In this page you will find news and updates for Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business):
- New visuals
- New tests
- New features
- Issues
Google Business Profile
News/Updates Timeline
December 2022
New Product Data Section Showing on GBP Performance Report
Google Tests “Add a map to your website” Card
Google Business Profile Offer Posts Showing End Date
Users Can Now Post Videos With Reviews On Google
GBP Products & Website Editor Now On GBP Manager Locations
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends October 2022
WhatsApp’s Yellow Pages-style Business Directory Launches In Five Countries
Google Launches Legal Proceedings Against Google Business Profiles Scammers
New Google Business Profile Photos Upload Bug
November 2022
Confirmed Google Business Profile Logo Bug by Google
Google Business Profile Shows Previous Location
Some Users Unable To Update The Logo on Google Business Profile
Google Maps adds EV charging filters and wheelchair accessibility
Google Business Profile Displaying Percentage Of Unfavorable Vs Positive Reviews
Google Asking Questions About Profile Photos
Google Business Profiles “Showing The World Cup” Attribute
Photo Cropping for Google Posts Now Available On Google Search Dashboard
Google Tests New Public GBP Profile Photo & Street View Layout
Google Business Profile “Request a Booking” Now On Local Finder
Google Reviews Shows The Number Of Reviews From Reviewer By Category
Google’s Suggested GBP Updates Remove Reviews Bug
Google Maps App Local Finder Auto-Play Video Thumbnails
Google Reviews Shows Number Of Reviews In City
Google Business Profile Public Panels Continues
New Business Profile Feature For Food & Drink Businesses
Yelp As Created A New Attribute And Resource Hub For Veterans
Google Business Profile Photo Metrics Will Go Away
October 2022
Google Local Pack In Web Search Showing Up Less Often?
Google Moving Majority Of User To New Google Business Profile Search Dashboard
Google Grouping Photos By Category For Some Business Profiles
Google Business Profile Suspensions Bug Fix Confirmed
Google Reviews Being Removed From Google Business Profiles
Google Local “Preview This Place” Large Image Carousel
Google Local Panel “Hear About This Place” Feature In Some Regions
New Cleaner Local Finder Showing Services on Desktop
Google Local Pack Map Overlay Tests Fuller Local Pack Card
Google Releasing Older Local Reviews For Some Businesses?
Google Is Testing Out Lowering The Local Pack
Google Is Testing Out Lowering The Local Pack
Google Business Profile Reinstatement & Progress Report Bug
Google Review Guidelines Updated To Disallow Discouraging Negative Or Selectively Solicit Positive Reviews
Unusual Spike In Google Business Profile Insights Traffic
September 2022
Google Reviews Submit Button Not Working For Some
Key Local Search Updates Rolling Out In 2022
Google Local Service Ads Remove License Numbers
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends In August 2022
Service Area Business Bug – Kansas Bug II – Fix Rolling out
Google Asks German Reviewers If They Object To Reported Reviews Being Removed
Social Links Missing On Google Business Profiles
Google Testing New Local Finder Layout Design On Desktop
Google Hotel Knowledge Panels Gain Health & Safety And Sustainability
Google Review Guidelines Now Prohibit Incentivizing Removal Of Negative Reviews
Google Reviews From Brand New Google Accounts Are Being Hidden
Google Business Profile Photos With Timestamp Label
Covid Related Health & Safety Attributes Going Away
Google Business Profile Messages Showing Coming From The Business
New Google Probation Period For New Profiles
August 2022
Google Business Profile Guidelines Updated To Include Products
Google Local Business Structured Data Doesn’t Support additionalType
Google Local Service Ads To Allow You To Exclude Areas
GBP will now clearly label if a healthcare facility provides abortions
TikTok Is Testing New ‘Nearby’ Feed To Display Local Content
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends July 2022
Google Tests Expandable Maps In Search & Tabs In Map Results
You Can Now Receive SMS Alerts For Google Messages
Google Can Add The Menu On The Website To The Business Profile
New Google Ads Summary Panel on GBP Search Merchant Dashboard
