Google Issues Guidelines for Tennessee Search Engine Law Compliance

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google published new guidelines for Tennessee small businesses to help them comply with a state law addressing search engine blacklisting and the removal of online reviews, effective July 1.

The new law, Senate Bill 2262 (SB 2262), aims to protect small businesses with 50 or fewer employees from having their visibility significantly reduced or their reviews deleted by search engines.

The legislation defines “blacklist” as reducing a website’s visibility, removing it from search results, or deleting 25 percent or more of a business’s online reviews. This measure seeks to increase transparency and accountability for search engine operators.

Initially, the law mandated that search engines notify blacklisted businesses. However, an April 6, 2026, amendment replaced this requirement with a provision granting small businesses the right to demand an explanation from search engines.

Under the amended law, search engines must respond to such requests within five business days. Their response must include an explanation, a justification for the action, and a clear appeal process for the affected business.

Google’s new guidelines advise Tennessee small businesses to verify their website ownership in Google Search Console. The company stated that this step is essential for businesses to receive important notifications directly from Google.

Additionally, Google recommended that businesses claim and actively manage their Google Business Profile listings. This management helps ensure that their information is accurate and that they can effectively interact with customers online.

The Search Console platform provides several benefits for businesses, according to Google. These include alerts for potential spam issues, policy violations, legal removal requests, and security concerns that could impact their online presence.

Google’s proactive release of these guidelines emphasized its effort to comply with the new Tennessee statute, which is designed to provide greater protections for small businesses operating within the state.

The company emphasized that these steps are intended to facilitate communication between Google and small businesses, ensuring they are aware of any actions taken regarding their search engine visibility or online reviews.

Source: Search Engine Journal