Starting July 1, 2026, small businesses in the state of Tennessee will have a formal right: if Google removes them from search results or reduces their reviews by 25% or more, they can demand an explanation — and Google must respond within 5 business days.
It's called SB 2262, and it's one of the first laws in the world to require transparency from search engines toward small businesses.
Google responded by publishing official guidance on Google Search Central with instructions for receiving the notifications the law requires.
What SB 2262 Requires
The law was passed in Tennessee and amended on April 6, 2026. In its final version, it requires that:
- Small businesses can contact a search engine if they suspect they've been "blacklisted" or have seen their reviews reduced by more than 25%
- The search engine must respond within 5 business days, providing:
- An explanation of the action taken
- The technical or policy justification
- The process for appealing or requesting reinstatement
It's a law that places a real procedural constraint on something that used to be completely opaque: the possibility of disappearing from Google without knowing why.
How It Works in Practice with Google
Google has published official guidance for businesses that want to enable the notifications required by the law. The mechanism is simple:
To receive notifications: Businesses must verify their site through Google Search Console. Once verified, Search Console becomes the channel through which Google sends communications about actions affecting visibility.
If you haven't verified your site in Search Console yet — regardless of Tennessee — you should do it anyway. It's Google's free tool that shows how your site appears in search, flags technical issues, and now also delivers communications about any penalties.
Why This Matters Beyond the US
The law only applies to Tennessee. But it's a signal of a broader trend.
In recent years, small businesses around the world have complained about the same thing: disappearing from Google without clear explanations, seeing reviews drop without understanding why, having no one to turn to. In Europe, the Digital Markets Act (DMA) contains some similar protections for businesses against dominant platforms, though through different mechanisms.
Tennessee is likely the first of many legislatures to say that search algorithm transparency isn't optional — it's a right for businesses that depend on those results.
For Italian Businesses: What to Do Now
The law doesn't apply in Italy, but the best practices it triggers are valid everywhere:
- Verify your site in Search Console — it's free and gives you access to Google's official communications
- Monitor your reviews on Google Business Profile — sudden drops can indicate a manual or automatic review
- Read up on Google's Search Guidelines — understanding what Google considers a penalty helps you prevent it, not just react to it
Tennessee's law doesn't solve the problem of algorithmic transparency — it's one state out of fifty. But it's a precedent. And precedents have a habit of spreading.