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    Google ad change could affect millions of small businesses

    By SHOOTNo Comments275 Views
    Google logos are displayed when searched for Google in New York, Sept. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)

    By Mae Anderson, Business Writer

    NEW YORK (AP) --

    Google is changing the way its Google Local Services ads work, which could affect millions of small businesses.

    Google Local Services ads run locally and are a big way that small businesses market their goods and services. Ads appear on the top of Google search results.

    Starting Nov. 21, only businesses with a verified Google Business Profile will be able to run the ads.

    The change affects businesses in Europe, the Middle East and Africa and “select” businesses in the U.S. and Canada, Google said in an online post. The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

    The change is an effort to crack down on fraud. But legitimate small businesses could be hurt if they’re unaware of the change. If a small business’ Google Business Profile’s name and address doesn’t match the information with the ad, advertising will be paused.

    Getting verified on Google isn’t difficult, but it does take some time. Business owners must add or claim their business address on Google. Then owners will need to verify the address through phone, text, email, or video.

    The process varies by business category and location and may include giving information about background, business registration, insurance, and license checks.

    Google’s verifications can take up to seven business days. Once a business is verified, its owner gets notified.

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    Tags:GoogleGoogle Local Services



    Barbra Streisand won’t attend Cannes Palme d’Or ceremony after a knee injury

    Sunday, May 17, 2026
    Singer Barbra Streisand performs in New York, Oct. 11, 2012. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)

    Barbra Streisand announced on Sunday that she will not attend the Cannes Film Festival 's closing ceremony later this week where she was to receive an honorary Palme d'Or, after sustaining a knee injury.

    The festival organizers said they would still honor the singer-actor despite her absence, according to a press release that carried Streisand's statement.

    "On the advice of my doctors, as I continue recovering from a knee injury, I am sadly unable to attend the Festival de Cannes this year," she said in the statement. "But I am deeply honored to receive the honorary Palme d'Or and had so been looking forward to celebrating the remarkable films of the 79th edition."

    "I was also very much looking forward to spending time with colleagues whom I so admire — and, of course, returning to France, a place I have always loved," Streisand added. "My heartfelt thanks to the Festival, and to everyone who continues to support and champion the art of cinema."

    During its opening ceremony, the Cannes Film Festival gave Peter Jackson an honorary Palme d'Or.

    It also surprised John Travolta on Friday with one ahead of the premiere of his directorial debut, "Propeller One-Way Night Coach" at the Cannes festival.

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