Google Business Profile Photo Overlay Interface Test
Google Updates Business Profile Posts Content Policies
Twitter launches Location Spotlight for all professional accounts
Yelp updates its Android app with a redesigned home feed and map-based search
Google Local Service Ads Seeing A Lot Of Fake Reviews
Google Cuts Off Reviews for Reproductive Care Clinics In The US
July 2022
New Google Search Dashboard GBP Business Names With Numbers In The Businesses Dashboard Issue/Bug – Update
Google Pushing Business Profile Verification Over Video
Google Now Showing Three Local Service Ads Listings
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends In June 2022
Google Business Profile Adds Automated FAQ To Messages
New Searchable Instagram Map Gives Visibility To Local Businesses
Google Taking Action On Recent One-Star Review Scams & Blackmail Threats
GBP Business Names With Numbers In The Businesses Dashboard Issue/Bug
Google Business Profile New Guidelines For Authorized Representatives
Google Tests New Local Panel With Images At Top & Tabs For Reviews
June 2022
Google Maps adds new store location feature, Locator Plus, Reserve with Google integration
Local Consumer SearchReinstatement Cases After Suspension Further Delays Behavior Trends In May 2022
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends In May 2022
Google Local Search Results Could Look Like If Antitrust legislation Passes
Google adds LGBTQ+ owned attribute to business profiles
Google In Store Nearby Local Results That Expand In Collapsible Menu
Google Local Service Ads New Reviews Requirements
Google Tests Local Pack Within An Expandable Menu
Google Business Profile Showing “Profile Strength” Widget In Search Results
Reinstatement Cases After Suspension Taking Longer Again
Twitter now allows local businesses to display location, hours and contact info on their profiles
Google is automatically activating messaging on Google Business Profiles that didn’t have it before
New Options In “More hours” On Google Business Profile
Google Business Profiles Product Editor Disappearance Is actually A Bug
Is Google Business Profile Products Editor Going Away?
May 2022
Google Launches New Street View Studio for 360 Photographers
Goole Business Profile Offer Posts are missing from the Public Profile Panels on Desktop.
Yelp Launches Request a Call to Connect Local Service Providers and Customers
Google Hotel Results Using Reviews For Things To Do & Review Summaries
Google Changes Google Maps policy for prohibited and restricted content Guidelines
Google Adds Guidelines for Delivery-Only Food Businesses
Google Local Services Ads testing a horizontal scroll presentation on mobile
Photo and Product Sections Not Loading in GBP Dashboard
Official: This July The Google My Business App Will Shut Down.
April 2022
Is the Google Business Profile Manager going away for multi-locations businesses as well?
Google Business Profile Shows Products Performance Metrics
Google Maps Asking Local Guides To Update Old Reviews
Google Business Profile Manager Updates Changed Color
Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends In March 2022
GBP Offer posts now appearing in a ‘deals’ tab on the GBP on a mobile
Google Business Profile Messaging Spam & Scam Attempts
Google Business Profile Panel Shows “At This Place”
Users Complaining The Service Area Is Not Showing On The Panel and Map
Google Screened Local Service Ads Results “At This Business” Carousel
2022 Retail Local Consumer Search Behavior Breakdown
Yelp adds searchable eco-friendly business attributes
2022 Financial Services Local Consumer Search Behavior Breakdown
Google Maps Testing Overlay Box Over Maps Interface For GBP Profiles
2022 Service Businesses Local Consumer Search Behavior Breakdown
Google may update business hours in local Profiles with AI
2021 Google Business Profile Insights to Guide Your 2022
8 Q1 Local Search Developments You Need to Know About
Google Help Doc Adds In-Store Products Helps With Local Visibility
Google Business Profile review management tool expands support to accounts with more than 10 profiles
Google Sending Emails And notifications About Google My Business app’s End of Life
Product views Will Be included in Google Business Profile performance metrics.
