Temporary Changes to Google My Business Aimed at Increasing Safety During Covid-19 Pandemic

Google has temporarily made changes to Google My Business. According to the company, these changes allow their employees to stay safe at home instead of coming into the office.

Post to All Locations at Once

One of the most significant changes is that business owners and managers can now use an API to post to all a chain’s locations. If you want to make this change, then go to your Google API Console and select the Project ID under the Resource Manager Page. While you would typically have to wait for a review by Google’s staff, the company has defaulted so that all requests submitted successfully are automatically approved.

You can also turn on the API manually. In that case, you need to open the API Library. Choose your API from the drop-down list or use the search function to search for your API. Once you find it, then click the enable button.

If you have not already created your OAuth 2.0 client credentials, then that needs to be your next step. On the Google API Console, click “Create credentials > OAuth client ID.” Then, create your credentials. The system should generate a client ID for you. Click on your client ID. It should show you vital information like your client secret, JavaScript origins, and your email address.

This will allow you to post to all connected accounts at one time when you use an API tool.

Other COVID-19 Changes at Google

Under the extraordinary precautions being taken by everyone to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, Google has made other changes to Google My Business. They are prioritizing changes affecting store hours and open statuses. You can also create a COVID-19 update that will be displayed more prominently on your Google My Business listing. Updates to businesses in the healthcare field are being worked first, so if your business is in a different area, you can expect delays when reaching out to support. New reviews, new replies to reviews, all videos, new short names, and all questions and answers are unavailable currently. For more information click here https://www.reddit.com/r/SEO/comments/fqltyp/googlejustchangedtheirrulesforgmbpostsif/.