In a recent update, Google has mandated that all third-party providers include a dedicated opt-out landing page within the New Merchant Experience (NMX) dashboard.
This page should clearly describe the steps a merchant can take to disconnect their Google Business Profile (GBP) from any booking, waitlist or food ordering application.
Take back control of third-party providers in Google Business Profiles
Before this mandate, third-party service providers had significant control over Google business profiles, and merchants were often unable to remove these integrations themselves and were confused about where to turn.
When the merchants asked for help supportthey were advised to contact the supplier directly.
Guide to removing third-party providers
To disconnect a service provider from your Google Business Profile in the NMX dashboard, follow these steps:
Navigate to Food Orders. Choose the service provider you want to remove. Click on Remove the provider.
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Manage the supplier
The provider removal link is provided by the third-party integration.
When managing your business profile on Google, it’s important to note that these links cannot be edited or removed directly unless the URL has been added manually.
Instead, each provider provides a landing page that informs the merchant how to opt out of the integration.
Some providers describe a step-by-step guide on opting out in their apps, while others have forms or direct the merchant to their support representative.
Google Docs has been updated with the following:
“Providers must remove third-party links from your profile within 5 days of receiving the removal request. If a provider does not process your request, report an infringement.”
Too many options?
Food ordering pages can sometimes seem like they are full of options. Take DoorDash, which owns Caviar, and GrubHub, the parent company of Seamless, Eat24 and Tapingo.
An abundance of options can make a merchant’s Google Business Profile look too busy and confuse customers about where to place their orders.
With recent updates, providers are now required to offer merchants an easy opt-out for any services they would prefer not to offer. This is great news for brands looking to declutter their online ordering and booking options.
In light of the mandate, DoorDash launched a Google Form, allowing brands to tailor their offers for all or some stores, with options to opt out of DoorDash, Caviar, or both.
This change is a real game changer for employers, and opens up a new level of transparency.
Perhaps, from Google’s perspective, this new process can help reduce the number of support tickets they receive about third-party removal requests.
The impact of third-party integrations on your Google Business Profile metrics
Merchants should weigh the pros and cons before deciding to cut ties with third-party providers. Removing these integrations could have a direct impact on your performance metrics.
Remember that every interaction on your Google Business Profile (GBP) counts towards your performance statistics.
But if a third-party link sends a customer elsewhere outside of your GBP, that action won’t be counted in your metrics.
So think about it. What will best serve your business and customers in the long run?
Learn more: How to manage and edit your Google Business Profile from Google Search
The views expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily Search Engine Land. Staff authors are listed here.
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