Did your rankings take a hit after the latest Google core update? You’re not alone and you’re probably wondering: What now? Here’s the facts (straight from Google): - There’s no magic fix if your site drops after a core update. - A drop doesn’t always mean you did something wrong. - Google suggests reviewing their list of questions if you’ve been affected. - Some recovery can happen before the next update, but the biggest changes usually come after another core update. The #1 tip direct from Google team: Create content that’s genuinely helpful for people, not just for search engines. “There’s nothing new or special to do for this update if you’ve been making satisfying, people-first content.” – Google My question for you. Have you ever been hit by a Google update? What did you do? Did you change your strategy, or double down on what was working? 👇 Drop your experiences, tips, or questions in the comments! Let’s help each other out and share what’s working (and what’s not) in this ever-changing SEO world.

One of my clients, (HRG Services Ltd) is having an issue with their Google Business Profile, the video verification was rejected due to the first video not fitting what we required, they attempted a second video by opening the office site but we don't have any signage there as it's just an office area, our accounts team are based there. Since trying the second video our account has been disabled. We appealed this and uploaded our Company's House registration to this location but this was denied and our account remains disabled. Due to the account being disabled we are no longer able to edit to just be an "SAB", when the appeal was denied we were told we would receive an opportunity to upload another video (Tuesday 26th March) but this still hasn't come through yet. I'm going to send an email over to businesssupport@google.com and also into the Google Community Forum in hopes of an expert taking pity on us! Will update things as I go but any advise or recommendations would be greatly appreciated!!

The other day in preparation for a new video i wrote down a few lessons and ideas Do you have any pearls of wisdom that you can share here are a few i jotted down lately: - Google’s Secret Rulebook: Imagine being handed a Google pass that lets you peek inside their filing cabinet. Well, the Quality Rater Guidelines are just that—Google’s own playbook for ranking websites. If you haven’t checked them out, you’re missing a goldmine. - The Wheel of Trust: Think of your Google Business Profile (GBP) as the hub of a wheel. Every mention, citation, and review is a spoke leading back to you. The more solid your wheel, the more trust you build—with Google and your customers. - Direct Line to Google: What if you could ask Google to rank your business—no phone call needed? Here are five things you can do today that get real results: + Keep your GBP updated + Gather fresh reviews and reply + Make sure your info matches everywhere online + Post regular updates or offers + Answer customer questions quickly - If it works, keep doing it: Sometimes the best move is to double down on what’s already working. Remember when Google Ads were new and cheap? Those who jumped in early saw huge returns. The lesson: don’t ignore what’s working just because it isn’t shiny and new. Your Turn! I’d love to hear from you: What’s your #1 tip for getting noticed on Google? Have you tried something that worked (or flopped)? Hit reply and let’s swap ideas. Looking forward to your tips!

So every morning I make a coffee and open my laptop to get greeted by my Business Profile These are the 11 I seem to get as a regular basis 4 are important for rankings 3 have some impact on rankings 4 Have no ranking features So lets break them down, You don’t rank because you filled everything out… You rank because of what that creates — relevance, reviews, and real user actions. In Green The Direct, Strong Ranking Icons These impact prominence, relevance, or engagement signals: - Ask for reviews – Drives review volume, frequency, and keywords → one of the strongest local ranking factors. - Read reviews – Replying improves engagement + trust signals (indirect but meaningful). - Edit services – Helps Google understand what you do → improves keyword relevance. - Edit profile – Core NAP, categories, and description → foundational for ranking accuracy. In Orange, the Indirect or Moderate Impacts These don’t directly “boost rankings” but improve behavioural signals (CTR, conversions, dwell time): - Photos – More clicks and engagement → improves user interaction signals. - Posts – Keeps profile active, can influence CTR slightly (freshness signal is weak but real). - Edit products – Adds relevance for product-based queries, but limited for most service businesses. In Red, Minimal or even No Ranking Impact These are operational or paid features—not ranking factors: - Performance – Reporting only, no impact. - Advertise – Paid traffic, completely separate from organic rankings. - Bookings – Convenience feature, no ranking weight. - Profiles – Admin/settings, no ranking influence. So the takeaway form this, is most people: - Spend time on Posts, Photos, Products But you should focus on: - Reviews + Services + Core Profile You will have other icons, add them and i will tell you if they are Red Green or Orange