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HIDING ADDRESS IN GBP CAN IMPACT YOUR RANKING!

BEWARE HIDING ADDRESS IN GBP CAN IMPACT YOUR LOCAL RANKING!
by
July 6, 2023
in Local SEO, SEO Techniques
249

For those well-acquainted with the ins and outs of Google Business Profile (GBP) guidelines, the tech behemoth has a few intriguing pointers tailored for Service Area Businesses (SABs). It’s no secret that Google proposes a unique approach for these enterprises. Since SABs don’t cater to customers directly at their business premises, the recommendation is to tuck away the address neatly under the “Info” tab within the Business Profile Manager.

The Logic Holds Water

The notion of concealing the address or even leaving the Business Location field blissfully empty seems like a stroke of genius, particularly for pint-sized ventures such as plumbers, electricians, and gardeners. After all, these professionals are often on the move, tending to job sites rather than expecting clients to drop by their business address.  And going by Google’s guidelines, it looks like they completely understand this.

But All Is Not As It Seems!

Fresh insights from a study led by a local search authority have shed light on an intriguing discovery: adhering to Google’s rulebook might not always yield the expected results. Surprisingly, following the tech giant’s guidelines can sometimes lead to a significant plunge in one’s ranking on the hallowed search engine result pages. Here’s a look at what happens when the Business Location field is left blank in an SAB listing:

 

BEWARE HIDING ADDRESS IN GBP CAN IMPACT YOUR LOCAL RANKING!

In the images above, green tags indicate ranking 1-3, the yellow tags indicate ranking 4-7 and the red ones indicate rankings at position 8 or lower. While the image to the left shows the ranking before removing the address, the middle one shows the effect of removing the address on the ranking, while the last one shows the recovery of rankings on adding an address.

The Impact Unveiled

Interestingly, this study found a direct correlation between the decision to cloak the address within a Service Area Business (SAB) listing and a notable downturn in rankings. What’s more, this dip in rankings doesn’t just stand alone – it brings along a decrease in the volume of service-related phone calls as well.

The Blanked Business Location

Imagine this scenario: when the Business Location field is allowed to remain vacant in an SAB listing, a series of consequences unfold. It’s as if a ripple effect is set in motion, influencing not just the visibility of the business but also the inflow of inquiries and service requests. The intricate interplay between following Google’s guidelines and the real-world impact it has on businesses adds an extra layer of complexity to the digital landscape.

Final Takeaway

Although the above mentioned study may be too small to actually count as one, it is better to be aware of what hiding the address can do to your local search rankings.

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