A local news site has no clear statement of where it is based or which area it covers, and articles lack datelines, bylines or dates. Google confirms local news systems that surface local sources, but not the signals used. Google News policies ask for bylines, dates, publisher and contact information, so this check measures those documented inputs as a proxy for being recognised as a local source.
Why does local publisher does not state its location or coverage area matter for AI search?
Google confirms local news systems that surface local sources, but not the signals used. Google News policies ask for bylines, dates, publisher and contact information, so this check measures those documented inputs as a proxy for being recognised as a local source.
How do you fix it?
Add an About page that states ownership, base and coverage area; show bylines, dates and datelines on every article; publish consistent contact details and a news sitemap.
How do you find it on your site?
- Check the About and Contact pages for a stated base location and coverage area.
- Sample 20 recent articles and record whether each shows a byline, date and a place dateline.
- Crawl for the presence of a news sitemap and consistent address details across templates.
- Flag the site if location or coverage area is not stated, or if more than a quarter of sampled articles lack bylines or dates.
Which ranking and citation factors does it touch?
Written for the Local news systems page (evidence: Confirmed). Google has not documented this system in a way a site can test directly, so this check measures a proxy for it, not the system itself.
What is the impact?
Indirect. Estimate only: most relevant to local publishers seeking Top stories and Local news visibility.
What is the evidence?
Google ranking systems guide (local news systems); Google blog posts of November 2021 and August 2022; Google News policies on transparency.
Sources
Frequently asked questions about local publisher does not state its location or coverage area
What does "Local publisher does not state its location or coverage area" mean?
A local news site has no clear statement of where it is based or which area it covers, and articles lack datelines, bylines or dates.
How do you fix local publisher does not state its location or coverage area?
Add an About page that states ownership, base and coverage area; show bylines, dates and datelines on every article; publish consistent contact details and a news sitemap.