Home 📍 Local & GBP

📍 Local & GBP

Camilo Aponte
By Camilo Aponte
• 17 articles

🛠️ Fix Address Mismatch Between GBP and Brand Vault

🔍 What This Warning Means When you select a Google Business Profile for a Brand Vault location, Search Atlas checks its address against the location’s saved address. If the addresses are considered inconsistent, an Address mismatch warning may appear. Review both addresses for genuine differences, such as an incorrect street number or a different storefront. Do not assume that an abbreviation such as Cir instead of Circle is the cause of the warning. ❓ Can I Just Ignore It? We recommend fixing it rather than ignoring it. Your address is one of the core details search engines use to confirm your business is real and consistent across the web. This is often called NAP (Name, Address, Phone). - Consistency matters: The same address written in different ways across your GBP, website, and directories can make it harder for search engines to confidently match them. - Structured data (schema): If your website schema uses a different address format than your GBP, it creates an inconsistency. It is usually minor, but it is easy to avoid. - Clean data going forward: Keep the location’s address accurate and map the correct Google Business Profile to help avoid incorrect location information in content and schema. Evidence: customer-frontend/src/modules/brand-vault/drawer/locations-tab/LocationGbpRow.tsx:225. Google is generally good at understanding common abbreviations, so a Cir vs Circle difference is unlikely to cause serious harm on its own. Still, the fix takes only a few minutes, and a single standard format is the safest approach. 📋 Before You Start - Make sure you have access to the Google Business Profile you linked. - Decide which format you want to use everywhere (see the next section). - Have your Brand Vault open in the platform so you can compare the two addresses side by side. ⚖️ Which Format Should You Use? Pick one format and use it everywhere. Here is a simple way to decide: - Match your GBP (recommended): Your GBP is usually the main source of truth for local SEO. Copy the address exactly as it appears there into Brand Vault. - Match your official mailing address: If you prefer the postal format (for example, USPS uses Cir), update your GBP to match it, then use the same format in Brand Vault. Either choice works. What matters is that every place shows the same version. 🛠️ Step-by-Step: Resolve the Mismatch 1. Open your Google Business Profile and note the address exactly as written, including abbreviations, punctuation, suite numbers, and capitalization. 2. In Search Atlas, open Brand Vault and find the business address field. 3. Compare the two addresses character by character. Look for differences such as Cir vs Circle, St vs Street, or Ste vs Suite. 4. In Brand Vault → Locations, edit the affected location’s address if it is incorrect and save your changes. Verify that the selected GBP represents the same business location rather than changing a correct address solely to match formatting. 5. Save your changes. 6. If the warning remains, verify that you selected the correct GBP. If you have confirmed that it represents the correct location, use the mismatch confirmation and save the mapping. Contact support if confirmation does not persist. 7. After saving, verify that the correct GBP remains linked and review whether the Address mismatch status is still displayed. Dismissing or confirming the warning does not itself mean that the addresses now match. 🌐 Keep the Address Consistent Elsewhere Once Brand Vault and your GBP agree, check the other places your address appears: - Your website: Footer, contact page, and location pages. - Schema markup: If your site has LocalBusiness schema, make sure the address matches your chosen format. - Directories and citations: Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Maps, industry directories, and social profiles. You do not need to fix every listing in one day. Start with your website and GBP, then update the others over time. 💡 Tips to Avoid Future Mismatches - Write your address once in a master document and copy it from there every time. - Avoid mixing abbreviations and full words (for example, Cir in one place and Circle in another). - Keep suite or unit formatting the same, such as Suite 200 everywhere rather than Ste 200 or #200. - If you change your GBP address later, update Brand Vault right away. 🔄 If the Warning Still Appears If you have matched the addresses exactly and the warning remains, try these checks: - Look for hidden differences, such as extra spaces, periods, commas, or a different ZIP code format. - Confirm you linked the correct GBP location, especially if you manage more than one. - Refresh the page and re-link the profile to force a new comparison. - Check whether recent edits to your GBP are still pending review by Google. 💬 Need More Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🛠️ GBP Re-Verification and Refund Requests Explained

🔍 What This Article Covers Some customers see their Google Business Profile (GBP) suddenly ask for re-verification after changes to their business name or address. This can be stressful, especially if the profile is a key source of local leads. This article explains why it happens, what to do right away, how to prevent it, and how to request a billing review or refund. ⚠️ Why Google Asks for Re-Verification Google, not Search Atlas, decides when a profile needs to be verified again. Google's systems watch for changes that could signal a different or fraudulent business. When they see one, the profile can be suspended or flagged until it is verified again. Common triggers include: - Business name changes, including adding keywords, abbreviations, or changing punctuation or capitalization. - Address or pin location changes, even small ones such as a suite number, a different street format, or a moved map pin. - Switching between a storefront address and a service-area setup, or hiding and showing the address. - Primary category changes that significantly alter what the business appears to be. - Several edits in a short time, especially to the name, address, and category together. - Mismatched information between the profile, your website, and other online listings. Any of these can cause re-verification, no matter whether the edit was made inside Google, in a third-party tool, or by a team member. 🚨 What to Do Right Away 1. Stop making changes. Pause any edits, bulk updates, or scheduled updates to the profile until it is verified again. More edits can delay the review. 2. Check your profile details. Open your Google Business Profile and compare the business name, address, phone number, category, and service area with your official records and signage. 3. Correct anything that is wrong. If the name or address is not what it should be, restore the accurate details. Use your real-world business name exactly as it appears on your storefront, invoices, and website. 4. Complete Google's verification. Follow the prompts in Google Business Profile. Depending on your business, Google may ask for a video, photos of your storefront and signage, proof of business documents, or a phone or email code. 5. Keep records. Take screenshots of the profile, the verification request, and any messages from Google. They help if you need to appeal or contact us. 🔎 How to Find Out What Changed If you believe an unwanted change was made, gather the facts before contacting us. This helps our team investigate quickly. - Note the exact date and time you first saw the verification request. - Write down the name and address you expect and the name and address you saw. - Check the GBP section of your Search Atlas account for recent updates, connected locations, or automated settings. - Ask your team whether anyone else with access to the profile made edits, since Google Business Profile can have several owners and managers. - Confirm that the correct business location is connected to the correct Search Atlas project. 🛡️ How to Prevent It in the Future - Confirm your business details first. Make sure the name, address, and phone number saved in your account match your real-world details exactly. - Avoid keyword stuffing. Never add services or city names to your business name unless they are part of your legal or signage name. - Make changes one at a time. Wait and confirm the profile is stable before making another significant edit. - Review before you publish. Double-check any suggested or bulk updates before applying them to a live profile. - Keep listings consistent. Use the same name, address, and phone format on your website and other directories. - Limit who can edit. Keep the list of profile owners and managers up to date. 💳 Requesting a Refund If you feel the service did not work as expected, you can ask our team to review your account and billing. To help us look into it, include the following in your request: - The email address or account name used for your Search Atlas subscription. - The business location and Google Business Profile affected. - The date you first noticed the name or address change or the re-verification request. - What you expected to see compared with what appeared on the profile. - Screenshots of the profile or verification notice, if you have them. Our team will review the account activity and your request. Refund eligibility depends on your plan and the details of your case, so we cannot promise an outcome in advance. If you only want to stop future charges, you can ask about that at the same time. 💬 Need More Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🔍 Local Citations Not Showing After Connecting GBP

