Google Business Profiles Rolls Out Collected Info Feature

Google Business Profiles has officially launched the "Collected info" feature, a tool designed to give business owners greater control over their online listings. This feature allows business owners to review details that Google's automated systems have collected, often through phone or chat conversations, and subsequently used to update their Business Profile. The "Collected info" tab, now accessible within the Business Profile dashboard on Google Search, enables users to see what information has been gathered and to delete any details deemed outdated or inaccurate. Google states that this collected information is used to better match businesses with potential customers searching for relevant services.

The "Collected info" feature was initially tested a few months prior to its official rollout. During the testing phase, businesses could review automated changes made by Google and opt to revert them. The official announcement, made on the social media platform X, highlighted that users can now "review details verified by Google’s automated assistant right inside your Business Profile dashboard." The company further elaborated that the "Collected info" tab displays "what was gathered and delete any outdated details."

Further details about the "Collected info" feature are available in Google's updated help documentation. According to this documentation, Google may periodically contact businesses via automated messages through calls, texts, or WhatsApp to the verified phone number associated with their profile. This outreach is intended to confirm business details and ensure the Business Profile remains current and discoverable. Any information provided by the business in response to these automated messages may be used to update their profile. The help documentation also provides guidance on learning more about these automated calls and texts from Google for confirming business information.

To manage the "Collected info," business owners are instructed to navigate to their Business Profile, select "Edit profile," and then choose "Collected info." Within this section, they can review the information, identify its source, and see the date it was collected. The information is presented in the original language it was provided. If a business owner wishes to remove a specific piece of information, they can select the "Delete" option. The help documentation notes that this feature is currently available for select regions, languages, and business categories, and may not be accessible to all users at this time. The primary goal of this feature is to enhance the accuracy and reliability of business information presented to customers on Google.