Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
summary
- Google will shut down chat features on Business Profiles on July 31, 2024.
- Customers will not be able to start new chats after July 15th, but ongoing conversations will be able to continue until July 31st.
- Businesses can download chat and call histories through Google Takeout before the deadline.
Also known as “Google Business Messaging” and “Google Business Profile Chat,” the service allowed customers to initiate conversations with businesses directly through Google Maps and search listings, providing a convenient channel for customer service inquiries and other interactions.
Businesses that used the service have received emails from Google informing them of the impending shutdown. In these messages, Google acknowledged that the shutdown may cause inconvenience and reaffirmed its commitment to providing valuable tools to businesses. The company also emphasized that the decision was difficult, but that it was part of an ongoing effort to refine and improve its services.
Important dates and actions for businesses:
- July 15, 2024: Customers will no longer be able to start new chats with your business – ongoing conversations will continue, but users will be notified about the feature deprecation.
- July 31, 2024: Google will completely remove chat functionality and call history from Google Business Profiles.
Google is encouraging businesses to download their chat and call history before the deadline of July 31. Through Google Takeout, businesses can retrieve this data and archive it for future reference or integration into other customer relationship management (CRM) systems.
While the demise of Google Business Messaging may not be mourned by everyone, it is a reminder that the technology landscape is constantly evolving and the importance of diversifying communication channels for businesses that rely on technology platforms.
