We will be winding down Google Business Messages on July 31, 2024. 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. It's important to us that Google remains a helpful partner as you manage your business and we remain committed to this mission.
No action is required for any brands and partners who only use Google entry points for Business Messaging. Brands and partners using brand-managed entry points, such as a URL or web widget, should remove the entry point or replace it with an alternative messaging option by July 15, 2024. Google will stop creating new conversations after this date, and chat feature will fully end on July 31, 2024.
If you have alternative chat channels, consider inviting your customers to continue conversations there.
FAQs
Below are some of the FAQs that provide more details about this change. If you have any more questions, you can reach out to us using our GBM support channel.
What is happening to Google Business Messages?
Google Business Messages (GBM) will be discontinued on July 31, 2024. After this date, developers can't use GBM to let users engage with brands through any of the Google entry points or third-party channels.
Can I still get messages for a limited time?
Yes. You'll continue to receive messages on GBM until July 15, 2024. After that, you'll have 30 days to either close or open message threads or move them to your new chat service. Ensure to let users know about the change and how to reach you with your new messaging service. You won't receive any new messages after July 1, 2024.
I only use Google entry points for messages. Do I need to do anything?
No action is needed when you use Google entry points exclusively. You can inform your users about the unavailability of the messaging channel after July 15, 2024 by adding or modifying the welcome message.
What should I do to continue the conversation with users?
If for any reason, you can't close out the conversation before July 31, 2024, then we suggest you redirect your users to your alternative communication channels. If applicable, you can link your social media profiles and add website / phone number information to your Google Business profile to inform users of alternative channels.
My business or brand uses brand-managed entry points like URLs or web widgets. What do I need to do?
It's important to remove your brand-managed entry point, or replace it with a different messaging option by July 15, 2024. This ensures easy communication with the users.
I had just filled out the partner registration form. What happens next?
Unfortunately, because of the product deprecation, we will stop new partner registrations after May 22, 2024.
When will the API start returning errors?
GBM API endpoints will start to return errors after July 31, 2024. Partner console access for existing GBM partners will also be revoked after July 31, 2024.
Can I verify new GBM agents and locations?
GBM will stop new agent verifications and new location verifications after May 22, 2024. You can't use the partner console or the APIs to verify new agents or new locations.
Will I be able to launch verified GBM agents?
No. GBM will stop new agent launches and new location launches after May 22, 2024. You can't use the partner console or the APIs to launch new agents or new locations.
Will I be able to unlaunch GBM agents before the turndown date of July 31, 2024?
You can unlaunch your agents using console and API on or before July 31, 2024.
When will the GBM performance metrics become unavailable?
You can't view your GBM agent metrics after July 15, 2024.
What should I do now?
We advise you to add or modify your welcome message to inform users about the unavailability of the messaging channel after July 15, 2024 and redirect them to alternative communication channels as needed.
What will happen to my existing chat conversations?
User will not be able to send or receive any new message in their existing chat conversations post 7/31. Chat conversations in Android Messages will remain until the user deletes them.
Existing chat conversations available in Google Maps inbox will be removed post 7/31 as Google will be deprecating the chat inbox feature within Google Maps.
Is it possible to link the chat button on GBP to other 3P chat channels?
No, unfortunately, you cannot link the existing chat button on a Google Business Profile to a 3P chat channel.