📌 Overview You connected your Google Business Profile (GBP), but the Local Citations section looks empty, even though you know your business is listed on some directories. This is a common question, and it usually has a simple explanation. Connecting your Google Business Profile links that profile to Search Atlas. It does not import the directory listings your business already has. Citations come from a separate scan that checks supported directories and compares each listing with your business name, address, and phone, so what appears depends on that scan and on how closely the details match. ❓ Why Your Citations May Not Be Showing - Citations are gathered by a background scan, not by connecting your profile. If a scan is running, results will not appear immediately. A full scan can take several hours, and the product notes that some listings may not show until search engines have crawled them. - Your details do not match. Citations are matched on your business name, address, and phone number (often called NAP). If a directory shows an older name, a previous address, or a different phone number, it may not be recognized as yours. - The wrong location is selected. If you manage more than one location or project, you may be viewing a different one from the listings you expect. - Your GBP details are incomplete. A citation scan needs your business name, street address, city, and state. A missing phone number does not stop the scan, but it can lower how closely a listing matches. Common address abbreviations are expanded before comparison, so writing St. instead of Street is not itself a reason a listing is missed. - The directory is not covered. Some niche, regional, or newer directories may not be included in the results. - Listings are new or recently edited. Changes can take time to appear on directories, so they may not show up right away. 🛠️ How to Fix It: Step by Step 1. Confirm the right location is selected. Make sure the project and business location you are viewing match the GBP you connected. 2. Check the connection. Open GBP Projects and confirm the profile is listed there. It must be connected with a Google account that is an Owner or Manager of that profile. If it is not, use Connect GBP Account and sign in with an account that has that access. 3. Review your GBP details. Make sure your business name, address, and phone number are complete and accurate. 4. Compare with your existing listings. Open a few directories where you know you are listed and check whether the name, address, and phone number match your GBP exactly. Look for differences such as "Street" vs. "St.", a suite number, or an old phone number. 5. If a scan is already running, open Active Citations and wait for it to finish, then refresh the page. You can start a new scan from Refresh only once every 24 hours, and that refresh can take 5 to 10 minutes. Connecting GBP does not by itself produce results within 24 hours. 6. Reconnect your GBP if needed. If the connection looks incomplete or outdated, disconnect and reconnect it, then check again after a short wait. ✅ Tips for Keeping Your Citations Consistent - Use one exact version of your business name, address, and phone number everywhere. - Update old listings when you move, rebrand, or change your phone number. - Avoid adding extra keywords to your business name. This can cause mismatches and may violate Google guidelines. - Check your main listings regularly to catch outdated details early. 💡 What to Expect Even with the profile connected and the details consistent, you will not see every listing you know about. A listing is shown only when it is found in a supported directory and its name, address, and phone are close enough to yours. Details that stay consistent can match more listings on the next scan, but a directory that is not covered will still not appear. 💬 Still Not Seeing Your Citations? If you have followed the steps above and your citations still do not appear, we are happy to take a closer look. To speed things up, have these details ready: - Your business name, address, and phone number as they appear in your GBP - The project or location you are viewing - The web addresses of one or two listings you know exist - A screenshot of the empty Local Citations section If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🛠️ Fix GBP Deploy Error INVALID_THIRD_PARTY_MESSAGING_URL

🔍 What This Error Means When you click Deploy All Changes on a Google Business Profile (GBP) location, Search Atlas sends your updates to Google. Google checks every field before it accepts them. If a field fails that check, Google rejects the update and the deploy fails. The error INVALID_THIRD_PARTY_MESSAGING_URL means Google does not accept a messaging link on the profile. This is usually a Facebook Messenger link, but it can also be another chat link such as WhatsApp. The problem is the link itself, not your Search Atlas account or your connection. ❓ Why It Happens Google only accepts third-party messaging links in specific formats. The most common causes are: - The link is incomplete or has a typo, such as a missing page name. - The link points to your Facebook page (facebook.com/yourpage) instead of a Messenger link. - The link is a long or temporary URL copied from a browser, with extra tracking text added. - The Facebook page was renamed, unpublished, or deleted, so the old Messenger link no longer works. - The link was added to the profile some time ago and Google's rules have since changed. - The link starts with http:// instead of https://. Because Google validates the whole profile on each deploy, an old or invalid link can block every other change you are trying to publish. 🧰 Before You Start - Make sure you can open the location you are trying to deploy. - Have your business's Facebook page or messaging account URL ready, if you want to keep the link. - Check that you still have access to the Google Business Profile, either in Search Atlas or directly on Google. ✅ How to Fix the Error 1. Open the GBP location that failed to deploy in Search Atlas. 2. Review the profile for messaging or chat links. Check Attributes (including Text Messaging and Preferred messaging service), Links & Contact (Website URL, Phone Numbers, and booking or action links), and Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest). A Messenger or social messaging URL may be stored in one of those fields. 3. Check the link format. A Messenger link normally looks like https://m.me/yourpagename. It should start with https:// and contain no extra spaces or characters. 4. Open the link in a new browser tab. If it does not open your Messenger conversation, it is invalid and needs to be fixed. 5. Replace the link with a corrected one, or remove it if you no longer use that messaging channel. 6. Save your changes, then select Deploy All Changes again. 🔧 If the Link Is Not Visible in Search Atlas The invalid link may have been added directly in Google, or by another tool or team member, so you might not see it in Search Atlas. In that case: 1. Sign in to the Google account that manages the profile. 2. Search for your business name, or open it from the Google Business Profile manager. 3. Open the profile's edit options and look for messaging or chat settings, and any links to Messenger or other third-party apps. 4. Remove or correct the invalid link and save. 5. Return to Search Atlas, refresh the location so it picks up the latest profile data, and deploy again. 🏢 Multiple Locations If you manage several locations, such as different branches of the same business, the error applies only to the location with the invalid link. Check each failing location separately. Copying the same link across locations will copy the error too, so confirm the link works before reusing it. 💡 Tips to Avoid This Error - Always use the short Messenger format (https://m.me/yourpagename) instead of copying a long link from your browser. - Test every messaging link before saving it. - Update the profile if you rename or remove a Facebook page. - Remove messaging links you no longer use. - Deploy smaller batches of changes so you can quickly tell which update caused a failure. 🔁 If the Deploy Still Fails If the error continues after you fix or remove the link, check the following: - Make sure you saved the change before redeploying. - Refresh the location so Search Atlas is not working from old profile data. - Confirm that no other messaging link remains on the profile. Some profiles have more than one. - Check whether the error message has changed. A different error code points to a different field that needs attention. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team. Include the name of the location and the exact error message so we can help faster.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🔗 Set a Citation Link for GBP Post Buttons

🔍 Overview Google Business Profile (GBP) automated posts can include a button, such as Learn more. For a normal automated post, Search Atlas sets that button to Learn more and uses the website URL saved on the GBP location. A prompt cannot change that destination. To use a citation URL, edit the button link on each unpublished post. ❓ Why Updating the Prompt Often Does Not Change the Button The prompt and the button link are usually two different things: - AI writing tips (optional) guide the written post, including topic, tone, length, and keywords. - The button link is the destination URL on that post’s button. It is stored on the individual post, not in Automated Posting settings. If you tell AI writing tips to use your citation link, the AI may mention that link in the post text. The button URL still comes from the GBP location’s website URL, or from the source blog URL when a post is generated from a blog. This is why changing the writing tips does not change the button. ✅ Before You Start Gather the following so the change goes smoothly: - The full citation URL you want to use, starting with https://. - Confirmation that the citation page is live and opens correctly in your browser. - You need access to GBP Posts for the business location you want to update. 🛠️ How to Point the Button to a Citation Link 1. In the left sidebar, open Local SEO, then GBP Posts, and select the business location. 2. Open the post you want to change and select Edit. In the Button dropdown, choose a button such as Learn more. A separate field labeled Button link then appears. This is separate from AI writing tips (optional) in Automate GBP Posting. 3. In the post’s Button link field, replace the current URL with the full citation URL. Copy it directly from your browser address bar to avoid typos. 4. Save your changes. 5. Save the edited post with Update Post. The button label appears in the GBP Posts table, and selecting it opens the saved URL. You can also confirm the button on the published Google Business Profile post. Automated Posting does not contain a separate button or link setting. If you cannot edit the button on a post, check that the post is not already published. Published posts cannot be edited. Otherwise, contact our team using the steps at the end of this article. ⏱️ Why Existing Posts Do Not Update Changes to AI writing tips apply only when a new post is generated. They do not change posts that already exist. You can still edit the Button link on a scheduled, draft, or unpublished post. A published post keeps the link it was published with and cannot be edited. - Review the date of the post you are checking. - Look at the next post created after your change. - If a scheduled post still has the old link, open it with Edit, change Button link, and save it with Update Post. You do not need to regenerate or recreate the post. 🔎 Troubleshooting Checklist - Check the URL format. Use a full URL beginning with http:// or https://. If the URL is incomplete or uses another format, the post cannot be saved until you enter a valid URL. - Test the citation page. Open it in a private browser window to make sure it loads without a login. - Confirm you saved. Make sure the save or update button was clicked and a confirmation appeared. - Check the right location. If you manage several locations, confirm you edited the one that is posting. - Refresh the page. Reload the platform to make sure you are seeing the latest settings. - Review Google's rules. Google may reject or remove links that look misleading or lead to unsupported pages. Directory pages generally work, but Google makes the final call. 💡 Tips for Better Results - Choose the citation page that best represents your business, such as your most complete and accurate listing. - Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent between the citation and your Google profile. - Use the prompt for the post wording, and use the button setting for the link. Keeping them separate avoids confusion. - After any change, review the first new post before assuming everything is set up correctly. 🙋 Still Need Help? If the button still shows your home page after following these steps, our team can check your setup. Please have your business location name and the citation URL ready. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🛠️ Fixing Clinic Name in Data Aggregator Submissions

