New and Noteworthy Google Business Profile (Google My Business) & Yelp Updates

It can be hard to keep up with all the changes Google makes throughout the year which is why we’ve rounded up all the most important updates every business should be aware of. The following is a list of all the most recent updates to Google My Business and Yelp.

Google Removes Short Names

Initiated in May 2019, Google short names had a short run and will be removed from the GMB platform. Earlier this month, Google My Business updated their help article to say “Important: You can no longer create or edit short names. Short names and URLs that already exist will still work”.

For those of you who already went through the process of setting up a GMB short name, the url will still work. However, it might be a good idea to start replacing all of your short name links.

If you’d like to delete your Google Short Name you can do so by following these steps:

1. On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
   1. If you have multiple locations, go to the location you want to remove a short name for.
2. Next to your short name, click Edit.
3. In the “Profile short name” window, click Delete.

New GMB Label – “New On Google”

Google appears to be placing a “New On Google” label on recently added GMB profiles. Joy Hawkins reported that this label appears to be found on listings created within the last 60 days.

Source: Local U

This label is different from another new label, “Recently Opened”. The recently opened label is only for newly opened businesses. Whereas the “New On Google” label is not related to when a business opens, but rather when their GMB profile is created.

New Google Local Ad Formats

Google has expanded their local ad placements to include: Auto Suggest ads, Navigational ads, and Similar Places ads.

(From left to right: Auto Suggest, Navigational, Similar Places ads. Source: Google)

Auto Suggest Ads: These ads appear while the user is actively searching and are based on proximity.

Navigational Ads: These ads are shown while someone is using driving directions. The driver has to the option to add a stop for the business along the route.

Similar Places Ads: Google is now using ads to show similar and open businesses nearby when a user searches for a business that is closed at the time of the search.

Yelp Celebrates Pride with Enhanced LGBTQ+ Owned Businesses Visibility

Users can now search for LGBTQ+ owned or open to all businesses on Yelp. In April, searches for LGBTQ+ owned businesses increased by 150%, compared to the previous year. In addition to an attribute located on the business profile, these businesses will also be featured with a rainbow pin on the Yelp map through the month of pride.

Source: Yelp

If businesses would like to add the “LGBTQ-owned” or “Open to All” attribute on their Yelp profile, they can do so through the following steps:

1. Log in to Yelp for Business (Business Information tab)
2. In the Amenities section, click Add or Edit
3. Select Yes next to “LGBTQ-owned” and/or “Open to All”
4. Click Save Changes

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