Google’s spam update is the biggest search story this week. New reports on image searches and local ads also give local marketers more to watch. Here are the updates most useful to Local Dominator users, with a practical step for each one.
Search Engine Roundtable
- Google’s September 2026 spam update begins. Google started a worldwide rollout on September 24 that may take up to two weeks. If local rankings move, track the change over several days before drawing conclusions. Read more
- Businesses have four days to review some suggested profile edits. Google clarified that owners may have four days to accept or reject a suggested edit after receiving a notification. Google may publish a supported edit if the owner does not respond, so check profile alerts and key details often. Read more
- Google Posts may reject unverified contact details. Google says it may remove posts with contact information it cannot verify, including phone numbers, email addresses, and social handles. For GBP posts, check that any contact details match the business and use the post’s CTA button to guide customers. Read more
Search Engine Land
- Google AI Overviews appeared in 39% of the U.S. desktop searches measured by Comscore. That rate may be different for local searches. Track clicks and leads alongside rankings to see whether your search visibility brings in customers. Read more
- A combined report can hide strong and weak locations. This guide recommends looking at performance by market, location, and search behavior so teams can see where results change. Read more
- Nine checks to audit AI visibility without a paid tool. This guide offers a manual way to check whether AI platforms can find, understand, and recommend a business. It covers the information those systems use to identify a business and its content. Read more
Search Engine Journal
- Search Console adds data for image-based searches. A new filter shows which pages receive visits from searches made with an image, including Google Lens. It does not show the search terms, but local businesses can use it to see whether photos help people find their service pages. Read more
- Google Analytics adds an approved-domain filter. Site owners can now choose which domains send data to their Analytics reports. This may help local teams keep unwanted traffic out of their reports, but they should test the filter before turning it on because active filters change incoming data. Read more
- Google Search traffic fell sharply for news publishers in one report. Chartbeat found a 40.2% year-over-year drop in Google Search traffic across the publishers it measured. That figure does not describe local businesses, but it is a reminder to compare search visits with calls and leads before judging how well a local campaign works. Read more
This week’s updates point to one clear habit: check the details before reacting to a change. Review your Business Profile, watch rankings while the spam update rolls out, and compare search visibility with clicks, calls, and leads. That will help you see what is changing and where to focus next.
