Google is undoubtedly the number one search engine in the world. It's so big that the brand itself has become a verb, with more and more individuals 'googling' what they need, when they need it. As the world's preeminent search engine, Google maintains a 69% share of search in the U.S. and in excess of 90% across Europe. Globally, Google also sees 3.5 billion searches per day, making it more important than ever for local businesses to have consistent, accurate information updated on their Google Business Listing.
Google Business Profile is a free tool for brands to manage their Google local listings on Search and Maps. Earlier this year, Google launched its Google My Business API, which enables approved data providers like Yext to integrate with Google and feed information directly into their services, providing a completely new way for businesses and platforms to publish information about their locations into Google Search, Google Maps, and ads. With Yext's direct integration with Google, businesses now have more control over their Google business listing and how they appear to customers in search, thus improving the consumer experience by delivering more accurate and comprehensive information.
A Google business listing includes key information such as name, address, phone number (NAP data), website, hours of operations, and more. Businesses can also showcase what's unique about their organization with photos and posts.
Recently, Google also announced an update to its API, giving businesses even greater control over their data. With this update, businesses are able to add new location attributes (e.g. restaurants can note whether or not they accept reservations), respond directly to reviews, select which photos are displayed in the search results, and more. Additionally, Yext's Publisher Suggestions feature helps businesses address Google's updates, as well as accept or reject suggestions customers make to their Google listings.
Prior to Google's API updates, business owners could only update their Google listings manually or via bulk upload using a spreadsheet. Not only was this process time consuming and inefficient, but it also undermined the accuracy of data due to the lag between submitted and published changes. Today's mobile consumers rely on Google to help them go places, and they expect the information to be current, correct, and comprehensive. Now, businesses can update their information in real time across the world's number one search engine.
Since your customers use Google to locate your business, shouldn't you be in control of the information they find on your Google listing? Yext offers full control of your online information through our direct integration with Google. As a Google local business, you are able to update data once and publish it to Google properties—including Maps, Search, and ads—via Listings management.
By utilizing Yext, you ensure your business information is always consistent, authoritative, and up-to-date on your brand websites and apps as well as 100+ other publishers in the Publisher Network—including Apple Maps, Bing, Facebook, and Yahoo. Learn more about our integration with Google in our recent whitepaper.