What changed: Google, Apple Maps, Bing and Yelp for business
Platforms change features, rules and button names without much notice. This log lists the changes that matter to owners, each dated and linked to the platform's own announcement or help page, with what to do about it. Updated 2026-11-02. Subscribe with the RSS feed.
Monthly summaries: November 2026 · October 2026 · September 2026 · April 2026 · October 2025 · March 2025 · February 2025 · November 2024 · July 2024
- Google
Google API now reports edit status and rejection reasons per field
Google added new Business Profile API methods (v1alpha) that return the status and source of each field edit and any policy rejection reasons. If you manage listings through a tool or agency, ask whether it can show you why an edit was not published. You can still check edit status yourself in your profile. Source: Business Profile APIs: Latest updates · Our guide
- Google
Business hours can be set by describing them in your own words
The hours editor now has a Generate hours box where you type your opening times in plain language and Google fills in the hours with AI. You can correct the result by hand before you save. Google says the feature is only available in some regions and languages. Source: Edit your business hours · Our guide
- Google
Suspension appeals can only be submitted once
Google's help page for suspended or disabled profiles now states that an appeal can only be submitted once, in both the single and bulk appeal steps. Add your evidence and explanation before you press submit. Do not create a new profile for the same business while you wait. Source: Fix suspended or disabled profiles · Our guide
- Google
Restaurants can hide individual ordering providers for pickup or delivery
In your online ordering settings you can switch off a provider for pickup, for delivery, or both, which removes it from your profile. You can also mark a provider as preferred for pickup or delivery. Google says changes usually show on Search and Maps within a few hours. Source: Manage online ordering options
- Yelp
Yelp adds an AI agent that replies to quote requests for $30 a month
Smart Lead Reply answers questions inside the message thread when a customer sends a Request a Quote, collects project details and flags qualified leads for you to review. You can add a scheduling link, services, pricing and the questions it should ask. Yelp says it rolls out in November 2026 for $30 per month in the Business Owner Account. Source: Yelp Fall 2026 Product Release · Our guide
- Yelp
Yelp links quote requests to ServiceTitan, Housecall Pro, Jobber and Workiz
Service pros who schedule with ServiceTitan or Housecall Pro can let customers book appointments from their Yelp page, search results and messages. Request a Quote leads can flow into Jobber or Workiz with the job details. Businesses with several locations get one leads center that combines quote requests from all of them. Source: Yelp Fall 2026 Product Release
- Apple Maps
Apple Business app added for users with the right permissions
Apple added instructions for using the Apple Business app, which users with the needed permissions can use to work on the account. Apple's announcement says the companion app needs iOS 26, iPadOS 26 or macOS 26. Check that the person who updates your place card has a role that allows it. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Google
Gluten-free and dairy-free labels added for menu items
Google added gluten-free and dairy-free to the dietary options that can be set on food menu items. If you run a restaurant, review your menu and tag the dishes that qualify. Only label items you can stand behind. Source: Business Profile APIs: Latest updates · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple Business lets you add and edit multiple locations at once
Apple added the ability to add and edit multiple locations, with new help topics on adding, editing and removing them. If you run several branches, you no longer need to update each place card one by one. Check hours and addresses for every branch after a bulk edit. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Google
Google Business Home opens as a closed beta in the US and UK
Google Business Home is a closed beta for select business categories in the US and the UK, and eligible owners get an email invitation. You need a verified profile with fewer than 10 locations for one type of business. At most one YouTube channel, one Google Ads account and one Merchant Center account can be linked. Source: Google Business Home Help: eligibility · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple clarifies when a domain TXT record can be removed
Apple added guidance on when you can remove the TXT record used to verify your domain, and a note not to remove the one used for Verify with Wallet on the Web. If you verified a domain for branded email, check this before your web host or IT person cleans up DNS records. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Agencies can accept Apple Business invitations and manage your brand
Apple added the ability for third-party partners to accept pending invitations, review changes to their access and manage another organization. It also added a way to move content from Apple Business to Apple Ads. If an agency manages your listing, review what access you granted. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Google
Owners get 4 days to accept or reject suggested edits