🔍 What This Issue Looks Like You navigate to Local Citations (/gbp-galactic/local-citations) and check the Data Aggregator & Network Submissions table. In the submissions table, an entry shows the umbrella (parent) business name instead of the clinic's specific name. This is most common for multi-location practices, clinic groups, and franchises. Other locations in the same account may look fine. Only one or two may be affected. 🧠 Why It Happens Data aggregators send out the business details saved for each location. If the clinic name is wrong in a submission, the source information is usually the cause. Common reasons include: - The business name saved for that location is the umbrella or parent company name. - The location was created by copying details from a main or parent profile, and the name was never changed. - The name was imported from another source, such as a connected profile or an older listing, that uses the parent brand. - The name was updated recently, but the submission has not been refreshed yet. ✅ Before You Start Decide what the correct public-facing name for the clinic is. Use the name that appears on your signage, website, and Google Business Profile. Keeping it identical everywhere is the most important part of accurate listings. - Confirm the exact spelling, spacing, and punctuation. - Decide whether the name includes the location, such as Brand Name - City. Only include it if that is how the clinic is actually named publicly. - Avoid adding extra keywords or services to the name. Aggregators and directories can reject or flag these. 🛠️ How to Fix the Clinic Name 1. Open Local Citations from the navigation menu and locate the submission that displays the incorrect name in the Data Aggregator & Network Submissions table. 2. On that submission's row, click the three dots icon and select Edit & Submit to open the Business Details modal where the name, address, phone number, and aggregator details are stored. 3. Find the Business Name field. If it shows the umbrella name, replace it with the correct clinic name. 4. Check the address and phone number at the same time. Make sure they match the clinic exactly. 5. Save your changes. 6. After updating the Business Name field, proceed through the modal steps to save and submit the changes to the aggregator network. 7. Save and submit your changes through the modal to update the submission. The corrected clinic name will now appear in your Local Citations submissions list. ⏳ How Long Updates Take Changes in Search Atlas can show up quickly, but updates to the networks themselves take longer. Aggregators and the directories they supply process changes on their own schedules. It can take several weeks for the corrected name to appear everywhere. - Check the Data Aggregator & Network Submissions table in Local Citations again after your update is saved. - Do not make repeated name changes while you wait. This can slow things down and create conflicting data. 💡 Best Practices for Multi-Location Clinics - Give each location its own record. Do not reuse the parent profile for several clinics. - Set the name when you create the location. This prevents the umbrella name from carrying over. - Use one naming pattern. For example, use the same format for all locations if that is how they are branded. - Keep details consistent. The name, address, and phone number should be the same on your website, Google Business Profile, and all listings. - Review after changes. Check the Data Aggregator after any rebrand, move, or new location. 🔧 Troubleshooting - The name still shows the umbrella brand after saving: Refresh the page, then check that you edited the correct location. Similar-looking locations are easy to mix up. - Only some networks show the old name: Those networks may not have processed the update yet. Allow more time before making further changes. - The name is correct in your profile but wrong in a submission: The submission may be based on older data. Try refreshing or resubmitting the data if the option is available. - Several locations have the same problem: Review each location's business name individually and correct them one at a time. 💬 Need More Help? If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team. To help us resolve it faster, tell us the location name, the name that is showing, and the name that should appear.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🚀 Add Local Citation Credits

📍 Overview Local Citations use Hyper Drive credits. If your available balance is too low, add credits before placing a new citation order. 💳 Add credits for Local Citations 1. Sign in to Search Atlas. Local Citations is managed from the Local menu (GBP Galactic), not from an individual project. 2. Go to Local Citations. 3. Open the Hyper Drive credit or balance option. 4. Select Add Credits. 5. Choose the credit amount you need and review the displayed price. 6. Complete the checkout steps. Your updated balance should appear in Hyper Drive after the purchase is processed. 🧾 Use your credits Return to Local Citations, choose the business and the data aggregators for a new submission, and review the order. The required Hyperdrive Credit total is shown before you continue, and again as Total amount in the Submit Business Info form. If your balance covers the order, click Confirm and Pay to submit it and start processing. 🔎 If your balance has not updated - Check the Hyperdrive Credits balance in the header on the Local Citations page. It updates after the purchase is processed, so you do not need to refresh the page. - Confirm that you are viewing the correct Search Atlas project and account. - Review the order or payment status before trying to purchase credits again. - Do not submit duplicate orders while a previous transaction is still processing. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📊 Local Citations Completion Timeline Status

📍 What local citation status means A local citation is a mention of your business name, address, and phone number on a directory or listing site. After you submit citations in Search Atlas, the submission is tracked as one campaign. The status on the Local Citations table shows where that campaign stands: Submitting, Quality assurance, Live checks, Completed, On hold, or Refunded. Submitting means the order was paid and sent for verification. Quality assurance means it was verified and listing checks are starting. Live checks means it passed quality assurance and listings are being verified. Completed means the campaign is finished. Open the submission to see the timeline (Submitted, Quality Assurance, Live Checks, Completed) and the status of each directory. ⏱️ Typical completion timeline Most citations do not go live the same day you submit them. Directories control their own review queues, so completion dates vary. - Common range: many listings finish within 2 to 8 weeks of submission. - Longer cases: some publishers take 8 to 12 weeks, especially when they verify the business or require a manual review. - Your example: a submission from August 9 that is still open on October 26 is past the usual window for many sites, but it can still be within a slow publisher’s review period. Check each citation’s individual status rather than treating the whole batch as one date. Search Atlas cannot force a directory to publish on a fixed calendar day. The date you submit is the start of the process, not a guaranteed live date. 🔍 Why some citations take longer - The directory has a backlog or a manual approval step. - The business name, address, phone, or website does not match what the site already has on file. - The listing needs extra proof, such as a business category, hours, or a verified profile. - The site rejects or holds duplicate listings until an older record is cleaned up. - A publisher updates on its own schedule and does not send an instant confirmation. One slow site does not mean every citation in the order is delayed. Completed listings can already be helping your local presence while others remain in review. 📋 How to check status in the platform 1. In Search Atlas, open GBP Projects in the sidebar and select Local Citations under LOCAL SEO TOOLS. 2. Find the campaign in the Local Citations table and read the status on that row. Open the campaign to see each aggregator or directory and the status beside it. 3. Note which campaigns are Completed, which are still moving through Submitting, Quality assurance, or Live checks, and which are On hold or Refunded. 4. Compare the submission date with the ranges above before assuming the order is stuck. 5. If a directory is not Live, open its Details to read any notes. You can correct the business details and submit again only after the campaign status is Completed (Finished), using Edit & Submit. That resubmits the campaign rather than only the changed directories. Use the status in Local Citations as the source of truth for your submission. A directory may email you separately, and that message can arrive on its own schedule, but it does not replace the status shown in Search Atlas. ✅ What you can do while you wait - Keep your business name, address, phone number, and website consistent everywhere. - Do not create another campaign for the same business, address, and aggregator while one already exists. Search Atlas rejects overlapping aggregators for that location, and Edit & Submit stays unavailable until the existing campaign is Completed. - Confirm hours, categories, and location details are accurate in your project. - Allow the full review window before requesting a manual check on a single slow publisher. 💬 When to ask for a status review Contact support if a citation has been in progress for more than 12 weeks, if the status has not changed after you fixed a data error, or if you need help reading a specific listing’s status. Have the project name, submission date, and directory names ready so the review is faster. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📍 Why Your GBP Address Locks After One Edit

