Google will be shutting down the Google Business Profile chat and call history feature on July 31, 2024. Google will stop allowing new chats to be initiated starting on July 15, 2024 and then will totally disable the chat and call history features on July 31, 2024.

What Google said. Google sent out numerous types of emails to businesses, depending on if they uses the chat or call history feature. The email says:

“We are reaching out to share that we will be winding down Google’s chat and call history features in Google Business Profile on July 31, 2024. We acknowledge this may be difficult news – as we continually improve our tools, we occasionally have to make difficult decisions which may impact the businesses and partners we work with. It’s important to us that Google remains a helpful partner as you manage your business and we remain committed to this mission.”

Important dates. Here are the upcoming dates you need to be aware of:

• July 15, 2024: Searchers will no longer be able to start new chat conversations with your business from Google Maps or Google Search. However, searchers that are already in existing chat conversations will be notified that chat will be phased out.
• July 31, 2024: The chat functionality in Google Business Profile will end completely and you will no longer receive new chat messages. You will also no longer be able to see your Google Business Profile call history in Google Business Profile.

History download. You can download your chat and call history from Google Business Profiles, so you can store them somewhere. At some point, Google will delete the history.

The email. Here is a screenshot of the email I received:

Why we care. If you used these features for your business, please be aware they are going away soon. You may want to download your chat and call history before the deadline, so that you can archive that data in your CRM software and database.