Google Business Profile Adds New “Collected Info” Tab

Google is rolling out a new feature called Collected Info inside the Google Business Profile dashboard.

The new section allows business owners and profile managers to review information that Google has collected about their businesses. This information may come from automated phone calls, text messages, WhatsApp conversations, and other online sources.

The feature could give businesses more visibility into how Google gathers and stores details such as parking options, walk-in availability, operating hours, curbside pickup, and other useful attributes.

However, the update also raises an important question. Who is answering Google’s automated questions, and are they providing the correct information?

For businesses with several employees or locations, this new feature makes staff training and profile monitoring even more important.

What Is the Google Business Profile Collected Info Tab?

The Collected Info tab is a new section available within the Google Business Profile management interface on Google Search and Google Maps.

It displays information Google has gathered about a business through different methods.

According to Google, the company may contact verified businesses using automated:

• Phone calls
• Text messages
• WhatsApp messages

Google may ask questions to confirm business information and improve the accuracy of details shown to customers. The collected information can then be reviewed from the Business Profile dashboard.

The feature was highlighted by Google Business Profile expert Claudia Tomina, who shared that the new tab is starting to appear directly inside profiles managed through Search and Maps. She explained that Google’s automated assistants may verify attributes such as curbside pickup, parking, or walk-in availability.

Why Is Google Collecting Business Information?

Google wants to provide customers with accurate and helpful information when they search for local businesses.

For example, a customer may want to know:

• Is the business open today?
• Does the restaurant accept walk-ins?
• Is parking available nearby?
• Does the store provide curbside pickup?
• Is a particular service currently available?
• Does the business require an appointment?

Business owners do not always update every detail manually. In addition, information can change quickly.

Therefore, Google may use automated calls or messages to contact businesses and verify important details. The responses may help Google update information displayed across Google Search and Google Maps.

Google says these automated calls and messages may confirm information such as opening hours and the availability of popular products or services. Updates created from these conversations may be reviewed before appearing publicly and can remain pending for up to five business days.

How to Find the Collected Info Tab?

Business owners can check for the new section by following these steps:

1. Sign in to the Google account connected to the Business Profile.
2. Search for the business name on Google.
3. Open the Business Profile management options.
4. Click Edit profile.
5. Look for Collected info.
6. Open the section to review the available details.

Inside the tab, Google may show the information it collected, the source of that information, and the date it was gathered.

The collected content may appear in the original language in which it was provided.

The feature is currently limited to selected regions, languages, and business categories. As a result, some profile owners may not see it yet.

What Information Can Appear in the Collected Info Tab?

The exact details may depend on the type of business and the questions Google asks.

Possible examples include:

• Regular opening hours
• Holiday hours
• Walk-in availability
• Appointment requirements
• Parking availability
• Curbside pickup
• Delivery options
• Product availability
• Service availability
• Wait times
• Pricing information
• Accessibility features
• Dining options
• In-store services

A restaurant might receive a call asking if it accepts walk-in customers. Meanwhile, an auto repair company may be asked about service availability or pricing.

Google may also collect information from public sources across the web. Therefore, the tab can potentially include details that did not come directly from an automated phone conversation.

How Google’s Automated Calls Work?

Google has used automated calls for several years to confirm local business information.

When the business answers, the automated assistant usually explains that the call is from Google and states the reason for calling.

The system may then ask a few simple questions about the business.

For example, it might ask:

• Are you open today?
• What time do you close?
• Do you provide indoor seating?
• Is a specific item available?
• Do customers need an appointment?
• Do you provide a particular service?

Google states that these calls may be recorded and monitored for quality purposes. The company also says it tries to avoid calling businesses late at night or early in the morning.

Google’s official guidance also explains that these calls are not sales calls. The automated system should not ask a business to purchase a service or provide sensitive personal information.

Why the New Collected Info Tab Matters?

Previously, many business owners had limited visibility into the information gathered through automated calls and messages.

They might notice a change on their profile without clearly understanding where it came from.

The new tab can make the process more transparent.

Business owners may now be able to see:

• What information Google collected
• When the information was collected
• Where the information came from
• Which details may need to be removed
• How automated conversations may be affecting the profile

This can help businesses identify incorrect or outdated information before it creates confusion for customers.

Can You Delete Information from the Collected Info Tab?

Google allows profile managers to remove individual pieces of collected information.

To remove an item:

1. Open the Business Profile.
2. Click Edit profile.
3. Select Collected info.
4. Find the information you want to remove.
5. Click the delete option.
6. Confirm the deletion.

However, deleting an item from the Collected Info section does not necessarily remove information that is already visible on the live Business Profile.

Google explains that deleting collected information removes it from Google’s collected records, but it does not automatically change other details already published on the profile.

Therefore, business owners should also check the public listing.

If incorrect information is already live, they may need to edit the relevant profile field separately.

For example, deleting collected opening hours may not change the opening hours currently visible to customers. The profile manager may still need to open the Hours section and submit the correct schedule.

