In a new move, Google has announced the use of the AI approach to update the operation hours for over 20 million businesses around the globe in the next six months. Also, Google’s AI algorithms are busy figuring out if your posted business hours are accurate.
Google said, “We developed a machine learning model that automatically identifies if business hours are likely wrong, then instantly updates them with AI-generated predictions.”
How Does It Work?
The AI considers multiple factors, such as:
- The last time you updated your hours
- What they know about other shops’ hours
- The Popular Times information for your shop determined by location trends
Then, the algorithm analyzes the business hours of other similar shops that are nearby, information from the shop’s website, and Street View images of the shop’s storefront. Also, they will look specifically for business hour signs to determine the most accurate business hour prediction.
Google will take the help of the Google Maps community —including Local Guides and even the business owners themselves through their Google Business Profile —to verify the information they have predicted.
What Do You Need To Do?
All the business owners located in Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, or the United States should prepare their staff to expect inquiry calls powered by Google’s conversational AI asking about their business hours.
Also, check Google Maps from time to time to ensure that Google has correctly listed the timings in case they have been changed without your input.