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In the ever-evolving landscape of digital marketing, staying on top of the latest changes is paramount. If you've noticed a significant drop in your Google Business Profile (GBP) views recently, fear not – you're not alone. Many business owners have been left scratching their heads as their GBP views seemingly plummet. But before you hit the panic button, let's delve into what's really going on.
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Why are my Google views down?
First things first, this downturn in GBP views is not a result of Google's algorithm suddenly deciding to diminish your online visibility overnight. Instead, it's tied to Google's latest Business Performance API update. And believe it or not, it might just be a good thing.
What is happening with Google My Business views?
Google has introduced a fundamental change in how they track profile views on GBP, and there are two key reasons why your view numbers might appear lower than they were in previous months and years.
- Unique Impressions Over 24 Hours: Instead of counting every user view individually, Google now aggregates multiple user views over a 24-hour period into a single unique impression. This means that if a user views your business multiple times within a day, it's counted as just one impression.
- Focused on Business Profile Views: On maps, Google used to count the number of times a user viewed any part of your business. Now, it only counts when a user views your business profile. So, only a percentage of views are being reported compared to the old method.
To put this in perspective, imagine you're planning a road trip and come across the same gas station 10 times while researching on Google. Previously, those views would be counted 10 times, even though you had no intention of engaging with that business more than once. Now, thanks to the new metrics, it's counted just once.
How to check Google My Business ranking?
To fully understand how these changes affect your Google visibility, it’s essential to know how views are counted on Google My Business.
How were views on GBP previously counted?
In the past, a Google Business Profile view simply meant that your business profile appeared somewhere on the user's screen while they were browsing Google Search results or Google Map results. This could be as minor as a map pin among numerous others or as prominent as a local pack search result.
How are views on GBP counted with the new API?
With the introduction of the new API, a Google Business Profile view now equates to a “unique user view.” In other words, it's the number of times your profile was seen by a unique user over a single day. It doesn't matter if that user saw your profile once or several times – it's still counted as one view. So, the total number of unique views represents the number of people who saw your profile that day. Additionally, only views to your Business Profile, not just your business in general, count as a map view under the revised metric.
To learn more about your Google My Business profile, read our article Google My Business Guide: How to Optimize Your Profile.
What are the changes in Google Driving Direction clicks?
In addition to altering how views are measured, Google has also made changes in how they count Driving Direction clicks. They now consider factors like multi-tapping, direction request cancellation, and spam when tallying unique direction requests. This shift is aimed at providing a more accurate representation of how many times individual customers request directions to your business.
This change can significantly affect your visibility on Google Maps. To learn how your GMB profile is linked to Google Maps, read our article here.
How do I optimize Google in 2023 for my business?
At first glance, the difference between views and unique views may seem insignificant. However, it's a substantial change that offers businesses a deeper understanding of user intent. This shift aligns with Google's broader performance tracking insights introduced in their latest Business Performance API update.
In essence, these changes bring greater precision to the way your GBP performance is measured. They help you better gauge user engagement and intent, allowing you to refine your digital marketing strategies accordingly. While the drop in GBP views might seem disconcerting, it's crucial to view these changes as an opportunity. By adapting to Google's evolving metrics, you can gain a more accurate understanding of your online presence and user interaction, ultimately empowering your business to thrive in the dynamic world of digital marketing.
Remember, in the world of SEO, adapting to change is the key to staying ahead of the competition.
How do I increase my Google profile views?
Despite the changes in Google’s algorithm, it’s still possible to boost the view count of your GMB listings. Here are some strategies you can employ to increase your Google profile views and supercharge your online presence.
Optimize your profile
Before delving into strategies to boost profile views, it's crucial to ensure that your Google profile is both complete and optimized. This includes engaging photos, a detailed summary, and accurate business information. Use relevant keywords in your profile to enhance discoverability and categorization.
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Leverage Google Posts
Google Posts is a feature designed to help individuals and businesses share content directly on Google. Take advantage of this tool to post updates, events, special offers, and announcements. These posts appear directly in your Google profile and can grab the attention of those viewing it.
Encourage reviews and recommendations
Positive reviews and recommendations can boost your profile's credibility. Don't hesitate to ask for reviews and endorsements from your clients. These can significantly affect your visibility on relevant Google searches.
Engage on Google My Business
Google My Business is a powerful platform for interacting with your audience. Respond to reviews and engage with followers. Building a community around your profile can help attract more views.
