Google Business Profile New Features and Updates You Should Know in 2025

Let’s be honest — the way customers discover local businesses online has changed over time with each new update and feature being rolled out on Google Business Profile.

In 2025, Google Business Profile (GBP) is not just a business listing tool. It’s your digital representative, marketing assistant, and reputation manager — all rolled into one. But here's the catch: Google is constantly bringing new changes to the system, and it’s tough for businesses to keep up with every change.

If you haven’t kept up with the latest GBP updates, you might be missing out on important new features and updates that you could use to bring in more traffic and customers to your business.

As one of the leading local SEO service providers in Kolkata, we are here to explain all of the new features and changes, with no jargon and straight to the point. This will help you understand what these updates could mean for your business and implement better strategies for growth. 

The changes that we are seeing on Google Business Profile this year aren't just some small tweaks—it’s fundamentally changing how customers will discover your business on Google search and maps.

This is what most articles won't tell you: one of the new features is quietly outperforming the rest by 3x in terms of customer engagement. Curious about which one it is? Read more on this blog by the top local SEO expert in Kolkata to find out!

What’s New in Google Business Profile (GBP) in 2025?

Let’s go over the most recent and major GBP updates that came out recently, especially the ones small business owners and local brands need to know:

1. Real-Time Messaging with Auto-Reply Feature

What’s new?

GBP Messaging now allows you to set up automated replies to common questions.

So when someone messages you through your profile, whether it’s asking for information about business hours, services provided, or the price of products, they will receive an instant automated response even if you’re busy or offline.

Why it matters:

Customers want a fast response from businesses, especially when it comes to medical, legal, and other service-based businesses. This helps to reduce bounce rates, build trust, and improve your overall profile engagement rate.

Pro tip: You can add answers to FAQs using Google’s “Q&A” section too. Combine both to create a stronger customer experience.

Recommended: How to Show My Business in Google Maps or Google Business Profile

2. Call History Tracking Now Available in India

Call History is now available for Indian businesses. This was previously only available for businesses in the U.S.

What’s new?

GBP now allows you to track and check call logs inside your Business Profile dashboard.

You’ll see:

• Number of calls
• Missed calls
• Call timestamps

Why it matters:

You can now measure the effectiveness of your listing and reach out to potential leads that you almost missed out on through the call log.

3. New Business Categories and Service Menus

What’s new?

Google has added new business categories for niche local businesses, especially in healthcare, education, and wellness sectors.

You can now add detailed:

• Services
• Pricing (optional)
• Subcategories under the main categories

Why it matters:

It improves the local SEO of your business. When people search for specific services such as “root canal treatment near me” or “speech therapy for kids,” your profile will help you rank better because it will be more relevant to the search query of users.

4. Photo and Video Upload Insights

What’s new?

GBP now provides businesses with detailed insights on how their photos and videos perform. This includes insights on the number of views, clicks, and user interactions.

You will be able to find out which photo or video is driving the most user engagement. This will help you to plan and implement strategies in the future. You can reach out to the best digital marketing company in Kolkata to implement the most effective strategies for your business!

Why it matters:

Visual content matters more than ever. In 2025, listings with photos and videos see +35% more clicks than those without.

5. Profile Strength Indicator

What’s new?

You can now check the “Profile Strength” meter of your Google Business Profile. This is a gauge that measures how complete your listing is.

This includes:

• Verification status
• Business hours
• Photos/videos
• Review responses
• Services and description

Why it matters:

A stronger profile indicates that the profile will have a better online presence and have more chances of grabbing the attention of other customers. Keep your profile in the green zone to maximize your reach online!

6. Highlights Offers Through Google Posts More

What’s new?

Google Posts on your Business Profile are now more prominently highlighted when you publish an Offer Post with bold “Limited Time Offer” tags and eye-catching icons.

You can also schedule these posts in advance, making it easier for you to run promos during holidays or peak sales seasons.

Why it matters:

It grabs the attention of customers faster than ever before. Your posts will now be visible right below your contact info, helping you drive more clicks and calls.

7. Enhanced Visibility of Verified Listings on Google Maps

What’s New:

Google has improved the algorithm for verified listings on Google Maps. Local businesses who want to rank high on Google Maps will benefit the most from this update!

 Now, businesses that:

• Have verified profiles
• Respond to reviews
• Regularly post updates

… are now prioritized more in Google Maps search results when customers search for your business in your service area.

