If you missed the Google news from the past few weeks - or a number of announcements from late 2024, here’s a quick breakdown of what’s changed - and how to plug the new features into your existing tools (especially if you’re using Liven Magic App and Engage) to turn visibility into real, loyal customers and revenue.

1. “What’s Happening” Brings Specials and Events Front and Centre

What’s New: Google now lets restaurants post daily specials, events, and limited-time offers right at the top of their Business Profile under a new “What’s Happening” section.

Why It Matters: When someone searches for your venue or “pizza near me,” they’ll see your happy hour or lunch deal without scrolling or tapping. That’s a game-changer for walk-ins and impulse visits.

Liven Twist: With the Magic App, you’re already doing this - just better. Use Magic Notifications and home page announcements to blast your “What’s Happening” across QR codes, digital ordering, loyalty offers, and more. And with no app to download, you’ve got more people seeing—and acting on—your latest promos, instantly.

2. AI-Powered Menu Updates (Finally!)

What’s New: You can now snap a photo of your menu, and Google’s AI will digitise it—headings, prices, and all.

Why It Matters: Keeping menus up to date across platforms is painful. This change cuts that time dramatically and reduces mistakes.

Liven Twist: Already using Liven OrderUp or the Magic App? You’ve been living in the future. Menu changes are updated across POS, delivery, and web in real time. Now, sync your digital ordering menu with Google’s version to ensure consistency, and never miss a sale because someone saw an outdated price.

3. Social Media Integration that Actually Works

What’s New: Your latest Instagram and Facebook posts can now show directly on your Google Business Profile.

Why It Matters: More diners choose where to eat based on social vibe and new news. This gives them a peek into your brand without clicking away.

Liven Twist: Already capturing leads and opt-ins via your Magic app or socials? Connect those social CTAs with Liven Engage to trigger automated emails, birthday gifts, or special incentives. Let Google get them interested, and let Liven Engage close the loop.

4. Reservations— Right from Google

What’s New: Google’s expanding “Reserve with Google” so diners can book tables without leaving Search or Maps.

Why It Matters: More seamless booking = more diners. Simple.

Liven Twist: If using Liven’s integrated POS or Engage CRM, plug this into your guest data flow. Every reservation becomes a touchpoint to engage—automatically trigger a welcome SMS, offer a loyalty bonus for showing up, or follow up with a survey to gather feedback.

5. AI-Organised Search Results: The Future of Discovery

What’s New: Google is now organising local search results using AI - so if someone types “restaurants with a view,” it doesn’t just show listings, but articles, photos, and experiences.

Why It Matters: You’re not just being ranked by proximity - you’re being judged on storytelling and social proof.

Liven Twist: Your Magic App is a storytelling tool. Want to stand out? Use Magic Studio to embed event highlights, behind-the-scenes videos, loyalty club links, or seasonal menus - all indexed and ready to be surfaced on Google with the right content and reviews. Bonus: Liven Engage can automatically generate campaign assets to keep content flowing.

The Big Takeaway

Google just gave every restaurant a more powerful digital shopfront. But visibility isn’t enough - you need tools that turn eyeballs into diners and diners into loyal superfans.

That’s where Liven Magic App and Liven Engage come in. We help you:

• Launch updates in minutes

• Capture diner data automatically.

• Automate engagement with campaigns that work while you sleep

• Bank future spending with your own branded currency

Want help making the most of these new Google tools? Let’s chat. Because with the right tech, you’re not just keeping up—you’re growing on your terms.