Google’s been on a roll lately, dropping updates left and right for Google Business Profile (GBP). Whether you’re a seasoned local SEO expert or just getting your feet wet, these updates are worth your attention. We’re talking about everything from manual social media link management (finally!) to tweaks in how Local Service Ads are displayed. Let’s dive into what’s new and why it matters.
Manually Manage Your Social Media Links in Google Business Profile
Let’s start with the big one: Google now lets you manually add and manage your social media profiles directly within your Google Business Profile. If you’ve ever pulled your hair out because your GBP was linking to the wrong Instagram account, this update is for you.
Previously, getting your social links right required a mix of black magic, schema sorcery, and a whole lot of luck. Now, it’s as simple as heading to the New Merchant Experience, hitting ‘Edit Profile,’ toggling to ‘Contact,’ and adding your Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and YouTube links. Boom—your social profiles are where they should be.
This feature is still rolling out, so if you don’t see it yet, hang tight. It’s coming.
Appeal Image or Video Rejection in Google Business Profile with This New Form
Ever had an image or video mysteriously rejected by Google with no explanation? Yeah, us too. It’s been one of those frustrating black holes where you’re left wondering what you did wrong. Well, Google’s making moves to clear up the confusion.
Now, if your content gets rejected, there’s a new support form that lets you appeal the decision. Whether it’s a verification issue, duplicate content, or something else entirely, this form is your ticket to getting answers—and hopefully getting your content back up.
Google Now Alerts Business and Reviewer If the Review Was Not Posted
In the past, if a review didn’t get posted, it was like it disappeared into the void—only the reviewer knew, and businesses were left in the dark. That’s changing, at least in Europe.
Google’s introduced a ‘Not posted’ label that lets reviewers know when their review has been filtered out. While this is currently only in Europe, it’s a step toward more transparency in the review process. We’re keeping our fingers crossed that this rolls out globally.
Google Tests ‘Manage Photos’ Feature in Google Business Profile
Google’s testing a new ‘Manage photos’ option in the New Merchant Experience (NMX). While this feature is still in the experimental phase, it’s a welcome addition for those of us managing multiple listings. It gives you a centralized spot to manage your photos, making it a bit easier to keep your GBP looking sharp.
Sure, you still can’t upload cover photos here, but it’s a step in the right direction. We’re hoping this test becomes a permanent feature.
Google Tests Local Services Ads List View
Google’s playing around with the idea of displaying Local Service Ads (LSAs) in a list view instead of the usual carousel. It’s a small tweak, but one that could impact how users interact with LSAs. They previously switched from two to three LSAs in the carousel view, and now they’re testing going back to two in a list format. Time will tell if this sticks, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
Our Thoughts
Overall, we’re pretty stoked about these updates. The ability to manage social media links directly within your GBP is a game-changer, and the new appeal form for rejected content is a much-needed transparency boost. Even the smaller tweaks, like the ‘Manage photos’ test and LSA list view, show that Google is listening to feedback and refining the user experience.
But that’s just our take. What do you think? Join the conversation in our Facebook group, The Local Pack, and let’s talk about how these updates could impact your business.
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