March 2022
Video Verification for Business Profiles is down
You can see the full article for Free through GBPedia Local Intelligence News Free Access»
Google Search Local SERPS Refine Query & Location Search Box
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Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends February 2022
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Interesting variation/addition on Google review attributes: asking for date of visit
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Google Report about how it keeps Local information reliable
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Google Search adds booking and appointment availability for healthcare providers
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Hyper-Local Algorithm Update from Last Quarter Rollback?
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Carousel of local competition at the top for Google Search for branded searches
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Photo carousels on Google Business Profiles
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Google Business Profiles new emergency help attributes for Ukraine support
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Google’s free hotel booking links arrive on Search and Maps
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Google Tests “More about” Button in the GBP Profiles Panels on Google Search
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Google Business Profile SMS Notification?!
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Google Reviews Filtration Issue Update
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You can now Manage, Add, Remove Users on Google Search Merchant Dashboard
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Google Hotel Listings Attribute For Free Or Discounted Accommodation For Ukraine
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Google’s New Local ‘Vehicle Ads’
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Exponential Increase On Google Reviews Filtration
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We Can Now Edit Attributes on Google Search Merchant Dashboard
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“On these lists” New Business Profiles Section In The Google Maps App
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Logos for Businesses Under Search Field Dropdown
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New Message on Google Business Profile Request Access Page
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Google Business Profile Post metrics (views and clicks) on Google Search Merchant Dashboard
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Google ‘Confirmed by phone’ label in Public GBP Profile panel
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Vicinity Update & GBP Name Spam
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Google Business Profile offering a promo Card to add WooCommerce to GBP profiles
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Forward To Search Merchant Dashboard After Verification
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Google Business Profiles May Require Additional Verification
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February 2022
February Business Category Changes
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Map in Google Search Local SERPS is now interactive
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Google Business Profile is showing ‘Confirmed by this business X weeks ago’
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Core Web Vitals Impact on Google Business Profile Landing Pages
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“Add GBP Logo” and “Add Cover Photo” Options Now on Google Search Merchant Dashboard
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Update – Appointment Link is Gone?!
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Update – The Performance Report appears to be fixed but the Insights still has missing data.
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2 New Options on Google Search Merchant Dashboard Settings
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Local Consumer Search Behavior Trends January 2022
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Update- Complete your Business Profile – add logo Issue
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Google Business Profiles New Business Calls API
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New Look For the Q&A And New Prompt If No Q&A
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“Suggest an edit” Feature Received a Facelift
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New Workarounds for this Issue: Google Q&A Section Not letting respond as Business Owner
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Follow and Welcome Offer Deprecation
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Appointment Link is Gone?!
A few users this morning (me included) have noticed that the appointment link in the “Info” section of the GBP Manager is not available.
So is this a bug or is Google removing this feature in favor of 3rd party booking integration?
You can see the full article for Free through GBPedia Local Intelligence News Free Access»
New Review Attributes for Service Businesses and Placement
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Update – Data Missing Issue On Both Google Business Profile Performance Report and Insights
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Categories Still Not Allowed For Service Area Businesses
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Data Missing Issue On Both Google Business Profile Performance Report and Insights
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Google Maps Local Ads Sneaky Tactic
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Google Maps on Desktop shows the “Manage your Business Profile” button
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Reinstatement Cases After Suspension Taking Longer
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Update – Google Business Profile Messages Not Working- Unable to See or Respond to Messages
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Google published how they create and enforce Google Reviews’ policies
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Update – Google Business Profile Issue: Photos Uploaded Not visible On Public Profile
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Update – GBP Edits “Under Review” Taking Days
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January 2022
New Food Orders Customer Actions Metric in The Google Business Profile Performance Report
Google Business Profiles Increasingly Showing “Visitors” Updates on Google Maps
Google Business Profile Issue: Photos Uploaded Not visible On Public Profile
Google Business Profile Issue: “Services” Changed/Removed and Replaced by Google
Google Business Profile Issue: Request Ownership Email with Incorrect Links
Google Business Profile Is Showing a “Tutorial” Box on Google Search Merchant Dashboard
Google Local SERPS With Things To Do, Airports & Transit Stops
Google is beginning to show the number of people that contributed to the “Price per person”
Google Local Search Results Grouping, Carousels & Count Labels
Google Business Profile sets 7 days waiting period for new owners and managers to manage all the features of the profile.
