New 2025 Google Business Profile Features

New 2025 Google Business Profile Updates: What Local Businesses Need to Know

Staying ahead in local search is essential for small businesses, and Google Business Profile (GBP) continues to roll out new features to help businesses connect with customers more effectively. In 2025, several updates are making it easier than ever to manage your profile, enhance customer communication, and improve your online presence. Let’s dive into the latest Google Business Profile updates and how they can benefit your business.

New! WhatsApp & Text Messaging Integration With Your Google Business Profile

Google has introduced a new feature allowing businesses to add WhatsApp and text messaging to their Google Business Profile. This update gives customers an easier way to reach businesses for inquiries, appointment bookings, and support—directly from Google Search.

With more people preferring quick, mobile-friendly communication over phone calls or emails, this feature makes it easier for businesses to respond quickly and engage more efficiently.

How This GBP Feature Benefits Businesses

• Instant Access – Customers can contact businesses directly from Google Search via WhatsApp or text.
• Better Engagement – Quick responses help convert potential customers into actual customers.
• Seamless Integration – Businesses don’t need third-party apps to enable direct messaging.

How to Enable WhatsApp or Text Messaging on Google Business Profile

To activate this feature, businesses must have a claimed and verified Google Business Profile.

1. Go to Your Business Profile in Google Search or Google Maps.
2. Click “Edit Profile” > “Business Information” > “Contact.”
3. Select “Chat” and choose either “Text Message” or “WhatsApp.”
4. Enter your phone number (for text messaging) or WhatsApp URL.
5. Click Save.

Important Notes:

• Available on mobile search worldwide, except in PH, VN, TH, TW, JP & KR.
• Not all businesses may have this feature, as availability varies by region.

Common Questions

Can multiple business profiles use the same WhatsApp URL?

Yes, the same WhatsApp link can be added to different profiles.

Can I track interactions from WhatsApp or text messages?

Currently, Google does not provide performance metrics for these chat options.

Why This Matters for Local Businesses

With billions of WhatsApp and text users worldwide, this feature ensures businesses stay accessible and responsive. Whether you run a restaurant, retail store, service business, or healthcare practice, offering **direct messaging through Google** can improve customer experience and streamline communication.

💡 Get started today by enabling WhatsApp or text messaging in your Business Profile settings.

New! Time-Saving Feature for Multi-Location Businesses: Set Special Hours with Ease

Managing multiple business locations just became more efficient with Google Business Profile’s latest update. Businesses can now copy special hours across multiple profiles, eliminating the need to update each location separately. This feature helps ensure accuracy while saving time for businesses with multiple locations.

Previously, businesses had to manually adjust special hours for each profile. Now, multi-location managers can apply changes across all profiles in a few simple steps, making it easier to communicate updated hours to customers.

What This Feature Does

This update allows businesses to:

• Set special hours once and apply them to multiple locations instead of updating each profile individually.
• Reduce inconsistencies by ensuring all locations display the same holiday or special event hours.
• Provide customers with up-to-date information about extended hours, closures, or adjustments.

This feature is especially useful for franchises, retail chains, multi-location restaurants, and service-based businesses that frequently adjust operating hours.

When to Use This Feature

Businesses can use this feature to quickly update hours for:

• Holidays – Ensure all locations reflect extended or reduced holiday hours.
• Special Events – Update hours across locations for limited-time promotions or private events.
• Temporary Closures – Mark certain days as closed across multiple locations due to maintenance or other circumstances.

💡 Even if regular hours remain the same on a holiday, confirming them in Google Business Profile reassures customers that the information is accurate.

How to Use the Special Hours Copy Feature

To use this new feature, follow these steps:

1. Go to Your Google Business Profile – Access it via Google Search or Google Maps.
2. Edit Special Hours – Click “Edit Profile” > “Business Information” > “Hours.”
3. Select a Date – Choose a suggested holiday or add a custom date.
4. Enter New Hours – Update your opening and closing times or mark the business as closed.
5. Copy to Other Locations – Select the profiles where you want to apply these hours.
6. Save Your Changes – The new hours will instantly apply to the selected profiles.

This feature is available for businesses managing multiple locations within their Google Business Profile account.

Why This Feature Matters

Before this update, businesses had to update each location separately, leading to inconsistencies and wasted time. Now, this streamlined process ensures:

• Faster updates across all business locations.
• More accurate customer-facing information.
• Less manual work for business owners and marketing teams.

