Google has recently implemented a new update, automatically integrating social media posts into Google Business Profiles (GBP). This expansion comes after Google initially allowed businesses to link their social media profiles to their Google Business listings last October. Now, within the business listing on Google Search, there's a distinct section titled "Social Media Updates," showcasing the latest posts from connected social apps like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, and more.
It's important to note that this feature is currently available only in select regions and may not be accessible to all Business Profiles.
To make the most of this feature, businesses can manage which social media links are displayed on their Google Business Profile. You can add one link from each supported platform, including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X (formerly known as Twitter), and YouTube. Keep in mind that it is advisable to adhere to specific link formats for each platform to ensure proper functionality within the Business Profile. For instance, a Facebook link should follow the format "https://www.facebook.com/{username}," while an Instagram link should adhere to "https://www.instagram.com/{username}."
Managing social media links is a straightforward process. Businesses can navigate to their Business Profile, access the "Edit profile" section, click on "Business information," and then select "Contact." From there, they can choose "Social profiles" to add, update, or remove links as needed. Google may automatically add social media links to eligible Business Profiles. In such cases, businesses can edit these links by adding new ones following the provided steps.
Here are the detailed steps for adding, editing, and removing social media links, according to Google:
Add Social Media Links:
1. Go to your Business Profile.
2. Click "Edit profile" > "Business information" > "Contact."
3. Select "Social profiles" > "Add social media link."
4. Choose the social media platform and add the link following the provided format.
5. Click "Save."
Edit Social Media Links:
1. Go to your Business Profile.
2. Click "Edit profile" > "Business information" > "Contact."
3. Select "Social profiles."
4. Update the web address field for the social media link you'd like to update.
5. Click "Save."
Remove Social Media Links:
1. Go to your Business Profile.
2. Click "Edit profile" > "Business information" > "Contact."
3. In "Social profiles," click the trash icon next to the profile you want to remove.
4. Click "Save."
The process is relatively straightforward for business owners.
However, if any issues are encountered during the process, Google's help page addresses common queries regarding this new feature, confirming that multiple Business Profiles can use the same social media link, and one link per social media site can be added to a Business Profile. While specific performance metrics for social media links are currently unavailable, businesses can manage their links via the API for multiple locations simultaneously.
They can link their various social media accounts to their Google Business dashboard. Google automatically populates the "Social Media Updates" section with the latest posts from these linked accounts. While manual linking is encouraged, Google may also add social media links to eligible Business Profiles automatically in certain cases. This means that even if a business hasn't manually connected their social media accounts, relevant posts may still appear within their Google Business listing.
This new feature builds upon Google's previous efforts to incorporate social media into its business listings. Last year, Google enabled more businesses to add social media links to their Google Business profiles, offering another avenue for businesses to showcase their online presence directly within Google Search and Maps. From a business perspective, this update is particularly interesting due to the traffic-driving potential of Google. With millions of users conducting searches on Google every day, having a prominent presence in Google Business listings can significantly impact a business's online visibility and customer engagement.
As Google expands this feature to more regions, businesses can anticipate enhanced visibility and engagement by showcasing their social media posts directly on their Google Business Profile. This update also serves as an incentive for businesses to maintain an active presence on social media platforms, capitalizing on this new opportunity for increased exposure and brand awareness.
