97% of search engine users search online to find a local business. If users want to find a local business online, they turn to search engines first.
D&D SEO Services, your local SEO experts, are here to break down the recent announcement from Google regarding the upcoming shutdown of Google Business Profile (GBP) chat and call history features.
Important Dates
Mark your calendars, folks! There are two crucial dates to remember:
- July 15, 2024: Google Business Profile users will no longer be able to start new chat conversations.
- July 31, 2024: The chat functionality will be entirely disabled, and the call history feature will also be removed.
Don’t Forget to Download Your History!
Before these features disappear, Google is giving businesses the opportunity to download their chat and call history. You can do this by:
- Signing into your Google Business Profile account.
- Navigating to the “Chat” or “Call History” section (depending on which data you want to download).
- Following the on-screen instructions to download your data.
What Google Said
In an email to businesses, Google explained that while this may be disappointing news, they occasionally have to make difficult decisions to prioritize resources and focus on higher-impact features for merchants. They assured businesses that this change would not affect their ability to receive calls from their GBP or track other engagement metrics.
Impact and Next Steps
The removal of chat and call history features may impact businesses that heavily rely on these tools for customer communication and tracking. However, it’s important to remember that customers can still find and contact businesses through Google Search and Maps, and businesses can continue to track other engagement metrics like website traffic and directions requests.
Recommendations from D&D SEO Services
To ensure a smooth transition, we recommend the following:
- Download Your Data: As mentioned earlier, make sure to download your chat and call history before July 31st.
- Explore Alternative Communication Channels: Consider using email, social media, or other messaging platforms to communicate with customers.
- Update Your Business Profile: Ensure your business profile is up-to-date with accurate contact information and links to your website and social media pages.
As your local SEO agency, D&D SEO Services is committed to helping you navigate these changes and maintain a strong online presence. If you have any questions or concerns about the upcoming shutdown of GBP chat and call history, don’t hesitate to contact us!
