Bye-Bye Google Business Chat and Call Feature

Google will be ending the chat and call history features in Google Business Profile on July 31, 2024. Information from Google says that they will stop allowing new chats to be initiated starting on July 15, 2024 and then will totally disable the chat and call history features on July 31, 2024.

Background

Google Search and Maps have offered a Business Messages capability that allowed customers to contact businesses via text chat. This feature will now be discontinued in July. For businesses that enabled this feature, a “Chat” button appeared in listings on Google Search and Maps, facilitating chat conversations with the business, including the ability to send/receive images.

Messages sent through Google Account were stored and encrypted with Google Cloud, keeping users’ phone numbers private. Only names and profile pictures (if set) were shared with businesses.

Official Announcement

Recently Google announced that this feature will be stopped. Businesses receives the mail, that says:

“We are reaching out to share that we will be winding down Google’s chat and call history features in Google Business Profile on July 31, 2024. We acknowledge this may be difficult news – as we continually improve our tools, we occasionally have to make difficult decisions which may impact the businesses and partners we work with. It’s important to us that Google remains a helpful partner as you manage your business and we remain committed to this mission.”

Dates to Remember

So, at July the 15th, 2024: Searchers will no longer be able to start new chat conversations with your business from Google Maps or Google Search. However, searchers that are already in existing chat conversations will be notified that chat will be phased out.

then, at July the 31th, 2024: The chat functionality in Google Business Profile will end completely and you will no longer receive new chat messages. You will also no longer be able to see your Google Business Profile call history in Google Business Profile.

What You Should Do

If you used these features for your business, you should be aware they are going away soon. You may want to download your chat and call history before the deadline, so that you can archive that data in your CRM software and database, or store them somewhere else.

As an alternative to Google Business Messages you can use other channels of communication, as phone, other messengers, social media or Reserve with Google function.

Consider Getpin’ Solution

For your convenience and in order to save resources, we propose you to use Getpin’ solution. It allows you to manage your listing on Search and Maps, social media and other platforms. Additionally, useful statistics are available.

For more detailed information contact us on the website, on social media or just ask your Getpin’ manager.

19.10.202320.10.2023

Automatic Editing of Attributes in Google Business Profiles

When you search for a cafe, store, or hair salon nearby, more often you browse their business profile on Google. In these profiles businesses provide vital information about their services, operating hours, and other crucial details. However, recent reports suggest that Google is going beyond merely displaying this data – they are now automatically modifying certain attributes in business profiles.

So, why has Google begun editing attributes in business profiles?

Google implements automatic edits of business attributes to enhance the accuracy of information available to users. It primarily operates based on logic.

For instance, if a business lists “cash-only” as a payment option in the attributes but also specifies other payment methods, Google automatically changes it to “not cash-only.” This simple and logical adjustment immediately communicates to users that the company accepts various payment methods and avoids confusion.

Additionally, it’s known that Google completely removes the “COVID testing center” attribute if a business marks it as “no”. This makes practical sense, as businesses not offering COVID testing should not display this attribute.

The reaction to these automatic edits has been generally positive. Business owners and SEO experts find them useful and logical. It simplifies the process for business owners, especially when changes pertain to default settings.

For example, the “COVID testing center” attribute cannot be manually unset, so businesses can avoid potentially misleading information by marking it as “no”.

If you are a business owner with a Google Business profile, it’s essential to be aware of these automatic edits. Apart from adhering to logic, Google always recommends ensuring that your profile attributes match your services.

To manage your business profile easily, we recommend you to use Getpin‘s platform. In one dashboard, we have consolidated map management, social media, reviews, and much more. With Getpin, your online presence will always be at the highest level 👌

20.09.202320.09.2023

Google Tests the Return of Third-Party Reviews

🌍 Google Tests the Return of Third-Party Reviews 🌟

Google Maps and Google Local are testing a feature that’s sure to grab your attention. They are bringing back third-party reviews for Google Business Profile listings 🙌

🕰️It’s been over a decade since Google Maps last displayed third-party reviews—those reviews that aren’t posted directly on Google but come from third-party websites 🌐

Reviews from platforms like HomeAdvisor, Best Company, and more are now appearing again directly within Google listings 😲

In 2011, Google stopped displaying reviews on Google Maps that had been published on other websites. In 2012, location pages received a new design that featured only reviews from the Google platform.

