Google Posts & Ranking

[JoshuaMackens]

Hey guys!

I know in the past we've talked about how Google posts have no impact on ranking. However, I'm starting to see a lot of the "!" icon in Maps and a snippet of a Google post with the keywords I'm searching for in it. Much like the earth symbol which is followed by "their website mentions <keyword>":

So, even with this, is the consensus still that Google Posts have no impact on ranking?

 

[Eoghan_Aircam]

We haven't studied it recently. Have seen a lift in listing conversion rates though when businesses use G Posts which is probably just as important in a high consideration vertical anyways!

 

[JoyHawkins]

Hey @JoshuaMackens (warning: shameless plug coming up), I just finished a big study on Google Posts that answers this question that I'm presenting at the next LocalU event. I don't want to spoil my presentation since I'm doing it as a quiz-style but if you are able to attend, you'll get the answer plus a bunch of really fascinating things (imo) about posts that I learned during the study.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

I dig it. I'll be there, like usual

Anyone else?

 

[jeff_taylor]

GMB posts do move the needle. They are very relevant for local search. I have ranked new keywords just off of GMB posts without changing the website. I run tests now and again and this is from a recent test.

Keep in mind to use the GMB website. Your post will show there.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

Hey Jeff, thanks!

What do you mean by "use the GMB website"?

 

[jeff_taylor]

Hey Jeff, thanks!

What do you mean by "use the GMB website"?

Hey Joshua - In GMB has a website feature where you can 'create a business website' right from your Google My Business. You can do a little bit of editing - not much. But it's really just another online resource that can send signals to your website or help users. Here is an example of one - TinkerLytics

There's not much you can do to the website itself - but it does show your GMB posts. When you post it shows up kind of like a blog or social post on this page - as well as other spots.

I think this is a good reason how a post can drive good signals to your website and help with some ranking. But more importantly - posts can help engage with users. Sending users can also help here.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

I figured you were talking about that. Just wanted to make sure. I try not to create that resource for any of my clients. I would be concerned it interferes with our actual website as the authoritative source and detracts, not adds. But I could be totally wrong.

Have you done a test with posts without the website?

 

[jeff_taylor]

No, I haven't. I don't see any reason why you wouldn't set up a GMB site. The information on your GMB post, GMB website, and the real website is all related. It's a good signal to have another digital asset pointing to your website - I would figure especially one from Google. It could be considered part of a Google Stack.

I'll have to check my accounts to see if I might not have a GMB site set up. If not I'll test it.

 

[JoshuaMackens]

I don't disagree with you.

Interesting! Thanks for checking into it. I'm interested to see what you find.

 

[JoyHawkins]

If you're using the GMB website, anything that gets published on the site would impact ranking because it's acting as content on your site. We found this same thing with a test we did on a restaurant. Publishing a menu added the menu to the site, thus impacting ranking.

However, most competitive industries can't compete without an actual website so in these cases, the GMB features like posts or a menu have no impact on where the listing ranks and it's based on the website content/structure.

 

[cfazio]

GMB posts do move the needle. They are very relevant for local search. I have ranked new keywords just off of GMB posts without changing the website. I run tests now and again and this is from a recent test.

Keep in mind to use the GMB website. Your post will show there.

Wait wait, so is this for a GMB where the google site was listed as the website on the listing?

Or is this with no website / real website and only the effect of posts themselves - confused at the specifics.

I have seen no results from posting as a direct impact on rank. I do however post because of the "!" that can highlight a keyword the user is searching for.