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WOW! Goodbye G+ Local --- Hello Google My Business - HUGE Google Update!

by Catalyst eMarketing
29 replies
Goodbye Google Places!
So long Google+ Local!
Good riddance Confusion!

Google "My Business" Launches Today!

ONE UNIFIED DASHBOARD and TONS OF COOL UPGRADES!

This launch signifies a major investment in local businesses, and stabilizes the Google local business foundation for the future.

When I had my 1st demo of the product over 2 months ago, I was so excited to get the big picture of what Google had in store for us. But then when Google upgraded my account last week so I could start working with "MB" I was truly amazed at how seamless and functional it is.

So many of the local bumps and changes lead to this update. And I'm super impressed with how much of our feedback and suggestions, over the past 3 years have been integrated. It's really everything we've been wanting and more!

You can see screenshots and a list of new key features at the G+ announcement below.

BREAKING: Google "My Business" Launching Now! Say Goodbye to Google+ Local - This Changes Everything!

I also link to all the official Google resources there too. I've been working for 5 days on screenshots, images and in learning the new product, so I could lay it all out for you guys and it's way too much to even try to post here but you can get to it all via G+.

Let me know what you think - or if you have any questions.

(FYI - I'm spread thin helping Google do launch PR and answering questions at the new Google My Business forum, my forum, G+ and numerous other places. So I'll get back here to answer any questions as soon as I can.

ALSO if you run into any bugs or problems, please let me know so I can pass it on to Google or get an update about the issue for you.)
#business #gmb #goodbye #google #google my business #huge #local #my business #update #wow
  • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
    Many of my consultants and other SEOs I'm helping all over Google+ are reporting they've already been upgraded.

    Have you checked your dashboards to see if you or any or your clients have it yet?
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    Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
    ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
    Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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  • Profile picture of the author geotargeted
    Wow this is good news indeed.
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  • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
    Yeah we've been "upgraded" last week actually. I don't see why this is really an upgrade though, to me, it's just a little annoying. May be coincidence but a lot of my clients have suddenly needed to reverify and that happened today (I'm guessing coincidence since this is a backend UX thing). My dashboard was the only one that was upgraded last week, everyone else seems to have been upgraded today except 2 clients which may be upgraded as I'm typing this.

    I do like the app switcher.

    To me seems like mostly an organization type thing. A few new things but nothing I'm really excited about. Very very subtle changes. No real negatives for me to complain about... I do see one big positive though... is rebranding as My Business, it should be able to catch on much faster than "Google+ Local" for business owners, which means, easier sales.

    Guess any blog posts, ebooks, guides, etc. need to be rebranded now.

    I wonder how many posts will pop up about how to rank now, thinking this is going to effect the local ranking algorithm.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by iAmNameLess View Post

      Yeah we've been "upgraded" last week actually. I don't see why this is really an upgrade though, to me, it's just a little annoying. May be coincidence but a lot of my clients have suddenly needed to reverify and that happened today (I'm guessing coincidence since this is a backend UX thing). My dashboard was the only one that was upgraded last week, everyone else seems to have been upgraded today except 2 clients which may be upgraded as I'm typing this.

      I do like the app switcher.

      To me seems like mostly an organization type thing. A few new things but nothing I'm really excited about. Very very subtle changes. No real negatives for me to complain about... I do see one big positive though... is rebranding as My Business, it should be able to catch on much faster than "Google+ Local" for business owners, which means, easier sales.

      Guess any blog posts, ebooks, guides, etc. need to be rebranded now.

      I wonder how many posts will pop up about how to rank now, thinking this is going to effect the local ranking algorithm.
      You were upgraded last week? Must have been a fluke. They've been trying not to let word leak out and only upgraded those of us that are under NDA.

      I think there is much more to the upgrade than folks are noticing. You have to look close, Google is so subtle. But there are things that once you need them you'll say, now that's handy. I outlined a bunch of them in my announcement.

      Ya redoing stuff??? Tell me about it. I have to totally re-do my training program which is a month+ project as busy as I am. Sucks!
      Signature

      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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      • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        You were upgraded last week? Must have been a fluke. They've been trying not to let word leak out and only upgraded those of us that are under NDA.

        I think there is much more to the upgrade than folks are noticing. You have to look close, Google is so subtle. But there are things that once you need them you'll say, now that's handy. I outlined a bunch of them in my announcement.

        Ya redoing stuff??? Tell me about it. I have to totally re-do my training program which is a month+ project as busy as I am. Sucks!
        I seem to always get some change ahead of time. The same thing happens with Adwords too, I'm always asking people about whatever change it is and no one knows what I'm talking about.

        I really haven't noticed much that makes things easier for me, that's what I tend to look for. Cleaner organization though. Then again, I don't really care much about the backend I just care about ranking and driving traffic.
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  • Profile picture of the author SirThomas
    It's funny how they change the name every year, but Google My Business sounds actually pretty good. It all started with Google Business Central six or so years ago.
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  • Profile picture of the author sdentrepreneur
    I really like the Video function on the Cover Photo. Almost like a TV Commercial when people come to your page. I bet the video guys are licking their chops.....
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by sdentrepreneur View Post

      I really like the Video function on the Cover Photo. Almost like a TV Commercial when people come to your page. I bet the video guys are licking their chops.....
      Really James? I helped Google with launch and had a beta account but didn't even know about that feature.

