Google Doesn’t Want People To Leave Google

Why You’re Not Showing Up on Google (And What You Can Do About It) 🔍

Let’s be honest, Google isn’t what it used to be. Once the internet’s open gateway, it’s now a gated community where only those who play by Google’s rules (or pay enough) get invited in.

If you’ve been putting in serious effort with SEO and still feel invisible… you’re not imagining it.
I attended a lecture recently that confirmed what many of us have felt for a while: Google’s priority isn’t showing users the best content; it’s keeping them on Google products.

Google's algorithm now favors:

• Sponsored listings (even if the business is miles away)

• YouTube videos (because Google owns it)

• Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business)

• Big retailers who can afford to run constant ads

That means the best product, the best content, or even the best local business might not show up at all—unless you're part of the Google ecosystem.

Just look at my recent search for a vintage store near me:
→ The top results were ads from national resellers like ThredUp.
→ The first result on maps? A sponsored post for a business (What Goes Around) 40 minutes away!!!!
→ Stores on my same block showed up second and fourth on search results.
If you’re a small retail store—online, brick and mortar, or both—this has major implications.

So What Can You Do? You Show Up On Google Their Way.

You have two paths: organic and paid. And let’s be clear, you need both.

✅ Organic Must-Haves (and most are free!)

1. Claim & Optimize Your Google Business Profile

   • This is non-negotiable for physical stores.

   • Add photos, your hours, product info, and keep it updated.

   • You can post updates like you would on Facebook or Instagram. Yes! Google wants fresh content here, too.

2. Use Google Shopping (Even If You're Small)

   • Shopify store? Sync your product feed with Google Merchant Center.

   • It’s free to appear in Google’s shopping tab organically and ads can be layered on top.

3. Post to YouTube

   • If you’re already making TikToks or Reels, repost them as YouTube Shorts.

   • Google heavily favors YouTube content in search, especially when there are few competing videos in your niche.

💰 Paid Options That Get You Seen Fast

1. Google Ads

   • Unlike Facebook, you can start with a much smaller budget: $50 to $75/day goes a long way.

   • These ads let you show up above SEO results, above organic listings, and right when someone is actively searching for what you sell.

2. YouTube Ads

   • Still underused by small businesses, but incredibly powerful.

   • Perfect if you’re already creating video content.

Reality Check: If You’re Not On a Google Product, You’re Not on Google.

Let’s call it what it is: If you’re not showing up in Maps, not running Shopping ads, and not publishing to YouTube - you are invisible. No matter how much time you’ve spent blogging, updating your website, or chasing SEO rankings.

But here’s the opportunity: Google still gives small businesses a path in. You just have to speak its language. That means playing the game with tools like:

• Google Business Profile

• Google Ads

• Google Shopping Feed

• YouTube Shorts

TLDR: Want to Show Up on Google? Play in Their Ecosystem.

Google is prioritizing its own products and its own revenue streams. That’s not changing anytime soon.

But the good news is: you can still show up—if you play the game. Get on Google Business. Run Google Ads. Start uploading to YouTube. Small consistent efforts here are often cheaper and more effective than relying solely on SEO or Facebook alone.

You don’t need to overhaul your business. You just need to show up where Google wants you to.

Need help getting your Google presence dialed in? Let's chat—we do this every day. 💬