The way google my business handles practitioner listings has changed!

The way google my business handles practitioner listings has changed!

In a recent announcement, Google My Business (GMB) support has unveiled a new way of handling the Practitioner Listings process. This change has a significant impact on professionals such as doctors and lawyers who operate from the same location but cater to different clients. In this article, we will explore the changes that have been made to the Practitioner Listings process and what they mean for businesses.

What are Practitioner Listings?

Practitioner Listings are used when multiple professionals operate from the same office location, but have different clients. For example, a doctor and a lawyer might share the same office space, but they will have different clients. In this scenario, multiple Google My Business listings need to be created to support these practitioners.

The Changes to Practitioner Listings

Google has recently made changes to the Practitioner Listings process, which are aimed at making it easier for businesses to manage their listings.

When a Practitioner Retires

Previously, when a practitioner retired, the listing would be marked as ‘Closed’ by default, which often caused confusion among customers who thought the entire business had shut down. However, now businesses can request Google to remove the listing entirely from Google Maps.

When a Practitioner Dies

Similarly, when a practitioner passed away, the listing would be marked as ‘Permanently Closed,’ which was not a great message to display to potential customers. But now, businesses can request Google to remove the listing entirely from Maps instead of displaying this message.

When a Practitioner Starts Working Elsewhere

In the case where a practitioner starts working elsewhere, businesses can follow the same protocol as before. The practitioner’s listing needs to be updated to display their new business location. Google believes that the listing belongs to the professionals and not the business.

Potential Problems

These updates are still new, so businesses might face some issues while trying to make changes to their Practitioner Listings. In case of any issues, reaching out to @GoogleMyBiz on Twitter is the best way to receive quick solutions.

It is important to note that businesses must make sure that their listings comply with Google’s guidelines. If not, the listings could be suspended, and businesses could lose access to their Google My Business account.

The recent changes made by Google to the Practitioner Listings process are aimed at making it easier for businesses to manage their listings. While these changes are still new, they are expected to make a significant impact on local businesses. As always, businesses need to ensure that their listings comply with Google’s guidelines to avoid any issues.

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