The Local Biz Show

Your Google Business Profile isn't just a listing anymore—it's your digital storefront.

• Local Biz Domination • Season 1 • Episode 36

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The digital landscape for local businesses is undergoing a radical transformation, and Google's latest feature is at the forefront. Your Google Business Profile is no longer just a static listing—it's becoming your most powerful digital storefront. 

We're pulling back the curtain on "What's Happening," Google's game-changing addition to Business Profiles that creates a dynamic, social media-style feed right in your search listing. Initially tested with restaurants, this feature is poised to roll out across all local business categories, creating both opportunity and urgency for savvy business owners.

"What's Happening" aggregates your posts, events, special offers, and potentially even social media content into a prominent section of your profile. This evolution aligns perfectly with Google's strategy of keeping users within their ecosystem from search to purchase decision. For businesses actively maintaining their profiles, it promises enhanced visibility and engagement. For those letting their listings gather dust, it risks making their inactivity painfully obvious to potential customers.

The practical implications are clear: link your social media accounts to build algorithmic trust, focus on time-sensitive offers and events that create urgency, and establish a consistent posting rhythm (aim for 1-2 updates weekly). The content doesn't need to be elaborate—authenticity and recency matter most. Think of these posts as digital versions of sidewalk signs or window displays, enticing search users to choose your business.

Ready to transform your Google presence from passive listing to active engagement hub? The businesses that adapt quickly will secure a significant advantage as this feature expands. Whether you manage your profile yourself or seek assistance from a service like Local Biz Domination, the time to start is now. Your next local customer is searching—make sure they find a business that looks alive and ready to serve them.

Discover how Local Biz Domination can revolutionize your business operations. Our AI-driven CRM is designed to crush inefficiencies, automate tasks, and empower entrepreneurs to focus on growth and innovation. Visit https://LocalBizDominance.com to learn more and unlock the full potential of your business today.

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Powered by Local Biz Domination (https://LocalBizDominance.com) : The leading platform for automating your lead generation, nurturing, and conversion, empowering businesses to work smarter and close deals faster.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so you run a local business and your goal obviously is to show up high on Google when people nearby are searching.

Speaker 2:

Right, you want those local customers.

Speaker 1:

Exactly. You want them finding you and, let's be honest, you'd rather not be pouring money into ads constantly to make that happen. We get it.

Speaker 2:

We totally get it and that's why today we're diving into something really key your Google business profile. You know GBP.

Speaker 1:

And specifically this brand new feature Google's rolling out called what's Happening.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, and this isn't just some minor tweak in how you look on Google. It's bigger than that.

Speaker 1:

How so.

Speaker 2:

Well, it ties into Google's whole strategy. They want to be the place, the only place really, where users do everything from searching for something.

Speaker 1:

To deciding who to buy from right there.

Speaker 2:

Exactly Right there on Google, and with this they're basically handing out free prime marketing space.

Speaker 1:

Free space.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 1:

Okay, you have my attention.

Speaker 2:

Uh-huh, and businesses that jump on this early, they're going to get a real edge over the competition.

Speaker 1:

Okay, consider this the inside track, then. Our mission today is pretty simple. We're going to break down this what's happening thing, what it actually is, how it works.

Speaker 2:

And, most importantly, how you, as a local business owner, can use it right now or get ready for it, to get seen more and bring in more customers organically.

Speaker 1:

Perfect, so let's unpack that. What's been changing with Google business profile? That kind of led us here.

Speaker 2:

Well, if you look at the bigger picture, there's a definite pattern. Google's been slowly changing GBP for a while now. It started, as you know, just a basic online listing.

Speaker 1:

Like a phone book entry almost Address hours done.

Speaker 2:

Pretty much Set it up, make sure it's accurate, and that was kind of it.

Speaker 1:

But not anymore.

Speaker 2:

Not at all. Now you can manage so much more. It's about your brand presence, how you talk to customers through reviews, q&a, right the interaction, exactly, and now, with what's happening, you've got this live activity stream. Google's goal seems pretty clear.

Speaker 1:

Which is.

Speaker 2:

They want your GBP to be the main spot where potential customers make that final decision which business gets their money. So they find you and they choose you all without leaving.

Speaker 1:

Google. Ok, and what's happening is the next step in that Tell us more about that feature specifically.

Speaker 2:

So what's happening at its heart is this news section that shows up pretty prominently on your profile, and what's really interesting is what it pulls in, it's dynamic. It grabs your GBP posts, any events you've listed, special offers, and potentially it could even pull in updates from your linked social media.

Speaker 1:

Wow. So it's almost like a little social feed baked right into your Google listing.

Speaker 2:

That's a great way to put it. It gives anyone finding you on search or maps a quick, like real-time snapshot. What's new, what's happening now? What might get them to pick you today?

Speaker 1:

That sounds powerful Now. I heard it initially it was mainly for restaurants. Is that still the case?

Speaker 2:

That's right. The first rollout we saw was mostly in the restaurant space. But and this is important Think about how Google usually does things Okay. They often test new features in one sector first Online ordering. Remember that.

Speaker 1:

Yeah, that started with food places.

