If you have a Google Business Profile, this Google Maps update is for you. I noticed something interesting happening with Google Maps and local search recently. Google seems to be moving from “search, click, call, repeat” to “Google, can you just do it for me?”
When people search for a local service, they often just want quick answers: Who provides the service nearby? How much does it cost? Are they available? Can I get a quote? Instead of making customers call five businesses and ask the same questions five times, Google is now using AI to help with some of these questions.
One feature that really caught my attention is “Have AI check pricing.” Google can help check pricing and availability from local service providers. So, if you manage a Google Business Profile, this is definitely something worth keeping an eye on.
AI Is Becoming the New Middleman for Local Businesses
Here is how the process works according to Google. First, search for a local service, something like “car repair near me” or “pet grooming near me.” Google then shows local businesses and service information based on the search. The feature currently covers services such as auto repair, hair salons, pet grooming, wellness centers and driving schools.
For some eligible searches, Google may show an option called “Have AI check pricing.” This option will not appear for every search, business or location. Google says the feature is currently available in English to signed-in users over 18 in the U.S. on mobile and desktop Search. So, if you don’t see it yet, don’t immediately blame your Google Business Profile. The feature is still being expanded.
If the option appears, add details about what I need, when I need the service, and any specific requirements This gives Google more context about my request and helps Google understand what I’m looking for.
Then comes the interesting part. Google can contact multiple nearby service providers to check their pricing and availability. So instead of me opening ten tabs, making ten calls and repeating the same question ten times, Google can handle part of that research for me. Google says responses can take around 30 minutes
Once Google gets responses, it can send the results to me by email, including the quotes it receives from businesses. If Google cannot get responses, it may instead provide recommendations for businesses that could offer the service I’m looking for
I Started Looking from a Local Business Perspective
As someone who works with SEO, Google Business Profiles and local visibility, this made me wonder: What happens when AI starts sitting between a customer and a local business? Earlier, customers would search, check the business on Google, look at reviews, visit the website and then call. Now, Google can handle some of those steps for them. It is almost like having a little assistant saying, “Don’t worry, I’ll ask them.”
For local businesses, this makes having an updated and accurate Google Business Profile even more important. The information about service, business, and other information needs to be clear to Google so that it knows what you’re offering. You can learn more about GBP Optimization and the key areas businesses should review.
Give business name, category, services, hours, phone number, website, location, pricing, menus, products, reviews and even project or service details an accurate, and up-to-date. If you’re going to be providing more than a single service or package, let the reader know.
The easier it is for Google to understand what business offers, the easier it can be to provide useful information when customers are searching.
If that information is missing or outdated, the customer may simply move on to another business. So, keeping Google Business Profile updated is no longer just about looking good on Maps
Does Google Book the Appointment Automatically?
Not yet. Google can reach out to several local companies to verify their rates and availability, but cannot book the appointment for customers. The answers are received and the customer can check the information, and then call the business to confirm the booking.
So, Google can help with the “How much?” and “Are you available?” part, but the “Okay, book me in!” part is still up to the customer.
GBP, Website and Local Citations Need to Work Together
For local businesses, it is not enough to keep Google Business Profile updated. business information should also be consistent across website, local directories, social profiles and other citation sources. NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) should match wherever customers find you.
If the phone number not showing on GBP, check the settings and fix or update it wherever possible
It should also be the case that website and Google Business Profile complement one another. Make sure that services, location, contact information and hours of operation are clearly stated on website. If you have Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube link them to website and add the relevant social links to Google Business Profile where available. Google supports social links for platforms including Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, X and YouTube in eligible regions
The same idea applies to reviews and reputation. Genuine customer reviews should not just sit on Google and collect digital dust. Where appropriate, you can showcase genuine customer feedback on website and link customers to the original review source. Google also enables businesses to post links to individual customer reviews.
In the same way that you would keep the same story in each of the places you interact online, you want to keep the same story in Google Business Profile, website, local citations, social profiles and real customer reviews. If all these elements are correct and are consistent with each other, then customers and search systems will have a much clearer picture of your company.
The following checklist of the actions that local businesses should take now
- Audit the Google Business Profile: Business name, Address, map pin, category, services, description, hours, phone number, website, photos and service areas. Add genuine geo tagged photos of your team, business location and building with the business name board
- Sustain Business Descriptions Natural: Don’t copy and paste AI-generated content for GBP business description, service descriptions or Google Posts. Content should be concise, informative and focused on what business does and how offerings benefit the customers.
- Review Website: Make sure that services, addresses and contact details and business information are correct and up-to-date.
- Be clear on Prices: When you mention prices, or starting prices, be sure to be clear, and correct. Add an About Us page with year of establishment, experience, expertise and what makes your business different.
- Review Local Citations: For errors in Business Name, Address, Phone Number in directories. Fix duplicate listings, incorrect information and outdated data.
- Ensure Product and Post Content Accurate: Product descriptions and product pages, as well as Google Posts, provide a clear explanation of products or services, its purpose, uses and benefits. Stay on point and comprehensible
- Show Experience: Mention year of establishment, include industry experience, certifications and qualifications on website. It assists search engines and customers to know what they are looking at.
- Ensure Reviews are Authentic: Get only authentic reviews from customers, don’t buy or fake review.
- Create Clear Service Pages: Make a section or a page about each important service to customers and search engines. Describe service, who the service is for, what service customers can expect and where you provide service or serve.
- Post Regularly on Google Business Profile: You can keep GBP active by adding approximately 2 Google Posts a week. Provide helpful information, offers, new products, business news or information about your services.
- AI Visibility Monitoring: Make sure the product pages, product descriptions and blogs are correct and relevant.
Final Thoughts
Google is enhancing check pricing for local businesses with AI in Google Search and AI is increasingly becoming a crucial component of that experience. For local businesses, this means keeping Google Business Profile, website, citations, services, pricing and reviews accurate and consistent is more important than ever.
Do not worry or make a drastic change. Get the fundamentals right, update the information regularly, and ensure that Google is able to easily figure out what business is about.
Note: Google itself warns that the AI answers might contain errors. AI can therefore deliver faster local search results and populate information like pricing or availability, but a customer needs to verify the information prior to making a decision.
