Have you ever searched for a specific company online, only to see their competitors pop up in the results?
Well, if you run a local business, this might become your new reality thanks to a critical bug in Google’s Local Services Ads (LSA) platform.
This local services ads bug, affecting the recently launched “Direct Business Search” feature, is causing a major headache for businesses and raising concerns about user experience and fair competition.
What’s the Problem?
(Local Services Ads Bug Encountered)
Businesses Appearing in Search Results for Competitors Names.
Direct Business Search was supposed to be a boon for local businesses, allowing them to appear prominently when their brand name is directly searched.
However, a bug has thrown a wrench in the works, instead showing competitors in the search results for branded queries.
This not only misleads users searching for a specific company but also diverts potential customers to rivals.
Why Does It Matter?
This bug undermines user trust in Google’s search results and puts businesses at a significant disadvantage.
Imagine searching for “ABC Plumbing” and seeing “XYZ Plumbing” instead.
Not only is the user confused, but ABC Plumbing loses valuable leads.
Initial Discovery
SEO consultant Joy Hawkins, founder of Sterling Sky Inc., first brought attention to this issue on X (formerly Twitter).
She highlighted the problem through a screenshot of Google SERP for the query “a1 garage door service,” initially observed in January 2024, and reiterated in February 2024.
What’s Google Doing?
(On Local Services Ads)
Google has acknowledged the bug and assured users a fix is underway. However, the impact on businesses and user experience remains to be seen.
Google Ads Liaison Officer Ginny Marvin responded to Hawkins’ post on X, writing:
This is a bug (and it was thought to be a non-brand query) – a fix is underway.
Stay Updated
This developing story has the potential to significantly impact local businesses relying on online visibility. Stay tuned for further updates on the fix and potential long-term implications of this bug.
Disclaimer: This news is relevant to local businesses, marketing professionals, and anyone concerned about the accuracy and fairness of online search results.
