Google will remove its chat and call history features in Google Business Profiles on July 31, 2024. We understand this may be difficult news for many businesses. As Google continually improves its tools, tough decisions sometimes must be made, impacting the businesses and partners who rely on them. Despite these changes, Google remains committed to being a helpful partner in managing your business. Here’s what you need to know about removing the chat and call option.
Key Dates
Starting July 15: Customers can no longer start new chat conversations with your business from Google. Existing chat conversations will be notified that the chat feature will be phased out.
Starting July 31: The chat functionality in Google Business Profile will end. You will no longer receive new chat messages and can no longer see your business’s call history in Google Business Profile. However, customers can still find and contact your business via Google Search and Maps.
What This Means for Your Business
While these features are being removed, it’s important to note that customers will still have multiple ways to reach out to you. They can find your business through Google Search and Maps, access your website links, and view your business description, photos, and any other information you share on your Business Profile. Additionally, you will still be able to receive calls from your Business Profile and track other engagement metrics, such as web traffic and direction requests.
What to Do Next
To prepare for these changes, consider the following steps:
- Download Past Records: If you want to keep past Business Profile chats or call history records, you can download them via Google Takeout.
- Alternative Chat Channels: If you have alternate chat channels, invite your customers to continue their conversations there.
- Monitor Engagement Metrics: Monitor other engagement metrics for your business, including web traffic and direction requests, to understand how customers interact with your profile.
How MILE Social Can Help
At MILE Social, we understand that managing changes to your digital presence can be challenging. We are here to help you navigate these updates to your Google Business Profile and ensure your business continues thriving online. Our team specializes in Local SEO, Automated Marketing, Website Design and Management, and SEO. We tailor our services to meet each client’s unique needs, ensuring that your digital presence is optimized to attract and engage customers effectively.
If you have any questions or need assistance managing your Google Business Profile, don’t hesitate to contact us. We are committed to helping you maintain a strong and effective online presence, no matter what changes come your way.
