After nearly a decade in the spotlight, Google decided to discontinue its company profile management tool: Google My Business. An app, with which the tech giant Mountain View, helped businesses of all sizes to optimize your Local SEO and to better manage their information, as well as to boost their visibility on local search engines and Maps.
The fact that this project has come to an end, however, does not mean that the U.S. company does not have a replacement; in fact, it has already announced it, and it is called Google Business Profile.
Naturally, this change will open up new opportunities for businesses. First, because business owners will be able to manage their business information more conveniently, either directly from the Google search engine or from the website or app of Google Maps.
Next, here at Webbing, we'll take a closer look at the new features it offers Google Business Profile.
Everything You Need to Know About Google Business Profile
It's a fact that with the launch of Google Business Profile It will be easier for business owners to manage their company information. This is especially true for those who never learned how to use it or found it very difficult to use Google My Business, since the mobile app will no longer be available.
Throughout this year, business management will be handled exclusively through the same search engine or through the Google Maps. So those who were used to using a separate app will soon have to get used to managing their information in a different way.
Let's see how it will work Google Business Profile and other details about the new tool
Diversification of Access
Given the elimination of Google My Business, accessing and configuring the company profile for Google You can do this using the search engine or Maps. Of course, as long as you're logged into your account at Google associated with your business. Here are the three ways to access this tool:
– Typing «my business» into Google Search
You'll see all the company profiles associated with your Google account, whether you're the owner or a user with Administrator permissions. This feature will be enabled when you enter the phrase «my business», however, the giant from Mountain View is working to ensure that you, too, can manage your business information by typing «mi empresa» in Spanish.
– Typing your business name into Google Search
Not only will you be able to access your profile by typing «my business», you can also do this by entering your company name into the search bar. The first result will then show you information about statistics and quick tools for editing your profile. Note that this information will not be visible to anyone other than business managers; of course, your company must be linked to Google for this feature to work.
– From Google Maps
The third and final option for accessing Google Business It will be through the app or website of Google Maps, in fact, the process will be the same as in the search engine. First, find the company linked to your account and click on «Manage Your Company Profile».
Another way to access it is by Google Maps To do this, click on your profile and go to the «Your Company Profiles» section.
Local SEO
The change to Google Business Profile It will not affect your Local SEO, unless your competitors put more effort into their business profiles. From your business profile, you can manage content the same way you did on Google My Business, such as adding photos, updating schedules or holidays, posting updates, and even responding to reviews and messages from customers.
The features that will no longer be available with this change include welcome offers, a type of post that was used to attract new customers. The followers feature—which was used to keep people who followed your business on Google Maps updated on the latest news posted from the business profile on Google My Business.
If, on the other hand, your company has multiple locations that use the API from Google My Business, You'll notice that the name of the Company Profile API will change. This will be the only change; for now, there will be no changes to the available features.
Discontinuation of Google My Business
Currently, it is believed that the closure of Google My Business is scheduled for this July with the discontinuation of the mobile app. So far, business managers have received messages through the platform My Business about the removal of the mobile app. You are even invited to manage your company's profile from Google Maps.
Conclusions
The Birth of Google Business Profile It aims to streamline the information management process for businesses partnered with Google by eliminating the need for a separate mobile app. Until now, these businesses have been able to use nearly all the same features available on Google My Business.
The best part? It won't affect the Local SEO, in fact, is designed to optimize it, all from within the search engine itself at Google or Google Maps, through a simpler and more convenient process. All without having to install an app on your mobile device.
From Webbing We believe that the giant of Mountain View will continue working to improve this tool, with the aim of continuing to benefit companies that have Google accounts.