Local Business Will Soon Be Able to Offer Video Conference and Online Classes Through Google My Business

According to an article on Search Engine Land, local businesses will soon be able to offer video conferencing and virtual classes through their Google My Business profile.

The article is based on something spotted on a local SEO agency’s profile and was confirmed by Google as a test. If this test rolls out wider then it would allow local businesses to connect their customers with platforms that setup video conferencing, virtual tours, virtual customer service, and sell online classes.

When asked about the program Google stated “Businesses don’t need to have a relationship with a Reserve with Google partner to offer virtual appointments on their Business Profiles — they can add links to their website page offering virtual appointments / classes. If they have a relationship with a Reserve with Google partner that has enabled online offerings, it’s easier for customers to book directly on Google. In both cases, the virtual appointment will take place via the third party video provider, not on Google.”

None of the local business accounts we have access to around the world have access to this feature yet, and according to the article some local SEOs thought it might have been accidentally released early.

See screenshots of the feature and learn more in the original article by Greg Sterling.