Changes to Google Business Profile

September 2026

2026-09-30 - Search Engine Roundtable reported that Google Maps was asking people to sign in to read and search all reviews and photos, sort reviews, and leave a review. Source: Search Engine Roundtable's report. Our story: Google Maps is reported to require sign-in for full review reading and sorting

2026-09-28 - Google began rolling AI Mode information monitoring out globally to all Search users, after earlier access for Pro and Ultra subscribers. Source: Google Search product leader's rollout announcement. Our story: Google expanded AI Mode monitoring globally on September 28, 2026.

2026-09-24 - Google announced Affiliate Location Extensions in Google Maps for retail networks and dealerships, with Promoted pins shown as people browse, search, and navigate. Source: Google's September Demand Gen Drop announcement. Our story: Google announced Affiliate Location Extensions in Google Maps on September 24, 2026.

2026-09-24 - Google released the September 2026 spam update globally and in all languages, with a rollout that may take up to two weeks. Source: Incident details | Google Search Status Dashboard. Our story: Google released the September 2026 spam update.

August 2026

2026-08-06 - Google expanded Ask Maps with agentic capabilities, real-time transit information, Personal Intelligence, and conversational contributions, with rollout in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, and more than 150 countries and territories in English. Source: Ask Maps gets more helpful with food ordering and more. Our story: Ask Maps becomes the answer layer for local search.

June 2026

2026-06-10 - Google announced that Ask Maps was arriving in Brazil in Portuguese, first for top Local Guides and then for everyone in July. Source: Google for Brazil 2026: Helping people make the most of AI.

2026-06-10 - Google said Gemini connects with the Google Business Profile and uses real-time performance data to make tailored recommendations for small businesses. Source: Google for Brazil 2026: Helping people make the most of AI.

March 2026

2026-03-12 - Google introduced Ask Maps as a conversational Maps experience for complex real-world questions and began rolling it out in the U.S. and India on Android and iOS, with desktop coming soon. Source: How we’re reimagining Maps with Gemini. Our story: How do I rank for “near me” voice searches?.

November 2025

2025-11-03 - Google discontinued the My Business Q&A API, so API clients can no longer read or post questions and answers, and four Q&A notification types were deprecated. Source: Q&A API. Our story: What happened to Questions & Answers on Google Business Profile, and where do I answer customer questions now?.