It seems sense that businesses would be curious in how Search Generative Experience (SGE) may impact local search results, given that over 90% of consumers find local businesses online. According to initial results, local companies will face more opportunities from Google’s SGE than competition.
What is Google SGE?
The Search Generative Experience, or Google SGE, is a continuous Google Search experiment. With the use of AI models like Gemini, Search Generative Experience creates AI-powered snapshots that aim to address user search intent and give frequently asked follow-up questions.
What Is Google SGE For Local Search?
Google states that SGE for local search “uses AI-powered insights to make it easy to compare and explore options while providing context about local places.” These insights may include a map displaying the company’s location and a synopsis of the company’s qualifications and ratings.
How Does Google SGE Affect Local Searches?
There are several ways that Google SGE influences local searches, including the following:
- Visibility: Paid advertisements are shown beneath Search Generative Experience and above organic search results. The average height of SGE snapshots is 1764 pixels, therefore this arrangement greatly reduces the appearance of organic search results.
- Functionality: Search Generative Experience functions more like an answer engine than a search engine, in contrast to Google Search. In addition to receiving AI-powered summaries in answer to their queries, users may interact with SGE by posing suggested or personalized queries.
- User journey: According to Google, local searches “often have multiple angles or dimensions to explore.” With SGE, people can explore those angles from within SGE, though Google states, “people can explore a wide range of content…on the web” from SGE. Local searches “often have multiple angles or levels to explore,” according to Google. Although Google claims that “people can explore a wide range of content…on the web” using SGE, users can investigate those perspectives from within SGE.
- User adoption: Whether users adopt Search Generative Experience is the biggest (missing) piece to its impact on local (and non-local) search. According to Google CEO Sundar Pichai, “Our early testing shows that we’ll be able to get [generative AI in search] right.”
Although these characteristics have a significant impact on non-local searches, they have a less effect on local search results. How come? SGE snapshots for local searches are almost the same as those for local 3-packs, meaning that users must choose to participate rather than having them generated automatically.
How Does Google SGE Affect Local SEO?
Google SGE (Search Engine) has an impact on local searches, which directly influences local search engine optimization (SEO). For instance, businesses may experience a decline in organic search traffic, which might have an impact on important company indicators such as online lead generation, phone calls, and in-store visits and sales. Implementing effective local SEO strategies, such as those offered by Elite SEO Pro, can help businesses mitigate the effects of Google SGE updates and maintain their visibility and competitiveness in local search results.
As a result, companies will have to reset benchmarks and expectations for local SEO efforts.
An SGE traffic impact assessment, which determines which keywords are most likely to result in fewer site visits due to SGE snapshots and whether your company appears in those snapshots, can help you reset performance goals.
It is noteworthy to highlight that compared to traditional search, SGE has a significantly lesser influence on local search.
Should I Optimize For Location-Based SGE Snapshots?
Yes.
Even though users must take action to produce location-based SGE snapshots, Google Search’s Search Generative Experience is still a developing feature; users must opt in through Google Labs to utilize it. Its snapshots could continue to provide special value to local searches.
Additionally, having your business included in these snapshots increases its exposure in Google Search, both inside and outside of Search Generative Experience, regardless of how many or how few users create them
How to Optimize For Location-Based SGE Snapshots
Learn how to optimize for location-based SGE snapshots with the tips below:
Continue local SEO
Local search engine optimization is a technique carried out by businesses featured in SGE snapshots. Thus, keep spending money on Local SEO techniques like expanding your online review base, claiming local listings, and creating on-site geographic data.
Continue making investments in standard search engine optimization as well. It is important to continue SEO efforts since Search Generative Experience snapshots are more frequently displayed on sites with a strong SEO campaign.
Remind people of the value of conventional and local SEO while talking about SGE and how it affects current performance metrics. This will help you maximize possible organic visitors. If not, executives risk overlooking the fact that SEO is still important and essential for company development.
Claim local listings
Claiming local listings is a valuable component of local search engine optimization, and it should be considered when optimizing for local search engine results. This is so because the majority of based on-location SGE images show a rotating wheel approaching a nearby three-pack.
