This article has been updated from its original title: Changes to Local Listing Management in 2019.
In 2023, local listing management is more important than ever. With more and more people using online search to find businesses, it’s essential that businesses have accurate and up-to-date information about their listings.
There are a number of things businesses can do to manage their local listings in 2023. First, businesses should claim their listings on all major online platforms, including Google My Business, Yelp, and Bing Places for Business. Once businesses have claimed their listings, they should make sure that the information is accurate and up-to-date. This includes the business name, address, phone number, hours of operation, and website address.
Businesses should also monitor their listings for any inaccurate or outdated information. If businesses see any inaccurate or outdated information, they should report it to the platform immediately. Businesses should also respond to reviews, both positive and negative. By responding to reviews, businesses can show customers that they are listening and that they care about their feedback.
Finally, businesses should promote their listings through social media and email marketing. By promoting their listings, businesses can reach a wider audience and attract more customers.
By following these tips, businesses can ensure that their local listings are accurate, up-to-date, and visible to potential customers.
Here are some additional tips for local listing management in 2023:
- Use high-quality photos and videos of your business.
- Post updates about your business, such as new products, services, or events.
- Offer discounts and promotions.
- Encourage customers to leave reviews.
By following these tips, businesses can make their local listings more attractive and engaging to potential customers.
Updates to Google My Business and Yelp
Google My Business and Yelp are two of the most popular platforms for businesses to manage their local listings. In 2023, both platforms have made a number of updates to improve the experience for businesses and users.
Google My Business
In 2023, Google made several updates to the Google My Business platform to enhance user experience and improve businesses’ online presence. The updates include:
- New Post Types: Google introduced new post types that businesses can use to share relevant content with their customers. These include Product Posts to showcase products with images and a call-to-action button, Offer Posts to promote exclusive deals or discounts, Event Posts to promote upcoming events, and Job Posts to share job openings.
- More Attributes: Google added more attributes to the Google My Business profile, providing additional information for customers. These new attributes include indicating whether a business is LGBTQ-friendly, wheelchair-accessible entrances, and pet-friendly, making it easier for customers to find businesses that meet their specific needs.
- Improved Messaging: Google introduced a messaging feature to the Google My Business profile, allowing customers to message businesses directly from the profile. This enables real-time communication and faster response times. Additionally, businesses can set up automatic responses to provide quick answers to common questions.
- Better Insights: Google enhanced the Insights feature on the Google My Business profile, offering businesses more detailed information about their online presence. The improved Insights provide data on the number of views, clicks, calls, customer actions (such as direction requests and website visits), helping businesses better understand how customers interact with their business online.
These updates provide businesses with more flexibility in sharing content, improve customer communication, and offer valuable insights to enhance their online presence. Businesses are encouraged to take advantage of these updates to attract and retain customers, as well as reach a wider audience.
Yelp
Yelp has introduced a series of new features aimed at enhancing the consumer experience on their platform. Some of the key updates to Yelp in 2023 include:
- Yelp Guaranteed – an assurance program that offers peace of mind when hiring home service professionals. It provides up to $2,500 in compensation if something goes wrong with a project. Yelp Guaranteed is currently available in select cities and will be expanded nationwide in the future.
- AI – The search experience on Yelp has been enhanced with the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs). These technologies help users connect with the most relevant local businesses based on specific needs and provide personalized recommendations. The search results now include review highlights driven by LLMs, AI-powered suggestions, clickable category tags, and a “Surprise Me” feature for restaurant recommendations.
- Reviews – Yelp has also revamped the review experience by introducing new ways for users to contribute and engage with reviews. Users can now add videos to their reviews, write reviews with interactive topics, and utilize new review reactions.
- Visual updates – Yelp has introduced video content on Connect, a new navigation and photo experience on business pages, and more helpful information on the visual home feed. Additionally, a passwordless login option has been introduced for a smoother user experience.
These updates reflect Yelp’s commitment to enhancing the consumer experience, providing reliable information, and helping users connect with local businesses more easily. The company plans to continue building upon these features and leverage advanced technologies like AI and LLMs to further improve their platform in the future.
These updates to Google My Business and Yelp make it easier for businesses to manage their local listings and for users to find and learn about local businesses. By taking advantage of these updates, businesses can improve their online visibility and attract more customers.
At Vizion Interactive, we have the expertise, experience, and enthusiasm to get results and keep clients happy! Learn more about how our Local Listing Management services and Franchise SEO can increase sales and boost your ROI. But don’t just take our word for it, check out what our clients have to say, along with our case studies.