That both technology and the digital world are constantly evolving is not something that takes us by surprise. That is why it is easy for a news item to appear every day informing about a change or update. This time it is Google who makes changes again. And the fact is that the Mountain View company is one of the companies that is most committed to improving the operation of its web browser. Through new functionalities it always achieves its main objective, which is none other than to improve the user experience. The latest of the latest is the name change Google My Business GMB, from now on it will be called Google Business Profile GBP.
This particular tool has undergone several name changes since 2005;
- Google Local Center (2005)
- Google Places (2009)
- Google+ Local (2011)
- Google My Business (2014)
- Google Business Profile (2021)
Surely, like us, you will have done the following … What will be the reason for this new name change? Well, at Somos Sinapsis, we believe that it is simply none other than simplifying things, since we know that in 2022 they will permanently withdraw the My Business application. What is intended is that companies manage their individual listings directly in Google search or Google Maps. Either through the web interface or mobile applications.
A much more accessible change
During the last days, Google has been updating the application and verification process for professional profiles within its platform. Making with this that they are more comfortable and easy to manage. The accessibility and simplicity is based on the possibility of doing it directly through the Google search engine or Google Maps.
In this way, it will only be necessary to search the name of the business on Google. This will allow us to obtain in the result the choice to request or examine the business profile that is associated with that term. Once done, any type of information can be modified in the same way. In addition, merchants will have the ability to send messages to consumers directly from the Google search platform.
These changes support a new way to access and navigate Google My Business Profile.
These are the main reasons why the company has ensured that Google My Business will disappear for next year. This will end the era of one of the company’s longest-running products.
According to the company’s own statements;
“From now on, we will recommend small businesses to manage their profiles directly in Search or Maps. To keep things simple, ‘Google My Business’ will be renamed ‘Google Business Profile’. And in 2022, we will retire the Google My Business application so that more merchants can take advantage of the improved Search and Maps experience. ”
One of the main discontent of Google My Business users was that their accounts were suspended. This will no longer be a problem thanks to this tutorial that Google has shared on YouTube:
What will happen from now?
For example, for those companies that have different locations to manage, Google Business Profile will continue to be the place to manage the listings. Additionally, they announced that additional tools will be available shortly to help understand and improve local search performance.
With the new Google Business Profile you will be able to;
- Check listings.
- Claim company files.
- Manage questions and answers.
- Receive and send messages to consumers
- Interact with customers.
On the other hand, in a call history function it will appear that calls received from customers come from the commercial profile in Google. Merchants in Canada and the United States will be able to validate their call history to confirm which calls were made from their business profile.
Limitations of Google Business Profile
For now, the update from Google My Business to Google Business Profile will only be available in Canada and the United States.
At Christmas time in which we find ourselves there are two clear types of purchases, those that are organized or planned and those that are last minute. In the first one, consumers review the catalogs and check the availability of their products, just before making the purchase. To help these consumers, Google announced the addition of a new search filter for available items. Thus, the closest stores by location that have the desired product are shown in a very specific way. To streamline the upload process to sellers in Canada and the United States, the Pointy tool will be accessible. The tool will allow you to automatically upload all the business inventory to your profile on the platform just by connecting to your POS.