In the event that you’ve observed a decline in specific metrics associated with your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business), you could be curious about the current situation. You might even find yourself asking, “Why the reduction in views on my Google profile?” Allow me to put your mind at ease—there’s no cause for alarm. The underlying reason for this is a recent update to the Google API, meticulously designed to enhance data accuracy and present precise search phrases relevant to local businesses. For a more comprehensive understanding of this update and how it influences the performance insights of your Google Business Profile, I encourage you to continue reading.

What Constitutes Google Business Profile Insights?

Google Business Profile Insights, often abbreviated as GBP Insights, furnishes comprehensive data concerning the local search performance of a business. This encompasses metrics such as the count of profile views, methods utilized by searchers to discover the business, and the nature of their interactions with the profile. In stark contrast to other no-cost Google utilities like Google Search Console and Google Analytics, Google Business Profile Insights is exclusively dedicated to assessing and enhancing local search visibility and performance. Through consistent evaluation of local performance, enterprises stand to glean invaluable perspectives into their local search dynamics across both mobile and desktop platforms. This entails a profound understanding of the frequency with which specific search terms lead searchers to their Business Profile. This feature further extends its utility by providing an assortment of search-oriented metrics that gauge customer engagement and overall performance. Notably, its applicability transcends business scale, catering seamlessly to entities of all sizes, spanning from modest local businesses to expansive multi-location corporate brands.

Understanding the Alterations in Google Business Profile Insights and Their Implications

Google has implemented modifications to its APIs that have a bearing on the definition of particular metrics within the Google Business Profile (GBP) domain. These metrics encompass elements like profile views, search interactions, and requests for directions. The rationale behind these changes is to elevate the caliber of data at your disposal within GBP, thereby enhancing the overall information quality. In tandem with these adjustments, Google has taken the step of removing distinct data points from the dashboard that showcases the performance insights of your Business Profile. This strategic move reflects an effort to streamline and refine the data presentation, potentially offering a more focused and insightful perspective. The following metrics are encompassed:
  • Number of views and clicks on posts
  • Volumes of queries categorized under direct, brand, and discovery
  • Views spanning images contributed by users
Consequently, businesses will experience a shift in their ability to gauge the performance of their posts and images. Nevertheless, businesses will retain access to the following metrics:
  • Map views (both desktop and mobile)
  • Search views (both desktop and mobile)
  • Clicks leading to the website
  • Clicks for initiating calls
  • Clicks for obtaining driving directions
  • Keyword queries
The most significant alteration here pertains to the previous methodology: merely appearing on Search or Maps would be counted as a view for a business profile. For instance, if a customer not only viewed a Google Business Profile (GBP) but also clicked for reviews and selected ‘directions,’ this would have been counted as three separate views. However, the current paradigm consolidates all such interactions into a solitary and distinct user engagement within a 24-hour timeframe. In essence, regardless of how frequently a customer discovers or engages with a local business’s GBP, Google tallies it as a singular view. This transformation may lead to a perceptible decrease in profile views when juxtaposed with prior periods. Nevertheless, this recalibration culminates in data that more accurately mirrors the spectrum of your customer engagements, underscoring a heightened data quality.

What to Anticipate in Terms of Changes:

With Google’s recent API update, your Google Insights page will now feature a breakdown of searches, affording you the ability to discern the precise search terms that guided customers to your Google Business Profile (GBP). This fresh data represents a valuable opportunity for you to glean insights into your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts, shedding light on the keywords that are propelling traffic towards your business.
Furthermore, you can also look forward to encountering the following novel and enlightening customer interactions:
  • Business Bookings: The count of bookings received via the business profile
  • Food Orders: The number of food orders placed through the business profile
  • Business Conversations: The tally of distinct conversations initiated via the business profile