But now Google is testing this feature again.

It seems they’re giving this idea another shot, and we’re here for it. After all, why not see if it adds even more value to the user experience? 🤔

Well, it means you’ll have even more information at your fingertips when exploring local businesses. Third-party reviews can provide a broader perspective and help you make informed choices 🧐

Of course, responding to reviews on different websites can be quite challenging. It’s extremely important to react promptly to user messages. To simplify review management, we suggest using Getpin’s solution.

In the Getpin dashboard, you can easily manage reviews on multiple platforms simultaneously. You can set up auto-responses and not miss any reviews!

Try it right now 👇🏻

15.09.202319.02.2024

Accelerate Growth with Google Business Messages

Accelerate Growth with Google Business Messages.

How Getpin platform helps businesses to improve communication with customers.

What is Google Business Messages?

Nowadays, consumers are constantly choosing goods and services, so the speed, ease, and accessibility of communication with businesses is a crucial factor for customers at different stages of the marketing funnel.

At the stage of interest and consideration of a product or service, a potential customer is looking for an opportunity to get answers to questions quickly, at the stage of purchase – to clarify the availability of goods, the working hours of a particular location, or just to get additional advice.

Business solutions for communication can be different, but the main rule is to be available to the client whenever he needs and to provide a positive user experience at all stages of interaction.

Google Business Messages is an online messaging platform that allows you to respond instantly to customer requests and provides fast communication between the brand and the customer, simplifying in this way the path from interest to purchase.

Customers can start a chat with your business by simply searching it on Google, including Google Search and Google Maps.

Main advantages:

Allows you to provide fast service, reduces waiting time.
Easier way to communicate ー better user experience.
Showcase products and services, information are shared, and you answer questions in a personalized format.
All communication with customers in one Getpin account: messages, reviews, posts

How does it work?

After finding a company in Google search and Google maps, your potential or regular customer can start a chat and send you a message by clicking the “Chat” button.

*This feature is currently only available in the mobile version.

The request is immediately picked up by the bot, which instantly responds with a programmed text, and then the responsible business manager can join the conversation.

Advantages of integrating Google Business Messages in Getpin account

You no longer need to use dozens of different accounts to interact with customers. Your communications with customers from each location via GBM will be displayed in the Messages section in a single Getpin account.
You can improve customer experience by customizing response templates based on keywords. This way, customers will instantly receive more personalized responses from the chatbot.
The use of a chatbot eliminates the waiting time before the first contact and helps to optimize the time spent on classifying the request and, if necessary, selecting the right support specialist.

Key steps:

Go to the “Messages” section and click “Templates”.
Click on “Add template” to create a new template.
Select and enter the keywords of the customer’s request in the “Create keywords” field.
Enter the text of the bot’s response based on the specified keywords in the “Template text” field.
Add a Template Subject for easier classification of requests and faster processing by a business support specialist.
Click on “Add” to save the completed template.

It takes only 6 steps and with the help of an intuitive interface, you can easily create various relevant templates in your Getpin account with segmentation by keywords and customer requests.

How to connect Google Business Messages and set up integration in the Getpin account

To connect, you need to follow a few simple steps:

Go to your Google Business Profile, on the left side you will find the Google Business Profile dashboard.
Click the Enable chat button.
Prepare the information according to our clear instructions and contact your Getpin manager with a request to set up the integration. We will quickly and efficiently set up everything you need.

To summarize, Google Business Messages is not only a messenger for interaction, but also a strategic opportunity to build a strong brand and meet the needs of the modern customer.

Implementation of this platform can help your business achieve effective customer interaction, as for the integration with Getpin, it will consolidate all brand contacts and allow you to manage communication from a single account.

21.08.202321.08.2023

Google Business Profile Adds Links to Social Media Accounts

The new feature allows to make connections to platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (previously known as Twitter), and YouTube, within your business profile.

In more detail, the extended help document outlines the process: “Share more about your business with social media links. You can now manage which social media links are displayed to customers on your Google Business Profile.” However, this feature is currently accessible only in specific regions and may not be available for all Business Profiles.

