Google has changed many Google+ page URLs for local business listings. Most of the new URLs redirect correctly, but there are some, or to be specific 10%, that are unable to redirect accurately. In case you are also facing such problems, keep bugging their support for a fix.
2. Google has informed that the importance of structured data will increase in 2016.
3. Seeing the dramatic rise of mobile users, Google has decided to combine both Chrome OS and Android into one. It is expected that the beta version of this combine OS will roll out next year. The final version should be available sometime in 2017.
4. Google is testing a new feature in which Google Now smart assistant will show recommendations from Foursquare, even without the app being installed.
5. Yahoo specifically stated that you can claim and manage your Yahoo business listings on Yext. But guess what, if you choose to do so, you are heading towards one painful experience.
6. Google has finally hung-up the continuous testing’s of its local search results. It means we can soon expect to see some changes in the result displays.
7. Google is trying to convey a clear message by moving the “Business Listing Forum” to “Google Advertisers Community”. We got it Google!
8. Business owners can now add “special hours” into their Google My Business listings. It will be beneficial for those business owners who frequently change their operating hours such as amusement parks, tourist attractions, etc. It will also be helpful for all the other business owners during holidays and special events.
9. Apple says its mapping service is now used more than three times as often as its next leading competitor (Google Maps) on iPhones and iPads, with more than 5 billion map-related requests each week.
10. According to a recent study, Local Search Advertising is going to escalate by half a billion dollars next year.