Google Business Profile Messages Not Working- Unable to See or Respond to Messages
Cars For Sale On Google Business Profiles Appearing More Often
Continues on
GBPedia
News/Updates
December 2021
“Mark As Special” Feature for Google Business Profile Products
This new feature for the products section, allows you mark a product as Special. After you mark a product as special, that product will be moved to the top of the products you listed in your Google Business Profile.
Google Maps is comparing the search results to restaurants in the user’s local area.
New Google Business Profile Service Areas Business Issues
Service Area Business Profiles Not Opening On Google Search Finder and Showing up in Middle of an Ocean on Google Maps
New Google Business Profile Service Areas Business Issues
Check here
New Google Business Profile Video Verification
When you create a new business Google Business Profiles, Google may offer by default video verification.
On the first page, you see a description of what GBP will need to see in the video. Then on the next screen, you will see a QR code to use on the mobile.
Afterward, you record outside signage such as your street name, or nearby businesses. Then show inside your business or tools of your trade and then show proof of management, such as by showing you have access to items or areas only employees can access.
Local Google Algorithm Update Confirmed!
Last week on the 8th, I reported that Google Algorithm Update may have happened a couple of weeks ago and Google confirmed yesterday!
The latest analysis on the impact of this algorithm update is this:
– Appear Proximity Factor is stronger with the Map focus on closer proximity to the user
– The keywords on the business name appear to lose ranking influence, as I predicted before.
So Businesses that never ranked before on the 3-pack are doing so and there is more diversity of packs.
Google Maps Busy Area Now Live
A few weeks ago, Google announced a new feature named busy area and now seems to be rolling out. Several users started to notice this roll out over the past few days. When you are looking at the Google Maps app, Google will show you if an area is busy by labeling it “busy area” with a pulsating indicator.
Google Maps New Feature GBP profile “Dock to Bottom” Test
Google is testing a new feature where a blue button “Dock to Bottom” next to the business name on the GBP profile on Google Maps. After pressing the button, the profile gets “docked” on a bar at the bottom.
Hotels can now publish GBP Posts
it’s official that Hotels can now publish GBP Posts what’s new, event, and COVID-19 posts but not offer or product posts according to Google’s new Post Policy wording, found by Joy Hawkins:
• Hotel businesses can create local posts to provide relevant, timely info to customers. Examples of helpful posts include COVID-19 protocols, updates to amenities or renovations, and events that take place on the property.
• Hotels can’t create “offer” posts, or any post that suggests the existence of or that links out to deals, promotions, special offers, or discounts. This ensures that customers don’t get confused about where to navigate on the hotel placesheet to find organic and ad prices from partners.
Read more here
Google Business Profile Algorithm Update Last Week?
Some professionals are questioning if there is a ranking update last week as they are seeing some drastic ranking movement.
more here
New Google Local SERPs Pack on Desktop
Google has confirmed that is rolling out a visually bigger Local SERPS Pack on Desktop with the profiles on the left and map on the right.
Google is asking users help to improve how the Phone app identifies businesses
Going forward, Google is getting users to help categorize incoming calls on its popular Phone app.
When viewing calls in the “Recents” screen, a button has started to appear under recent calls asking if the call was either to or from a business. Tapping on the button makes a pop-up menu appear from the bottom of the screen where you can tell Google just what kind of business it is.
