Verified Google My Business profile owners in the U.S. can now add a Black-owned business attribute to their listings.
Business attributes are highlighted as icons when customers view a business’ profile on mobile, as shown below.
Why we care
Google said it has seen “a surge in online searches for Black-owned businesses” in recent months — a period in which the Black Lives Matter movement gained momentum. Distinguishing Black-owned businesses in local search may help those businesses attract visibility in Search and Maps and gain customers.
“With this attribute, our goal is to make Search and Maps more inclusive and help support Black-owned businesses when they need it most,” Jewel Burks, head of Google for Startups U.S. said in Thursday’s announcement.
Google is also adding the new attribute to its digital skills training program Grow with Digital Coaches, an initiative designed to help Black and Latinx small businesses reach new customers.
More on the news
- In addition, the company said it is partnering with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., an organization that includes 145 Black Chambers of Commerce and 326,000 members nationwide, to spread awareness for the new attribute.
- Google also announced the inaugural class of the Google for Startups Accelerator for Black Founders on Thursday.
- In April, more than 40% of Black business owners reported that they weren’t working, compared to only 17% of white small business owners, according to an analysis of government data reported on by The New York Times.
- In 2018, Google introduced family-led, veteran-led and women-led attributes in Google My Business.
Related reading:
- What does commitment to diversity look like in an organization?
- Replay: Addressing diversity, recruitment and retainment in agencies and marketing teams
The post Google adds ‘Black-owned’ business attribute to local listings appeared first on Search Engine Land.
Source: IAB