🚨 Google Removes GBP Q&As: Here’s What Businesses Need to Do Right Now

This week, Google quietly rolled out one of the biggest updates to Google Business Profiles (GBPs) in years—and it caught many businesses off guard.

On Monday, November 3rd, Google officially removed the Q&A section from many GBPs. That entire feature is no longer available for most profiles.

In its place, Google has introduced something completely new:

🤖 Introducing Ask Maps — A Real-Time, AI-Powered Experience Driven by Gemini

Ask Maps allows users to type live questions directly inside Google Maps and receive instant, AI-generated answers powered by Gemini, Google’s advanced AI model.

This is a huge shift toward an AI-driven local search experience. Instead of scrolling through old Q&As, customers now get dynamic, context-aware answers instantly.

But while this is great for users, it also means there is one less area businesses can optimize directly—and a much larger emphasis on how well your overall online presence communicates with AI.

To help you stay ahead of this new landscape, here are the critical actions every business must take immediately.

✅ 1. Move All Previous GBP Q&As Into an FAQ Section on Your Website

If your GBP relied on the Q&A feature, you now need to shift that content onto your own domain.

A well-structured FAQ page helps AI models like Gemini better understand:

• What your business does
• Policies and processes
• Services and pricing
• Customer expectations
• Operational details

AI-driven search engines rely heavily on clear FAQ formatting. If the information isn’t readily available on your website, AI may create assumptions—or provide incomplete answers to users.

✅ 2. Add Schema Markup to Strengthen AI Understanding

Schema markup is essential in the new AI-first search environment.

By adding structured data to your website, you’re essentially teaching Google:

• What your business is
• How your site is organized
• Which content is most relevant
• What your FAQs mean
• What services or products you offer

This eliminates guesswork and gives AI a clean, structured interpretation of your content. Whether it’s FAQ schema, local business schema, product schema, or service schema—this is now foundational for visibility in AI-powered search.

✅ 3. Fully Optimize Your GBP and Citations (Still Vital for AI)

Even though Google removed the Q&A section, your GBP remains the primary source of truth for Google and Gemini.

Make sure your profile includes:

• A complete business description
• Detailed service entries
• Updated hours
• Fresh photos and videos
• Products or menus where applicable
• Regular GBP posts
• Accurate categories

Additionally, citations play a larger role in AI search than ever before.

Directory platforms like Yelp, TripAdvisor, Bing Places, Apple Maps, and similar sources are frequently referenced in AI-generated results. Ensure your business name, address, and phone number are consistent across all listings.

🌐 Welcome to the AI-Driven Era of Local Search

The removal of GBP Q&As is more than a feature update—it’s a signal that Google is shifting local search to an AI-first, context-powered ecosystem.

Instead of relying on static answers, Google will use:

• Your website structure
• Your on-page content
• Structured data
• Citation consistency
• GBP completeness
• Overall digital footprint

Your business’s visibility will increasingly depend on how effectively AI can interpret who you are and what you do.

A strong, consistent online presence means Gemini will give customers accurate, helpful responses.
A weak presence means AI may respond inaccurately—or skip your business entirely.

🚀 Final Thoughts

This is a major moment in local SEO. Businesses that act quickly will get a competitive advantage as AI becomes the dominant force in discovery and decision-making.

If you’d like help auditing or optimizing your GBP, website, schema, or citations to prepare for this AI-driven shift, our agency can assist.

Your customers are asking AI about your business—make sure it gives the right answers.