Google Business Profile (GBP) is an essential tool for businesses to establish an online presence, enhance local SEO, and attract customers. However, a recent glitch has been causing frustration for business owners and marketers trying to create new profiles. The issue arises when users attempt to enter their phone number and website details, only to find the “Next” button unresponsive, preventing them from completing the setup process. Additionally, some existing businesses have reported the sudden removal of their contact details without prior notice.
This glitch has significant implications for businesses relying on Google Business Profile for visibility and customer engagement. With millions of users depending on Google for finding local businesses, any disruption in the listing process can lead to lost opportunities.
Understanding the Glitch
The problem primarily occurs when users are in the setup phase of creating a new GBP listing. When prompted to input their business’s phone number and website, the interface fails to progress beyond this step, effectively stopping the creation of a new profile. This issue has led to widespread frustration among small business owners and digital marketers who rely on GBP to connect with potential customers.
Beyond the inability to create new listings, some existing businesses have also encountered a concerning issue where their phone numbers disappear from their profiles without any notification. This creates an additional challenge, as businesses might remain unaware of the missing contact details unless they actively check their profiles.
Google’s support team has acknowledged the issue and confirmed that they are investigating a fix. However, no official timeline has been provided for when businesses can expect a resolution.
How This Impacts Businesses
A functional and accurate GBP listing is crucial for businesses looking to attract customers through local search results. This glitch poses several challenges:
- Loss of New Business Opportunities – Businesses that are newly established or trying to expand their online presence cannot create profiles, leading to a loss of potential customer interactions.
- Disrupted Customer Communication – The removal of phone numbers from existing profiles can cause businesses to miss inquiries from customers looking for immediate assistance.
- Negative Impact on SEO and Local Visibility – GBP plays a critical role in local search engine rankings. If businesses are unable to create or update their listings, their visibility in search results may suffer.
- Frustration for Business Owners – Many business owners who depend on GBP for their digital marketing strategies are left without an alternative, resulting in frustration and operational challenges.
Temporary Solutions and Workarounds
While Google works on a fix, businesses can take the following steps to mitigate the impact of this issue:
1. Monitor Updates from Google
Businesses should regularly check Google’s official support forums and announcements to stay informed about any fixes or temporary solutions.
2. Document the Issue
If you encounter the glitch, take screenshots and document the problem. This can be helpful when reaching out to Google’s support team for assistance.
3. Ensure Other Online Platforms Are Updated
Since GBP is currently unreliable, businesses should focus on alternative platforms such as:
- Facebook and Instagram business pages
- Yelp and other online directories
- Company websites with clear contact details
4. Use Google Support Channels
Although the glitch persists, reaching out to Google’s customer support can sometimes help escalate the issue and provide insights into possible solutions.
5. Encourage Customer Engagement Through Other Avenues
If phone numbers are disappearing from GBP listings, businesses should prominently display alternative contact methods on their website and social media profiles.
What to Expect Moving Forward
Google has a track record of addressing major technical issues, so it is likely that a fix will be rolled out in the coming weeks. However, until an official resolution is in place, businesses should remain proactive in ensuring their online presence remains strong.
For now, patience and adaptability are key. While Google works behind the scenes, businesses must explore other digital marketing strategies to maintain customer engagement and brand visibility.
Conclusion
The current Google Business Profile glitch has created challenges for new business registrations and has affected existing listings. While Google is working to resolve the problem, businesses must adapt by monitoring updates, maintaining visibility on other platforms, and ensuring customers can still reach them through alternative channels.
Keeping track of official updates and exploring temporary workarounds can help businesses navigate this issue until a permanent solution is implemented. In the meantime, maintaining an active online presence beyond GBP is the best approach to avoid disruptions in customer engagement.
