Algorithms are constantly evolving, and when it comes to search, Google keeps us on our toes! This year alone, Google has rolled out seven updates to its search algorithm, making it clear that businesses need to stay agile. If you’re in the hospitality industry, especially if you manage restaurant listings, these updates can affect your visibility and success.

But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. At Marqii, we’re dedicated to ensuring your restaurant listings follow the most recent best practices, no matter what changes come our way.

Google's Updates: Why They Matter

On Dec 19, 2024, Google began its December 2024 spam update, which is designed to improve search result quality by targeting websites that violate Google’s spam policies. Unfortunately, that update impacted search rankings for some listings and sites that are clearly not spam.

You may be asking yourself: What does a Google spam update have to do with restaurants, or how does the Google core update affect me?

If you’ve ever noticed a sudden dip or boost in your search rankings, it’s likely due to one of Google’s algorithm updates. These updates are all about improving the quality of search results and making sure users find the most relevant and helpful content when they search. But when Google tweaks its algorithm, it can have a ripple effect on hospitality and restaurant businesses—especially regarding listings.

This year in particular, Google made significant changes, including:

• 4 core updates: These focus on improving the overall search experience.
• 3 spam updates: These updates aim to reduce spammy or low-quality content in search results. The latest spam updates happening most recently this month and last month.

For the average restaurant owner, keeping up with these changes might feel like trying to hit a moving target. 

This is why it’s so important to all of us at Marqii to be in full compliance with Google’s policies, and maintain a close partnership with Google and other leading search engines. We work closely with our partners at Google to stay in the loop and ensure that your online presence stays solid.

What Google's Spam Update Means for Your Business

Spam updates might sound scary, but their purpose is to filter out low-quality content that doesn’t add value for users. If your business has been impacted by the most recent spam update, it could be time to take a closer look at Google’s spam policies and see how they align with your online content.

The good news? If you’ve been focusing on high-quality, helpful content, you’re already on the right track. Google consistently emphasizes that content is king—as long as your main focus is creating content that is useful for users, you’re in good shape. For hospitality businesses, this means that your restaurant’s listings need to be not only accurate but also filled with useful, engaging information.

Key Takeaways From This Year’s Core Updates

While spam updates focus on filtering out the bad, core updates are more about enhancing the overall search experience. Google’s advice for businesses after core updates is pretty simple: keep focusing on quality. They don't suggest specific actions, but they always stress that helpful, relevant content is the key to ranking well.

For restaurant listings, that means you should ensure every detail is accurate and valuable to potential customers. From updated hours to accurate menu descriptions, the content you provide plays a big role in how visible your business is in search results.

How to Stay on Top of Your Local Search Rankings

When it comes to local SEO, especially for restaurants, there are a few critical factors that determine how well your listings perform. Google’s advice for improving local search rankings boils down to these core practices:

1. Enter complete data: Ensure that your restaurant’s details are thorough and up-to-date. This includes address, phone number, category, and attributes.
2. Verify your locations: Make sure all your locations are verified on Google Business Profile. Not sure how to do that? You can get help with verification here.
3. Keep your hours accurate: Update your business hours regularly, especially during holidays and seasonal changes.
4. Manage and respond to reviews: Engaging with customer feedback signals that you care, and Google notices that. Make sure you are responding to all reviews in a timely manner.
5. Add photos: Photos of your location, menu, and happy customers can make your listing stand out.

By following these simple tips, you’re already setting yourself up for success in Google’s ever-changing search machine. But there’s more! Earlier this year, Google also updated its local SEO ranking factors.

Google’s Updated Local Ranking Factors: What You Need to Know

In a recent update, Google simplified its local SEO ranking factors to focus on three key elements: relevance, distance, and prominence. Let’s break down what each of these means for your restaurant listings:

1. Relevance: This is all about how well your business matches what the user is searching for. If someone’s looking for a sushi restaurant in your area, you want to make sure that your listing includes the right keywords (like “sushi,” “Japanese cuisine,” etc.) and accurately describes what you offer. The more relevant your content is to the search query, the more likely you are to show up in search results.
2. Distance: This one is straightforward. When users search for a restaurant, Google considers how far they are from your location. While you can’t control where your customers are, you can make sure your address is accurate and up-to-date across all platforms. That way, if someone’s nearby and craving your cuisine, they’ll easily find you.
3. Prominence: Prominence refers to how well-known and well-regarded your business is. Google considers factors like reviews, links, and even articles about your restaurant. The more positive buzz you generate, the more likely you are to rank higher. So, managing your online reputation—through reviews, social media, and local press—is crucial to boosting your prominence.

How Marqii Helps You Stay Ahead

With so many changes happening, staying on top of your SEO strategy might feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. We are dedicated to monitoring Google updates and adapting our tools to ensure your restaurant’s listings stay optimized. Whether it’s a core update or a spam filter tweak, our goal is to make sure your business doesn’t miss a beat.

Not only do we keep our product updated, but we also act as advocates for our clients in the hospitality industry. We understand the unique challenges you face and work tirelessly to make sure Google knows what’s most important when it comes to hospitality listings and online presence.

As search continues to evolve, we’ll be here to help you stay ahead of the curve. Got questions about how these updates affect your business? We’d love to chat! Schedule time with us today!

If you are a current Marqii client and have questions, reach out to us at support@marqii.com.