Google My Business is now Google Business Profile. The reason behind this migration is to “keep things simple”, according to Google.” The search engine is planning to retire the Google My Business app completely sometime in 2022. Small businesses can manage their profiles directly on Search or Maps.
In the beginning, Google had launched GMB by the name of Google Local, then this name was replaced with Google Places, then Google+Local. It was renamed Google Places, then Google My Business, and today GMB will be known as Google Business Profile.
Yes, the local business management product has come through multiple names. For a long time now, the search engine allows businesses to manage their individual listings directly in search results or in Google Maps. With these features, enterprises can manage their businesses with single listings in Search or Maps and not in the old Google My Business console.
Google My Business web experience will transition to primarily support larger businesses with multiple locations, and will be renamed “Business Profile Manager.”
Claim and Verify
The new feature allows customers to claim and verify their Business Profile directly on Google Search or the Google Maps app. Just search for your business by name and you will happen to see an option for claiming and verifying the associated Business Profile. Once your business is verified, you will be able to edit the business’ information, such as opening hours, address, photos, and more.
By searching for your business’ name, you can see the business that you have already claimed and verified.
No matter whether you are managing more than one location for your business or you are a local SEO that manages multiple businesses, you will still be able to use an interface like Business Profile Manager (earlier, Google My Business). Remember that there may be some changes to the Business Profile Manager in the upcoming months.
Google has added some new features. These features are
- Call History – it is officially available in Canada and US only
- Messaging – You can message directly from Google Search
- Monitoring Message read receipts – Message read receipts can be monitored and controlled in Google Search and Maps
Performance Planner
Apart from this piece of news, Google is allowing customers to plan their Local campaign budgets using Performance Planner. Performance Planner is a tool. It has been developed to allow customers to make a plan for advertisement expenses and see how a modification to campaigns can impact overall performance and key metrics.
With this tool, you can forecast your campaigns, understand opportunities in seasonal periods, explore results by modifying campaign settings, and manage budgets across accounts and campaigns.
Moreover, a call history feature will show which inbound customer calls came from their Business Profile on Google. The feature is available in Canada and US for verified profiles. It will note down all answers and missed calls, total performance, history.
Note that if you follow Google My Business on social platforms and in the help forums, the rebranding will take place there over the next several weeks.