Read more 
Google is showing on the Local Pack and GBP profiles if a doctor or healthcare facility takes your insurance
As I reported on January 7th when Google added Insurance attributes to profiles, Google Search can now show you which insurance networks the doctor or healthcare provider might accept. Plus, on the mobile search results, Google will let you filter providers by the insurance plans accepted.
On Google Business Profile manager you can:
– Add additional insurance providers they accept from a pre-populated list of available insurance providers
– Remove insurance providers and networks that are listed erroneously
Read more 
Google is also showing Languages Spoken by a doctor or healthcare facility on the Local Pack and GBP profiles
As I reported on August 23rd when Google released New GMB attribute that lets US healthcare providers indicate support for non-English languages.
Google Search shows now this language attributes to users. There is currently over a dozen languages represented, including Spanish and American Sign Language.
Read more 
November 2021
Google Business Profile Messaging Read Receipts Setting
Google has added a read receipts setting to the Google My Business messaging platform. After a recipient opens a new message, the sender gets a “Read” status under the message. This status appears for whoever sent the message in a conversation, either you or your customer. If you have messaging turned on, read receipts will automatically turn on. You can turn read receipts on or off in Google My Business
Google Business Public Profile using a LinkedIn Description
Google Business Profile Insights “Views” Data Missing Issue from 29 -31 October 21
Many users (including me) have noticed that Insights’ “Views” Data is missing from the 29-31 October 21, hopefully Google will recover and show the missing data in the next few days.
Google Showing Stock Level on Local SERPs
Users can see now if an item is on stock or not on businesses local to them through the in-store availability inside the Local SERPs Pack.
“Recent cases” in the Google Business Profile Help page
Users are seeing “Recent cases” in the Google Business Profile Help page including Case IDs, status and date last updated. You can’t interact with the feature though.
Google Business Profile Suspension After Reinstatement Issue
Some businesses are getting suspended, reinstated, and then immediately suspended again
Read more here
“Google Business Profile Manager” Name is starting to show
The new name is finally showing up in the Google My Business Web Dashboard. But not all the users are seeing this as the name change was just last week, so it is slowing rolling out.
Google Business Profile Categories Missing Issue
Dozens of healthcare categories apparently have been removed, to what appears to be a bug. Users are seeing this error: “This business category isn’t available in your region”.
Read more here
Google Maps will show price ranges, based on user contributions, for restaurants in the U.S.
When customers leave reviews they can now share details about the restaurant’s price ranges, and whether they offer amenities such as outdoor seating, delivery, curbside pickup, and more.
Read more here
Google Maps will show Area Busyness
Customers can now see how busy a particular area is before they get there, which will help those who prefer to avoid large crowds.
The new feature, called Area Busyness, combines live busyness trends from individual businesses that are in close proximity to each other. Google Maps will show you how busy the area is currently, and how busy it’s estimated to be throughout the day.
Read more here
Google Maps is expanding the Indoor Directory tab globally for all airports, malls, and transit stations.
Google is expanding the Directory tab in the Google Maps app on Android and iOS for all airports, malls and transit stations around the world. If these locations give Google the indoor mapping data, you will be able to see what types of stores are in a building, airport lounges, car rentals, parking lots and more. And within each category, you can see a list of the relevant businesses, in addition to helpful information about whether it’s open, its rating and what floor it’s on, Google said.
Read more here
Google Expands Grocery shopping
Once you place your order from the retailer, pickup with Google Maps lets you track your order status, share your ETA and let the store know you’ve arrived, all from the app. Pickup with Google Maps now includes more Kroger Family stores like Kroger, Fry’s, Ralphs and Marianos — as of today, it’s now available in over 2,000 store locations in more than 30 states across the U.S. People who use pickup with Google Maps typically wait less than five minutes for their groceries, meaning you can grab exactly what you need and get right back to your day.
