Why Google Removed Q&A From Business Profiles
(And What Local Businesses Need to Do Now)
Explore why Google retired the Q&A feature on Business Profiles in 2025, what’s replacing it with AI, and how local businesses should adapt for better visibility.
For years, businesses could use the Questions & Answers (Q&A) section on their Google Business Profiles (now called Business Profiles) to answer customer questions directly on Google Search and Maps. It was a popular way to share helpful info — from hours and policies to specific services and pricing.
But Google is changing that. In 2025, the company began phasing out the traditional Q&A feature and shifting toward AI-powered responses that generate instant answers instead of relying on static, user-generated Q&A threads.
What Google Has Officially Changed
1. Q&A API Discontinued
On November 3, 2025, Google officially removed support for the My Business Q&A API, meaning developers and tools can no longer read or publish questions and answers via API.
While this technical change affected developers, it also hinted at a broader shift — because it stopped automated access to Q&A data.
2. Public Q&A Feature Phasing Out
Starting December 3, 2025, Google began phasing out the public Q&A section on Business Profiles. That means visitors to your profile will no longer see or interact with traditional Q&A threads. This phase-out is expected to finish within a few months as the feature disappears entirely from profile pages.
What’s Replacing Q&A: AI-Powered Answers
Instead of displaying a Q&A box where users scroll through posted questions and answered responses, Google is rolling out a new conversational experience — often referred to as “Ask Maps” — powered by Gemini AI.
Instead of browsing old Q&As:
Searchers can type or speak a question
Google’s AI generates an instant answer
The response is based on a mix of data sources such as:
Your Business Profile details
Your business website
Customer reviews
Photos and posted content
This shifts the mechanism for answers from static text you wrote to dynamic AI summarization based on everything Google knows about your business.
Why Google Is Making This Change
Google’s official reasoning centers on user experience:
As Q&A content grew over the years, it became harder for customers to find relevant info.
Many Q&As were outdated, incorrect, or unmoderated.
Google wants to provide fresh, direct answers instead of long lists of mixed responses.
In essence, people don’t want to browse dozens of questions — they want an answer now. AI can create on-the-spot responses using multiple reliable signals.
What This Means for Your Business
You Can No Longer Rely on Q&A on Your Google Business Profile
If you previously seeded your profile with questions and answers to capture keyword visibility or pre-answer common queries, that tactic is now obsolete. Traditional Q&A won’t appear once fully removed.
AI Will Surface Answers Based on Other Signals
Google’s AI doesn’t “pull” from a Q&A section anymore. Instead, AI looks at things like:
And it uses that information to create answers on demand.
If your Business Profile is incomplete or thin on details, Google’s AI may generate answers that are inaccurate or incomplete — which can cost you credibility and leads.
What You Should Do Now
Instead of focusing on a Q&A widget that’s disappearing, here’s how to position your business for the new era of AI-powered search:
1. Complete and Optimize Your Business Profile
Make sure every section is filled out:
Business description
Services and categories
Hours and contact info
Photos and posts
AI uses this structured content as primary source material for answers.
2. Beef Up Your Website FAQ and Service Content
Since the AI will pull from your website too, make sure it:
Answers common customer questions clearly and thoroughly
Uses natural phrases people actually search
Contains structured FAQ markup where appropriate
In many ways, your website becomes the new “Q&A section.”
3. Leverage Customer Reviews
Reviews now play a bigger role in AI-generated answers — especially when they repeatedly mention specific services, locations, or features.
Encourage thoughtful, detailed reviews that reflect real customer experiences.
4. Use FAQ Schema on Your Website
Adding FAQPage schema makes it easier for AI systems (and search engines) to understand your answers and source them confidently.
Immediate Actions You Should Take
Before the Q&A section vanishes completely:
Export your Q&A content: Save any high-value questions and answers you’ve accumulated over time.
Incorporate them into your website: Especially in service pages, FAQ content, and structured blog posts.
Update your business description and attributes: Make sure these reflect your most important products, services, and customer queries.
These steps make sure your content continues to show up — whether customers use Search or Maps.
The Bigger Picture: Local SEO and AI
This shift is part of a broader change in how Google is handling local search:
AI is increasingly used to generate answers
Static user content is being phased out
Data accuracy and completeness are more important than ever
Businesses that stay proactive with their profiles and website content won’t just survive this transition — they’ll benefit from it.