📍 Why the address locks after one edit Google limits how often a business address can change. After one successful edit, Google may lock the address while it reviews the update. This reduces fake or frequently moved listings. Search Atlas reads and writes your Google Business Profile through Google. If Google rejects an address change because the address is read-only, Search Atlas records that restriction and shows the Address row as Locked. The editor is not locked merely because Google has a restriction until that rejection is recorded. Search Atlas cannot override it, and an address that matches your website does not bypass it. 🔍 What changed from earlier edits In the past, an address that matched your website was often accepted right away. Google now reviews more address changes before they stay live. A matching website is still required, but it no longer lets you edit the address again immediately. - Website match: The address on your site, your profile, and major citations should be identical. - One clean change: Submit a single, complete address rather than several small corrections. - Review window: While Google is reviewing, further edits stay blocked. 🛠️ What to do while the address is locked 1. Stop submitting more address changes. Repeated attempts can extend the lock. 2. Confirm the address on your website uses the same street, suite, city, state, and postal code you want on the profile. 3. Check whether Google is asking you to re-verify the business, and complete any postcard, phone, email, or video check it shows. 4. Wait for the review to finish before trying another edit. Locks are controlled by Google and do not have a fixed release time inside Search Atlas. 5. If the business did not move, leave the current address in place until the lock clears. 💡 How to edit safely after the lock clears Prepare the final address before you edit it. Open the Business location editor, save the complete address, and then select Deploy All Changes once. Use Address line 2 for a suite, unit, or building only when it is part of the address; it does not need to appear on your website. If you serve customers at their location and do not want a public storefront, use a service-area setup instead of changing the street address again. Hiding the address is safer than rotating locations. ⚙️ When to contact the team Contact support if the lock remains after Google’s review, if the address on Google and Search Atlas do not match, or if you need to confirm whether a pending edit is still syncing. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📍 Fix Local Heatmap Drops and Grid Radius

📍 What a local heatmap actually shows A local heatmap does not give one rank for a whole town. It checks your Google Business Profile at many map points inside a circle and colors each point by position. A strong pin in Pike Creek and a weak pin a few miles north can both be correct at the same time. Google weighs three things for each searcher location: how close the business is, how relevant the profile and website are to the keyword, and how prominent the business looks compared with nearby competitors. Distance is often the strongest factor once you leave the immediate area. 📉 Why you can be number 4 in town and outside the top 20 nearby Ranking about number 4 at the center and falling out of the top 20 roughly three miles north is a common distance drop, not a broken scan. At the northern points, Google is comparing you with businesses that are physically closer to those searchers. - Proximity: each grid point acts like a different searcher. Competitors nearer that point usually win even if you lead at your own address. - Competition: a denser cluster of similar businesses north of town can push you down only on that side of the grid. - Relevance: if your categories, services, and location pages match the town center better than the northern area, ranks fall off faster in that direction. - Scan keyword: a broad keyword and a service-plus-city keyword can produce very different grids. Compare the same keyword across scans. Months without movement usually means competitors are matching or beating the same signals, not that posts failed to publish. Map ranks also move slowly. One strong month of activity rarely shifts a stable grid. 📸 Why posts and photos alone rarely move the grid Google Business Profile posts and new photos help keep the profile active and can support clicks, but they are a small part of local rank. If those are already in place, focus on signals that change who wins at each pin. 1. Primary category and services: confirm the main category matches the keyword you track. Add only services you actually offer. 2. Reviews: ask recent customers for honest reviews that mention the service and the area. Reply to new reviews. Steady review velocity matters more than a one-time burst. 3. Name, address, and phone: use the same business name, address, and phone on the profile, website, and major directories. 4. Website relevance: give the tracked service a clear page with the city or neighborhood in the title, headings, and body. Link that page from the profile when Google allows a website or appointment URL. 5. Citations: fix outdated listings that still show an old address, phone, or name. Do not stuff the business name with cities or keywords. That can lead to a profile suspension and will not fix a distance drop. 📏 Why the saved radius can show 6 miles instead of 5 The radius is the distance from the center pin to the outer edge of the scan, not a promise that every labeled point lands on exactly five miles. A grid has a center point plus evenly spaced rows and columns. Search Atlas places those points so the circle is covered. Depending on grid size, the outer points can sit slightly past the number you typed, so a scan you think of as five miles can save and display as about six miles. Also check which report you opened. The radius on screen belongs to that saved scan. An older run, a duplicated report, or a different keyword can still be set to six miles even after you changed a newer draft to five. - Open the heatmap and confirm the keyword, center address, grid size, and radius before you run it again. - Save only after those fields match what you want to compare. - Compare ranks only between scans that use the same keyword, center, grid size, and radius. A larger circle adds farther, harder points and can make the map look worse. - If you need a tighter view of Pike Creek, rerun with the smaller radius and the same grid size, then use that new scan as the baseline. 🛠️ A practical plan when the grid has been flat for months 1. Pick one primary keyword and keep the center on the profile address. 2. Note the three-mile northern pins that fall out of the top 20 and list who outranks you there. 3. Improve the profile signals above, then publish or refresh the matching service page. 4. Rerun the same scan after a few weeks, not every day. Look for pin-level gains, not only the center rank. 5. Treat the northern drop as a proximity gap. You will rarely own every pin several miles away unless competitors there are weak. 💬 When to contact support Contact support if the radius still changes after you save a new scan, if the center is not your business address, or if two scans with the same settings show different radii. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📊 Why Local Heatmap Rankings Stay Flat

