Brand Development | Business Development | Digital Business | Digital Marketing | seo strategy | SEO Tips | business strategy | Google My Business | Google Maps | Local Pack Listing | local SEO | Google Business Profile Manager | Google Search | GMB | Small Business
Google My Business is now called Google Business Profile (GBP) but will it stick?
Historically since its introduction as Google Local Business Centre, the free listing tool has had several monikers. Google Places in 2010, then Google+ Local in 2012, followed by the rename Google My Business in 2014. So experts are saying no - this won’t be the last rebrand.
Why This Rebrand? 
The rebrand is based around the new interface where businesses can interact directly with products. It’s not a simple rebrand but a restructuring of GMB almost completely.
The New Merchant Experience (NMX) is intended for businesses to directly manage their profile from Search and Maps. Madrigal also added that 2022 will see the retirement of GMB entirely, so that all businesses take advantage of the upgraded experience.
What’s New with GBP?
The renaming came with a few new features, but some of them - claiming your business is one - have been around for a few months.
When you are logged in with the Gmail address that you use to manage your GBP, from Search or Maps you can now:
- Complete verification
- Resolve issues with your business profile
- Edit information that users can see about your business.
- Make posts + respond to reviews
- Message, and manage message read receipts
- Call History is pending (launching in the US and Canada now)
How Does it Affect My Local SEO? 
If you’ve already claimed your business listing and are managing it from your GMB Dashboard - sorry - now GBP Manager, do nothing. You now have the ability to edit and update your business information directly on the Search or Maps pages, if you don’t want to use the GBP Manager through your browser.
Local SEOs can still use the Manager when required, and multi-location businesses are still encouraged to use the Business Manager.
I Don’t Use GMB (sorry) GBP
If you are a small business, and you haven’t claimed your listing it’s time to do that NOW!
The FREE business listing is critical for your business SEO, especially locally. It helps put you in front of local customers looking for your products or services. As digital marketers, it’s one of the first things we recommend our clients do.
A Google Account offers free tools that help improve your business. You’ll have access to:
- Google Business Profile
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
- Google Ads
No Gmail Address? No Problem.
If you don’t have a Google Account you can get one even if you don’t use Gmail.
You can register your current email address that you use for your business, and set one up. Use the image link below.
Just fill in all your details and follow the prompts.
It’s a great way to use Google services with your business email, and keep things separate from your personal email account.
You can log in to multiple accounts at the same time if you need to, including any personal Gmail accounts you have. You’ll receive a verification email that you used to create the Google Account, and once verified you’ll have access to Drive, Photos, Analytics and more.
More Resources
- Here at Skypoynt, it’s what we do, and we recently published a blog about Why GMB is Critical for Conveyancers for Local SEO. It’s relevant for all small businesses.
- Our blog Google My (Dental) Practice/Business also has more about how you can customise the free business listing.
- Search Engine Journal has a more indepth article around the change.
- Wikihow has a step-by-step on Creating A Google Account without Gmail.
**This blog was published by Kailee Beazley, who undertook work experience with Skypoynt in November 2021.
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