Google My Business Exploring Charging Fees

[Milchan]

Google is apparently exploring the idea of charging for My Business entries and is looking at different possible packages or levels. You can see details on this Search Engine Round Table article[seroundtable.com ]

Some of the things they are exploring seem extremely concerning in particular :

"Google Search Results Placement" - i.e. you pay to be higher in the Serps. It doesnt specify how this will be displayed or if it is identified as a paid placement or will simply seem organic.
"Get Leads from Competitor Profiles" - which says when a customer messages a business that offers the same services as you they will show your business to them so they can message you also. That just doesnt seem right to me and seems like highjacking.

They are just "exploring" the idea but it seems to me that they have developed ideas far enough that this will happen in some form for sure. I wonder if there will also be a free version still.


I searched and couldnt see another thread on this so if there is Mods please delete or merge.

[Wilburforce]

when a customer messages a business that offers the same services as you they will show your business to them so they can message you also

If you search using Google for my business name (UK registered trade mark) you get "People also search for..." and links to my direct competitors. That isn't a future threat - it has been happening for years.

It isn't something that "just doesnt seem right": it is trade mark infringement under section 10 (2) of the UK Trade Marks Act 1994, as clarified by section 10 (4). They get away with it because they can afford to exhaust the resources of anyone who mounts a legal challenge.

I don't doubt that other exploitive practices have been, are being, and will be considered. Don't imagine for a moment that Google is anyone's friend. It is a very successful - and completely ruthless - multi-billion dollar business.

[Milchan]

If you search using Google for my business name (UK registered trade mark) you get "People also search for..." and links to my direct competitors. That isn't a future threat - it has been happening for years.

There is a difference though. In search that would happen if someone searched for your business name and show your competitor or if they searched for your competitor and probably show your name as people also search for.
In this case someone would specifically be trying to message a business and then get prompted to message another one - its a step up and one that will only be for people that can afford to pay for it.