Google has indicated that eligible Business Profiles might receive automatic inclusion of social media links. It’s important to note that as of now, performance metrics for these links are not yet accessible.

The URL formats you should use are as follows:

You have the option to include one link for each social media platform in you Business account (one link for FB, one link for LinkedIn etc).

Let’s see how to integrate social media links.

Adding social media links:

Access your Business Profile.
Click on “Edit profile” under Business Information and Contact.
To make edits, click on “Social profiles” and then the downward arrow.
From the dropdown, select the desired social media link to include.
Input the link within the web address field.
Save your changes.

Editing social media links:

Access your Business Profile.
Click on “Edit profile” under Business Information and Contact.
To make edits, select “Social profiles.”
- Modify the web address field associated with the social media link you wish to update.
- You can refer to the provided table for the correct link formats.
Save your changes.

Removing social media links:

Access your Business Profile.
Click on “Edit profile” under Business Information and Contact.
Next to the profile you want to remove, select “Trash” under “Social profiles.”
Save your changes.

We would like to remind you that in Getpin account you can not only manage different social media resources, but also manage your locations on maps, responding reviews, see metrics and much more

Join to find out

04.08.202304.08.2023

Google Business Profile Testing AI To Help Owners Write Business Descriptions

Google Business Profiles is currently running a test that harnesses the power of generative AI to assist business owners in creating compelling descriptions for their businesses. This innovative feature aims to streamline the process of crafting engaging business descriptions, making it easier for owners to convey essential information about their businesses to potential customers.

The new AI-powered business description feature is being gradually rolled out to a selected group of business owners who have access to Google Business Profiles. When owners edit their business profiles on Google and proceed to edit their business descriptions, they may be presented with an option to use an AI-generated business description.

It looks like:

The AI-generated descriptions are specifically labeled as a “creative writing aid” to remind users that the suggestions may not always be entirely factual and should be verified for accuracy.

According to the shared screenshots, the AI-generated description can be accessed by clicking on the “suggest description” option within the business profile editing interface. Upon selecting this option, the AI offers a generated business description that the owner can choose to use as-is or customize further.

Additionally, the AI tool allows business owners to supplement the suggested description with more details about their business.

Information in your Business Profile should be actual – AI-feature draws information from your Business Profile to propose a description for your business.

Also, business owners can write their own descriptions and use the AI tool to improve upon them, making the process more collaborative and personalized.

As a creative writing aid, the AI-powered feature aims to save time for busy business owners by generating a description based on information already available in the Business Profile. This can be particularly beneficial for new business owners who may struggle with crafting a concise and compelling business description. However, it is crucial for users to review the AI-generated suggestions for accuracy before updating them on their Business Profile to ensure that they accurately reflect the essence of the business.

In conclusion, Google Business Profiles’ new AI-powered business description testing represents a significant step forward in leveraging AI technology to aid business owners in presenting their establishments effectively. By providing a convenient creative writing aid, Google aims to empower business owners to showcase their businesses and attract potential customers with informative and engaging descriptions. As the testing phase progresses and more feedback is collected, it is likely that this feature will be fine-tuned to offer even more value to the business community on Google.

And we remind you about another effective tool for business – the Getpin Account. Business presence on popular online platforms, reputation management, posts in social media, customer support – all-in-one from a single platform!

Try it now 👇🏻

29.07.202326.11.2024

Open World of Cartography from Overture Maps Foundation

Competition in the market of cartographic applications is reaching new heights, due to an ambitious joint project by Meta, Microsoft, Amazon, and the mapping company TomTom. The recently released dataset holds the potential to empower third-party developers to create their own maps, making them strong competitors to Google Maps and Apple Maps.

A group of companies called the Overture Maps Foundation came together last year with a shared goal of making cartography more accessible to everyone. This week, they unveiled their first open map dataset, promising to revolutionize the approach to map building and navigation products creation.

This unique dataset comprises 59 million “points of interest,” such as restaurants, landmarks, and other places of interest. It also includes information about transportation networks and administrative boundaries, making it a valuable resource for developing various cartographic products.

“This release is a significant step in establishing a comprehensive, market-grade open map dataset for our constantly changing world,” said Mark Prylo, the Executive Director of Overture Maps Foundation.

