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  5. Is there a purpose to the "google my business" description?

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Is there a purpose to the "google my business" description?

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  • coolhandluc
    coolhandluc last edited by Oct 9, 2015, 11:51 AM

    Hi there

    Can someone tell me if the description serves a purpose in the google my business profile since:
    a) It is not displayed anywhere as far as i have seen (maps, 3 pack local results, knowledge graph, organic results)
    b) It is no longer considered as a ranking factor since it was abused so much

    Thanks

    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
    • MiriamEllis
      MiriamEllis Subject Expert last edited by Oct 9, 2015, 5:09 PM Oct 9, 2015, 5:09 PM

      Hey Neil,

      Smart topic, and yes, you are right that Google has stopped showing the description in pretty much any relevant place. It's still showing on Google+ Local pages, but as almost no links exist to Google+ Local pages anymore, few people are likely to ever seen the description. Nevertheless, the description is information you are giving to Google about your business, even if they don't display it. So, in my opinion, it's still worth it to write a good, non-spammy description.

      On a side note, I find it particularly weird that a couple of GMB dashboard updates ago, Google went to the trouble of allowing rich text in the description. That seemed like a great feature. But, it's become of rather minimal value now, with the description being all but absent from what the typical user will see.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
      • BeanstalkIM
        BeanstalkIM last edited by Oct 9, 2015, 3:01 PM Oct 9, 2015, 3:01 PM

        Always a good rule of thumb to follow Josh's advice here.  If Google gives you an opportunity to give them more info about your business or site ... drink the Kool-Aid and do it. 🙂

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
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