We’re reaching out to inform you about an upcoming change to Google Business Profile. As we continuously strive to improve the tools we offer businesses, we sometimes have to make difficult decisions that may impact our partners. In this instance, we’ll be winding down the Google chat feature within Google Business Profile.
We understand this news may be inconvenient, and we want to assure you of our continued commitment to being a helpful partner in managing your business. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the upcoming changes:
- Ending New Chats: Starting July 15, 2024, customers will no longer be able to initiate new chat conversations with your business through Google Business Profile. Existing conversations will continue until July 31st, but users will be notified that chat functionality is being phased out.
- Chat Feature Shutdown: On July 31, 2024, the chat functionality will be completely discontinued. This means you will no longer be able to receive new chat messages from customers through Google Business Profile.
Rest assured, customers can still find and contact your business through Google Search and Maps. They can also learn more about your business through your website links, business description, photos, and any other information you share on your Business Profile.
What You Can Do:
- Download Chat History: If you’d like to keep a record of past customer conversations, you can download your chat history using Google Takeout before July 31st.
- Consider Alternative Solutions: We recommend exploring alternative chat solutions to continue conversations with your customers. You can then update your Business Profile to reflect your preferred method of communication.
We understand this change may require adjustments on your end. We encourage you to visit the Google Help Center if you have any questions regarding this update.
Our goal is to continue providing you with the best possible tools to manage your business online. We appreciate your understanding and continued partnership.