Read more here
GBP Search Merchant Dashboard Now Have Temporarily/Permanently closed
Google Business Profile Merchant Dashboard on Search & Maps has a new functionality, you can mark a business “Temporarily or Permanently closed”.
November Google Business Profile Category Changes
New
Funeral celebrant service
Vehicle wrapping service
Updated
None
Removed
Bailiff
Huissier
Google Business Profile Insights “Views” Data Missing Issue 7-14 November
A few users have noticed that Insights’ “Views” Data is missing from the 7-14 November, hopefully Google will recover and show the missing data in the next few days.
more here
October 2021
Google Local SERPS with 5 Pack Test?
Few users users are seeing 5 local packs, is this a another test?
In the past few months they tested 10 and 2 listings local packs.
New Google My Business Feature: Get quote requests via email
Google is inviting selected businesses to add a new Quote requests feature: “Quote requests via email”, instead of using the Messaging feature.
You can see more here.
Google is displaying now 2 Screened Ads on Local Searches
Many users spotted 2 Local Ads-Screened on local search results, instead of just one.
Scrollable Google Reviews on Local Search Results
Google shows Google Reviews you can scroll through in a carousel on Local Search Results.
In 2019, Google added this feature to the Google My Business Profiles panel and now expanded it to local SERPS.
Google My Business Posts have “Products” label finally removed
Google finally removed from Google My Business Posts section the “Products”, as it didn’t have any purpose as that button would forward you to the Products section.
New Purple Heart Icon on Local Search for “Identifies as women-owned” Businesses
Google changed the icon showing for “Identifies as women-owned” Businesses on the local search results but it gets changed to the old one when you scroll images carousel in Local Pack, probably not fully rolled out.
Google My Business Women/Veteran-led attributes have changed
Google finally changed changed “women-led” and “veteran-led” to “women-owned” and “veteran-owned,” aligning these attributes with “Black-owned” and the recently added “Latino-owned.”
Google My Business New Crowd Category Attributes
Google added a new attributes category “Crowd” within this attribute the options are “LGBTQ+ friendly” and a “Transgender safespace”.
Google My Business New Notification for GMB Messages
Google is showing a new notification box “new message”, of course, to let you know that you have customer messages to reply to.
Google Local SERPS With Shopping Refinements
Google is testing showing Shopping Filter Refinements on Local Mobile Search Results.
Google My Business Posts is Working Again For Hotels & Hospitality
Some users are able to create posts for Accommodation type of business again (happened the same in July 21). Is this a bug again?
New Google My Business Setup Process?
Some users are seeing a new GMB Setup Workflow, and appears is pushing online businesses towards Merchant Center as they don’t qualify to sign up for Google My Business.
Ranking Issue Affecting SABs?
Some Professionals are questioning if there is ranking issue/algorithm update for SAB profiles as it appears that since June there has been a decline in traffic and leads only on SAB.
September 2021
Google Pushing New GMB Merchant Experience Flow
Google is now showing notices to let users know they can manage their profile directly on Google Search & Maps
Google Releases New Local Search Trends
Google searches for “open now near me” have grown globally by more than 200% year over year.
In the U.S., searches for “local gift shops near me” have increased 440% in just the past month as people switch between online and offline shopping – more than ever before. If your physical stores are open for in-store shopping, it’s crucial to make sure your customers can easily find you online.”
New Beta Google Reviews Questions Flow for Restaurants
Users are seeing new questions when leaving a review on restaurants. If it was Take out/Delivery/Dine in, what did you get, how much spent (interesting)
GMB Site Manager confirms deprecation and upgrade to “Manager” role
Google is emailing users to advise after 24 October 2021 site managers will be “upgraded” to managers.
Google My Business Category Changes
New
Doner kebab restaurant
Fish restaurant
Meyhane
Updated
None
Removed
None
Google My Business New “Latino-owned” Attribute
Google My Business added “Identifies as Latino-owned” as an option, appears to coincide with Hispanic Heritage Month that started on the 15th.
