If you haven’t heard yet, Google My Business is now Google Business Profile. Yep, same platform, new name. But here’s the kicker: nearly a third of users have no clue this rebrand even happened. Crazy, right? You’d think with all the noise in the SEO world, this would be common knowledge by now. But here we are.
So, what’s really going on here? Let’s break it down.
A Rebrand That’s Slipping Under the Radar
Google My Business (GMB) was the go-to for local businesses to manage their online presence. But at the end of 2021, Google dropped a bomb—GMB would now be called Google Business Profile (GBP). “Big deal,” you might think. But here’s the catch: 32% of GMB users didn’t even know about this change.
And it’s not just about the name change. Google is making some functional tweaks too—like phasing out the GMB app for single-location businesses. Moving forward, businesses will manage everything directly in Google Search. So, if you’ve been relying on the app, it’s time to kiss it goodbye.
Why Does This Matter?
It’s easy to shrug off a name change. But here’s the real issue: if a third of users don’t know about the rebrand, they’re likely missing out on important updates that could affect their local SEO. You know what that means—potential lost traffic, missed opportunities, and falling behind competitors who are staying on top of these changes.
Agencies and consultants? They’re feeling the pinch even more. About 28% of agency professionals were in the dark about these updates, which is wild when you think about it. These are the folks managing multiple locations and juggling multiple clients.
Business as Usual? Not So Fast
For multi-location businesses, it’s pretty much business as usual. They’re still using the newly dubbed Business Profile Manager to handle listings. But for small, local businesses? That’s a different story.
Here’s what’s surprising: despite the app going away, only 10% of small local businesses believe the changes will have any impact on them. And this isn’t just optimism—it’s probably because the ability to manage listings from Google Search has been around for a while. For many, it’s not a huge deal.
But wait—if nearly half of local businesses are unaware of the rebrand, are they really prepared for what’s coming? Let’s just say, there’s going to be a learning curve.
Sentiment Is Mixed—And That’s Fine
So, how do people feel about all this? We asked, and the responses were all over the place.
66% of respondents weren’t sure how to feel.
18% were straight-up negative about it.
16% felt positive, or at least cautiously optimistic.
The takeaway? People are still figuring this out, and it’s too early to say if this rebrand will be a hit or a flop.
What Does This Mean for Your Business?
At the end of the day, it’s about how you adapt. Google is constantly making changes (hello, algorithm updates), and if you’re not paying attention, you risk getting left behind. If you’re a small business, this rebrand might feel like a minor inconvenience. But if you’re an agency or a multi-location business, this could impact your workflows, your tools, and—most importantly—your clients.
Here’s the real question: Are you keeping up?
In a digital world where visibility is everything, GMB Fox ensures your business isn’t just online—it’s the first choice customers make. Let us handle the complexities of digital marketing, so you can focus on what truly matters: growing your business.
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