Google Business Profile (GBP) Connect Guide

This article contains the following sections:

• Overview
• Step-by-step guide
• Checklist for Connecting to Google

Overview

In order for NearMeNow to be able to keep your location data updated, a Google Business Profile (GBP) location needs to be created, verified, and connected to the platform.

The user establishing the connection must be the owner or manager of the listing or they will be prompted to request access to the listing after connecting to the platform. Only an owner or administrator can grant us access to successfully send updates to Google Business Profile profiles.

Step-by-step guide

1. Connect - Go to the 'Listings' tab of the location and click "Connect" on the Google Business Profile widget to start the process.
   
   
   

2. Start - If you wish to connect a Google Business Profile location managed by someone else by sending them the link, move to step 8.

   In all other cases, click "Start".
   
   
   

3. Sign in - Make sure you log in to the Google account you manage the location(s) already or wish to manage the location(s) with.
   
   
   
4. Allow Access - A window will open in which you are asked to grant the Local Listing Connector access to the Google account.

   Click “Allow”.

   If you have previously allowed access, this step will be skipped.
   

   If you are connecting a verified location which you are managing, move on to step 7.

   If you are creating and connecting a new location, move on to step 5a.

   If you are connecting a location managed by you that is unverified, move on to step 5b.

   If you are connecting a location that exists but you do not manage at the moment, move on to step 5c.
   
   

5. Select Location
   Step 5A: Create and Connect New Location
   If you are creating and connecting a location that does not have an existing listing, click on
   "Create and connect".
   
   

   The location is now created and connected. Move on to step 6 to verify the location.
   
   Step 5B: Connect Unverified Location
   

   To connect an unverified listing that is managed by you, click on "Confirm" next to the location name. Move on to step 6 to verify the location.
   
   Step 5C: Connecting a Verified Location Managed by a Third Party (Request Access)
   

   If you wish to connect a location that is managed by a third party, you can also request access to this location directly in the Connect Flow!
   
   
6. Verify Location / Continue Verification
   

   Click on "Verify this location" in the Connect Flow.
   You can request the verification code directly in the Connect Flow!

   You will be prompted with the verification methods available for your location.

   Phone verification is not always available.

    

   If you choose the phone option, you will immediately receive the verification code on the provided phone number.
   If you choose the option "by mail" a postcard with the verification code will be sent to the relevant business address. The postcard should arrive within 10 days.
   Verification codes are valid for 30 days.
   
   
   

7. Connecting a Verified Location Owned by You
   If you manage multiple locations groups, you will be asked to select a location group first, otherwise, this step will be skipped.
   If you have a bulk verified Google Business Profile account, you will see the option to "Connect only one location" or "Connect all locations", otherwise this step will be skipped. Please select
   "Connect only one location" if you have this option.
   
   

   You will be able to see the location and click on the "Confirm" button next to it.
   
   

   If you have not moved the location to a location group, the location will be found in the personal section of your Google Business Profile account. To search the personal, ungrouped section when trying to connect to Google Business Profile, click on the highlighted message "Manage this location in your ungrouped location" where you can select the location you wish to connect.
   
   
   
8. Sending the Connect Flow Link
   If the Google Business Profile Profile is owned or administered by someone else and they do not have access to the platform, you are able to send them the link that will guide them through the connection.
   
   

   They can then sign in to the respective Google account and confirm with a few clicks that the platform is granted access to successfully update the profile.

   As soon as the owner/administrator has approved the account connection the process is completed.

   In case the profile is not verified yet, they can also start the verification process and follow the process as stated in Step 6.

Checklist for Connecting to Google

• Have Owner or Manager (Administrator) Access.
• Should be logged in to the Google account containing the locations.
• Make sure the location data matches existing listing data for our system to recognize the existing location.
• Make sure the store codes on Google and the location identifiers on the platform match
• Allowing all permissions in the connect flow is extremely important, otherwise, NearMeNow might not be allowed to successfully push updates to the listings.