Is Google My Business Gone?
Yesterday, Google has dropped in an announcement we’ve been expecting to happen one day… The local search platform Google My Business will be renamed once again. By no means is Google My Business gone forever – it will be known as Google Business Profile from 2022 onwards and it will serve SMBs.
Why does Google My Business change its name?
The reason behind this particular change, according to Google, is to “keep things simple”. Previously GMB has had other iconic names – Google Places, Google+ Local, to name a few. While we were expecting a name shift at one point, we didn’t think there would be another reason for it, apart from the pattern of doing so in the past. Is Google My Business gone then? Seems like its name and looks are. But there’s more to this change…
What is the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile?
Google has stated that moving forward, businesses with individual listings find it easier to manage their location in Search and Maps, but not in the Google My Business platform. Instead, GMB (or the newly born Google Business Profile) will be the place where chains or multiple-listings businesses will operate their local search management. Again, in order to “keep things simple”. We approve the fact that small businesses will still get the opportunity to manage their locations with less hassle, due to the simplified interface of Search and Maps.
Google My Business for larger businesses only?
The rebranded GMB interface will serve larger businesses with multiple locations and will have the name Business Profile Manager. The platform we knew as Google My Business will be redirected and “enabled” for large players only.
Are there any new features to Google Business Profile?
Some exciting new features have been added to this update as well. Businesses will be able to claim and verify their Google Business Profile directly in Google Search and Google Maps. That will save a lot of time and will be a nice new addition to the user experience.
Messaging will be available directly from Google Search (so far it has only been accessible from Google Maps) with read receipts for both parties. This means users will have an easier and faster way to communicate with managers about products and services, or simply ask a question. Also, call history will become available in the US and Canada for verified profiles.
How to access Google Business Profile?
Simply search for your business in Google Search or Google Maps, or type in “my business” in Google Search. You will see the businesses you have claimed and verified from your logged-in account.
How will this affect Local Ads?
In addition to this GMB update, Google Ads will now allow you to plan your local campaign budgets using the Performance Planner. It helps you get an overview of your performance on KPIs, forecast your campaign outcomes, get an understanding of seasonal campaigns and manage budgets across accounts and campaigns.
What does this mean for GMBapi.com?
In terms of branding, we will stay true to ourselves and not change our well-known URL. With so many name shifts in the past, we’ve seen people using the name they were used to, not the latest one. Even now, many marketers would first type in google.com/places (as of one of the previous names of GMB), and get redirected to google.com/business. For us, the most important thing would be to still help businesses and agencies get the most of their data, regardless of the naming specifics. Therefore, we believe Google my Business is not gone, it just has shinier new looks, but essentially it will become much more powerful. Curious to learn more about the latest features of GMBapi.com? Stay tuned for some cool platform updates!
