Namely, Google My Business will now be branded Google Business Profile, and the Google My Business app will be retired in 2022 in favor of direct profile editing in Search or Maps.

Google My Business is Now Called Google Business Profile

First, it was simply called Google Local before a rebrand changed it to Google Places. Then, they doubled back, in a way, and it became Google+Local. They changed their minds again, returning to Google Places until about 2014 when Google My Business became the tool we all know and love (or simply tolerate; it’s not too often you see people with strong opinions on GMB).

Now they’re opting for a more direct branding approach with the informative, if unimaginative, Google Business Profile.

Yes, Google loves their rebrands almost as much as I am indifferent to them.

Will This Rebrand Affect Your Site or Business?

Almost certainly not. This appears to be nothing more than a name change will which likely go unnoticed by the vast majority of users.

However, if your site relies on content with a “GMB” focus for traffic, it may be worth considering an update to reflect this new branding. Just keep in mind that while this change is immediate, it will take years before this rebrand will become the norm. Users will be searching for “google my business” for a long time to come.

Google My Business App to be Discontinued

Perhaps more impactful is the discontinuation of the Google My Business app.

Those used to accessing their GMB profile through the app will need to rethink their workflow once it loses support. For a while, Google has been pushing profile managers to make edits or interact with users directly on search or map results.

In short, these are minor changes which should not have an impact on SEO or how most businesses interact with Google My Business.

The post Google My Business is Now Google Business Profile appeared first on Fanatically Digital.

But if the report by IBM and Ponemon on app security is an indication, users have a great deal more to be concerned about than being misplaced by apps.

Apps can hold or be a pathway to sensitive data. The study estimates that 11.6 million phones were infected at any given time by malware last year, putting 1 billion personal data records at risk.

The primary cause of the breach, little or literally no mobile app security screening by the app developers. This includes fortune 500 companies. Its is not just the independent developer out there, it is the large companies whom we tend to trust (naive though its proven to be).

Some interesting facts as seen in IBM’s info-graphics (available here on flickr). Note how 40% have no budget allocated to app security. Many of these companies are providing the apps to their customers. This lack of attention to app security speaks volumes about the companies concern for their own customers.

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