Google My Business Changes Due to COVID-19

1. Google My Business Q&A

The Question and Answer section of GMB had previously been completely removed from some businesses, but Google has now begun gradually returning it by country and business category. Users can now post their questions and have them answered and visible to the public.

2. Backdating Reviews

Google has begun to delay the publication of user reviews. Users are still able to write reviews, but those reviews may not be immediately available for viewing.

3. Temporarily Closed Option

Google My Business has added an option to declare your business “temporarily closed.” Unfortunately, this may mean that since Google assigns higher priority to open businesses, your business may decrease in ranking. It has not been established whether or not choosing this option will affect the ranking once your business opens again. It is important that you keep your customers updated on what is going on so this button is a good option if you are in this position. 

4. Health-Related Businesses Prioritized 

Google has placed increased importance on health-related businesses when it comes to verifying, adding, and claiming listings. This doesn’t mean that if your business is non health-related that you won’t be able to use these functions, but it does mean it may take longer than usual. These delays also apply to editing such business information as special hours, business descriptions and attributes, and open and closed states.

5. Takeout/Delivery Titles 

Until restrictions are loosened, restaurants are unable to have their doors open to dine-in customers, so many have opted to offer takeout and delivery. In the past, Google has had strict rules on whether or not a restaurant is allowed to put “takeout/delivery” in their name. Now though, Google has allowed restaurants to add this title to their names so that users can easily see that this option is available to them.

Here at Local Business First we want to keep you updated on the latest on any changes or additions that could affect SEO and your business listing. If you have any questions about how you could stay optimized and your clients finding both you and your services and business, feel free to contact us!