Google now allows businesses to add social media links to their business profiles (formerly Google my Business), allowing businesses to increase the visibility of their social media accounts on the SERP and in Google Maps. This new option allows businesses to offer potential customers more ways to connect and obtain information. It allows businesses that put a lot of time and effort into social media to show a piece of authority in the local customer journey and/or gain more followers.
Rollout of the New Feature
Google’s new help centre page explains that businesses can now have control over which social media links are displayed on their Google business profile.
Businesses can add one link per social media platform to their business profile. The supported platforms include Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. The feature is being rolled out gradually and is available in specific regions. In the Netherlands, it has been available for about two weeks now, but large companies (with many branches) cannot yet add it via the API, Local SEO tools (such as Uberall or Yext), or through the famous “bulk upload sheet”. So bad news for the bigger players, who have to enter it manually if they want to be the first.
How to use the new feature
To add a social media link to a Google Business profile, companies must open their GBP, click on ‘Edit Profile,’ then scroll down to the ‘Social profiles’ section. Click on the ‘Add social profile’ button, then choose the social platform and add the link. Note: It is important that you add the correct URL to these fields. The URL of your social media profiles should not redirect to the final destination.
By following these steps, Google will gain confidence that the social profiles belong to your business, recognize the relevance of your social media profiles and link them to your Google Company Profile.
Previously, Google only showed social media links on Google business profiles if Google determined that the profiles were relevant and prominent. This could not be managed directly. It used to be mostly extracted from the social media schema markup, but that has not been the case for several years.
Moreover, this enrichment of local business profiles pushes the competitors section (“people also searched for” section) down another inch or two, and every centimetre makes a small difference.
We know what is involved
The GMBapi team boasts significant expertise in supporting clients with reputation management, search engine optimization, and fostering business expansion. Our localised SEO software empowers you to effortlessly oversee your multi-location Google Business Profiles. With GMBapi.com, you can save time through:
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Our commitment goes beyond a mere business partnership – we strive to establish authentic connections. Start your journey by setting up a free (GMBapi) trial account.
