Home » Google confirms opening hours as a ranking factor for local searches

Google confirms opening hours as a ranking factor for local searches

Rate this post

Google has confirmed that opening hours will become a “stronger” ranking signal for local search in 2024. This change highlights the importance of listing accurate business hours on Google. Listing false opening hours can now have negative consequences as. Google adjusts its algorithms and signals based on rankings.

Keeping your opening hours up-to

Date on Google Business Profiles is essential to ensuring your business is visible in search results and providing a positive email list customer experience. This information plays a key role in how search results are displayed and how users choose which businesses to visit. 

Recent findings from SEO experts also suggest that Google has recalibrated its local search algorithm. Placing more emphasis on a business’s listed hours of operation as a key ranking signal.

This trend became noticeable after the November 2023 core update. Which resulted in businesses showing as closed being significantly less visible in local search results.

Uptime is a “stronger” signal in local SEO

Hours of operation have been confirmed as a “stronger” signal in local ranking systems. Google confirmed these observations. Noting that “hours of operation” has recently become a stronger signal for local searches. This change signals the importance of accurately reporting business hours on Google’s platform. Google is likely adjusting its algorithms and ranking signals to better evaluate and display relevant results for search users. Keeping up-to-date hours of operation information is therefore crucial for businesses. To ensure visibility in search results and provide reliable information to customers.

Will this update cause false continuous operating hours?

This recent update. which prioritizes businesses that are currently open in search. May encourage some businesses to falsely list their hours of operation to improve their visibility in local search. However. This approach could lead to let’s start with the obvious a poor user experience for visitors who arrive at a business when it is not actually open. Google has already expressed concerns about this potential manipulation of hours of operation and has responded quickly. Advising against the practice and warning that such behavior could result in the termination of a Google Business Account. It has also urged businesses to only list truthful information about their hours of operation to ensure the credibility.

What does this mean for you?

Local businesses should keep their business hours up to date on their Google Business Profiles  – especially during the holidays – as this burkina faso business directory could impact visibility in local search. This update 

can increase visibility in local search rankings and attract more customers from the area. especially if competitors are closed.

 

Scroll to Top