It’s time to get ready for some big changes coming to the Google Business Profile. Google has announced they are pulling the plug on the chat and call history features. Here’s the lowdown on what’s happening and what you should do.
What’s Happening?
Google announced that the chat and call history features in the Google Business Profile will be phased out. Starting July 15, 2024, you won’t be able to start new chat conversations from Google Maps or Google Search. By July 31, 2024, the chat and call history features will be completely disabled.
What Did Google Say?
Google has been sending out emails to businesses that use these features. The email reads:
“We are reaching out to share that we will be winding down Google’s chat and call history features in Google Business Profile on July 31, 2024. We acknowledge that this may be difficult news. As we continually improve our tools, we occasionally have to make difficult decisions that may impact the businesses and partners we work with. It’s important to us that Google remains a helpful partner as you manage your business, and we remain committed to this mission.”
Important Dates to Remember
- July 15, 2024: No more new chat conversations can be started from Google Maps or Google Search. Existing chat conversations will be notified about the phase-out.
- July 31, 2024: Chat functionality will end completely, and you won’t receive new chat messages. Plus, your call history will no longer be visible in your Google Business Profile.
What You Need to Do
Before these features disappear, make sure you download your chat and call history from your Google Business Profiles. This way, you can keep this data safe and store it in your CRM software or database. At some point, Google will delete all chat and call history, so don’t wait too long.
Why This Matters
If your business relies on these features to communicate with customers, it’s crucial to be prepared for this change. Download your chat and call history before the deadline to ensure you don’t lose any important data.
So, there you have it. Stay ahead of the game and make sure you’ve got everything sorted before these features go.