15 July 2026
Google just changed the game for local businesses.
If you haven’t updated your Google Business Profile in months (or years), you’re about to lose visibility. Google’s new Ask Maps feature, powered by Gemini AI, is transforming how customers find local businesses—and it’s no longer about keywords alone.
Here’s what you need to know and what you need to do right now.
What Is Ask Maps and Why Should You Care?
Ask Maps is Google’s AI-powered conversational search experience. Instead of typing “digital marketing agency near me,” customers can now ask detailed questions like:
- “Which salon is good for bridal makeup and has excellent reviews?”
- “Which restaurant has outdoor seating and is pet-friendly?”
- “Which plumber is available today and has 5-star reviews?”
Google’s Gemini AI analyzes your entire business profile—not just keywords—to decide whether to recommend you. This means an outdated or incomplete profile could cost you customers.
Your Google Business Profile Is Now an AI Knowledge Source
Gemini examines everything on your profile:
- Customer reviews and what they say
- Photos you’ve uploaded
- Business description and services
- Business attributes (pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, free Wi-Fi, etc.)
- Opening hours and holiday timings
- Products and offers
- Events and promotions
Every piece of information helps Google understand your business better. If your profile is incomplete, you’re invisible to AI-powered search.
Reviews Are More Powerful Than Ever
Gemini doesn’t just count reviews—it understands what customers are actually saying.
If multiple reviews mention “friendly staff,” “fast service,” or “professional team,” Google associates your business with those qualities. This means authentic customer feedback directly influences your visibility in Ask Maps results.
Action step: Encourage satisfied customers to leave genuine reviews. Respond professionally to every review, positive or negative.
Photos Now Help Google Understand Your Business
Images aren’t just visual anymore—they provide valuable context to AI.
A restaurant’s photos help Google identify outdoor seating, family-friendly environment, and group capacity. A salon’s photos showcase your team, workspace, and client results. A plumbing business’s photos demonstrate professionalism and work quality.
Regularly upload high-quality, recent photos of your business, team, and work.
Five Steps to Optimize Your Profile Right Now
- Complete every section. Don’t leave fields blank. Fill in business hours, phone, website, address, and service areas.
- Add all business attributes. Select every relevant attribute: pet-friendly, wheelchair accessible, online appointments, women-led, family-friendly, etc.
- Upload fresh photos regularly. Add new images monthly. Show your team, workspace, products, and happy customers (with permission).
- Respond to reviews. Reply to every review—positive and negative. Show you care about customer feedback.
- Publish regular posts and offers. Use Google Posts to share promotions, events, and updates. Google now lets you schedule recurring posts, saving you time.
Keep Your Information Accurate Across All Platforms
Consistency is one of Google’s biggest trust signals. Make sure your business name, address, phone number, and hours are identical on Google Business Profile, your website, and other directories.
Update immediately if anything changes—especially holiday hours or service areas.
The Bottom Line
Ask Maps marks a major shift in how local businesses are discovered. Google is no longer just matching keywords—it’s understanding conversations, customer intent, reviews, photos, and real-time business information.
For business owners in Monash, Glen Waverley, Oakleigh, and surrounding areas, this means your Google Business Profile is more important than ever.
An outdated profile reduces visibility. An optimized, active profile increases your chances of being recommended by Google’s AI.
Ready to take action? Start by auditing your Google Business Profile today. Check that every section is complete, your photos are current, and your information is accurate. See Promote Monash Business to see how Google Business Profile optimization could apply to your business.
Source: Google Business Profile Update 2026: How “Ask Google” Is Changing Local SEO Forever – DigiHoper