“The Places dataset, in particular, represents a major, previously unavailable open dataset, with the potential to map everything from new businesses big and small to pop-up street markets located anywhere in the world”.

One of the key aspects of this project is to simplify and make cartographic app development more accessible to developers. Often, access to APIs of popular cartographic services, such as Google Maps, requires paid subscriptions, which complicates the work for developers. However, the Overture Maps Foundation provides an opportunity for third-party developers to create applications based on this data for free, expanding possibilities for developing new cartographic products.

An important advantage of the Overture Maps Foundation is that they are not limiting themselves to basic cartography functions; they plan to expand the dataset to include routing, navigation, and three-dimensional building data.

This project has the potential to transform the cartographic landscape, opening up new opportunities for developers and companies utilizing cartography in their activities.

And if you need assistance with managing locations on maps, consider reaching out to Getpin

13.07.202313.07.2023

Bard by Google is now available in Europe

Bard by Google is now available in Europe 🎉

After adding Korean and Japanese and launching in more than 180 countries at I/O 2023 in May, Bard now supports more than 40 languages, including German, Spanish, Polish, and Ukrainian.

Also, as of today, Google Bard is available in European countries and Brazil. The company says it “engaged with experts, policymakers and privacy regulators on this expansion”.

Google Bard not only became available in new regions, but also received the biggest update since launch. The search giant has given its AI the ability to speak, change pitch, record conversations, export code, and even use images as part of tooltips. This upgrade essentially gives the Bard both eyes and a tongue to communicate with.

Let’s take a closer look at what new features are now available in Google Bard.

👂 Listen to the answers

Users can now listen to Bard’s responses. This function is especially useful for correct pronunciation of words, listening to poems or scripts. Just enter your query and click the sound icon to hear Bard’s answers. This feature is available in over 40 languages.

🛠️ Easily customize Bard responses

It is now possible to customize the tone and style of Bard responses to better suit their needs. With options like simple, long, short, professional, or informal, users can choose the length or style of response they want. This feature is currently available in English and will soon expand to other languages.

✏️ Pin and rename conversations

In response to user feedback, Bard now allows you to pin and rename conversations for easy access. By pinning a conversation, users can return to their queries and ideas later. Options for pinning, renaming, and accessing recent conversations are available in the sidebar. This feature is available in over 40 languages.

🔢 Code export

Given the growing interest in using Bard for programming, the platform now enables users to export Python code to Replit, alongside Google Colab. This functionality empowers developers and programmers, boosting their productivity. The feature is available in more than 40 languages.

👫 Share answers with friends

Sharing the conversation and ideas with others is made easier with the ability to share a link in Bard. Users can easily share their chat with Bard, promoting collaboration and sharing creative ideas. This feature is supported in more than 40 languages.

🎑 Use images in your requests:

Bard integrates Google Lens capabilities, allowing users to upload images in requests. A user can send an image to the chatbot and ask it to be analyzed. Although this feature is currently only available in English, Bard plans to expand it to other languages soon.

Google’s Bard remains free for now.

Jack Krawczyk, Google’s product manager, said in an interview with the Deutsche Presse-Agentur news agency that all of Bard’s features will continue to be offered for free. “For now, our focus is on making Bard as useful as possible for users. That’s why we’re not focusing on monetization right now.”

So, now everyone can try the new generation search engine, Google’s Bard.

15.06.202315.06.2023

A new update for managing your Business Profile in Maps

This week, Google introduced an update that simplifies the management of business profiles on Google Maps. Now, owners of local businesses with a Business Profile will see a new “Business” tab on the main screen of Google Maps.

The new “Business” tab brings together some useful functions in one place, making it easier for owners and administrators to manage their business profiles.

Now in one place for you:

Update of business hours and company information.

Owners can make real-time updates to their profiles, such as operating hours, contact details, and offers for products/services. This ensures that customers have access to the most up-to-date information, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Notifications for new reviews and customer messages.

Interacting with customers is increasingly important. Business owners can directly respond to customer reviews on the Google Maps platform, creating a more interactive and personalized communication channel. This feature helps build trust and strengthen customer relationships.

Important statistics, recommendations, and advertising.

