Google Tests Moving Business Profile Posts Higher in Local Panels
What happened
Google appears to be testing a higher placement for Google Posts within local Business Profile panels in search results.
The change was spotted by local SEO consultant Ben Fisher and reported by Search Engine Roundtable on 19 October 2026. Fisher noted that Google Posts — the short updates businesses can publish through their Google Business Profile — are appearing higher in the knowledge panel than their usual position at the bottom.
Fisher described the behaviour as a test, saying posts appear to shift up for roughly three days and then move back down again. This suggests Google is experimenting with the placement rather than rolling out a permanent change.
For context, Google originally displayed Posts prominently in local panels when the feature launched in 2017. In late 2018, Google moved Posts to the bottom of the panel, where they've sat ever since — largely invisible to searchers who don't scroll down. If this test becomes permanent, it would reverse that six-year demotion.
What this means for tradespeople
Google Posts have been the most underused feature in most tradespeople's Google Business Profiles. And for good reason: buried at the bottom of the panel, almost nobody saw them.
If Google moves Posts back up, that changes. Your latest update, offer, or job photo could appear right below your business name, reviews, and contact details — exactly where potential customers are looking. For a plumber posting a before-and-after photo of a bathroom refit, or an electrician sharing a completed fuse board upgrade, that's valuable visibility for zero cost.
Even if the test doesn't stick, it signals that Google still sees value in Posts as a ranking and engagement signal. Businesses that publish Posts regularly may already be getting a small local ranking boost — and a higher placement would reward that habit further.
What to do about it
- Start posting if you're not already. Google Posts are free and take two minutes. Share a recent job photo, a seasonal tip, or a short update every week or two.
- Keep posts fresh. Google Posts expire after seven days unless they're event-type posts. A profile with an expired post looks abandoned — worse than no post at all.
- Use photos, not just text. Posts with images get significantly more engagement. A clear photo of your work is worth more than a paragraph of text.
- Don't use Posts for promotions. Google recently banned promotional content and pricing in Business Profile listings — but Posts are still fine for offers. Keep listing descriptions factual and save the promotions for Posts.
Source: Search Engine Roundtable