Okay folks, if you’re in the business of managing multiple Google My Business (GMB) listings, chances are you felt the earth shake a little while back when Google rolled out its shiny new Agency Dashboard. It was meant to be a game-changer, a lifesaver… and then the emails started coming. And the forum threads. And, well, let’s just say Google got an earful from less-than-happy agencies and SEOs.
So, What Went Wrong?
Let’s break down the biggest pain points of the original Agency Dashboard rollout:
- The Great GMB Takeover: Suddenly, agencies adding client listings to the dashboard were bumping the actual business owners down a level. Not a great look when your panicked client starts calling wondering why you demoted them on their own business listing.
- “You Must Sacrifice Your GMB Soul”: Google decided employees joining an Agency Dashboard had to essentially empty out their personal GMB accounts. Imagine an SEO with tons of local listings all the work that entails – poof, gone in an instant. Frustration levels were high.
- Ding! Ding! Ding! Notifications Gone Wild: Every little listing update seemed to generate a flood of notifications. It was like Google thought we craved an endless email ticker about GMB changes.
- AdWords Wasn’t Playing Nice: For folks heavily relying on syncing GMB locations with AdWords, the process went from smooth to, well, not smooth at all.
In short, it wasn’t the kind of rollout that makes you want to hug your favorite Google rep.
Google Answers the Bat Signal…Sort Of
Facing a chorus of “What were you thinking?!”, Google acknowledged the hiccups (okay, maybe they called them ‘areas for improvement’) and threw together a FAQ that was meant to soothe everyone’s ruffled feathers. And look, the FAQ provided some clarity, but was it enough? Let’s just say it had about the same calming effect as trying to placate a tired toddler with a “maybe” about getting ice cream later.
Here’s a taste of what they addressed in the FAQ:
- “We Didn’t Mean to Dethrone Business Owners”: Google basically promised this was being reworked so agencies could be helpful without displacing their clients.
- “Your Employee’s GMB Listings Can Live!”: This one also was on their priority fixes list. Nobody wants to force staff into GMB sacrifices.
- “Okay, Okay, We’ll Tone Down the Notifications”: Google, sometimes being silent IS golden.
- “AdWords Will Cooperate…Eventually”: Vague promises on this front meant agencies had to scramble for workarounds.
Did Google Actually Deliver?
The FAQ seemed promising, but actions speak louder than words, right? So, did Google follow through on the promised improvements to the Agency Dashboard? This is where it gets…complicated. Some issues were definitely patched up, the most glaring ones around displacing business owners and forcing employees to empty their accounts.
But did it become the super intuitive, seamless tool agencies desperately needed? That depends on who you ask. Many SEOs continue to find the dashboard clunky, with some of the original frustrations bubbling under the surface.
Where Are We Now?
Honestly, navigating the Agency Dashboard still requires a degree of patience and workarounds. Here are some tips that might make your life slightly easier:
- Communication is Queen: Be upfront with clients about potential disruptions during this process, and what the changes mean for them. Over-communicate to avoid unpleasant surprises.
- Look for 3rd-Party Tools: Sometimes the solution is outsourcing to reliable software. This is particularly true if you juggle lots of listings.
- Keep Track of Updates: Google doesn’t always fanfare GMB dashboard changes. Check blogs and forums for tips from fellow SEOs on new features or workarounds.
Google, We Love You, But…
Google loves to innovate, and sometimes those great ideas land with a thud. In the case of the Agency Dashboard, it was a harsh reminder that the tools agencies rely on need to actually WORK. While Google eventually stepped up, there’s still room for growth. Let’s hope they keep those user feedback channels open because a truly stellar Agency Dashboard would make everyone’s lives a whole lot easier.