News
Local search news, translated for Georgian Bay businesses.
Google changes something that affects local businesses roughly every week. Most of it you can ignore. When you should not, we write it up here: what actually changed, the primary sources, and what a Collingwood or Wasaga Beach service business should do about it. Short reads, no filler. The long-form playbooks live on the blog.
- News
Lake Ontario is now Lake America on Google Maps, but only in the US
US users of Google Maps now see Lake America for Lake Ontario. Canadian users still see Lake Ontario, and a Collingwood business changes nothing.
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Google Just Expanded Local Services Ads Booking Partners by 2,400%
Google grew its Local Services Ads booking-partner network from 20 to over 500, auto-enabling direct booking from ads. Here's what changes for trades.
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Google Local Service Ads Now Pay Out Leads Before Your Badge Is Done
Google now lets Local Service Ads run pre-badge in Canada, so a Collingwood plumber or HVAC contractor can get leads before the badge finishes.
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Google Will Start Charging You For Missed Local Services Ads Calls on October 1
Starting October 1, 2026, Google charges Local Services Ads advertisers for missed calls over 20 seconds and follow-up calls. Here's what changes and what to do.
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Search Console's AI Impressions Report Is Live For Almost Everyone
Google's generative AI report is now in nearly every Search Console. It counts impressions in AI Overviews and AI Mode, but shows no clicks and no queries.
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Google Now Lets You See What It Collected About Your Business From Phone Calls
Google confirmed a new 'Collected Info' tab in the Business Profile dashboard showing data gathered from automated verification calls. Here is how to check it and fix wrong entries.
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Google Reviews Vanished From Business Profiles in July: It Is a Bug, Not a Penalty
If your Google reviews vanished in July 2026, it is a confirmed bug, not a penalty. Two Business Profile faults in one week, and what to do now.
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