On this page https://support.google.com/business/answer/9792336?hl=en GMB state that
New reviews, review replies, and new Q&A will be unavailable during this time.
What does this mean for Local Guides?
Paul
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Hi, @PaulPavlinovich
I think this new update is affecting my “answer” and “level” in my Google Maps contribution but not affecting my “badge”.
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What I have noticed today, and could or could not be related, is that all edits I make go to Pending. None are Approved or Not Applied. Yesterday all was still normal, this started today.
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Hi @PaulPavlinovich According to GatherUp “The approach that Google seems to have implemented is that a user can post and see the review themselves but the review is not visible to the public.
Our api based responses for both reviews and Q&A are received by Google but not showing publicly.”
So that means no review & Q&A is going to be published now. So I personally think we should stop reviewing places and answering Q&A until further notices.
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@iorikun301 if I rememeber correctly from previous incidents, the badges are calculated once per day, so that might still change in the next hours.
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Any news from the Maps team @Flash ?
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@PaulPavlinovich Thanks for this info. I would think this is good. It just takes one bad comment or answer to cause panic in a location.
Lots of users are also feeding back that historical contributions for Answers have been made 0 in our profiles. It possibly related to this limitation also.
It may be good to have an announcement on this update so we can reduce repeating questions on these. Tagging one Google Moderator. @TsekoV
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Slightly Off-Topic - but for your Info:
Problem (Issue)
Sudden Drop in points in Google Map App (only)
Solution
Nothing has happened to your score…
Follow this LINK & press SEE MORE {down) - You can see that YOUR FULL SCORE is INTACT!!!
https://bit.ly/Check-Your-Points-BE-HAPPY
(Working Solution suggested in #TeamIndia by member @ANKIT_SHARMA )
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No need to panic about the sudden loss of points. by @C_T
It is an issue, not related to @PaulPavlinovich post
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Hello @PaulPavlinovich ,
Thank you for sharing this with us!
P.S.: I have a question about your title. Did you mean writing “GMB changes to reviews and q&a” and not “charges”?
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Hi @PaulPavlinovich I believe the Q&A issue has now been fixed well in my case anyway.
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Yes the points are addressed @AdamGT the features are still suspended, please refer to this post https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Announcements/Temporary-product-changes-in-Google-Maps/ba-p/2327368
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Anyone reading this post should please refer to the official announcement by @mchomsky on the Announcements board at https://www.localguidesconnect.com/t5/Announcements/Temporary-product-changes-in-Google-Maps/ba-p/2327368
Regards Paul
3 Likes
Hi I went on Google Maps to ask my community a question about our local vet ER and the ask questions about this place option was no where to be found. I tried looking for the Q/A on other pages and tried on my desktop as well. Did Google really take away the questions from Google Maps places!!! These questions are SO HELPFUL for the community to ask for answers and for that to be gone is so sad. I tried going to my contributions and looking at all the answers I’ve given to people and it wouldn’t even let me click on them. I tried searching connect for a post about this but could not find anything, my apologies if I missed the update. Can someone give me insight as to what happened to the Questions section on places on Google Maps?
Thank you!
5 Likes
Hi Leanne, I wish I could. it is the first time I hear about this feature. Could it be location-based? But it sounds like a good feature.
Hi @LeanneM
Please read Temporary product changes in Google Maps
"During the unprecedented COVID-19 situation, we are taking steps to protect the health of our team members and reduce the need for people to come into our offices. As a result, there will be temporary limitations and delays in how you can contribute on Google Maps as we prioritize critical services**. "
On the linked page to Google My Business help Limited Google My Business functionality due to COVID-19 there is a detailed explanation of your question:
"Reviews and Q&A
New reviews, review replies, and all Q&A will be unavailable during this time.
Thank you for your patience during this time. We will provide further updates as they become available."
We need to be patient, as the essential businesses are prioritized
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I posted a Google review about 6 days ago. I still don’t see it being public. Does anyone have any idea that why it is being delayed? Correct me if I’m wrong but I think in past, it became public instantly but is it not the case anymore?
Hi @randomstuff
Normally reviews are approved automatically and instantly. But Google has currently moved their priorities to more critical assignments. This is related to the virus crisis.
All you can do is continue waiting patiently.
Sorry
Morten
1 Like
@randomstuff on top of Morten’s reply, you can also read this post
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Hi @randomstuff ,
Thanks for reaching out to us.
During the COVID-19 situation, there may be some temporary limitations on public contributions as we prioritize critical services.
You can find more information here.
P.S.: I will merge your post to an already ongoing discussion on the same topic. This is how we keep the forum organized.