💡 Multi-location businesses should take advantage of this feature now to ensure customers always have the most up-to-date information.

New! Restaurant Feature: Drag & Drop GBP Menu Editing on Desktop

Google Business Profile has introduced a new menu editor designed to make managing restaurant menus easier than ever. With this update, food and drink businesses can now reorder menu items with a simple drag-and-drop function directly from a desktop.

Previously, updating menus required manually adjusting entries, which could be time-consuming and difficult to organize. Now, restaurant owners and managers can quickly structure their menus for better readability and customer experience.

How the New Google Business Profile Menu Editor Works

The drag-and-drop menu editor allows businesses to:

• Reorder menu items instantly without needing to delete and re-add them.
• Organize menus into sections such as appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
• Ensure customers see the most relevant items first when they visit the business profile.
• Edit menu descriptions and pricing for better clarity and accuracy.

This feature is available to food and beverage businesses that manage their menu directly through Google Business Profile. However, businesses using the Business Profile API for menu management may not have access to this feature.

Changes made to the menu can take 24-48 hours to reflect on Google Search and Maps.

How to Manage Google Business Profile Menus with the New Editor

To update menu items using the drag-and-drop function:

• Go to Your Google Business Profile – Access it through Google Search or Google Maps.
• Edit Your Menu – Click “Edit Profile” > “Business Information” > “Menu.”
• Reorder Items – Drag and drop items into the desired order.
• Save Changes – Once finalized, updates will be processed and displayed within 48 hours.

Additional Google Business Profile Menu Management Options

In addition to reordering items, restaurant owners can also:

• Upload a menu URL to link to a full digital menu.
• Add menu photos to visually showcase featured dishes.
• Use AI transcription to create a digital menu from an uploaded PDF or photo.

💡 If Google automatically transcribes a menu from a business website but the details are incorrect, businesses can edit, delete, or opt out of menu transcription through their profile settings.

Why This Feature Matters

An organized menu enhances the customer experience by making it easier to browse options and find popular dishes. This update simplifies the process for restaurants, allowing them to:

• Quickly highlight bestsellers and seasonal specials.
• Improve menu structure for better readability.
• Reduce manual edits and administrative time.

For restaurant owners looking to improve their online presence, this drag-and-drop menu editor is an essential tool for keeping menus updated and customer-friendly.

💡 Businesses can start using this feature now by accessing their Google Business Profile on desktop.

New! “Ask For Me” AI Experiment: Google Business Profile Tool for Local Service Inquiries

Google is testing a new AI-powered feature called “Ask For Me”, which allows users to request Google AI to call businesses on their behalf to gather information about pricing, availability, and services.

This experiment, currently available in the U.S. only, is designed to save users time when searching for local services like oil changes, nail salons, or other appointment-based businesses. By letting AI handle inquiries, customers can quickly compare options without having to call multiple locations themselves.

💡 For businesses, this tool offers a new way to receive highly qualified leads, as customers using “Ask For Me” are typically looking for immediate service.

How “Ask For Me” Works

1. A user searches for a service – For example, “oil change near me” or “nail salons nearby.”
2. They select “Get Started” – Google AI prompts them to enter details about the service they need.
3. Google AI makes the calls – The AI reaches out to local businesses to collect pricing and availability.
4. A summary is provided – The user receives a list of options based on responses from businesses.

Who Can Benefit from “Ask For Me”?

This feature is designed for businesses that provide service-based offerings with clear pricing or appointment-based scheduling. Businesses that could benefit include:

• Auto Repair Shops – Customers can quickly compare oil change or tire rotation prices.
• Nail Salons & Hair Stylists – Users can check appointment availability without calling multiple locations.
• Home Service Providers – AI can inquire about pricing for plumbing, HVAC, and handyman services.
• Health & Wellness Providers – Spas, massage therapists, and fitness studios can provide session rates.

Limitations of the Experiment

Because “Ask For Me” is still in its experimental phase, it is not yet available for all service types. Businesses should also be aware that Google does not provide real-time performance metrics for this feature.

Additionally, Google uses interactions with this feature to improve generative AI technology in Search, meaning user feedback and engagement help refine the system over time.

Why This Matters for Businesses

By allowing Google AI to handle initial customer inquiries, businesses can:

• Receive pre-qualified leads from users actively looking for their services.
• Increase efficiency by letting AI handle basic pricing and availability questions.
• Expand visibility by appearing in more local search interactions.