Speaker 2:

Right. Or the AI summaries for reviews, booking buttons, even the AI answering questions. They test it, see how it goes, get feedback and then they broaden it out.

Speaker 1:

So even if you're, say, a contractor or you run a clinic, a shop, an auto repair place, a salon, Exactly Contractors medical offices, retail auto shops, salons, gyms pretty much any local service business.

Speaker 2:

This is a strong signal that what's happening is likely heading your way soon.

Speaker 1:

You should expect it Got it. So not just for restaurants. This is the direction for well, everyone, local. Why does this matter so much right now? Why pay attention?

Speaker 2:

Oh, it matters a lot For businesses that are active on their GBP. Using this feature smartly, we expect they'll see a real boost in local search visibility.

Speaker 1:

And the flip side.

Speaker 2:

The flip side Businesses that just let their profiles sit there. Passive ones. The flip side businesses that just let their profiles sit there passive ones stale info. They might actually see their rankings drop. Yeah, because this what's happening section it's going to be front and center, very visible marketing space. If your profile looks dead, customers will notice.

Speaker 1:

So inactivity becomes really obvious.

Speaker 2:

Super obvious. The key takeaway here is you need to start treating your GBP almost like you treat your Facebook or Instagram. Consistent activity is becoming crucial for local visibility.

Speaker 1:

It sounds like neglecting your GBP goes from being a missed opportunity to something that could actively hurt your chances of getting found. Ok, let's get practical. What can local businesses do today to get ready or take advantage that they have it already?

Speaker 2:

Great question. There are definitely concrete steps. First one, and it's pretty easy add your social media links to your GBP.

Speaker 1:

Where do you do that?

Speaker 2:

You go into your GBP dashboard, find edit profile, then click business information, scroll down a bit and you'll see social profiles. Put your Facebook link in there, your Instagram, whatever you use.

Speaker 1:

And why is that simple step so important?

Speaker 2:

It signals things to Google, it shows you're active, you engage with customers elsewhere, you post updates. It builds trust, basically, both with Google's algorithm and with potential customers. That helps your ranking.

Speaker 1:

Makes sense. Show Google you're live and kicking online and not just on their platform. Ok, what else?

Speaker 2:

Step two Step two, step two Start publishing offers and events regularly. This seems really important for that. What's happening feed?

Speaker 1:

Why those specifically?

Speaker 2:

Because Google seems to be prioritizing time sensitive stuff. Things with an end date create urgency right. They encourage people to act now.

Speaker 1:

Ah, okay, like a limited time deal.

Speaker 2:

Exactly. Maybe 10% off for new customers this week only. Or if you're a service business, maybe book a consultation by Friday, get a free assessment For events, things like live music Friday night if you're a venue, or maybe customer appreciation day next Saturday.

Speaker 1:

So actual time bound reasons for someone to engage immediately.

Speaker 2:

Precisely If you're not using the offers and events features in GBT yet, you really should start like this week Aim for consistency, maybe something new each week or every couple of weeks. If you're retail, maybe new arrivals or a flash sale contractor, maybe highlight a finished project or specific availability.

Speaker 1:

Okay, offers and events for that timely push. What about just regular updates? Like the posts feature Still useful?

Speaker 2:

Oh, absolutely Don't ditch the regular posts. While offers and events might get special treatment in what's happening, keeping your posts fresh and consistent is still vital.

Speaker 1:

How often should we aim for?

Speaker 2:

We generally recommend aiming for, say, one or two GBP posts a week.

Speaker 1:

What kind of stuff?

Speaker 2:

It doesn't have to be super fancy, Just show you're active. Real-time updates, maybe mention a seasonal service you offer. Remind people about something recurring. The main thing is being current. Show Google and show your customers that you're engaged right now.

Speaker 1:

Okay, so let me recap. Google Business Profile isn't just a listing anymore. It's really turning into this active content hub.

Speaker 2:

Exactly.

Speaker 1:

And if your profile is just sitting there collecting dust, that's a big problem. Now.

Speaker 2:

A huge missed opportunity, yeah.

Speaker 1:

But consistent activity, especially using offers, events, keeping posts fresh and definitely linking your social media. That's the path to getting seen more, getting more business.

Speaker 2:

You got it and since this what's happening feature is probably rolling out wider, acting now gives you a leg up.

Speaker 1:

It's like Google is opening a new window for local businesses, a way to connect with customers organically, right in the search results.

Speaker 2:

That's a perfect analogy. It's a direct line.

Speaker 1:

So the message for you listening is clear Start doing this stuff now. Add those social links, plan out some offers or events, get into a rhythm with posting updates, don't wait.

Speaker 2:

Which really leads to the key question for you what kind of engaging content are you going to put in that new Google window to grab your next local customer?

Speaker 1:

And look if managing all this consistently your GBP, your link social feels like one more thing on your plate. Remember, that's what we help businesses with at Local Biz Domination. Powered by Rank Genius, we can handle that consistency for you.

Speaker 2:

Because ultimately, this is about taking charge of how you show up online locally.

Speaker 1:

It's about making sure that when your potential customers are searching, they find you.