Earlier this month, Google announced that they made changes on how to claim and verify your listing on their platform. Additionally, they’ve changed the name of “Google My Business” to “Google Business Profile”.
Since we think that these are important changes in the local search scene, I’ll be sharing some insights to keep you up to speed on what’s new and most important to remember when you make changes to your Google listing.
Change #1: Claiming your Google listings will now be done in Google Search and Maps.
According to Google, their aim here is to make it easier for users to complete verification or resolve other issues with their business profile. I tend to agree, since you can just search your business and be able to edit your profile easily.
They also mentioned that you can perform the same function in Google Maps although, currently, I don’t see that option on both desktop and mobile. I expect this feature, along with other changes (like setting up your profile completely through Search and Maps), to be launched in the coming months, per their announcement.
Note: These Edit profile buttons will only be seen by the owners and managers of the listings.
Google also provided us with a neat trick—just search ‘my business’ in Google Search, and you’ll see your listing appear. You would need to be logged in to your account that manages your listing in order for this to work.
Change #2: Manage your Google Business Profile exclusively through Search and Maps.
Since you’re able to make changes to your business profile through Google Search and Maps, you won’t need to create an account on the Google My Business website, hence, they have changed the name of the website to Google Business Profile and will be retiring the Google My Business app in 2022.
For businesses with multiple profiles (locations), you’ll still be able to access the Google My Business website, but with a new name, “Business Profile Manager”.
Keep in mind, as mentioned in their announcement, that they’re working on “upgrading the merchant experience” on these apps for small businesses to take advantage of.
What I Want You To Take Away From This Blog:
- “Google My Business” has been renamed to “Google Business Profile”.
- The “Google My Business” app will be retired in 2022.
- You’ll now edit your listing in Google Search and Maps.
- Explore some of the newly enabled features through Google Search and Maps.
Okay, over to you…
Have you noticed these changes yet in Google Search and Maps? How have you been adapting to these new updates? Let us know your experience by commenting below and, if you have any questions, feel free to ask at [email protected].
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