Read Time: 1 Minute, 53 Seconds

What's up! Kyle here.

Google just dropped what they're calling the biggest upgrade to Google Maps in over a decade. It's called Ask Maps, and it's powered by Gemini, Google's AI.

Here's what changed. Instead of typing ‘dentist near me’ and scrolling through a list of pins on a map, patients can now tap an Ask Maps button and have a full conversation with AI inside Google Maps.

They can ask things like ‘find me a gentle dentist near me that's good with nervous patients and open on Saturdays’ and Google will analyze your Google Business Profile, your reviews, your photos, your hours, your listed services and come back with a personalized recommendation.

Not a list of 10 options. A curated answer built specifically for that patient's question.

This is rolling out right now in the US on both iPhone and Android, with desktop coming soon. And remember, Google Maps has over 2 billion monthly users. This isn't a small test. This is the new normal.

Here's what makes this different from regular Google Maps search. The AI doesn't just look at your star rating and how close you are. It reads the actual text of your reviews. If multiple patients mention things like "great with kids" or "no wait time" or "explained everything before starting," that's what Google uses to match your practice to specific patient questions. A practice with 50 detailed reviews that mention specific experiences will outperform a practice with 200 generic five-star reviews that say nothing useful.

So how do you start preparing now before your competitors figure this out?

First, your Google Business Profile needs to be fully built out. Every category, every service, every attribute, updated hours, real photos of your office and team. Ask Maps literally cannot recommend you for things that aren't listed on your profile.

Second, your review strategy needs to change. Start asking patients to share what their experience was actually like. "Would you mind mentioning how you felt about your visit?" gives AI something to work with. "Great dentist, 5 stars" gives it very little.

Third, your website still matters. Google confirmed that Ask Maps pulls from your website when your profile and reviews don't have enough information. Service pages that go deep on individual treatments, FAQ sections that answer real patient questions and doctor bios with specific credentials all feed the AI.

And of course, AI ASSISTANT LANDINGS. I will continue to shout this from the roof tops. Build and publish these ASAP!

The next generation of patients isn't going to scroll through a list of blue pins on a map. They're going to ask AI to find them the right dentist. The practices that give AI the clearest, most specific information about who they are and what they do will be the ones that get recommended.

Everyone else becomes invisible. Start today. Not next month.

— Kyle

PS: I dive a little deeper on these topics in the podcast, which you can download here.