Google claimed that the company is focused on improving core functionalities, as a result, it had to take business messages feature down for the benefit of users.
New Delhi: In a significant turn of events, Google has announced to shut down its Business Messages feature within Google Maps and Search. The feature which provided the users the facility to chat with businesses through their profiles will stop functioning till July 31.
From July 15, the users will no longer be able to start new conversations with business and the service will shut down completely with chat messages and call history scraped off from its data till July 31,
“We acknowledge this may be difficult news – as we continually improve our tools, we occasionally have to make difficult decisions which may impact the businesses and partners we work with,” said the company.
Why Google Shut Down Business Messages
Google claimed that the company is focused on improving core functionalities, as a result, it had to take this function down for the benefit of users.
“We are constantly evaluating our products to ensure they meet the evolving needs of users and businesses. This decision reflects a shift towards a streamlined communication experience.” A company’s spokesperson stated.
Google might want to ensure a smooth communication experience, however, this step comes as a blow for the businesses that rely on this feature for customer communication. Moreover, users who relied on this feature now need to look for alternative methods to contact businesses.
Is Google Plans To Launch A New Feature
Some people might think that Google is shutting down the feature to bring a new feature that streamlines communication with businesses. However, there’s no such news as of now. Businesses’ phone numbers, email addresses, and website links will still be available on Maps and Search.
Alternatives to Business Messages
As Google shut down its feature, businesses can always opt for alternate options like Meta’s business chats across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.