Google Publishes Tennessee Search “Blacklist” Guidance via @sejournal, @martinibuster

Google published guidance on "search blacklisting" on March 13, 2024, following the enactment of Tennessee's new law that empowers small businesses to contest the removal of their online visibility and customer reviews. This legislation, signed into law by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on March 11, 2024, allows businesses to seek legal recourse if they believe their search engine rankings or online reputation have been unfairly diminished. The law specifically addresses situations where search engines or other online platforms might de-rank or remove content associated with a business without sufficient cause, potentially impacting their customer reach and revenue. The guidance from Google aims to clarify how the company will interpret and comply with the new state regulations, ensuring transparency for businesses operating within Tennessee. The Search Engine Journal reported on the publication of this guidance, highlighting the potential implications for how search engines manage content and business listings in response to state-level legislative actions.