Your Google Business Profile isn't just a listing anymore—it's your digital storefront.

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The digital landscape for local businesses is undergoing a radical transformation, and Google's latest feature is at the forefront. Your Google Business Profile is no longer just a static listing—it's becoming your most powerful digital storefront. 

We're pulling back the curtain on "What's Happening," Google's game-changing addition to Business Profiles that creates a dynamic, social media-style feed right in your search listing. Initially tested with restaurants, this feature is poised to roll out across all local business categories, creating both opportunity and urgency for savvy business owners.

"What's Happening" aggregates your posts, events, special offers, and potentially even social media content into a prominent section of your profile. This evolution aligns perfectly with Google's strategy of keeping users within their ecosystem from search to purchase decision. For businesses actively maintaining their profiles, it promises enhanced visibility and engagement. For those letting their listings gather dust, it risks making their inactivity painfully obvious to potential customers.

The practical implications are clear: link your social media accounts to build algorithmic trust, focus on time-sensitive offers and events that create urgency, and establish a consistent posting rhythm (aim for 1-2 updates weekly). The content doesn't need to be elaborate—authenticity and recency matter most. Think of these posts as digital versions of sidewalk signs or window displays, enticing search users to choose your business.

Ready to transform your Google presence from passive listing to active engagement hub? The businesses that adapt quickly will secure a significant advantage as this feature expands. Whether you manage your profile yourself or seek assistance from a service like Local Biz Domination, the time to start is now. Your next local customer is searching—make sure they find a business that looks alive and ready to serve them.

Discover how Local Biz Domination can revolutionize your business operations. Our AI-driven CRM is designed to crush inefficiencies, automate tasks, and empower entrepreneurs to focus on growth and innovation. Visit https://LocalBizDominance.com to learn more and unlock the full potential of your business today.

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
Okay, so you run a local business and your goal
obviously is to show up high onGoogle when people nearby are
searching.

Speaker 2 (00:08):
Right, you want those local customers.

Speaker 1 (00:10):
Exactly.
You want them finding you and,let's be honest, you'd rather
not be pouring money into adsconstantly to make that happen.
We get it.

Speaker 2 (00:18):
We totally get it and that's why today we're diving
into something really key yourGoogle business profile.
You know GBP.

Speaker 1 (00:28):
And specifically this brand new feature Google's
rolling out called what'sHappening.

Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah, and this isn't just some minor tweak in how you
look on Google.
It's bigger than that.

Speaker 1 (00:37):
How so.

Speaker 2 (00:38):
Well, it ties into Google's whole strategy.
They want to be the place, theonly place really, where users
do everything from searching forsomething.

Speaker 1 (00:46):
To deciding who to buy from right there.

Speaker 2 (00:47):
Exactly Right there on Google, and with this they're
basically handing out freeprime marketing space.

Speaker 1 (00:53):
Free space.

Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah.

Speaker 1 (00:54):
Okay, you have my attention.

Speaker 2 (00:55):
Uh-huh, and businesses that jump on this
early, they're going to get areal edge over the competition.

Speaker 1 (01:00):
Okay, consider this the inside track, then.
Our mission today is prettysimple.
We're going to break down thiswhat's happening thing, what it
actually is, how it works.

Speaker 2 (01:10):
And, most importantly , how you, as a local business
owner, can use it right now orget ready for it, to get seen
more and bring in more customersorganically.

Speaker 1 (01:20):
Perfect, so let's unpack that.
What's been changing withGoogle business profile?
That kind of led us here.

Speaker 2 (01:27):
Well, if you look at the bigger picture, there's a
definite pattern.
Google's been slowly changingGBP for a while now.
It started, as you know, just abasic online listing.

Speaker 1 (01:36):
Like a phone book entry almost Address hours done.

Speaker 2 (01:41):
Pretty much Set it up , make sure it's accurate, and
that was kind of it.

Speaker 1 (01:44):
But not anymore.

Speaker 2 (01:44):
Not at all.
Now you can manage so much more.
It's about your brand presence,how you talk to customers
through reviews, q&a, right theinteraction, exactly, and now,
with what's happening, you'vegot this live activity stream.
Google's goal seems prettyclear.

Speaker 1 (01:59):
Which is.

Speaker 2 (01:59):
They want your GBP to be the main spot where
potential customers make thatfinal decision which business
gets their money.
So they find you and theychoose you all without leaving.

Speaker 1 (02:11):
Google.
Ok, and what's happening is thenext step in that Tell us more
about that feature specifically.

Speaker 2 (02:17):
So what's happening at its heart is this news
section that shows up prettyprominently on your profile, and
what's really interesting iswhat it pulls in, it's dynamic.
It grabs your GBP posts, anyevents you've listed, special
offers, and potentially it couldeven pull in updates from your
linked social media.

Speaker 1 (02:35):
Wow.
So it's almost like a littlesocial feed baked right into
your Google listing.

Speaker 2 (02:38):
That's a great way to put it.
It gives anyone finding you onsearch or maps a quick, like
real-time snapshot.
What's new, what's happeningnow?
What might get them to pick youtoday?

Speaker 1 (02:50):
That sounds powerful Now.
I heard it initially it wasmainly for restaurants.
Is that still the case?

Speaker 2 (02:56):
That's right.
The first rollout we saw wasmostly in the restaurant space.
But and this is important Thinkabout how Google usually does
things Okay.
They often test new features inone sector first Online
ordering.
Remember that.

Speaker 1 (03:07):
Yeah, that started with food places.

Speaker 2 (03:09):
Right.
Or the AI summaries for reviews, booking buttons, even the AI
answering questions.
They test it, see how it goes,get feedback and then they
broaden it out.

