Google My Business-New Features, Updates and Tests from Jan-May
How to Register Address on Google Map?
December 11, 2021Google My Business has undergone some significant changes in this year, and if you are not taking advantage of these changes, you are not fully maximising the number of conversions that you could be getting from Google My Business for SEO, paid search, reviews, and other purposes. In this article, we will go over all of the new changes that have occurred to Google My Business in this year.
1. HEALTH AND SAFETY ATTRIBUTES
Number one health and safety attributes here’s a list of the new attribute’s appointment required, masks required, staff wear masks, staff get temperature checks, staff wear masks and temperature check required.
By providing additional information about your firm up front, you may increase consumer engagement and retention. Additionally, you may improve consumers’ perceptions of your firm, as they may be unaware of the safeguards in place to protect your clients. Additionally, qualities help reduce the number of inquiries received by your customer service team if your safety information is not prominent in your local listings.
2. COMPETITOR QUOTES IN GMB MESSAGING
It is frequently recommended that businesses utilise GMB’s Messaging tool to improve consumer communication. However, you may choose to hold your horses.Therefore, if you have messaging enabled in your profile, you may unintentionally share rival information with your potential clients.
As demonstrated in the screenshot above, Google now allows searchers to make the same quote request directly to a business’s competitors following message. This may dissuade shops from enabling the texting feature, as it may drive potential customers away. With this tool, Google may be assisting in steering your potential clients toward other businesses. This is not the first time Google has attempted to diversify its results, but general consensus appears to be that this feature may do more harm than good.
3. NEW REVIEW REMOVAL MANAGEMENT TOOL
Google announced a new feature that gives Google My Business account holders the ability to handle the removal of Google reviews one by one and track these removal requests’ progress. This is a breakthrough in the war against fake reviews on Google, and it comes hot off the heels of a recent analysis showing a drastic reduction in trust in studies over the last few years.
Fake reviews have been a serious concern for various agencies and businesses for some time. It is common knowledge. The fact that Google’s new review takedown option for its Google My Business portal might be viewed as a major step in the right way.
4. GMB GETS A NEW ‘NEW’ LABEL FOR RECENT REVIEWS
Google introduced a ‘new’ label at the beginning of April, emphasising the relevance of GMB reviews and their recentness. As a result of this improvement, searchers will be notified to fresh reviews, which will be given greater prominence.
While we have long recognised the importance of recent reviews, this label demonstrates Google’s increased emphasis on review recency. To ensure that you take use of this feature, continue to solicit reviews on a regular basis and ensure that you have received reviews within the last two weeks.
5. BUSINESSES THAT HAVE USED POSTS RECENTLY GET REWARDED
Businesses that had recently shared a Google Post were being highlighted.
That small red dot may help your business gain visibility and stand out on search engine results pages (SERPs). This update undoubtedly boosts the visibility of businesses that use Google Posts, so it may be worthwhile to give them a try if you haven’t already.
6. GMB INSIGHTS NOW INCLUDES BOOKING DATA.
Booking data has been added to GMB Insights as part of a recent update.
Another user claims that the booking information is also showing up for hotels (an industry that often goes at a very different pace to others). Surprisingly, the Uno Search Google My Business Insights dashboard also has the opportunity to view ‘bookings.’ Because this is a new development, we’ll keep an eye on it and keep you updated as needed.
7. GMB CALL HISTORY FEATURE SHOWING LIVE DATA
Recently, Google’s long-awaited Call History feature began to display real-time data. You may now see a history of who has called your business and when. You’ll also have the option of viewing the caller’s history and calling them back immediately.
This option isn’t now available on our Google My Business profile, but it appears to be going out gradually, so keep an eye out for it in your GMB dashboard. Call tracking is a useful tool for determining the success of your local SEO efforts and capturing hot leads. This new GMB feature should make it easier than ever to see who has phoned you without having to use a separate application.
These are some of the Google My Business modifications that have occurred in this year. What are your thoughts on these changes? Check it out, and keep an eye out for any other changes that may be coming to Google My Business, since it is constantly evolving.
