The Google Business Profile Q&A Feature Is Going Away — Here’s What That Actually Means for Your Business
If you’ve noticed the Questions & Answers section disappearing from some Google Business Profiles lately, you’re not imagining things — and no, it’s not a glitch.
Google is quietly rolling back the traditional Q&A feature and replacing it with something much bigger: AI-driven answers across Search and Maps.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what businesses should be doing right now to stay visible and stay competitive.
What’s Happening with Q&A on Google Business Profiles
Google officially retired the Q&A API on November 3, 2025, which means businesses and tools can no longer programmatically post or manage Q&A content at scale.
Since then, we’ve seen a gradual but clear shift:
- The classic Questions & Answers section is disappearing from many listings
- Some profiles still show remnants of Q&A, but this is part of a phased rollout — not a new feature launch
- Google is actively transitioning away from static, user-generated Q&A panels
Instead, Google is moving toward an AI-powered Q&A experience — often referred to as Ask Maps or AI answers — where users receive instant responses based on:
- Your Google Business Profile data
- Your website content
- Customer reviews
- Other trusted sources Google understands about your business
Rather than browsing a list of old questions, users now simply ask — and Google’s AI answers in real time.
Why Google Is Making This Change
This shift aligns with Google’s broader push toward AI-driven search experiences.
Today’s users want:
Faster answers
Fewer clicks
Clear, confident responses
From Google’s perspective, traditional Q&A panels were:
Often outdated
Inconsistent in accuracy
Easy to neglect or spam
AI answers allow Google to surface what it believes is the most accurate information — instantly — without relying on a static list of questions.
What This Means for Businesses
Here’s the most important takeaway:
Q&A is not being rolled out everywhere — it’s being wound down.
That means:
You should not expect Q&A to return or expand
Seeing Q&A on some profiles right now doesn’t mean it’s coming back — it means Google hasn’t finished removing it yet
Managing or “waiting for” Q&A is no longer a viable local SEO strategy
Instead, visibility now depends on how well Google’s AI understands your business.
How AI Is Changing Local Search Results
Google’s AI doesn’t guess — it pulls answers from sources it trusts.
That includes:
Your service descriptions
Your business categories
Your website FAQs
Your reviews and review responses
Your service pages and on-page content
If your information is unclear, outdated, or missing, Google’s AI may:
Fill in the gaps incorrectly
Surface competitor information instead
Or simply skip your business entirely
In other words: if you don’t clearly answer questions on your website and profile, Google will answer them for you.
What You Should Be Doing Instead (Starting Now)
With traditional Q&A going away, smart businesses are shifting their focus to:
1. Optimizing Your Google Business Profile
Make sure your services, descriptions, hours, attributes, and updates are accurate and detailed.
2. Strengthening Website FAQ Content
Well-written FAQs now act as fuel for Google’s AI answers — especially when they mirror real customer questions.
3. Publishing Clear Service Pages
AI relies heavily on structured, easy-to-understand service content to determine relevance and authority.
4. Responding to Reviews Thoughtfully
Reviews (and responses) are increasingly used as context for AI-generated answers.
The Bottom Line
The Google Business Profile Q&A feature isn’t expanding — it’s being phased out.
In its place, Google is rolling out AI-powered question handling across Search and Maps, pulling answers from the information you provide across your digital presence.
Businesses that adapt — by focusing on clarity, accuracy, and content — will benefit.
Businesses that don’t may find Google answering questions without them.
If you want help making sure your business is positioned correctly for AI-driven local search, now is the time to do it.