UPDATE: Google will be winding down Google Business Messages on July 31, 2024. Please see this Google article for more information.
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.
Re:amaze now integrates with Google Business Messaging! What does this mean? Google Business Messaging gives you the ability to communicate with customers who have found your business on Google Maps. Messages will come into your Re:amaze inbox, giving you the ability to easily reply and chat with customers. This will give your brick and mortar store an online communications presence.
Additionally, you will be able to send Google surveys to your customers, which will be included in your Re:amaze reporting.
You can connect Google Business Messaging by completing the following steps:
- Navigate to Settings > Platform Channels.
- Click the "Add Platform Channel" button located in the top-right corner of this page and select Google Business Messaging. This will prompt you to sign into your the Google associated with your [Google] business.
- After signing into Google, you will need to set up your new channel. Fill out all of the fields on this page and click "Next Step."
- On the next page you will see a QR code that you can use to test the channel and confirm that Google Business Messages are coming into Re:amaze. Open the camera app on your phone to scan the code and this will prompt Google Maps to open, showing you the welcome message you set on the previous page. If you don't have Google Maps on your phone, you will be instructed to download it.
- Before moving forward, you will also need to verify your agent information. Once you have done this, click "Request verification." Please note that the verification process can take several days, but once the verification is complete, you'll receive a notification in your Re:amaze inbox.
- To complete setup process, navigate back to the Google Business Messaging page and click "Launch Agent" to go live.