Google Tightens Google Maps Policy on Promotional Content

Google has recently updated its Google Maps and Business Profiles Prohibited & Restricted Content policy, specifically focusing on the advertising and solicitation section. The update clarifies what merchants and business owners are prohibited from posting in their listings and posts. The goal is to maintain the platform's reliability and prevent it from becoming a marketplace.

The new guidelines emphasize that contributions to Google Maps should reflect genuine experiences or define a business's permanent identity. This means avoiding content posted solely for advertising or solicitation purposes.

For listings, Google now prohibits promotional or commercial content that includes time-bound promotions, pricing, or direct calls-to-action. In posts, merchants cannot include email addresses, phone numbers, social media links, or links to other unrelated websites. However, offers and updates that are not seen as promotional or commercial are still permitted in posts.

The update was spotted by Hiroko Imai, who shared screenshots on LinkedIn showing the changes before and after the update.