Local Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries Disappearing from Google Maps when Plurals used.

[isenselogic]

This is the second time I have posted this question and never got a satisfactory result.

I have an SEO client in Tacoma Wa and when you type (Dispensaries Near Tacoma they are in the Top 3 snack pack and the Google maps shows 20 other similar businesses. However, when you search (Dispensary Near Tacoma) only 3 or 5 recreational marijuana shops show up and my client disappears. Someone earlier suggested it could be because of the categories selection, but that can't affect ALL the other shops and like I said it happens in other cities. for example Dispensary Near Olympia vs Dispensaries Near Olympia.  I have the full write up and pictures and diagrams on my blog. Please HELP! This could affect your future clients also.

https://isenselogic.com/local-business-disappearing-on-google-maps-when-plurals-used/

[MiriamEllis]

Good Morning, Isenselogic,

I totally understand the frustration here, but it sounds to me like you need to have an important conversation with this client regarding the fact that no SEO has the ability to control Google's presentation of its data. For whatever reason, Google considers your client more relevant to the plural form of this search than to the singular form, and they also feel that the user is best served by the more limited results for the latter. Google has always treated singular and plural keywords differently, and in local, they do all kinds of zoom variations based on perceived intent and user location. If the client is expecting you to change Google's mind about this, then this is an unreasonable expectation and one you need to sit down and talk them out of, if you can. SEOs can implement best practices but do not control SERPs.

That being said, one thing I do notice looking at those two sets of SERPs is that the 3 showing up for the singular keyword phrase have selected a different primary category than your client. Your client is listed as an "herb shop" and they are all listed as "cannabis stores". So, one experiment you could do would be to see if changing your client's primary category would vary the way they are being displayed. But, of course, before you dive into doing that, you need to let the client know that changing primary categories can seriously alter rankings. So, you'd need to present this as an experiment and then track results and see how it went. If, however, Google is tied to the idea that they only want to show 3 results for that particular phrase, then you cannot guarantee that the client will be one of the 3 and you can't "convince" Google to show more than 3 results if they want to show 3 of them.

Theoretically, if your client is stronger (in all of the various ranking factors) than any of the results in that set, changing their primary category could cause them to displace one of the 3 competitors, but be sure you're setting the client's expectations properly by telling them you can't guarantee anything. If the client won't be reasonable about this, it may be time to end the contract.

[isenselogic]

Thank you for your response. The category cannot be the factor because other dispensaries in Tacoma with the same category are disappearing on the same query.  For example, Mary Mart, and clear choice cannabis both disappear from maps and they have the same category as the ones showing up when you search dispensary near Tacoma. I have tested this in multiple cities and it happens in each one. The reason this is such a big issue is according to MOZ keyword research Dispensary Near Me is the number one searched term. I am in contact with Google My Business Support and I will let you know their response soon.

Another point that I would like to make Dispensary Near Me is the number search term BECAUSE GOOGLE MADE it the number one autocomplete word when people are driving and searching on their mobile phone. To erase 90 percent of similar businesses is unfair and anti-competitive.

[isenselogic]

Well Well What do you know, 2 days after blasting this issue all over the internet it MIRACULOUS fixed itself

Actually, I contacted Google Support through Google My Business Login they have an email and a live chat feature where you can voice your concerns. Now what was that about not being able to change Google SERPS you were saying????

Now google Dispensary Near Tacoma and Dispensaries Near Tacoma all the businesses show. how about that.

[isenselogic]

Yes, I was able to contact Google Support via Google My Business. They somehow fixed it on their end. However, I still see the same problem with similar searches. For example Google (Pot Stores Tacoma Wa), and then Google (Pot Store Tacoma WA). On the first search, only three businesses show, on the second search ALL the businesses show. I am googling from out of state so distance and centroid shouldn't affect the SERPS>