Today I learned there is a messaging service in Google Maps, and now it’s going away

I’ve been using Google Maps for years, and I never knew there was an option to message businesses in the app — that is until I saw this post from Search Engine Land, which says it’s going away.

The feature, called business profile chat, lets you message a business through the Google Maps and Search apps to ask questions, book an appointment, or request quotes. If a company has business profile chat enabled, you’ll see a “Chat” option next to the “Call” and “Directions” icons in Maps or Search. Tap on it, and you can start a conversation.

But now, it’s headed to the Google graveyard. In a notice posted to its website, Google says it will no longer offer the ability for customers to start new conversations in Google Maps and Search on July 15th, 2024, and will cut off existing conversations on July 31st, 2024. Businesses have until August 30th, 2024, to download their conversation history through Google Takeout.

Even though I never knew this feature existed, it seems like it would’ve been a handy way to get in touch with a business without calling them. After July 15th, you’ll have to use the business messaging services offered by Apple, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger instead.