The Biggest Risk for Multi-Location Businesses

The feature may create a larger challenge for franchises, chains, and other multi-location brands. In many businesses, the public phone number connects directly to a store, restaurant, clinic, office, or service desk.

The person answering the call may be:

• A new employee
• A receptionist
• A cashier
• A store associate
• A temporary team member
• A franchise employee
• Someone unfamiliar with Google Business Profile

That employee may not realize that the caller is Google’s automated system.

They may answer quickly without understanding how the response could be used. They could also provide information that only applies temporarily or give an answer that does not follow company policy.

For example, an employee might say that walk-ins are accepted because the location is quiet that day. Google could interpret the answer as a permanent business attribute.

Similarly, a team member could confirm incorrect holiday hours or provide pricing that only applies to one service.

This is why the Collected Info update is not only a profile management issue. It is also an employee training issue.

Why Staff Training Is Now More Important?

Businesses should prepare employees for automated calls from Google. Staff members who answer the business phone should understand that:

• Google may call using an automated assistant.
• The call may ask about hours, services, products, pricing, or business attributes.
• Their answers may influence information stored or displayed by Google.
• They should not guess when they do not know the answer.
• They should follow approved company information.
• They should refer uncertain questions to a manager.

A simple internal guide can prevent many mistakes. For example, a business could provide employees with instructions such as: “Google may call to confirm business information. Only provide details you know are accurate and permanent. Do not guess. Ask a manager when you are unsure.”

Multi-location brands should consider creating one standard process for every location.

Benefits of the Collected Info Feature

The feature can provide several benefits when the collected information is accurate.

Possible Problems with the New Feature

Although the update provides more visibility, it does not remove every risk, such as:

What Should Multi-Location Brands Do?

Companies managing many Google Business Profiles should create a clear process now.

1. Inform Every Location

Tell store managers and employees that Google may contact them through automated calls, text messages, or WhatsApp.

2. Create Approved Answers

Prepare accurate answers for common questions about:

• Hours
• Services
• Parking
• Appointments
• Pickup
• Delivery
• Accessibility
• Pricing
• Walk-ins

3. Review Profiles Regularly

Check public listings for unexpected changes in business information.

4. Check the Collected Info Tab

Open the new section whenever it becomes available and review each collected item.

5. Compare Details with Official Business Data

Make sure collected information matches the company’s website, store records, and internal policies.

6. Correct Live Information Separately

After deleting incorrect collected information, check the public Business Profile and edit any incorrect live fields.

7. Assign Clear Ownership

Choose a person or team responsible for monitoring Business Profile changes.

This may be handled by:

• The local marketing team
• The digital marketing department
• The local SEO team
• Franchise operations
• Store managers
• A trusted Google Business Profile management agency

Can Businesses Stop Google’s Automated Calls?

Businesses can choose to turn off certain automated calls and messages. Google says verified businesses can manage these settings through the Advanced settings section of their Business Profile.

A business can also ask Google to stop calling during an automated call. For text messages or WhatsApp messages, users may be able to reply with “STOP” to opt out.

However, businesses should consider the benefits and disadvantages before disabling the feature.

Automated verification may help keep information accurate. At the same time, unmanaged calls can create problems when employees provide unreliable answers.

The best option may be to train staff and monitor collected information instead of immediately turning off all communication.

How This Update Could Affect Local SEO?

The Collected Info tab is not described as a direct ranking feature. Still, accurate business information is important for local search performance and customer trust.

Incorrect hours, services, or attributes can lead to:

• Poor customer experiences
• Missed calls or visits
• Negative reviews
• Lower conversion rates
• Confusing search results
• Inconsistent business information
• Reduced trust in the listing

For example, a customer may visit a business because Google says walk-ins are accepted. If the location only works by appointment, the customer may leave disappointed and post a negative review.

Therefore, reviewing collected information should become part of regular Google Business Profile management.

A Simple Collected Info Checklist

Business owners can use the following checklist:

• Check if the Collected Info tab is available.
• Review every collected item.
• Check the source and collection date.
• Confirm that each detail is still accurate.
• Delete incorrect or outdated collected information.
• Review the live Business Profile separately.
• Correct any public details that are wrong.
• Inform employees about Google’s automated calls.
• Tell employees not to guess when answering.
• Create approved answers for common questions.
• Monitor all locations regularly.

Final Thoughts

Google’s new Collected Info tab gives businesses a clearer view of the information Google gathers through automated calls, messages, and other sources.

The update can help business owners understand how certain details enter Google’s system. It can also make it easier to identify incorrect information and remove collected items that should not remain in Google’s records.

However, the feature does not completely solve the problem of incorrect profile updates.

Businesses still need to monitor their public listings, review collected information, and train employees who answer the phone. This is especially important for franchises and multi-location brands, where different employees may respond to Google at different locations.

The main lesson is simple. Every answer given to Google’s automated assistant can matter.

By creating a clear internal process and regularly checking Google Business Profiles, businesses can protect their information, improve customer trust, and reduce the risk of incorrect details appearing across Google Search and Maps.

Related updates: Google Business Profile Pickup Hours Workaround · Google Business Profiles Adds New “Collected Info” Action