💡 Businesses should ensure their Google Business Profile is updated with current pricing and service details to provide accurate information when AI makes inquiries.

This experimental feature is currently being tested in the U.S. on desktop and mobile Search. While it may evolve over time, it represents a shift toward AI-driven customer interactions that could change how businesses manage inquiries in the future.

Blue Aspen’s 2025 Digital Marketing Tip: Smart Businesses Will Win by Connecting YouTube to Their Google Business Profile

YouTube is more than just an entertainment platform—it’s a powerful search engine where millions of users look for local businesses, product recommendations, and service reviews. Google now strongly recommends that businesses link their YouTube channel to their Google Business Profile (GBP) to enhance their online presence in both Search and YouTube.

If your business doesn’t have a YouTube channel, now is the time to create one. Video content is a key factor in staying competitive in 2025, and businesses that utilize YouTube effectively can see increased visibility, engagement, and customer conversions.

How Linking YouTube to Your Business Profile Helps Your Business

When you link your YouTube channel to your GBP, you:

• Boost Local Search Visibility – Videos linked to your profile can appear in both Google and YouTube search results, increasing your reach.
• Engage More Customers – Short videos showcasing your products, services, or behind-the-scenes operations help build trust and attract new customers.
• Drive More Traffic – YouTube videos can bring viewers directly to your website or encourage them to visit your location.
• Enhance Brand Credibility – A well-maintained YouTube presence makes your business look more established and professional.

Best Practices for YouTube Marketing in 2025

If you’re already using YouTube, follow these strategies to maximize your impact:

• Complete Your Profile – Ensure your YouTube channel includes your website, business location, and logo.
• Use Playlists to Organize Content – Categorize videos into sections like “Product Demos,” “Customer Testimonials,” and “Behind-the-Scenes.”
• Leverage YouTube Shorts – Short-form videos are prioritized in search and get higher engagement.
• Post Consistently – Regular uploads signal to YouTube that your channel is active, improving rankings.
• Use Live and Community Features – Live streaming and Community posts help you connect with your audience in real time.
• Geo-Tag Videos – Tagging your location in videos improves local search discoverability.

How to Create and Link a YouTube Channel to Your Business Profile

If you don’t have a YouTube channel yet, setting one up is simple:

• Sign in to YouTube on a computer.
• Click your profile picture and go to Settings.
• Select “Create a Channel.”
• Enter your business name and details, then confirm.
• Verify your channel using a phone number to unlock features like longer videos and live streaming.

To link your YouTube channel to your Google Business Profile:

• Go to your Business Profile in Google Search.
• Click “Edit Profile” > “Business Information” > “Contact.”
• Add your YouTube channel URL under the menu link section.
• Click Save to complete the process.

💡 Once linked, your YouTube content can enhance your GBP listing, providing potential customers with valuable visual insights about your business.

Why YouTube Matters for Local Businesses

Google’s recommendation to integrate YouTube into GBP highlights the growing importance of video content in search rankings. Businesses that ignore YouTube risk falling behind competitors who are already leveraging video to connect with their audience.

For restaurants, salons, auto repair shops, gyms, and other local businesses, video marketing can showcase services, highlight customer testimonials, and provide virtual tours—all of which help drive engagement and conversions.

💡 As Google continues to prioritize multimedia content in search results, having a YouTube presence is no longer optional—it’s essential for staying relevant in 2025.

If you haven’t started using YouTube for your business, now is the time to create a channel and link it to your Google Business Profile to maximize visibility and customer engagement.

Stay Ahead in 2025 with Google’s Latest Updates

As digital marketing evolves, staying competitive means adapting to new tools and best practices. From integrating WhatsApp messaging and managing special hours across multiple locations to leveraging AI-powered inquiries and linking your YouTube channel to your Google Business Profile, these updates are designed to enhance visibility, streamline operations, and drive customer engagement.

For businesses that want to remain relevant in 2025, these features aren’t just optional—they’re essential. Google is prioritizing video content, AI-driven search enhancements, and seamless customer interactions, making it clear that businesses that adopt these changes early will have a major advantage.

If you’re not sure how to optimize your Google Business Profile or need guidance on implementing these updates, schedule a strategy session with Blue Aspen Marketing today. Our team can help you navigate these changes, improve your online presence, and create a marketing strategy that keeps you ahead of the competition. Let’s position your business for success in 2025—contact us to get started.