Google Replaces Maps Q&A Feature with AI-Powered “Ask” Button
Google has confirmed that it is phasing out the traditional Q&A feature in Google Maps. In its place, users will now be able to get responses through a new AI-powered “Ask” button available on Google Business Profiles.
To recap, Google originally introduced the Q&A feature on Google Maps in 2017. However, over the past year, the company has gradually reduced its visibility across Maps and local search results. In some regions, the feature has been entirely disabled, and Google has also deprecated the related API.
Earlier this year, Google began rolling out the Ask on Google Maps functionality, signaling a shift toward AI-driven interactions.
Dan Boguslavsky, a Product Specialist at Google, recently shared additional context in the Google Business Profile Help Forums. He explained that as the Q&A feature expanded over time, it became increasingly challenging for users to sift through numerous questions to find relevant and timely answers.
According to Google, the updated approach introduces several changes:
- Instead of browsing existing FAQs or waiting for responses, users can now submit questions directly in Google Maps and receive instant, updated answers based on business-provided information and relevant customer reviews.
- Business owners no longer need to respond to multiple repetitive questions. Instead, they can address consolidated, common queries, helping save time and effort.
- The responses provided will also assist in answering similar questions from other users across Google Maps.
Dan further clarified that businesses can still manage and respond to existing questions within the Q&A section of their Google Business Profile dashboard. These published questions and answers will continue to support Google’s understanding of businesses and may still appear within Maps when relevant.
In summary, while the Q&A feature remains accessible on the backend for business owners, it is no longer visible to users on the frontend, with AI-powered interactions now taking its place.
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