC]
July 17, 2018 August 9, 2018

43. [auto insurance]
July 17, 2018 August 9, 2018

44. localfalcon.com

45. Be happy you’re not these guys...

46. Stay In Touch!
1. www.localsearchforum.com
2. www.sterlingsky.ca/newsletter
3. https://localu.org/experts-guide-local-seo/ *
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