      My account is upgraded but I don't see it. Can you tell me where you saw it or share a screenshot?

      Also have you seen a live example? Link you can share?

      Thanks for the video Paul, can't wait to watch it.
      Signature

      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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      • Profile picture of the author Rus Sells
        I don't actually think it's a video feature but rather that you can use a GIF image for the cover photo.

        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        Really James? I helped Google with launch and had a beta account but didn't even know about that feature.

        My account is upgraded but I don't see it. Can you tell me where you saw it or share a screenshot?

        Also have you seen a live example? Link you can share?

        Thanks for the video Paul, can't wait to watch it.
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  • Profile picture of the author IAmPaulJames
    Some more info for those of you who want to know more...

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  • Profile picture of the author kruger7
    What will happen with regards to any courses out there which were around Google+ Optimization, will there be any significant changes in the way things should be done?
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    • Profile picture of the author IAmPaulJames
      Originally Posted by kruger7 View Post

      What will happen with regards to any courses out there which were around Google+ Optimization, will there be any significant changes in the way things should be done?
      I can speak for myself that my maps mentor course will be updated should anything change. I'm actively testing.
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    • Profile picture of the author iAmNameLess
      Originally Posted by kruger7 View Post

      What will happen with regards to any courses out there which were around Google+ Optimization, will there be any significant changes in the way things should be done?
      This is a UX change, absolutely nothing to do with ranking or optimization.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by kruger7 View Post

      What will happen with regards to any courses out there which were around Google+ Optimization, will there be any significant changes in the way things should be done?
      I'm tearing my course apart and starting over. SOOOO much has changed since I created it in October.

      Granted the core stuff as far as ranking has not changed. But I go into a ton of best practice and troubleshooting stuff that had changed even before My Business. In my current course I warn about several violation and guideline things that have changed over the past few months. I've been doing constant updates. But now so much has changed with My Business, I feel like I just need to tear it apart and start over.

      I'm also going to make it much more modular in shorter segments so as Google changes things I don't have to re-do the whole thing from scratch but can just update that module. Right now every module builds on the next and everything is so advanced and interconnected it just has to all be re-done.

      I'm also going to cut back so it's not as complicated. Because right now it's so advanced I have qualifications to be able to take it and I have to turn away too many people. So I'm going to make the next one so that even new consultants that are just getting started can take it.

      As busy as I am, it's going to take me at least a month to redo all the training docs and videos.
      So ya... thanks Google.
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      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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  • Profile picture of the author petermei
    At the moment it's only a name change...
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    • Profile picture of the author 9999
      Thanks for sharing! Watched in and it is a very nice layout and feel.
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  • Profile picture of the author imbikinigirl
    It seems like more of a superficial face lift to me at the moment. I'm not sure how to explain the benefit of this to the average business owner.
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    • Profile picture of the author Catalyst eMarketing
      Originally Posted by imbikinigirl View Post

      It seems like more of a superficial face lift to me at the moment. I'm not sure how to explain the benefit of this to the average business owner.
      Actually a lot has changed, not cosmetic at all. Very functional, time saving and ease of use changes.
      The old set up was a scrambled mess!

      I outlined a ton of changes in my original announcement linked above. But in a nutshell, one unified dashboard with everything combined totally streamlines and eliminates a lot of confusion. There are a bunch of other benefits that you may not notice unless you lived in the other dashboard managing clients. But when you need something and find that it does it now whereas it didn't before you'll likely notice it.

      This may not be a huge wow for business owners because it's just better, like it should have been all along.
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      Linda Buquet :: Google+ Local Specialist and Google Top Contributor
      ADVANCED Google+ Local Training :: Also offering White Label Local SEO
      Latest Google Local News, Tips & Tricks

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      • Profile picture of the author Matt Lee
        Originally Posted by Catalyst eMarketing View Post

        Actually a lot has changed, not cosmetic at all. Very functional, time saving and ease of use changes.
        The old set up was a scrambled mess!

        I outlined a ton of changes in my original announcement linked above. But in a nutshell, one unified dashboard with everything combined totally streamlines and eliminates a lot of confusion. There are a bunch of other benefits that you may not notice unless you lived in the other dashboard managing clients. But when you need something and find that it does it now whereas it didn't before you'll likely notice it.

        This may not be a huge wow for business owners because it's just better, like it should have been all along.
        Soooooo glad to hear that google has cleaned up their cluster f*ck of scrambled featured and streamlined things. This will make life a little easier.
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  • Profile picture of the author KloudStrife
    Not sure how this would benefit my business, I'd have to take a peak and see if I can utilize it in the future. other then that it does look interesting
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  • Profile picture of the author bluesteele
    Any "positive" change is a very welcomed, especially when it comes to Google Places. Yes, I still refuse to call it anything else : P Am hoping that in their next iteration they spend a bit more time on enterprise level solutions, specifically the bulk mgmt which is still IMO a bit of a mess.

    Regardless, a move in the right direction for the first time in a while. Hope they can keep it up!
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