Google My Business is Changing Name - Again!

Did you know that Google is actually renaming their Google My Business app to Google Business Profile? At this point you may be curious as to why they are making this change. In essence, Google is making a genuine effort to move away from the Google My Business application for small, single location operations. In essence, they are trying to make it easier for single location businesses by keeping the business profile management features all within Google Search and Google Maps. The ultimate goal is to streamline the process for their end users.

The new name for Google My Business

Moving forward, Google My Business will now be known as Google Business Profile. According to Google, the reason for the name change is to keep things as simple as possible. In fact, Google plans to retire the Google My Business app entirely at some point in 2022. The exact date or even a closer time-frame has yet to be announced. However, it is coming sooner rather than later and you need to be aware of that fact. It always pays to be prepared for such things so that you don’t get caught out in the rain without an umbrella and or raincoat. 

Why is Google changing this?

• The new name will keep things simple
• Google My Business will be retired at some point in 2022
• Google My Business will be re-branded as Google Business Profile

The old names of Google My Business

This is not the first time that Google has renamed the product. Google Business Profile is the most recent name in a long list of names. For example, prior to Google My Business the application was named Google Places, and Google + Local prior to that name. It certainly goes without saying that Google’s local business management tool has undergone multiple re-branding efforts in recent years. Times change and Google knows exactly how important it is to change with them. Keeping users/searchers happy has always been Google’s goal. That is one of the many reasons why the company is the most popular search engine on the planet.

Did you know?

• This isn’t the first name change for Google My Business
• Google My Business was once called Google Places
• Prior to that that it was called Google Local +

How will the name change affect you and your business?

So, what is the bottom line? What does it really mean that Google is getting rid of the Google My Business name? First and foremost, Google is highly encouraging individual businesses to manage their single business listings directly on either Google Search or Google Maps. This can be accomplished through the mobile applications or directly in the web based interface. So, how will that directly affect small business owners, operators, and managers?

The bottom line is that Google wants you to move away from managing your business listing and information in the outgoing Google My Business application. Instead, Google wants you to manage your single business listings and information in Google Search and Google Maps. It’s as simple as that.

Just search for your business on Google while you are logged in as the GMB admin and you will see the panel below:

What should larger businesses and SEO managers expect?

Google has recently stated that the current Google My Business application/new Google Business Profile will transition to a phase that will mainly support larger type businesses that have multiple locations. This will take the form of Google Business Profile Manager. In essence, Google will start redirecting businesses to the new platform directly from the Google My Business link. In addition, the Google My Business online interface will be re-branded to reflect the upcoming changes.

You will still continue to utilize an interface that will look similar to Google My Business if you manage numerous locations for your organization. The same holds true if you own, operate, or manage a local marketing or SEO company that manages multiple businesses. The new web based interface is called Google Business Profile Manager. Please keep in mind that during the upcoming months there will be multiple changes and updates to Google Business Profile Manager. It’s important to remain patient.

Important notes:

• Google Business Profile is for business with multiple locations
• Google Business Profile is for businesses that manage multiple profiles
• Google Business Profile will be similar to the old Google My Business but on a larger scale.

New Google Business Profile features

The soon to be former Google My Business will not only be undergoing a name change and a change in who can utilize the application, it will also be adding some interesting new features. These new features include....

• The ability to both claim and verify your Google Business Profile directly through Google Search and Google Maps
• You will now have the ability to keep track of customer or client phone calls directly Google Search and Google Maps including the call history
• Your customers/clients will have the ability to get in touch with you in real time directly from your Business profile on Google. That way you’ll be able to attract more customers/clients to your business, tell your story in a unique way, and even answer their questions without any delays.

Google Business Profile will make managing your business a breeze

Google has historically updated their user interface in order to make things nice and simple for their users. That same will hold true with the new Google Business Profile. You will now have the option to search for your business name in either Google Search or Google Maps. You can also conduct a search for “my business” in Google Search in order to check to see if you’ve already claimed and verified your business. If not, read this blog then claim and optimize your Google Business Profile. Please let us know if you need help.