https://gbpwatch.com/Google Business Profile changes, explained for business ownershttps://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-third-party-ordering-controls/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-third-party-ordering-controls/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google added controls inside Business Profile that let restaurants choose which third-party ordering providers (for example Uber Eats, DoorDash, Grubhub) appear on their listing, and whether each shows for pickup and/or delivery. Before, you had to ask each delivery platform to remove its feed.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-asking-for-ein/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-asking-for-ein/Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Some owners setting up the message button were asked for an Employer Identification Number (EIN) and a privacy policy URL. Google's screen says a Google partner reviews the details before you can receive messages, which takes about three to four working days.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-home-beta/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-home-beta/Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google began a beta called Google Business Home, which combines Business Profile, Merchant Center, YouTube and Ads accounts in one place, with sections for posts, reviews, performance, locations and a brand kit. It has been rolling out slowly to some businesses.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-review-appeals-delayed/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-review-appeals-delayed/Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000On October 15 a Google team member posted in the Business Profile help community that, due to a high volume of review-related appeals, processing times are extended and Google cannot give a timeframe. Google asked owners not to create duplicate appeals.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-government-id-verification-test/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-government-id-verification-test/Tue, 20 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Some owners were shown a new verification option asking them to upload a photo of a government ID. It is not yet in Google's help page, which lists phone or text, email, live video call and mail as the verification methods. Google says the ID is only used for verification and isn't shown publicly.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-local-panel-whatsapp-button/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-local-panel-whatsapp-button/Wed, 07 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google began showing WhatsApp buttons in the local business panel in Search, alongside or instead of chat, next to the call, directions and website buttons.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-policy-no-ads-in-listing/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-policy-no-ads-in-listing/Tue, 06 Oct 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google rewrote its advertising and solicitation policy and added a "For merchants" section. In the listing itself (name, description and other fields) it bans time-bound promotions, pricing and direct calls-to-action. In posts it bans email addresses, phone numbers, social links or links to other websites not related to your business. Offers and updates are still allowed in posts.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-sign-in-to-read-all-reviews/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-sign-in-to-read-all-reviews/Wed, 30 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Visitors who aren't signed in to a Google account are prompted to sign in when they try to see more reviews, sort reviews or leave a review on a listing.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-misuse-of-support-channels/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-misuse-of-support-channels/Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google added a "Misuse of support channels" section to its Business Profile policies. It covers false or misleading reports and reports made in bad faith, and warns that repeated unfounded submissions can result in rejection of all further complaints without assessment. It applies to all Business Profile users, including agencies.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-bug-service-area-pins-in-ocean/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-bug-service-area-pins-in-ocean/Tue, 29 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Local marketers reported a bug where service-area businesses (ones that hide their address) showed the correct service area on Maps but a pin marker in the middle of the ocean on the profile. It was seen on many profiles. Google had not commented when it was reported.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-posts-unverified-contact-information/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-posts-unverified-contact-information/Fri, 25 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google's posts policy now says it may remove posts with unverified contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses and social media handles. The old rule banned phone numbers in posts outright. Google suggests attaching a Call now button, which uses your verified profile phone number.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-4-days-to-reject-suggested-edits/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-4-days-to-reject-suggested-edits/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google's help page now says that when a suggested edit needs your review you may get an email or in-product notification, and you have 4 days to accept or reject it. If you don't respond, Google may publish it if other public information, such as your website, supports it. Google may also apply some edits without asking you at all.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-spam-review-spike-pause-emails/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-business-profile-spam-review-spike-pause-emails/Tue, 22 Sep 2026 12:00:00 +0000Owners began receiving an email titled "Protecting your Business Profile from spam reviews". It says Google detected and removed a spike in spam reviews and has temporarily paused new ratings, reviews and other contributions, typically for a few days. No action is required, but you can request a review if genuine reviews were removed.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-reviews-missing-and-paused-july-2026/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-reviews-missing-and-paused-july-2026/Fri, 03 Jul 2026 12:00:00 +0000After days of complaints, Google confirmed it was investigating reports of reviews disappearing from local listings and listings being unable to get new reviews. Google said it would restore any reviews that were incorrectly removed. In at least one reported case, a listing's rating dropped to 0.https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-new-business-protections-april-2026/https://gbpwatch.com/changes/google-maps-new-business-protections-april-2026/Thu, 16 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000Google announced it would quickly remove spam review spikes, pause new reviews on the affected profile, alert the owner and show customers a banner. It also started using Gemini to block bad edits and began emailing verified, active owners about important edits before they go live. Google said it removed over 292 million policy-violating reviews in 2025.