Possible Google Local Ranking Update
Some users are reporting Google Local Organic Ranking changes on 20th September, but GMBs appear have not been affected.
Google Local SERPs Pack Map on the Right Test
Some users are reporting seeing a new test on local pack SERPs, where the map shows on the right instead at the top of the profiles pack
.
August 2021
New Label in Local Search Pack
Local search pack is showing a “Updated today” label on listings. The only doubt is the label referring to the stock data or updates on the profile information.
3rd Party Reviews Label on the GMB Public Profile
Google appears to be testing new review label/text for reviews on other websites. The new labels are underneath Google Reviews score. The ones that have been seen are “Reviews on independent sites” and “Reviews from the web”.
New GMB Language Attributes
Stefan Somborac have found that Google released New GMB attribute that lets US healthcare providers indicate support for non-English languages.
August Google My Business Category Changes
New
Toast restaurant
Pilaf restaurant
Kofta restaurant
Durum restaurant
Cig kofte restaurant
Updated
None
Removed
None
Google My Business Products Review
Google is now showing “your product is being reviewed.” Google adds that “it may take up to 30 minutes. Product will be visible to customers once approved.”
Google My Business Posts can appear in third party Sites
Google now has a notice when you add Google Posts in Google My Business that those posts can appear not just on Google properties and third-party sites.
Google Local SERPs Without Call To Action Buttons
Google is now testing Google Local SERPs aka Local 3 pack. 
Google My Business Site Manager has been Deprecated
Google removed “Site Manager” option for user type on Google My Business. The current site managers will keep the status but you will not be able to add more site managers.
July 2021
GMB Call History Enabling From “Info”
Google is allowing those businesses selected for the beta testing of Call History to enable this feature on the “Phone number” field.
Google showing “Call History” Track Number
If you have opted into Call History, you can check what phone number that Google is using as the track number in your profile, of course, you have to be login into your GMB account.
Google My Business Posts is Working For Hotels & Hospitality
Some users are able to create posts for Accommodation related categories, as the businesses in this categories, like hotels, are not allowed to post… well until now.
However, it’s a bug as Google advised posts being allowed for GMB listings for hotels is not intended and is going to be removed.
Google My Business Locations Dashboard New Edit Experience
For those users that have more one location/agency, if you go to “Businesses” section and click on the edit button in front of a location, it will now pop up a quick info section in the listings dash itself – a much quicker and easier way to make quick edits.
New Detailed Google Reviews for Restaurants
Now users when leaving a Google Reviews can review as well price range, the type of meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.) and whether they got take out, delivery or dined in, just by taping.
This feature is now fully live for all restaurants in the U.S. on Android and is rolling out to iOS, with more categories and countries on the way.
More here on Google
June 2021
Google Assistant is helping create Google My Business Profile
Google seems to have launched in Italy a new Google Assistant app for the Google My Business platform. This app lets you ask Google Assistant to bring your business online. All you do is say “Hey Google, bring my business online.”
Find out more here in SER
Say Goodbye to the Short Name and Link
Google advises we can no longer create or edit short names. Short names and URLs that already exist will still work.
Find out more here
Google My Business Adds Labels for New Listings
Google has a “New on Google” label that is showing beside listings in both the local pack results and the local finder.
Find out more here on Local U
Google My Business Local Search Ranking Update On June 8th?
Search Engine Roundtable reports “We may have seen a Google local search ranking update on Tuesday, June 8th. The BrightLocal tracking tool showed significant changes and volatility on June 8th, with a bit of heat also on June 6th and June 9th.”
Find out more here on SER
Google Local Search Pack with Delivery Button
Users are seeing more and more local packs for Food businesses with a delivery button.
Directions and Website Clicks metrics are now available in the GMB Performance Report.
