The Google graveyard continues to receive new victims, although fortunately this time it is not a complete product or application like Google Fit. However, he says goodbye to a cool Google Maps feature for contacting businesses. She is not doing so immediately, but she has already set a date for closing this summer.
This is the possibility of start a conversation with a business without having to leave the app. Maybe some don’t know it, but for others it was an essential feature for contacting businesses quickly and directly. Now Google itself confirms that it will say goodbye.
In July we will say goodbye to Google Maps cats
Google Business Messages is the name given to the tool integrated into Google Maps which allowed businesses to create a chat accessible to customers to contact them. A chat that the company could automate with a bot that would answer questions that customers usually ask or, failing that, which could be managed directly by the company.
This is something that not all companies offer, but there were (and still are) many companies that have it enabled. It’s finally a good alternative to phone calls and this is becoming relevant in all types of businesses, but especially in restaurants.
They were typically used in these establishments as an alternative to calling when the line was blocked and the customer wanted to see information regarding allergens or the like. Then, whether it was the bot or the company manager, they would respond and it was a good way to communicate directly.
Also, On July 15, these chats will no longer be activated. Not all, since those that remained open before this date will continue to be open, but not forever. It will be on July 31 that these chats will be deleted and with this the possibility of chatting with companies will be completely removed. At least via Google Maps.
And this closure indirectly implies that businesses should move to WhatsApp. In countries like USA it is the leading messaging application and we are much more established in contact with businesses.
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