Google My Business Updates You Need To Know About

‘Google My Business' is now called ‘Google Business Profile’. If you used to access your listing on the dedicated Google My Business website, you can still do that for a while, but in the next few months, it will transition to support primarily larger businesses with multiple profiles and will be renamed “Business Profile Manager”.

The BIGGEST CHANGE to GMB is that you can now claim or manage your Business Profile directly on Google Search or the Google Maps app, products we all already use. It can be on your desktop, laptop, tablet or smart phone.

As before, with your Google Business Profile, you can:

• Edit your profile: Easily update your business information, adjust your hours or add a menu.
• Promote your business: Add photos or updates to stand out on Google.
• Connect with your customers: Connect with your customers by responding to reviews and questions.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
First, sign in to the account that you use to manage the Google Business Profile. If new to this tool, you’ll see an option to claim and verify the associated Business Profile. 

If you already have a verified listing, you'll notice you'll be able to edit your business information, including the address, store hours, photos and more. You will also have the ability to write posts, turn on instant messaging with prospective clients or manage your reviews.

Watch this video from Google that explains the new change

Google announced that Search and Maps would feature additional tools, exclusive to these platforms, to help businesses understand and enhance their online performance. I'll keep an eye on announcements and update you as they happen.

From now on though, you no longer need to use the separate Google My Business website or the GMB mobile app. In 2022, the Google My Business app will be retired so small businesses can take advantage of the upgraded merchant experience on Google Maps and Search. 

There are even more exciting features being rolled out, but only in USA and Canada for the moment. The rest of the world, including Australia, will have to wait a bit longer.

An example of these features is the “in stock” filter on Search where shoppers can see only the nearby stores that have a specific item i stock. To make sure products show up, retailers in the USA and Canada would have to sign up for Pointy from Google — free of charge and right from the Business Profile on Search. Pointy helps local businesses automatically upload all in-store product inventory by connecting directly to their existing point of sale system. Of course, individual products can also be manually added to a Business Profile on Search.

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