Last week we saw two big updates from tech giants Facebook and Google. Both of these changes will have major effects on home service businesses, so read up!

Update #1: Facebook De-Emphasizes Commercial Content

What’s the Update?

Facebook’s user engagement has declined, so in an effort to increase it, Facebook has announced that their algorithm will place less emphasis on commercial content and more priority on content from family and friends.

In the announcement, Facebook acknowledged that as they make these updates, business’s pages “may see their reach, video watch time, and referral traffic decrease.”

How Will This Affect Home Service Businesses?

Unfortunately, this update is going to make it harder than it already is for home service businesses to stand out (or even show up) on Facebook users’ newsfeeds. Facebook acknowledged that, “Pages making posts that people generally don’t react to or comment on could see the biggest decreases in distribution.” This means that home service businesses might be particularly impacted by the update.

We came up with 4 tips to help your business deal with Facebook’s update. Download the infographic below to make sure your business adapts to the changes!

Update #2: Videos on Google My Business

What’s the Update?

Google’s making it easier to show off your video content. Now you can upload videos in your Google My Business dashboard. Videos can be up to 30 seconds long and will appear in the same area that local photos do.

How Will This Affect Home Service Businesses?

Part of making your business more relevant on search is having a strong presence on local listings like Google My Business. By adding the video feature, Google has given businesses the opportunity to use their platform even more—and you should be taking full advantage of what they’re offering. Upload a mini interview with the owner or quick video walk-throughs of some of the work you do. The more info you put in, the more you’ll get out of the platform.