Guides for local business owners

Plain-English guides to Google Maps, your Business Profile, reviews and ads, checked against Google’s and the FTC’s own rules. Use them yourself, whether or not you ever hire us.

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Local SEO

How Google picks the businesses in the map packGoogle names three factors for local map results: relevance, distance and prominence. Here is what each means and which ones you can influence.November 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile suspended for deceptive content?What a deceptive content suspension points to, what to check on your Google Business Profile before your one appeal, and the mistakes to avoid.November 11, 2026 · 5 min read
Google Business Profile video verification rejected?Why Google rejects verification videos, what to film for a storefront or service-area business, and what to do when there are no more ways to verify.November 11, 2026 · 5 min read
Why are my Google reviews disappearing?The reasons reviews vanish from a Google Business Profile, how to tell which one applies to you, and what you can and can't do about it.November 11, 2026 · 5 min read
Suspended Google Business Profile? What to do firstWhat to check when your Google Business Profile is suspended or disabled, how the one-time appeal works, and the mistakes that make it harder.November 10, 2026 · 5 min read
Setting up a profile for a service-area businessHow to set up a Google Business Profile when you travel to customers: hiding your address, choosing service areas and getting verified.November 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Websites

What a local service website needs to get callsThe pages, details and checks a local service business website needs so visitors call or book, from the first screen to tracking calls and forms.November 10, 2026 · 4 min read

Digital marketing

Google Ads vs. Local Services Ads for home servicesHow Google Ads and Local Services Ads charge, screen and show your business, and how a home service company can choose between them.November 10, 2026 · 5 min read

Growth

Asking for reviews without breaking the rulesHow to get more Google reviews while staying inside Google's review policy, the FTC Consumer Review Rule and Canada's Competition Bureau guidance.November 10, 2026 · 5 min read

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