Recent content by zackrobinson

Interesting data, but a lot of this looks like correlation rather than confirmed causation — local rankings fluctuate constantly due to multiple layered signals. Synthetic engagement may create short-term movement, but long-term stability still comes from real demand, strong entities, and...

This is likely Google refining intent, not demoting you. Optimize the page Google wants to rank (category), and reinforce local/entity signals instead of trying to force the homepage back.

Hi! We specialize in healthcare marketing (medical SEO, GBP, compliance-aware ads). Happy to chat and see if it’s a good fit — feel free to connect us.

Great study, thanks for sharing. This matches what we’re seeing too — adding Relevant categories doesn’t hurt rankings and usually increases visibility. Issues tend to happen only when categories aren’t a good fit for the business.

You’re very welcome! You were definitely thinking in the right direction. Keeping each location clearly focused usually works best with Google. Glad I could help — best of luck with the optimization!

Give each location a single, clear primary focus: Location 1: HVAC Contractor primary + HVAC-only secondary categories Location 2: Plumber primary + Plumbing-only secondary categories Even if both locations offer both services, adding the opposite category usually dilutes relevance and weakens...

Best practice: separate by location if possible. If the second shop is truly operating as a plumbing-focused location, make Plumber the primary category there and keep the original location focused on HVAC contractor. This avoids relevance dilution and lets each location rank more cleanly for...

Yes, services and descriptions help Google understand relevance, especially for long-tail queries — but they’re a supporting signal, not a core ranking factor. They work best when aligned with categories, reviews, and strong service pages on the website.

If the profile is already live in search, getting reviews, and discoverable, the “Processing” label is usually just a backend delay and not something to panic about.

There is no official service limit, but behavior patterns do matter.

Lately, I’ve noticed that some of my clients’ Google Business profiles are being suspended and require re-verification. Could you explain why Google is taking these actions?

I’m facing the same issue with 3 of my clients’ Google Business Profiles — they’re not showing as owned, and I can’t edit them. Other clients' profiles are displaying fine, so this seems like a specific bug or access issue.

Do not edit anything.

Hello, I'm currently trying to verify my business on Google, and the only available option is video verification. I would prefer to verify via email or phone (text or call) instead. Is it possible to switch the verification method for my business profile? If so, how can I request email or...

You can’t unmerge directly, but you can contact Google Business Support and request a separation. https://support.google.com/business