When a user suggests an edit that needs your review, Google may notify you by email or in the product, and you have 4 days to accept or reject it. If you do not respond, Google may publish the edit if other public information, such as your website, supports it. Some edits needed to meet policy can be applied without your review. Source: Understand Google updates on your Business Profile · Our guide
- Google
Posts with unverified phone numbers, emails or social handles may be removed
Google's content policy now says it may remove posts with unverified contact information, including phone numbers, email addresses and social media handles. Instead of typing a number into the post, attach a Call now button, which uses your verified profile phone number. Keep contact details out of the post text. Source: Business Profile photos, videos & posts content policy · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Ads on Apple Maps can now be managed in Apple Business
Apple added help for ads on Apple Maps, covering payment methods, budgets, campaigns, billing and invoices, plus default roles and permissions. Ads are optional and a paid product; your free place card stays in place without them. Decide who on your team may spend money before you assign roles. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Yelp
Yelp Host takes OpenTable bookings and phone takeout orders
Yelp's AI phone agent for restaurants can now book, change and cancel OpenTable reservations by phone, and take pickup orders that connect to POS systems such as Toast, Square and Clover without commission. This opens Yelp Host to restaurants without table service. Yelp lists the price from $249 per month, or $199 for Yelp Guest Manager customers. Source: Yelp Host voice AI adds OpenTable reservations and takeout ordering for restaurants
- Google
Google flags review replies that break policy
Google's Business Profile API can now return policy violation details for submitted review replies. If you reply through a tool, a reply that was flagged may show why. Keep replies free of personal data and offers, and edit any reply that was held back. Source: Business Profile APIs: Latest updates · Our guide
- Google
Business Profile can be managed by chatting with Gemini
Google announced that owners can connect their Business Profile to Gemini to check monthly results, draft review replies, change hours and post updates. It rolls out globally except the EEA and UK. Read every draft before you publish it, since Gemini writes for you but you are responsible for what appears. Source: Save time and grow your business with new Gemini tools · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple adds an Asset Gallery for reusing approved photos
Apple Business now has an Asset Gallery where you can store, find and reuse approved photos. The steps for photos, the cover photo and your first showcase were updated to use it. Upload your best photos once and reuse them across locations. Source: Apple Business User Guide: Release notes · Our guide
- Yelp
Yelp adds lead status labels and an AI support chat for advertisers
The Yelp for Business inbox now has status labels and filters for leads, such as contacted, scheduled, in progress and done. Advertisers can ask an AI chatbot in the Business Owner Account about their account and billing, with handoff to a person when needed. Owners without photos on their Yelp page can import images from their website for ads. Source: Yelp's VP of Product Nicole Lund on what's next for local businesses · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple Business Connect becomes Apple Business
Apple said its brand tools from Business Connect move into a new, free Apple Business service launching April 14, 2026. Claimed locations and place card details migrate automatically, so you do not need to claim your business again. Sign in after the switch and confirm your hours, photos and contacts. Source: Introducing Apple Business (Apple Newsroom) · Our guide
- Google
Recurring posts can be scheduled through the API
Google added an option to schedule recurring posts when creating a post through the Business Profile API. If you use a posting tool, check whether it now supports repeat schedules for weekly specials or events. Review recurring posts now and then so old offers do not keep running. Source: Business Profile APIs: Latest updates · Our guide
- Google
Review reply moderation status now visible through the API
Google's Business Profile API now returns the moderation state of review replies you submit. Tools that use it can show whether a reply is live or still under review. If a reply does not appear, wait for moderation before posting it again. Source: Business Profile APIs: Latest updates · Our guide
- Google
Google shuts down the Business Profile Q&A API
Google discontinued the My Business Q&A API on November 3, 2025, after announcing it on September 15, 2025. Tools can no longer read or post questions and answers through it. If a listing tool handled your Q&A, ask what replaced that feature and keep your FAQs on your website. Source: My Business Q&A API: Change log
- Yelp
Yelp launches AI phone agents: Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist
Yelp Host answers calls for table-service restaurants and books, changes or cancels Yelp reservations, starting at $149 per month or $99 for Guest Manager customers. Yelp Receptionist answers calls for other local businesses, collects project details and sends a call summary to your Yelp inbox, starting at $99 per month. Both are set up from a tab in your Yelp for Business account. Source: Introducing Yelp Host and Yelp Receptionist · Our guide