Share your profile
Promote your Google profile across your other online platforms, such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and your website. The more exposure your profile gets, the higher the chances of increased views. Read our complete guide on generating and sharing Google Review links.
Track your progress
Use tools like Google Analytics to monitor the performance of your Google profile. Pay attention to which content gets the most views and the demographics of your viewers. Adjust your strategy accordingly.
How do I use Google Trends in 2023?
Aside from Google Maps, Google Analytics, and Google Reviews, Google Trends can also help you in boosting your GMB profile views.
To effectively use Google Trends in 2023, start by entering a keyword or topic you're interested in to explore its popularity and related search queries. Pay attention to the data filters, including location, time range, and category, to narrow down your search. Utilize the "Explore" feature to compare multiple keywords or topics and identify emerging trends. Keep an eye on rising search queries and consider creating content or strategies around them.
Google Trends in 2023 remains a valuable tool for staying updated on what's currently capturing the interest of online users and tailoring your online presence and marketing efforts accordingly. Review responses are the best way to SEO optimize your GMB listings. To learn more about this, read our article here.
How can online reviews help you increase profile views?
Online reviews are a critically important aspect of the user journey and can play a major role in increasing your Google Business Profile views. Here are the top three ways they can help:
Improve Local SEO Rankings
Google values fresh and original content, and online customer reviews provide exactly that. A steady stream of positive reviews signals to Google that your business is active and relevant, helping you climb higher in local SEO rankings and, consequently, driving more views to your business profile.
Foster trust and credibility
Online reviews provide an unbiased account of your customer experiences. Even negative reviews, if responded to appropriately, can build trust and credibility. The more positive reviews you have, the more likely new users are to click on your business profile instead of a competitor's.
To learn how to leverage Google Reviews to foster credibility among your customers, read our article Boost Credibility and Trust: Adding Google Reviews to Your Website.
Invoke a 'Fear Of Missing Out' (FOMO)
Seeing others praising your business products or services through reviews can generate a FOMO effect among potential customers. This curiosity drives more people to click on your business profile and explore what you have to offer.
Why you should respond to all your online reviews
In addition to garnering reviews, it is equally important to respond to all of them, both positive and negative. Not only does this demonstrate that you value customer feedback, but it also creates a narrative that you are engaged and dedicated to customer service.
Leverage MARA's AI Review Reply Assistant
One of the challenges of responding to reviews is crafting unique, personalized replies that address each customer's feedback. Here, MARA AI Review Reply Assistant comes to the rescue.
This revolutionary tool uses artificial intelligence to understand the context of each review and suggest super-personalized response proposals. With a simple click on "generate reply," you can obtain an empathetic and accurate reply that satisfies both your customer service standard and your busy schedule.
Apart from saving you significant time, MARA consistently maintains your business's tone and messaging across all responses, enhancing your reputation management efforts. It's easy-to-use interface further simplifies the process, making replying to reviews a breeze regardless of the size of your business.
The best part? You can register for a FREE ACCOUNT.
Final Thought
Actively managing and responding to your online reviews is a simple yet effective way to increase your Google Business Profile views and bolster your business reputation. Invest time in this area, and the rewards will undeniably enhance your digital marketing effectiveness.
This article is part of our hero content on "Mastering Google Reviews - A Complete Guide."
Frequently Asked Questions:
Profile views on Google typically refer to the number of times users have accessed or viewed your Google profile or business listing. These views can provide valuable insights into the visibility and engagement of your online presence.
No, Google does not provide a feature that allows users to see who has viewed their profile or business listing. Google provides aggregated data to help users understand their profiles' overall performance and visibility, but individual user tracking is not a part of this service.
Several factors can affect the visibility of your Google business listing. First, ensure that your profile information is complete and accurate. Check that your business is verified on Google My Business and your location is correctly marked on the map. Optimizing your listing with relevant keywords and encouraging customer reviews can enhance visibility.
Yes, posting regularly on Google My Business can positively impact your SEO efforts. Posting relevant and engaging content can improve your profile's visibility in search results, especially for local searches.
In the Google SEO algorithm update of 2023, Google has changed how they track profile views on Google Business Profiles (GBP). This update involves aggregating multiple user views into a single unique impression over 24 hours and focusing on counting views of business profiles rather than any part of a business, resulting in potentially lower reported view numbers.
