Every Major Local SEO Update You Missed

from Q1 2026

April 02, 2026

Did you see the new “Text Message” button in Google’s mobile Local Pack?

Joy Hawkins spotted this last week, and I find it interesting that Google is testing this amid all the recent reports of missing phone numbers from GBPs.

Is Google doing this to ease customer-business communication? Or are they just priming us to utilize this chat functionality so that they can take it away and only provide it on ads? Who’s to say 🤷

Miriam Ellis covers this and 19 more local search developments from the first quarter of 2026 in her newest Local Search Roundup, including:

  • Rand Fishkin’s data on AI market share

  • AI mobile local packs are decimating phone calls (Sterling Sky, Jepto)

  • Old reviews driving AI summary misinformation (Claudia Tomina)

  • Agentic prompts popping up all over Google

  • How to build a business around LSAs (Near Media)

Read the full Q1 2026 Roundup here 👇️

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