- Bing
Bing Places moves to bing.com/forbusiness with a new dashboard
Microsoft rebuilt Bing Places for Business and moved it from bingplaces.com to bing.com/forbusiness. Existing users are moved automatically when they sign in with their usual credentials. A new recommendation tool suggests missing details such as photos, website and hours. Source: Introducing the New Bing Places for Business · Our guide
- Bing
Bing Places rebuilds its import from Google Business Profile
Bing says the new import flow from Google is faster and keeps business names, hours and contact details more reliably. If you skipped Bing because of earlier import errors, try the import again. Check the result against your Google profile before you publish. Source: Introducing the New Bing Places for Business · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple Maps place cards show ratings from expert sources
Apple Maps place cards now show distinctions, descriptions and images from expert sources, starting with MICHELIN in the U.S., with The Infatuation and Golf Digest to follow. Select hotels can also be booked directly in Maps. You cannot edit these expert ratings, but your own place card details still matter. Source: Apple brings insights, ratings, and reviews from expert sources to Apple Maps · Our guide
- Yelp
Yelp shows a response quality score for replies to leads
Business owners can see a response quality score in their Yelp for Business profile, with prompts on how to improve replies to new leads. The score appears only after a minimum number of responses. Restaurants on Guest Manager also got a dashboard showing where bookings come from. Source: Yelp Spring 2025 Product Release
- Google
Google posts how-to videos for claiming and ownership requests
Google released Business Profile YouTube videos that walk through claiming a profile and requesting ownership. The same newsletter repeats that WhatsApp and text messaging can be added to your profile, though not in every country. Watch the ownership video before you file a request. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: April 2025 · Our guide
- Google
Review QR codes and links available from Ask for reviews
You can now create a QR code or link from the Ask for reviews option in your Business Profile. Put it at the counter, on receipts or on menus so customers land on your review form. Ask every customer the same way; do not offer rewards for reviews. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: March 2025 · Our guide
- Google
Rejected verification videos now come with an email explaining why
When a verification video needs changes, Google now sends an email with what was missing, tips and a link to your listing. Read it, fix what it names and submit a new video. Show your signage, location and proof of management in one continuous recording. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: March 2025 · Our guide
- Google
AI image backgrounds for posts arrive on iOS in the U.S.
Product Studio can now generate AI backgrounds for photos in your Google Posts. Google says this is only on iOS in Google Maps in the U.S. Make sure the edited photo still shows your real product. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: March 2025 · Our guide
- Google
WhatsApp and text messaging added to Business Profiles
Customers can contact you by WhatsApp or text message from your profile on mobile search. Google listed exclusions including the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Taiwan, Japan and Korea. Add it under Edit profile, Contact, Chat, and only if someone will answer. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: February 2025 · Our guide
- Google
Special hours can be copied across multiple locations
You can now copy special hours to other profiles and update them at once instead of one by one. This helps chains set holiday closures quickly. Check each location afterward, since not every branch keeps the same hours. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: February 2025 · Our guide
- Google
Restaurants can reorder menu items by drag and drop on desktop
Restaurants can now rearrange items in their online menu by dragging and dropping them on desktop. Put your most ordered dishes near the top. Remove items you no longer serve. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: February 2025 · Our guide
- Google
Google tests AI that calls businesses for prices and availability
In a Search Labs experiment called Ask for me, Google AI can call businesses on a customer's behalf to ask about prices and availability. It is U.S. only and limited to select business types such as nail salons and auto repair shops. Keep prices and hours on your profile current so these calls are shorter. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: February 2025 · Our guide
- Google
AI review summaries appear on Google Maps
Google Maps shows AI summaries of key themes and sentiment from your reviews. Google said this is available in the UK, U.S. and India. You cannot edit the summary, so reply to reviews and fix recurring complaints it points to. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: December 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Share products by answering a few questions, no website needed
