Google Wants You to Make the First Move 😉

Google has been dropping some not-so-subtle hints lately, and the message is loud and clear: they don’t want your Google Business Profile (GBP) to be a passive billboard on the side of the internet highway. They want it to be a full on, interactive engagement hub for your potential customers. Google is pushing businesses hard to start the conversation, not just wait around hoping customers will and they’ve made this easier than ever for busy business owners! Here’s a breakdown of exactly what Google wants you to do directly from their most recent newsletter to business owners…

Google’s Current Love Language:

Add Social Media Links: Google wants to see a business that actually shows signs of life outside of their GBP. By adding your social media links, you’re telling Google, “Hey, we’re not just open, we’re active, popular, and connected.” It also gives customers more ways to get to know your brand and engage with you on the platforms they already use.
Make Your Posts Count: Regular posts prove that your business is active and up to date, but don’t stop there. Take it a step further by actively adding offers and event posts that drive clicks and engagement with your customers.
Turn On Messaging (and Actually Respond): If you’ve been ignoring the messaging feature on GBP, it’s time to turn it on and lean in. Google now lets you link to WhatsApp or SMS to make chatting with your business easier. This is a huge engagement signal and one that most businesses still aren’t using.

Let’s be real, this isn’t a brand new direction. Google’s been slowly shifting the GBP ecosystem for a while now. They’ve been dialing down old school SEO hacks like keyword stuffing and link spamming in favor of real time engagement and user interaction. They want to see that you’re present, responsive, and actively trying to build relationships with your customers.

Did you know that our GBP optimization AI, Paige, automates GBP posts, social media posts and so much more so you don’t have to? Get started on your 3 day trial today for just $1 and begin your journey to the top of the local search results!

About Author

Justin Silverman

Justin Silverman is the Founder and CEO of Merchynt, a local SEO technology company on a mission to make local SEO services not suck—one agency and small business at a time. Since launching Merchynt in 2019, Justin has helped over 20,000 businesses grow through data-driven Google Business Profile optimization and AI-powered local marketing tools like Paige. With more than a decade of experience in digital marketing and business growth, Justin previously held executive roles at Vista Group, where he served as VP of Global Partnerships and President of MovieXchange. He also led strategy and operations at Veezi, helping to scale tech products across international markets. Justin's career has spanned roles in marketing, partnerships, and operations, working with companies from early-stage startups to global enterprises. His deep knowledge of local search, combined with real-world leadership, positions him as a trusted voice in the local SEO and SaaS space. Under his leadership, Merchynt has become a go-to provider for agencies and small businesses seeking to dominate local search rankings through white-label solutions, AI automation, and performance-focused strategy. Justin continues to speak, write, and build tools with one mission in mind: to help 298 million businesses get found online by their perfect customer.