Some users have now available Directions and Website Clicks metrics in their GMB Performance Report.
Check more on Local U
Google My Business Insights Message “Data may be delayed”
Google has inserted a message at the top of the Google My Business Insights reporting section that says “data may be delayed”. It is affecting users in most countries.
Google My Business Public Profile Q&A Related To Your Search Feature
Google is showing “related to your search” section with Q&A.
Check here more
May 2021
Google My Business Site Insights
If you are using the free Google My Business Website you are able to check insights for the website by pressing on the info icon next to the “xx people visited your site”
“Business Profile performance” report includes the number of completed bookings
Stefan Somborac discovered a new Google My Business change, the new “Business Profile performance” report should start showing the number of completed bookings, if you’ve set up bookings through a provider.
Google My Business Contact Form Change
Allie Margeson found a change on the Google My Business Contact Form, you can now select which business you need help with when using the contact form.
I can see this change so it should be mean it’s a wide roll-out change.
Google My Business Performance Report is showing Bookings Data
Colan Nielsen spotted this first and posted about it on Twitter. You may see a new “bookings” tab to see if people booked reservations, appointments, etc with you via Google Maps or Google Search local.
Call History Showing in the GMB Dashboard
A few users spotted the call history tab in the dashboard.
GMB Insights Direction Requests Metric Change
Stefan Somborac noticed this change:
Google is trying to account for multi-tapping, direction request cancellation, etc. so expect your direction requests count to decrease (in pursuit of accuracy)
New Icon on Google Maps – Test
Several users are noticing a new Icon on Google Maps, this icon shows the review rating score and the normal business category icon. The users are seeing these icons when searching for Bakeries, coffee shops inUS, Canada and Germany.
Business Information Editor on Google Search has a new Layout
Several users noticed (including me) that there is a new layout when you access “Edit profile” on Google Search.
Google Local Search 10 Pack Test?
Several users are seeing 10 pack local SERPS, is this a bug or test? I believe is a test as Google is testing 2 pack SERPS.
Google My Business Photo and Videos New Status
There is a change coming for uploaded Photos and Videos, Google My Business Help Page advises that it will start showing the status of your photo/video uploads:
Pending – The media is in either the upload or processing stage, or your profile is currently not verified. Pending media doesn’t appear on Google Search or Maps to customers.
Not approved– The media is flagged and has violated policies. Since it was flagged, the media doesn’t show up on Google Search or Maps.
Live – The media shows up on Search and Maps for customers.
Google launches new ad formats for local campaigns and pickup later option for local inventory ads
Google announced a number of new local ad-based features at its Google Marketing Livestream event. These include new ad formats for local campaigns and a new option for “pickup later” in the local inventory ads. Check this article for more.
Google My Business Hide Phone Number New Option
Google added a option to allow businesses to hide their phone numbers from showing up in Google Maps and Google Search’s local results.
May Google My Business Category Changes
New
American grocery store
Dacia dealer
Updated
Train ticket counter changed to Train ticket office
Removed
None
April 2021
Google My Business Clarifies Phone Numbers Not Allowed In Google Posts
This new policy is named Phone Stuffing and Google wrote “To avoid the risk of abuse, we do not allow your post content to include a phone number. You can make your phone number available on your Business Profile or website.”
Check the SER’s article
“People Also Search For” on Google displays Local Businesses Maps
Google is now able to show in the “people also search for” query refinement feature local business listings and map results. Valentin Pletzer noticed this and posted a screenshot on Twitter which you can see here.
New Local Links Guidelines
Action-oriented links on GMB (book appointment, make reservation, place order) must point to a landing page that allows the user to perform the desired action. If it’s inaccessible (e.g. 404, timeout) Google will remove it. Check here.
New Option to Edit Your Profile on Google Search
Google announced this on Twitter saying “You can now easily edit information on your Business Profile like hours, category and location — all directly on Google Search with an enhanced editor.” Check here.