📍 What a stagnant heatmap usually means A local SEO heatmap checks the same keyword from many map points around a center pin, such as Pike Creek. Each point shows where you appear in Google’s local results from that spot. Stagnant means those positions are not moving much from scan to scan, not that the tool is frozen. Ranking about #4 at the center pin while falling out of the top 20 a few miles away is a normal proximity pattern. Google weighs how close the searcher is to each business. You can look strong where you are closest and much weaker where a competitor is closer. 🗺️ Why you rank well at the pin but drop north The center pin is usually your business location or the place you chose as the scan center. From that point, distance works in your favor. A few miles north, the searcher is nearer to other businesses that match the same keyword, so those listings move ahead of you. - Distance beats a small on-page edge. A competitor physically closer to a northern pin can outrank a better-optimized profile. - The map pack is local, not citywide. One town name does not guarantee the same rank across every neighborhood inside that town. - Grid average hides the split. A solid center and weak edges can keep the overall score flat even when the pin itself looks healthy. - Relevance still matters at the edge. If your Google Business Profile categories, services, and website do not clearly match the keyword, you drop faster as distance grows. You should not expect the same top-5 color across a multi-mile grid unless you truly serve and compete evenly in each direction. For many local businesses, the practical goal is to hold or improve the center and the points closest to customers you can actually win. 📏 Why the saved radius can show 6 miles If you chose a 5-mile radius but the saved scan shows about 6 miles, the keyword and business have not moved. The difference is how the grid is drawn and stored. - The radius is the distance from the center pin to the outer scan points along the grid, not a perfect circle measured on every compass heading. - Points are spaced to fit the grid size you picked. After those points are placed on the map, the highlighted coverage can measure slightly past 5 miles and display as 6. - A square grid’s outer corners sit farther from the center than the north, south, east, and west points. Measuring to a corner makes the area look larger than the radius you set. - An older saved scan keeps the radius used at that time until you run a new scan with a different setting. To compare results fairly, use the same keyword, grid size, center pin, and radius each time. If you need a true 5-mile view, open the heatmap settings, set the radius to 5 miles, and run a fresh scan. Do not judge progress by mixing a 5-mile scan with a 6-mile one. 🚀 How to improve flat local rankings Proximity will always limit how far your pin can rank. These steps improve the points you can realistically move: 1. Confirm the center. Make sure the heatmap center matches your real Google Business Profile pin, not an old address or a nearby town center. 2. Tighten the profile. Use the most accurate primary category, fill services, keep the name and address consistent, and add recent photos. 3. Match the keyword on your site. Give the service a clear page that names the town and nearby areas you serve, with useful content rather than a list of city names only. 4. Earn local proof. Ask recent customers for reviews that mention the service. Reply to reviews. Build consistent citations with the same name, address, and phone number. 5. Read the grid by zone. Track the center and the southern or eastern points separately from the far northern points. Improving the near points is a real win even if the far edge stays outside the top 20. 6. Re-scan on a schedule. Run the same setup every few weeks. Local results move slowly, so daily checks often look stagnant. If competitors north of the pin are much closer to those searchers, you may never hold a top-20 spot there for that keyword. Focus budget on keywords and areas where your distance and relevance are competitive. ✅ Before you treat it as a bug - Compare scans that share the same radius, grid size, keyword, and center. - Check whether the business pin on Google still matches the address in Search Atlas. - Look at individual points, not only the average rank. - Allow time after profile or website edits before expecting the heatmap colors to change. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📍 Why Local Heatmap Ranks Drop Nearby

📍 Why one pin can rank and a nearby pin cannot A local heatmap checks the same search from many map points. Google builds a fresh local pack for each point using the searcher’s location, not your office as the center. Ranking about #4 at Pike Creek and falling out of the top 20 roughly three miles north near Hockessin is a normal proximity pattern, not proof that your profile is broken. Businesses on a busy corridor such as Limestone Rd can hold those northern pins because they are closer to the searcher, more relevant to that query, or stronger in reviews and categories for that spot. Your office-area strength does not travel with the pin. 📸 Why posts, photos, reviews, and citations may not move the map Google Business Profile posts, photos, reviews, and citations support trust and relevance. They rarely override distance when a competitor is physically closer to the pin. Months without movement usually means the closer results already satisfy the query, not that those tasks were wasted. - Posts and photos keep the profile active but seldom change who is nearest. - Reviews help when they are recent, relevant, and competitive with businesses at the weak pin. - Citations confirm your name, address, and phone. Extra listings do not pull a rank three miles toward a competitor cluster. 🗺️ How to read the Pike Creek to Hockessin drop Compare each weak cell with the businesses that stay in the pack there. Check driving distance from the pin to your verified address versus their addresses. If they sit on or near Limestone Rd and you do not, proximity alone can push you from the top 5 to outside the top 20. Also compare primary category, review count and recency, and whether their site clearly serves that northern area. A mismatch on any of those makes the drop steeper. 🛠️ What to check before changing strategy 1. Confirm the verified address, pin, hours, and primary category match the real office and the main query. 2. Open the weak northern cells and list who ranks, how close they are, and their review gap versus you. 3. Check that your name, address, and phone match on the profile and major citations. 4. Review the page that should rank for that service and confirm it names the areas you truly serve. 5. Look at review sources. Reviews from customers near the weak pins help more than reviews only from the office neighborhood. 🚀 Practical ways to strengthen weaker cells - Keep the primary category exact. Add secondary categories only when they match real services. - Publish useful service pages for areas you genuinely cover, including Hockessin if that is a real service area, and link them from the profile when appropriate. - Ask recent customers in the weaker area for honest reviews. Do not buy reviews or review velocity. - Use photos and posts that show real work in the areas you serve, not only the office. - Fix inconsistent citations. Do not add low-quality directories hoping to outrank a closer competitor. - Set expectations: you can improve relevance, but you may never match a Limestone Rd competitor at a pin that sits on their doorstep. 💡 When to escalate inside the platform Contact support if the address pin is wrong, the heatmap query does not match your category, tracking stopped, or a cell set changed without a profile edit. A stable #4 near the office and a deep drop a few miles north, with closer competitors holding, is expected local-pack behavior. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📍 Add Two GBP Locations to One Site