Google added a way to share what you sell by answering a few quick questions, without a website or feed. It is a fast way to show stock on your profile. Keep answers current when your range changes. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: December 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Video verification now explains why a video was not approved
Google now gives feedback and reasons when a verification video is not approved. Fix what the feedback names before recording again. Repeated attempts without changes usually fail the same way. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: November 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Restaurants can show real-time reservation slots
Diners can now see open time slots on a restaurant's Business Profile and change date, time and party size. The feature is powered by Reserve with Google. Connect a supported booking partner if you want tables bookable from your profile. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: November 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Veteran-owned attribute can be added to profiles
Businesses can add a veteran-owned attribute so it shows on Search and Maps. Add it under your profile attributes if it applies. Attributes like this must be accurate. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: November 2024 · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Online and service businesses can now use Apple Business Connect
Apple opened Business Connect to businesses of all sizes, including those without a physical location. Virtual, online and service businesses can register for free with an Apple Account. Register so your name and logo can appear across Apple apps. Source: Apple expands tools to help businesses connect with customers · Our guide
- Apple Maps
Apple announces Branded Mail, Tap to Pay logos and Business Caller ID
Verified businesses can sign up for Branded Mail to show their name and logo in emails, and show their logo when taking payments with Tap to Pay on iPhone. Apple said Business Caller ID, showing name, logo and department on calls, would open for registration the next year. Verify your domain first if you want Branded Mail. Source: Apple expands tools to help businesses connect with customers · Our guide
- Google
Restaurant menus can be uploaded as a PDF
You can now upload a PDF of your restaurant menu directly to your Business Profile instead of photos. Google added this after complaints about blurry menu photos. Remove old menus when you upload a new one. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: September 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Restaurants can pick a preferred online ordering provider
You can set your preferred ordering provider on your Business Profile, and it gets a Preferred by business badge in Search and Maps. This steers customers to the service you want them to use. Check that the link works before the busy season. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: September 2024
- Google
Last day to download old chat and call history
August 30, 2024 was the last day to download past Business Profile chat and call records through Google Takeout. After that the records were no longer available. Calls to your profile still reach your listed phone number. Source: Changes to Google Business Profile chat and call history · Our guide
- Google
Business Profile chat and call history are turned off
On July 31, 2024, Google removed the chat and call history features from Business Profiles. Customers with open chats were notified on July 15, 2024. Give customers another way to reach you, such as your phone number, website or a WhatsApp or text link where available. Source: Changes to Google Business Profile chat and call history · Our guide
- Google
Reviews panel updated for asking, replying and sorting
Google updated the reviews panel in Business Profile with easier ways to request reviews, quicker replies, sorting by rating or date, and access to the status of reviews you reported. Use the report status view to follow up on flagged reviews. Sort by newest to answer recent reviews first. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: July 2024 · Our guide
- Google
AI can suggest or refine your business description
Google started offering an AI tool that suggests a new business description or refines your current one. It is not available to everyone yet. Check every suggestion for accuracy and remove claims you cannot back up. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: July 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Restaurants can turn a menu photo into a structured menu
Restaurants can photograph a single-page menu and Google's AI turns it into a full menu with names, descriptions and prices. A freshness label also shows customers when the menu was last updated. Check prices for errors before you publish. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: June 2024 · Our guide
- Google
Services editor now available on iPhone and iPad
You can now add services, set prices, upload photos and write descriptions for services from an iPhone or iPad. That makes it easier to fix your service list on the go. List the services people search for, with plain names. Source: What's new in Google Business Profile: June 2024 · Our guide
- Yelp
Yelp for Business gets a new homepage and AI budget suggestions for ads
Yelp redesigned the Yelp for Business homepage to show how your business performs against competitors. Advertisers get AI-based budget recommendations and can book a time to talk with Yelp support. Service pros can also take leads by phone. Source: Yelp Winter 2024 Product Release · Our guide