You can claim several local listings, including:
- Google Business Profile
- Apple Maps
- Bing Places
Optimize these local listings with as much relevant information as possible, including:
- Name
- Address
- Phone number
- Business hours
- Products or services
This data helps Google comprehend your company’s offerings, such as whether it offers 24-hour service, which is essential for appearing in a long-tail search result like “24-hour emergency plumber near me.”
Keep your listings updated, too local listing management software can help!
Earn a Google Knowledge Panel
Search Generative Experience uses multiple data sets to generate SGE snapshots, including Google Shopping Graph and Google Knowledge Graph. Obtaining a Google Knowledge Panel gives you access to Google Knowledge Graph, which offers data on:
- People
- Places
- Things
It takes time to obtain a Google Knowledge Panel since Google needs to acknowledge your company as an organization. Creating a “About Us” page (useful for SGE snapshots as well), establishing a trustworthy backlink profile, and utilizing Organization markup are a few popular tactics.
Optimize Google Business Profile
One of the most important components of local SGE optimization is the Google Business Profile. That’s because Google Business Profiles are used by and linked to by the majority of location-based SGE snapshots. Thus, it’s crucial to carry out more local listing optimization than just the basics.
For example, consider also:
- Adding images of your location, team, and work
- Uploading common questions and answers
- Creating a Google Posts calendar for holidays, specials, and other announcements
- Selecting relevant Google Business Profile categories
- Providing additional details, like parking availability, holiday hours, and more
You can also think about enabling online conversations or appointments. It’s acceptable if your team is unable to support these offers! If you provide them and then don’t deliver on them, users will get upset.
Add Products or Services to Google Business Profile
Even if they are a kind of Google Business Profile optimizing, goods and services should be described separately as they give Google useful details about your company and its capabilities. SGE snapshots may then include this data.
With products or services, you can share:
- Your offerings
- Your prices
- Your availability
These offerings can be found with long-tail searches, such as “24-hour emergency plumber for broken toilet.” The AI-generated summary in the SGE image below includes details unique to this search, such as “can fix toilet issues” and “Shipping quickly for toilet overflow.”
Notice how those highlighted images also switch to photographs of toilets from other company photos. To optimize your SGE look when submitting photographs of your products or services, pick an image that best captures the offering.
Use Local Business markup
Local Business markup is another effective SGE optimization for local searches. Markup provides the AI models behind Search Generative Experience with valuable data about your business, like its name, address, and phone number.
Grow online reviews
Online reviews are critical to local SEO and local SGE optimization. That’s because most local-based SGE snapshots will use information from reviews, like “Some say the technicians are knowledgeable” or “Some say the technicians are professional.”
Attracting online reviews that provide details about the user’s experience, like whether the team was friendly, timely, and professional, will offer more value for this SGE optimization since those reviews provide context.
When it comes to earning online reviews, consider informing users via:
- Physical materials, like business cards or receipts
- Digital materials, like in an email signature or newsletter
However, do not incentivize reviews for Google Business Profile it’s against Google’s policies.
Start Growing Your Local SGE Visibility
Evaluate Search Generative Experience’s potential impact on your business, and start optimizing for SGE snapshots with the above tips. Or, for professional guidance, consider our Google SGE optimization services. Just contact us online to learn more!
Conclusion
In conclusion, understanding and optimizing for Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) is crucial for businesses looking to maintain their visibility and competitiveness in local search results. While SGE may present challenges in terms of organic search traffic and user interaction, it also offers opportunities for businesses to enhance their online presence and attract more customers.
By implementing the strategies outlined above, such as continuing local SEO efforts, claiming local listings, optimizing Google Business Profile, and earning online reviews, businesses can maximize their visibility in SGE snapshots and improve their chances of appearing in relevant local search results.
At Elite SEO Pro, we understand the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the ever-evolving landscape of search engine optimization. Our team of experts is here to help businesses navigate the complexities of SGE optimization and achieve their goals in local search. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you grow your local SGE visibility and drive success for your business.