What It Means for You:

If your competitor has a verified profile and you don’t, they will rank higher and are going to show up on the search results way above you, even if you provide better services or products than they do.

8. Strict Policies for the Verification Process and to Control Spam

What’s New:

• Profiles that are inactive for 60+ days will be auto-removed by Google
• Keyword stuffing in business names (e.g., “Dentist Kolkata Best Teeth Whitening”) will get flagged or suspended
• Fake reviews are now detected and flagged faster than before, and can lead to the suspension of your profile.

Our Take:

Focus on being authentic. Google only helps businesses that showcase authentic business information on their profile to rank higher in search results and maps.

9. Review Filters & Smart Tags

What’s New:

Customers can now filter reviews based on keywords (such as “staff”, “pricing”, “cleanliness”) or tone (positive/negative).

Why It Matters:

One strong review mentioning your USP (e.g. “Affordable but great quality!”) will now be prioritized more by Google in review search results shown to customers.

What You Should Do:

Encourage customers to write honest and detailed feedback. Make sure to always respond to every review.

10. Boosted Visibility for Offer Posts

What’s New:

Google is giving special treatment to Offer Posts — like discounts, events, or holiday deals. These are now pinned right below your business info with bright “LIMITED TIME” tags.

Why It Works:

It grabs attention and encourages action — especially when users are just comparing listings.

11. Business Chat to WhatsApp Integration (beta):

What’s New:

Customers can now reach out to your business directly via SMS or WhatsApp with this new update. This has replaced the messaging feature that was available in 2024.

Why It Matters:

It’s effortless and provides you with the opportunity to interact with customers directly. You can use this for a variety of purposes: to build up the lead pipeline, to drive more sales, or to provide customer service. 

What You Should Do:

Personalize your conversation with customers to build a valuable and local customer base.

Read Also: How Does Google Business Profile Work for Local Businesses?

Policy Changes in 2025: What Not to Do

Google has made some rules and regulations stricter than before. This includes rules and regulations related to spam and the authenticity of Google Business Profiles. We, the top local SEO company in Kolkata, have listed out what you should avoid doing on your GBP: 

Key Policy Updates:

• Fake reviews can now lead to an immediate suspension, not just removal.
• Keyword stuffing in business names is being flagged and penalized.
• Unverified profiles will be automatically removed if they remain inactive for 60 days.
  

If your listing was suspended, here’s a blog that can help you: How to Recover a Suspended Google Business Profile.

How Businesses Are Using These Updates (Real Example)

Client: A local pediatrician in Salt Lake, Kolkata
Issue: Profile wasn’t ranking despite having many 5-star reviews
What we did:

• Added new “Child Vaccination Services” and “Newborn Care” subcategories
• Enabled GBP Messaging with auto-replies for appointment hours
• Created weekly Google Posts around common health issues of children

Result: Top service providers of SEO Services in Kolkata helped increase their ranking 3X more than before in discovery searches within 30 days.

Expert Tips to Get the Most Out of GBP in 2025

Follow the tips listed below to make the most of your GBP in 2025!

1. Consistent Information

Your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) should be consistent across your website, GBP, and social platforms. Any inconsistency can confuse your customers and might also affect the local ranking of your GBP.

2. Schedule Weekly Posts

Post about offers, events, and updates every week. The more regular posts there are, the better visibility and reach you will get. It’s just like social media. This helps to drive more user engagement and improves the visibility of your GBP. 

3. Ask for Reviews from Satisfied Customers

After you complete delivering a service or products, ask satisfied customers to leave a review on your GBP. This encourages them to leave a review immediately on the profile. Make sure to ask politely and not to be too forceful with the request. 

4. Add High-Quality Photos

Update your GBP with high-quality images of your store’s interiors, products, and other areas. Make sure to upload pictures of your team and customers as well. This helps to build trust and credibility with future customers.

5. WhatsApp Integration

Integrate your GBP with WhatsApp to respond to customer queries quickly and efficiently. In this way, you can create meaningful relationships with customers, leading to improved customer satisfaction.

Read More: The Importance of Google My Business: Why Every Business Needs It

Final Thoughts: GBP is Evolving — So Should You

The latest updates on GBP are designed to help local businesses by offering better and more useful features. By knowing these new features and updates, you can help your business provide faster services to customers and improve visibility online.

As a trusted Google Business Profile SEO expert in Kolkata, our team at Favfly can help you:

• Set up or recover your GBP
• Optimize it monthly with Posts, keywords, and local signals
• Improve reviews and trust
• Rank higher in Maps and Search