📍 What this setup covers You can keep one company, one website, and one report while managing two Google Business Profile (GBP) locations. Each location stays its own Google listing. Your site represents both locations with separate location pages that share the same domain. Do not treat the second location as a second website or a second company unless the businesses are truly separate brands. 🛠️ Add both locations to the same company 1. Open the existing company that owns the website. Do not create a second company for the second address. 2. Confirm the primary website is already connected to that company and to the report you want to keep. 3. Connect the first GBP location to that same company and website. 4. Add the second GBP location to the same company. Use the second listing’s exact business name, address, and phone number as they appear on Google. 5. Keep both locations on the existing report so local performance stays in one place. If a location will not connect, check that you have manager access to that GBP listing and that the website domain matches the site already in the company. 📄 Give each location its own page - Create a unique page for each location, such as a city or neighborhood page, on the same website. - Use that location’s name, address, phone number, hours, and services only on its page. - Link each GBP listing to its matching location page when Google allows a website URL. - Do not copy the same page content for both locations. Google should see two distinct local pages on one domain. ⚙️ Use one OTTO pixel in the header No. Do not place both OTTO pixels in the header of one website. One website should have one OTTO pixel, installed once in the site header or through your tag manager so it loads on every page. A second pixel on the same domain can send duplicate signals and cause the two installations to conflict. Location differences are handled by the two GBP connections and the two location pages, not by a second pixel. - Remove any extra OTTO script so only one pixel remains. - Confirm the remaining pixel matches the company and website that hold both GBP locations. - Publish the site and check that the pixel loads once per page. ✅ Quick check before you finish - One company, one website, and one report. - Two GBP locations connected to that company. - Two unique location pages on the same domain. - Exactly one OTTO pixel in the header. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

🔍 GBP Audit API Availability and Connection

🔌 Does the API audit businesses that are not connected? No. The Search Atlas Google Business Profile (GBP) audit is available only for profiles that are connected to your Search Atlas account. There is no API endpoint that runs a full GBP audit for a business that is not linked through an authorized Google connection. Google shares profile data only after the profile owner (or a manager) grants access. Without that connection, Search Atlas cannot pull the live profile, posts, reviews, or performance data needed for an audit. Public lookups, place IDs, or business names alone are not enough. ✅ What you can do instead Connect the Google Business Profile inside Search Atlas, then run the audit from the platform. The person who connects it must have owner or manager access in Google. 1. Open your project in Search Atlas and go to the Google Business Profile or Local SEO area. 2. Choose Connect and sign in with the Google account that manages the profile. 3. Select the correct location and finish the authorization prompts. 4. After the status shows as connected, open the GBP audit and run it for that location. If you manage many locations, connect each profile you want to audit. An audit on one connected location does not cover other businesses on the same account until those locations are connected too. 📊 Metrics available after a profile is connected Once the profile is connected, the in-platform audit reviews the data Google has shared for that location. Typical areas include: - Profile completeness, such as name, categories, description, hours, phone, website, and attributes - Photos and posts, including whether recent content is present - Reviews, including volume, rating, and whether reviews are being answered - Visibility signals available from the connected profile, such as search and maps performance when Google provides them - Action items that show what to fix first Exact fields can vary by location, country, and what Google returns for that profile. The audit screen is the source of truth for the metrics on your account. Search Atlas does not offer a separate public metric catalog for unconnected businesses. 📄 Documentation, limits, and cost API access, if it is included on your plan, applies to data and actions for profiles already connected to your account. It does not add audits for businesses outside that connection. - Documentation: Use the API or developer section inside your Search Atlas account for current endpoints and request examples. Do not rely on unofficial endpoint lists. - Usage limits: Limits follow your subscription and are shown in the platform. They are not published as a pay-per-audit rate for outside businesses. - Cost: GBP audits are covered by your Search Atlas plan. There is no separate public price for auditing a profile that is not connected. Check Billing or your plan details for what your subscription includes. If a call fails, confirm the profile is still connected, that the Google user still has manager access, and that you are using the location linked to your project. Reconnect the profile if Google has revoked access. 💬 When to contact support Contact the team if a profile will not connect, an audit stays empty after a successful connection, or you need confirmation of the API access on your specific plan. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📊 GBP Custom Post Frequency Slider Explained

📌 What the slider number means Under Custom Post Frequency, the number is how many Google Business Profile posts Search Atlas aims to publish per week. It is not a gap measured in days. If the slider is set to 4, that means 4 posts per week, not one post every 4 days. One post every 4 days would be a different schedule (about two posts in a typical week). 📅 How a setting of 4 is applied Search Atlas treats 4 as a weekly target and spreads those posts across the week. They are not all published on the same day, and the slider does not mean “wait 4 days between every post.” - 1 means about 1 post per week. - 4 means about 4 posts per week. - 7 means about 1 post per day, or 7 posts per week. A higher number increases weekly volume. A lower number reduces it. The exact publish days can vary so posts stay spaced through the week. ⚙️ What the frequency does not control - It does not set a fixed “every X days” interval. - It does not rewrite or delete posts that are already live. - It does not guarantee a post will go out if required content is missing or a post is still waiting for your approval. - It does not change post type, images, or the text of each update by itself. Think of the slider as a weekly posting goal. Approval, available content, and profile status can shift the exact time a post goes live. 🛠️ How to choose a frequency 1. Open your Google Business Profile posting settings and find Custom Post Frequency. 2. Read the slider value as posts per week. 3. Move the slider to the weekly volume you want. For example, leave it at 4 for four posts each week. 4. Save your settings. 5. Check upcoming posts to confirm the new weekly pace. Already published posts stay as they are. Most businesses start with a moderate pace, such as 2 to 4 posts per week, then increase it if they have enough useful updates, offers, or photos to support that volume. 💬 Still unsure about your schedule If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📊 Why Local Heatmap Ranks Stay Flat

