Business owners can now temporarily close their business in GMB!

Google Maps tips & tricks
1

Until yesterday, it was not possible for business owners to temporarily close their business (e.g. due to COVID-19) within GMB. Google has implemented and released this feature as of yesterday.

If you want to know how it works, please check the video below:

2

Thank you for sharing this info @EduarddeBoer that, BTW, is not related to Local Guides, but to Google My business instead.

BTW, the option for a business to flag his activity as “temporary closed” has been always available, even if it is not available for Local Guides. Please read: Mark a location temporarily closed

Due to the Covid-19 emergency, Google My Business sent two announcement:

The yesterday announcement is about to create a post "that address:

  • Hours of operation and temporary closures
  • Changes to how the business operates (e.g., delivery only, call for details, etc.)
  • Updates to how the location is being managed as it relates to safety and hygiene
  • Requests for support

These updates will be a standalone carousel just below the business info."

Just to be clear, the last announcement is not about to update the listing (that was an option always available, as for March 9th announcement) but to create a Post: Create a COVID-19 post

3

Hi @ErmesT , thanks for the feedback.

Without wanting to go into a lengthy discussion: the instructions you are referring to, just appeared online yesterday.

Google announced this feature March, 15th: https://blog.google/inside-google/company-announcements/covid-19-how-were-continuing-to-help

I am aware it is related to GMB, but as LG’s we also often talk to business owners, so I thought it could be handy to know.

4

Dear @EduarddeBoer , living in the North of Italy, I am locked down from long time, and I am following the situation carefully, on the GMB help page and here in Connect. Here below the latest two Announcement from the head of Local Guides Connect

The point is not to have a short or long discussion, and I know that the Local Guides can help the claimed businesses.

That’s why I am always addressing directly to the official source of the information, e.g. the GMB help page

It is great that you want to help the community, BTW, using a title and a post that is conveying wrong information (the “temporary closed” option is not new on GMB) can generate confusion and misinformation.

5

Thanks @ErmesT . Stay healthy there!

6

@EduarddeBoer this is so amazing and detailed, Thanks so much mentor :blush: