Google Maps gets a social upgrade: You can now see brands’ latest posts directly in Maps،
Each brand is increasingly relying on online marketing to increase its visibility among consumers. With the help of Google Business Profiles, for example, a business appears in search results and on Maps, giving users quick access to information such as its location, contact details, opening hours, evaluations and photos of its points of sale. And now Google is introducing even more ways to let you interact with various businesses right in Maps.
According to Search Engine Journal (via Android Font), Google has launched a feature that automatically presents social media posts from platforms like Instagram, Facebook and X directly to Google Business Profiles (GBP). The goal of this update is to give customers a more complete understanding of a company's online presence and engagement. Check out this example of the feature in action (via Darren Shaw and Krystal Taing on X):
Will Google kill Google Posts?
Yesterday, @StefanSomborac shared a screenshot of an updated Google support document, stating:
“Some businesses may have their social media posts automatically appear on their business profile.”@krystal_taing posted a video on LinkedIn… pic.twitter.com/yU6HnF9DvC-Darren Shaw (@DarrenShaw_) March 8, 2024
If you are a business owner, you have the option to add one link from each of the following platforms to your GBP: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube. According to a Google help pageBusinesses who have linked their social media profiles to their GBP can now see their social media posts automatically appear on their profiles.
To start using the new feature, go to your business profile, then:
- Go to the “Edit profile” section
- Click on “Commercial information”
- Select “Contact”
- Choose “Social Profiles” to add, update, or remove links to your social media accounts.
This update not only makes it easier for customers to find the businesses they follow on social media, but also gives brands more space to market themselves effortlessly once the integration is set up.
It's worth mentioning that this feature is currently available in some regions and may not be available to all business profiles yet. We will make sure to keep you informed of any changes in availability.
Elsewhere, Google is stepping up its game on Google Maps by not only adding social media posts, but also displaying building entrances directly on the map.