📍 Why a strong pin can fade a few miles away Local pack results are calculated for the searcher, not for a single town center. A business can rank near the top in Pike Creek and drop out of the top 20 a few miles north because Google weighs proximity heavily. Each map point is its own search. Competitors closer to that point, or more relevant to the query there, can outrank you even when your Google Business Profile looks active. Months without movement usually means the competitive picture has not changed enough. Posts and new photos keep the profile fresh, but they rarely overcome a closer, better-matched competitor on a distant grid point. 🗺️ Heatmaps are sample grids, not a radius A view that looks like a 5-mile radius is a set of sample points spread across that area. It is not a promise that every address inside the circle shares one rank. Ranks are reported only where the tool places a pin. Gaps between pins, and the direction of those pins, explain sharp drops. - Center pin: Often closest to your verified address, so proximity helps you. - Northern pins: Searchers there are nearer to other businesses, so you can fall out of the top 20 quickly. - Grid spacing: Wider spacing makes the drop look sudden. Tighter spacing shows the fade more gradually. - Same keyword only: Compare one query at a time. Mixing keywords hides whether the stall is real. If the map was assumed to be one rank across five miles, the #4 versus outside-the-top-20 result is expected, not a tracking error. 📸 Why GBP posts and photos rarely move the grid Posts and photos support engagement and trust, but they are weak levers for distance-based pack rank. If those are the only changes for months, a flat heatmap is normal. They do not move your address, change who is closer to a northern pin, or replace missing relevance for that query. - Posts expire from view and are not a lasting proximity signal. - Photos help click-through after you already appear, more than whether you appear. - Ranking still depends on distance, query relevance, and overall prominence versus the businesses at that pin. 🛠️ What actually influences ranks by distance Focus on factors that change who wins at each pin, not only activity on the profile. 1. Primary category and services: Match the tracked keyword. A mismatched category keeps you out even with fresh posts. 2. Location relevance on your site: Use a clear service-area or location page that names the town and the service, with supporting content, not a thin duplicate. 3. Reviews tied to the service: Steady reviews that mention the service and area build prominence. Volume alone, without recency or relevance, moves less. 4. Consistent citations: Name, address, and phone should match everywhere you are listed. Inconsistent details weaken trust at every pin. 5. Competitor proximity: Open the businesses that rank on the weak northern points. If they sit closer to those pins, your ceiling there is limited unless relevance or prominence is clearly stronger. 6. Query and grid check: Re-run the same keyword, confirm the business address is correct, and note grid size. A stalled center rank plus a distance drop points to competition, not a broken profile. 📉 How to read a months-long stall Treat the heatmap as a distance report. A stable #4 near Pike Creek means you are competitive at home base. Falling out of the top 20 north means those sample points belong to a different local set. Do not expect posts to close that gap. Improvement shows up first as better ranks on the nearest weak pins, not as a jump across the whole map. Prioritize the keyword and the ring of pins just outside your strong zone. Strengthen the page and profile signals for that query, then recheck the same grid after several weeks. Large rank jumps across miles are uncommon when many established competitors sit between you and the pin. 💬 When to ask for a second look If the address, keyword, and grid still look right and you want help reading a specific map, use in-platform chat. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026

📦 Yearly Local Listings After Cancellation

📦 What a yearly local listings purchase covers A yearly local listings purchase covers submission and distribution of your business details for that paid term. It is not a standalone login that replaces your Search Atlas plan. Your business name, address, phone number, website, and related listing details are managed inside the platform while your subscription is active. The yearly term and platform access are separate. Paying for a year of listings does not keep the dashboard, editing tools, or listing support available after the plan that hosts those tools is canceled. 🔐 Why you cannot open listings without a subscription Local listings live in your Search Atlas account. Viewing status, requesting updates, and getting help with those listings all require an active subscription. When that subscription ends, platform access ends with it, even if time remains on a yearly listings term. - Active plan: you can review listing details and request changes from inside the platform. - Canceled plan: you cannot sign in to manage listings, even if you prepaid a yearly listings package. - Already submitted details: information already sent to listing sites is not deleted by canceling, but Search Atlas cannot push new edits for you until the plan is active again. 🛠️ How to maintain listings if you leave If you leave Search Atlas, you become responsible for keeping your business details accurate. Do this before or as you cancel: 1. Copy your current business details from the platform, including name, address, phone, website, hours, and categories. 2. Save any listing status notes you still need. You will not be able to open them after access ends. 3. Update major listing sites directly with the business owner account, where those sites let you claim or edit a profile. 4. Keep one master record of your details and use that same information everywhere so your listings stay consistent. 5. If you want Search Atlas to keep managing updates, reactivate a plan that includes local listings before the details change. Search Atlas cannot edit listings, refresh distribution, or restore dashboard access while the subscription is canceled. Reactivating the plan restores management. It does not restart a yearly term that was already purchased unless your billing view shows a new purchase. ✅ What to check before you cancel - Confirm whether your listings term and your platform subscription end on different dates. - Export or copy every business detail you may need later. - Finish any open listing edits while you still have access. - Decide who will update third-party profiles after you leave. Canceling stops future platform management. It is not a way to keep using local listing tools for the rest of a prepaid year. 💬 If your access does not match your purchase If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.

Last updated on Oct 29, 2026