Managing Your Google Business Profile without the My Business App

The Google has replaced the Google My Business app with the Google Business Profile, an updated way for local businesses to manage their local listing. The My Business app was discontinued on April 4th, 2022, and business owners can now manage their profiles through the Google Maps and Google Search apps. The article provides step-by-step instructions on how to access and manage the profile using mobile devices or desktops, including how to initiate video chats to engage with customers in real-time.

Access Your Google Business Profile on Google Search

You can access your GBP via either a mobile device or your desktop. Before using mobile, make sure you have the Google Search app. If you’re using an Android phone, this app is likely to already be on your device. If you’re using iOS, you can download it via your app store. If you’ve claimed your listing, you can type either the business name itself or simply “my business” into the search bar, and the listing should appear.

Google My Business Branding and Phone App Are Changing

By now, you’ve probably heard of Google My Business. It’s the way for business owners to manage their businesses and information on Google search and maps. Both of these apps access the same business listing information, so you don't have to recreate your listing. And, you can still access your listing through business.google.com.

Google My Business App Being Deleted

You will still be able to use Google Search and Google Maps to manage your Google Business Profile on a smartphone. When you open the Google Maps app and look up your business, there will be a blue badge with a checkmark indicating that you have access to manage the listing. (If you don’t see the checkmark, then you are not signed into a Google account that has access to the business profile.)

What's Changed?

The most significant change is, naturally, the name. Google My Business is now and hereafter known as Google Business Profile.

Google Rolls Out New Features For Google Business Profile: The Google Business Profile app for Android and iPhone is no longer useful. Businesses will need to notice the name change and manage your profile on maps or search.

Update Your Customers: Google My Business was a well-known and trusted brand, so the change to Google Business Profile could confuse some customers.

Stay up to Date: The most important thing for companies is ensuring their profiles are complete and up-to-date. Adding tagline links to your website, social media profiles, and online menus can help customers learn more about your business and offer.

Create and verify your Google Business Profile

Your Google Business Profile (Google’s term for your Google listing) is what allows your business to show up in Google Maps results, the local section of Google Search results, and also when someone types in your business name (ideas for creative business names here!) and location the right-side Knowledge Panel in Search results.

Pay Per Click (Search Ads)

Make no mistake; Google is an advertising machine. It may appear to be giving you helpful information and tools (Google Docs, Gmail, Calendars, etc.), but it’s providing all these cool things to make sure you see their ads. 85% of Google’s revenue comes from the Google Ads platform. The ability to target and test specific markets and to run niche campaigns means that buyer interest is substantial.

Guest Post on Blogs

Free traffic as opposed to paid traffic that comes from things like purchased ads—is often hard to come by for new websites. You can start blogging to drive traffic, but it takes time before you start seeing results. While you grow your own audience, guest posting gives you a way to get in front of someone else’s. Not only does this drive traffic back to your website, but the links to your site will help with search engine optimization.

Adjusting your Opening Hours

The first step to helping potential customers find your physical location is to verify your profile on Google My Business. Once verified, business owners can submit the location of their store and it will appear on Google Maps. Google users will then be able to access directions to the store with the tap of a finger, and the business will appear prominently in mobile search results.