Speaker 1 (03:18):
So even if you're, say, a contractor or you run a
clinic, a shop, an auto repairplace, a salon, Exactly
Contractors medical offices,retail auto shops, salons, gyms
pretty much any local servicebusiness.

Speaker 2 (03:32):
This is a strong signal that what's happening is
likely heading your way soon.

Speaker 1 (03:37):
You should expect it Got it.
So not just for restaurants.
This is the direction for well,everyone, local.
Why does this matter so muchright now?
Why pay attention?

Speaker 2 (03:45):
Oh, it matters a lot For businesses that are active
on their GBP.
Using this feature smartly, weexpect they'll see a real boost
in local search visibility.

Speaker 1 (03:54):
And the flip side.

Speaker 2 (03:55):
The flip side Businesses that just let their
profiles sit there.
Passive ones.
The flip side businesses thatjust let their profiles sit
there passive ones stale info.
They might actually see theirrankings drop.
Yeah, because this what'shappening section it's going to
be front and center, veryvisible marketing space.
If your profile looks dead,customers will notice.

Speaker 1 (04:11):
So inactivity becomes really obvious.

Speaker 2 (04:13):
Super obvious.
The key takeaway here is youneed to start treating your GBP
almost like you treat yourFacebook or Instagram.
Consistent activity is becomingcrucial for local visibility.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
It sounds like neglecting your GBP goes from
being a missed opportunity tosomething that could actively
hurt your chances of gettingfound.
Ok, let's get practical.
What can local businesses dotoday to get ready or take
advantage that they have italready?

Speaker 2 (04:41):
Great question.
There are definitely concretesteps.
First one, and it's pretty easyadd your social media links to
your GBP.

Speaker 1 (04:48):
Where do you do that?

Speaker 2 (04:49):
You go into your GBP dashboard, find edit profile,
then click business information,scroll down a bit and you'll
see social profiles.
Put your Facebook link in there, your Instagram, whatever you
use.

Speaker 1 (04:59):
And why is that simple step so important?

Speaker 2 (05:01):
It signals things to Google, it shows you're active,
you engage with customerselsewhere, you post updates.
It builds trust, basically,both with Google's algorithm and
with potential customers.
That helps your ranking.

Speaker 1 (05:12):
Makes sense.
Show Google you're live andkicking online and not just on
their platform.
Ok, what else?

Speaker 2 (05:17):
Step two Step two, step two Start publishing offers
and events regularly.
This seems really important forthat.
What's happening feed?

Speaker 1 (05:25):
Why those specifically?

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Because Google seems to be prioritizing time
sensitive stuff.
Things with an end date createurgency right.
They encourage people to actnow.

Speaker 1 (05:36):
Ah, okay, like a limited time deal.

Speaker 2 (05:38):
Exactly.
Maybe 10% off for new customersthis week only.
Or if you're a service business, maybe book a consultation by
Friday, get a free assessmentFor events, things like live
music Friday night if you're avenue, or maybe customer
appreciation day next Saturday.

Speaker 1 (05:53):
So actual time bound reasons for someone to engage
immediately.

Speaker 2 (05:56):
Precisely If you're not using the offers and events
features in GBT yet, you reallyshould start like this week Aim
for consistency, maybe somethingnew each week or every couple
of weeks.
If you're retail, maybe newarrivals or a flash sale
contractor, maybe highlight afinished project or specific
availability.

Speaker 1 (06:12):
Okay, offers and events for that timely push.
What about just regular updates?
Like the posts feature Stilluseful?

Speaker 2 (06:18):
Oh, absolutely Don't ditch the regular posts.
While offers and events mightget special treatment in what's
happening, keeping your postsfresh and consistent is still
vital.

Speaker 1 (06:28):
How often should we aim for?

Speaker 2 (06:30):
We generally recommend aiming for, say, one
or two GBP posts a week.

Speaker 1 (06:35):
What kind of stuff?

Speaker 2 (06:36):
It doesn't have to be super fancy, Just show you're
active.
Real-time updates, maybemention a seasonal service you
offer.
Remind people about somethingrecurring.
The main thing is being current.
Show Google and show yourcustomers that you're engaged
right now.

Speaker 1 (06:51):
Okay, so let me recap .
Google Business Profile isn'tjust a listing anymore.
It's really turning into thisactive content hub.

Speaker 2 (06:58):
Exactly.

Speaker 1 (06:59):
And if your profile is just sitting there collecting
dust, that's a big problem.
Now.

Speaker 2 (07:03):
A huge missed opportunity, yeah.

Speaker 1 (07:05):
But consistent activity, especially using
offers, events, keeping postsfresh and definitely linking
your social media.
That's the path to getting seenmore, getting more business.

Speaker 2 (07:16):
You got it and since this what's happening feature is
probably rolling out wider,acting now gives you a leg up.

Speaker 1 (07:22):
It's like Google is opening a new window for local
businesses, a way to connectwith customers organically,
right in the search results.

Speaker 2 (07:30):
That's a perfect analogy.
It's a direct line.

Speaker 1 (07:32):
So the message for you listening is clear Start
doing this stuff now.
Add those social links, planout some offers or events, get
into a rhythm with postingupdates, don't wait.

Speaker 2 (07:44):
Which really leads to the key question for you what
kind of engaging content are yougoing to put in that new Google
window to grab your next localcustomer?

Speaker 1 (07:53):
And look if managing all this consistently your GBP,
your link social feels like onemore thing on your plate.
Remember, that's what we helpbusinesses with at Local Biz
Domination.
Powered by Rank Genius, we canhandle that consistency for you.

Speaker 2 (08:07):
Because ultimately, this is about taking charge of
how you show up online locally.

Speaker 1 (08:11):
It's about making sure that when your potential
customers are searching, theyfind you.