What is "Google My Business"? and Is it any Different than "Google Maps"?

[Mike Vannington]

Some background first:

I started out doing computer repair, found a medical practice that was disatisfied with the person that built their website, learned about WordPress, from there learned about LSEO (on and off page) from various places online. At the time I thought I knew quite a bit, but that was more than 5 years ago, some of my knowledge is probably out of date, I may not have learned as much as I thought I did, and things are different now, which is why I'm here; to learn.

First thing I noticed here was that "Google My Business" seemed like a popular keyword, so I decided to really pay attention to it, in order to see what it is, what's different today (I never saw this phrase back in the day), etc... and even now the only thing I think I know is that it's a buzz-term to mean what used to be called "Google Maps", or "Google Places".

Is this accurate? Or have things substatively changed, that I can't discern. Do I need to actually get into the GMB interface to see these changes? If there are changes, what's different, better, etc...?

 

[Scott Rawlins]

GMB is simply the back end management app for a Google Maps listing.

 

[Mike Vannington]

GMB is simply the back end management app for a Google Maps listing.

When you say "app", do you mean "mobile only"?

<rant> I can't imagine trying to do any kind of substantive work (LSEO, or otherwise) on a phone with it's tiny, headache-causing screen, limited field of view, "hit or miss" key inputs (where you spend more time fixing entry typos than you do actually navigating), erratic page load speeds, etc... I have a decent desktop and a big, flat screen monitor and I can see a wide range of information and options in a single glance, and when I push a button, 99% of the time I get what I'm trying to get, instead of an auto-corrected result that requires me to fat-finger a constantly-changing escape system (depending on the software, which I'm usually using for the very first time), etc... </rant>

In case I wasn't clear on how much I hate using mobile devices for anything other than pictures, or as a telephone (they can be used as phones, in case someone doesn't know this), and you need more information, please feel free to ask. I could probably continue this rant for a couple of more pages extemporaneously, without even having to try.

Point of the question was to find out if this is "mobile only", or if the desktop has equal access. Oh, and thanks for the reply.

 

[Scott Rawlins]

GMB is on both on desktop and a mobile app.

Get Listed on Google - Google Business Profile

List your business on Google with a free Business Profile. Turn people who find you on Search & Maps into new customers.

www.google.com

 

[Mike Vannington]

So that's it? Google Maps is the same, but they've changed the back-end and named it "Google My Business"? Also, since you seem to know things, is Google Analytics still available for free? I used it on a Word Press site and was able to see number of visits, bounce rate, traffic flow, etc... but if I remember correctly there were rumors (at the time) that Google was going to stop offering this service to people for free.

 

[Scott Rawlins]

Correct.

 

[Mike Vannington]

Correct.

Is Google Analytics still available for free?

 

[dannanelli]

Some background first:

I started out doing computer repair, found a medical practice that was disatisfied with the person that built their website, learned about WordPress, from there learned about LSEO (on and off page) from various places online. At the time I thought I knew quite a bit, but that was more than 5 years ago, some of my knowledge is probably out of date, I may not have learned as much as I thought I did, and things are different now, which is why I'm here; to learn.

First thing I noticed here was that "Google My Business" seemed like a popular keyword, so I decided to really pay attention to it, in order to see what it is, what's different today (I never saw this phrase back in the day), etc... and even now the only thing I think I know is that it's a buzz-term to mean what used to be called "Google Maps", or "Google Places".

Is this accurate? Or have things substatively changed, that I can't discern. Do I need to actually get into the GMB interface to see these changes? If there are changes, what's different, better, etc...?

Hi Mike,

The current correct terminology is your “Google My Business” listing. Your Google My Business (also referred to as GMB) listing can show up in many places.

Here’s an in-depth article that explains what Google Maps vs Google My Business is. It also explains what interfaces allow you to make certain changes and where your GMB listing can show up. I think it will answer many of your questions.

https://whitespark.ca/blog/what-to-call-your-google-business-listing/

 

[Mike Vannington]

The current correct terminology is your “Google My Business” listing.

Thanks for your phrase "The current correct terminology".

What to Call Your Google+ Maps My Business Places Listing Thingy

Glad to know I'm not the only one.

 

[dannanelli]

Is Google Analytics still available for free?

Google Analytics is still free. They do have a paid version but that’s generally more for enterprise-type clients. The free version will give you what you need.

 

[UKSBD]

There is still a separate Google Maps where you can add points/places/things/etc. to a Google map and then save it.

Once saved you can link to it or embed it on your site.

This can be useful if you want a map for somewhere that isn't eligible for a Google My Business Listing.