Just as I was about to share a blog post on advanced strategies to use with Google Business Profile (previously known as Google My Business) to increase exposure for your account, along comes changes.
It’s not like we weren’t expecting the Google Business Profile changes. We’ve been encouraged to switch to managing our profiles using the “map” or “newsfeed” view for a while. It’s just I’d chosen to ignore them for as long as I could. Kind of like how I’m still using the old Google Analytics because I’m not in love with the new GA4.
Previously, you could do all your GBP tasks inside a backend portal. It was easy to navigate, user friendly and just plain made sense. You could then see your profile in the sidebar of Google when you searched for your business. Like this:
This month, everything changed to the newsfeed or map view. So editing your account now looks a little like this:
For first time users, it can feel a bit overwhelming. And especially with a few name changes to some of the previous features thrown in.
So if you’re wondering how to edit your Google Business Profile, here’s a tour of the new backend – if you can call it a backend – and how you can continue to keep your profile up to date. Hopefully this little tour takes some of the overwhelm away for you.
How To Manage The New Google Business Profile Changes In 2022
To update your Google Business Profile, you’ll first need to log into your account to be able to see the editing tools within the search results.
You can do it one of two ways:
- Search for “Google Business Profile” and it will send you to the login page. Here, you can log in and be led to the Google search results, where you’ll see editing options for your profile at the top of the page.
- Search for your business name and, if already logged in to Google Business Profile, you’ll see your editing options at the top of the search page results.
It all sounds more confusing than it actually is.
It should look like the image previously shown above – a series of options that you can click on to change sections right there in search.
Here are the most important areas for you to know and edit.
Edit Profile
As before, you can edit all sections of your profile here. As you click on the icon and text, a pop up will appear with all the settings in it. Once done, simply click the x in the corner to go back to the search results. As in my previous post, it’s important to fill in all the details here.
Add Photo
Even before the Google Business Profile changes, one area you should be concentrating on on a regular basis is adding photos. If you click “Add photo”, here you’ll get the same option to add photos, but you’ll notice there’s now only three categories – Photo (which allows you to add general photos about your business), Logo (which is of course business logo), and Cover photo (which lets you create a cover that captures what your business is for visitors to see).
Performance
Previously called Insights, the analytics section is now called Performance. In this area, expect to see Calls, Messages, Bookings and Website Clicks for your profile.
Add Update
This is the most confusing of the changes. Previously this is where you could add Posts, which were exactly like what you would add to other social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. However, the name has now been changed to “Add Update”. Inside here, you’ll see that there are three options –
- Add Update (which is your previous “post” section where you can post as per your social media plan),
- Add Offer (which might be a promotion or discount offer for customers), and
- Add Event (where you can add details for any events your business might be hosting).
Inside “Add Update”, you’ll see you can add your description (or post status), a button (which is still optional) and your photo. You can also preview what your post is going to look like before posting.
Google Reviews
The Google Review tools are now all together, rather than being in different areas as they were before.
If you’re wondering how to find your Google review link with the new Google My Business Profile changes, this is under the Google Review section. And you can still reply to Google reviews within the new interface.
All other areas you can learn about in this post.
Start Implementing Your Google Business Profile Changes
Now you know how to edit your Google Business Profile. As you can see, nothing much has changed, other than how you navigate your Google Business Profile now. You’ll soon get the hang of it.
The goal is to actually make the changes. Keep adding content to your profile through posts, reviews and photos. The more you can do this, the greater visibility you’ll have.
In the next post, I’ll finally share the advanced strategies I promised earlier. Till then, good luck with your profile.
If you’re unsure what you’re doing and want help with your profile, reach out. Book a session for $350 AUD (+GST for Australians) so we can set it up together quickly correctly from the start.