Understanding customer behaviour and preferences is crucial for making informed decisions. In the new “Business” tab, businesses can view key statistics that provide valuable data on customer interactions, search trends, and demographic characteristics. This data helps businesses refine their strategies and tailor offerings for better customer satisfaction. Additionally, businesses can receive notifications from Google regarding recommended actions and customize advertising.

Adding images and posts.

Inform customers about the latest news and special offers from your company. Quality images and engaging informative text can be useful tools for attracting potential customers.

Having a quality business profile on Google Maps offers numerous advantages for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to:

👉 Increase visibility: Optimized profiles increase the chances of appearing in relevant searches and attracting potential customers.

👉 Enhance reputation and trust: Promptly responding to customer reviews and maintaining accurate information fosters trust and positive customer sentiment.

👉 Engage customers in interaction: Interactive capabilities enable businesses to actively communicate with customers, fostering loyalty and repeat visits.

👉 Make data-driven decisions: Access to analytics allows businesses to gather valuable insights for improving marketing strategies and effectively targeting their audience.

If you desire more comprehensive management capabilities beyond Google, including other maps (Bing, Waze), social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram), directories, and more, we recommend trying the solution provided by Getpin.

Getpin offers convenient features in a unified dashboard, allowing businesses to stay connected with customers and strengthen their online presence.

30.05.202326.11.2024

Google Has Launched an Updated Search Engine Based on AI: How to Sign In

With the launch of the ChatGPT chatbot, companies have started competing in mastering artificial intelligence by adding AI features to their products. Earlier this year, Google introduced Bard, an AI-powered chatbot similar to ChatGPT. Following that, Microsoft directly integrated ChatGPT into Bing, including the AI image generator based on Dall-E, as did OpenAI.

On Thursday, Google announced that it has begun inviting the first users from the waiting list to try the new Google Search Generative Experience (SGE). “Today, we’re starting to open access to Search Labs, a new program for early access to Google’s experiments,” wrote Google.

At the annual Google I/O developer conference, Katie Edwards, Vice President of Development at Google, stated that with standard Google search, people have to break down complex queries into multiple questions, search for information on websites, and formulate the answers in their heads. With SGE, artificial intelligence can do all that for you.

Unlike regular Google search, which displays a list of links, SGE uses AI to answer your questions directly on the Google search webpage.

Google obtains this information from websites and references the sources used to create the answer. In SGE, you can also ask additional questions to obtain more accurate results.

Who will have access to Google’s new programs?

Currently, SGE is not open to everyone and requires registration in Google Search Labs. Search Labs is currently available only to a limited number of people in the United States and only in English. We hope that this opportunity will become available for Eastern Europe in the near future as well.

It’s worth noting that you can test the novelty in the Google Chrome browser on desktop or in the Google mobile app.

How to join the Google Search Labs waiting list to be among the first who can test Google SGE?

To join the waiting list for Search Labs, follow these steps:

👉 Open the Chrome browser on your computer or the Google app on your mobile device.

👉 Sign in to your Google account.

👉 Open a new tab in the browser.

👉 A Labs icon will appear in the upper right corner if Labs are available to you.

👉 If the Labs icon is present, click on it, then click “Join the waiting list.”

You will receive an email when Labs become available.

So, what does Google’s new search marvel look like?

🔎 In the search field, the query “What is SEO?” was entered.

The artificial intelligence generated a general response, briefly describing the definition of the term “SEO” and providing basic information about the types and forms of SEO.

🔎 The query “Reebok sneakers” AI gave short information about the Reebok company, as well as a list of popular Reebok sneaker models. Furthermore, images of trendy models with prices and links to online stores where they can be purchased were displayed.

🔎 If you decide to purchase a surfboard online, the artificial intelligence of Google’s updated search engine will not only provide information about prices and stores but also offer advice on what specific factors to consider when making an online purchase.

🔎 Don’t know how to solve a Rubik’s Cube? The AI will provide a detailed step-by-step instruction. And if that’s not enough, you can separately review the resources that the AI used to form the answer.

It is important to note that Google warns about the possibility of errors in the responses generated by the AI and that the accuracy may vary. Therefore, they advise against relying on AI for the provision of medical, legal, financial, or other professional services.