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Google makes it easier to find Black-owned businesses in Maps and Search

The company vowed to support Black-led businesses last month.

Google

Google is making it easier for buyers and customers to find Black-owned businesses to support. The tech giant has introduced a Black-owned attribute merchants based in the US can add to their profile, so long as they’re verified. Google will then put the new icon alongside any other attribute business owners choose to display on the Highlights section of their profile.

The company gives entrepreneurs a way to proudly display what their businesses have to offer through those attributes. Owners can, for instance, choose to show that their organizations are “Woman-led” or that their establishments are “LGBTQ-friendly” to make potential customers feel more at ease about supporting or visiting them. Anybody looking them up will then be able to see those attributes in Search and Maps.

Google has teamed up with the US Black Chambers, Inc, which empowers Black-owned businesses through resources and initiatives, to spread awareness about the new attribute. Google and the organization plan to train Black business owners on how to be more visible on the search engine using My Business and Analytics.

This move comes a month after the company announced its racial equality initiative. Google chief Sundar Pichai revealed back then that Google will contribute $175 million toward creating economic opportunities for Black businesses and workers. As part of that initiative, Google for Startups has also unveiled its inaugural Accelerator for Black Founders class. Twelve black founders will train under Google and other industry experts on technical challenges, business growth and outside investment opportunities to help them grow their organizations.