"How customers find your listing" is one of the core GMB insights data points, but the concept of Brand Searches can cause some confusion.

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We find that the best way to explain the distinction is to present the Google Help description, along with real-world examples.

Direct Searches

This occurs when a customer directly searches for your business name or address with local intent.

For example, "Starbucks on Taylor Street". This search for a specific store location results in a direct search return for that location.

Discovery Searches

This occurs when a customer searches for a category, product, or service that you offer, and your listing appears.

For example, "coffee shop near me". Each of the locations returned in the search will record a discovery search.

Brand Searches

This occurs when a customer searches for your brand or a brand related to your business.

For example, "Starbucks" or "Starbucks beans in grocery store". In the first example below, the top of the result page shows Starbucks corporate logo, but further down the page a map pack is presented. These locations will record a Brand Research.

The second image shows the other way in which a brand search can be achieved. Each of the grocery stores return a search for a product that they believe is sold in their stores. The one Starbucks and the two Jewel-Osco locations will record a brand search.

Summary

The following table presents the distinctions in summary.

Questions?

Let us know if you still have any questions. We're here to help at [email protected].