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Google has added a new option to help support Asian-owned businesses with a new ‘The Asia-owned feature is available in Google My Business profiles.
As seen in the video, the new ‘Asian-owned’ feature adds a badge to that business in both search and maps, which can help guide users who want to support minority businesses in their decision-making.
Google added business tag features earlier this year, as you can see in this example, which already includes women’s tags and LGBTQ-owned brands (full list of options here ).
The accounts are optional and only available to businesses in the US. But they can provide an easy way to facilitate support – while Businesses and products that apply the tags are also eligible to appear on Google pages that highlight brands that have a unique identity.
And now, adding to this support capability is an Asian-owned indicator. Which, according to research, could be especially important to Gen Z consumers, who are more likely to seek out businesses that support causes they agree with.
And many Asian-owned businesses certainly need support.
According to Google:
“Over the past two years, small business closures and targeted attacks related to Covid-19 have reinforced the importance and impact of cooperation – and highlighted how critical it is to support historically marginalized communities, including our Asian community.“
In fact, according to research, racial violence against Asian Americans has increased significantly in the past two years, going from An average of 8.1 per year before 2020, up to 81.5 – more than 11 times the previous average.
This is a trend that cannot be ignored or ignored. That’s why this is an important update from the search giant.
In addition, Google is expanding its training and support programs for Asian-owned businesses.
“Over the past few years, Google GarGro has partnered with the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) to help Asian-owned small businesses grow. To date, we’ve helped more than 20,000 Asian-owned businesses expand their digital skills through workshops like e-commerce tools, design thinking for entrepreneurs, and decision-making using analytics.
Expanding on this, Grow with Google is now launching an expanded program that will help an additional 10,000 Asian-owned small businesses learn critical digital skills to meet changing consumer demand and mobility.
It’s an important addition, because again, according to Google, Asian businesses have been disproportionately affected by the outbreak, and the anxiety surrounding it is related to the origin of the virus. We as a society may think we are above this kind of misguided criticism, but recent times have shown that significant divisions still exist, even if we prefer to think they don’t.
These new badges are a small step in supporting small-owned businesses, but they can play a big role in raising awareness and building strong support.
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