Google and COVID-19: Google My Business Changes for Local Businesses

Google, too, is dealing with the COVID-19 health crisis. With stay-at-home orders in place, the company has restricted some features and services. Here are the Google My Business changes that affect your business, and the best practices we recommend putting in place now.

Local Reviews Temporarily Turned Off

During the lockdown, Google is backing businesses and independent professionals. As part of that effort, it has decided to disable new ratings and reviews for local businesses for as long as the restrictions last.

Yelp has taken a similar step. Both companies announced they were suspending reviews on their platforms to protect local businesses.

The goal is to head off a wave of reviews that could be malicious, irrelevant, or fake.

The current health crisis has left local businesses more vulnerable than ever, and online reviews can have a major impact on what consumers think and choose. By pausing ratings and reviews, Google aims to support local businesses and keep the playing field level.

Business Hours Updates Take Priority on Google My Business

Google has also announced that some features may be limited or delayed when it comes to updates.

Like many other companies, Google has had to protect its employees by keeping them from traveling and commuting.

That means slower operations and a clear order of priorities. As of late March 2020, Google’s top priority is the quality and reliability of information in Google Search and Google Maps.

On Google My Business, Google says business owners and users can still freely use the core features of their listings, such as business hours.

For now, Google is prioritizing edits from healthcare businesses. It is manually reviewing new listings, claims, and verifications for healthcare-related businesses.

For other verified businesses, Google is also prioritizing open and closed status, special hours, temporary closures, business descriptions, and attribute changes.

For all other types of businesses, new listings, claims, and verifications may take longer to appear in Google Search and Google Maps.

And as mentioned above, new reviews and review replies can’t be posted during this period.

Best Practices for Your Google My Business Profile

While stay-at-home orders are in effect, staying in touch with your customers online, on Google, on social media, and elsewhere is critical. Our COVID-19 marketing strategies for small businesses offer more ideas.

How to Optimize Your Google My Business Listing During the Lockdown

If government measures related to COVID-19 affect your business, update your Google My Business listing so customers get the most current, relevant information.

1. Update your business hours. If you’ve had to change your hours or close temporarily, update them on your listing. That way, customers won’t make a wasted trip, can choose to order online instead, or simply know exactly when to come by. Changes to your hours show up on your Google My Business listing and in Google Maps, along with takeout and delivery options.
2. Tell people what has changed. The coronavirus has affected your business just as it has affected your customers’ lives, so talk about it. Explain the extra precautions you’re taking, highlight new services such as takeout or delivery, and warn customers about possible delays.
3. Keep communicating with customers. Post regular, detailed updates about what’s happening at your business. Stay in touch with customers through your website and social media too. It’s also a good time to add information about your products and point people to other helpful resources.

Where Things Stand in 2026

Google My Business was renamed Google Business Profile in November 2021. The tools highlighted here, such as special hours, the “temporarily closed” status, and regular updates, are still the right way to keep customers informed whenever your business is disrupted. If you ever need to pause online sales, follow Google’s advice for pausing your website, and see our Google local SEO guide to get the most out of your profile today.

Need help keeping your listings accurate and visible? Référenceur, a French-speaking agency with offices in Belgium and Luxembourg, works with U.S. businesses remotely on local and organic search. Get a free assessment of your online presence.