Questions and answers on Google Maps and what Gemini says about your hotel (2026)

Updated: 10 November 2026

Guests used to ask questions on your Google listing («do you have parking?») and anyone could answer. Now Google Maps has «Ask Maps», a Gemini assistant that answers questions about places. We read the official Google Maps and Google Business Profile help, the developer change log and the official Google blog (links at the end). Where we could not confirm something, we say so. Nobody can guarantee your hotel will appear in an AI answer: this guide explains how to make sure that, if it does, the details are right.

What happened to «Questions and answers»

Google shut down the Business Profile Q&A API on 3 November 2025 (announced on 15 September). Official reason: it is «updating the Q&A functionality and user experience».
Since then, software and agencies can no longer read or post questions and answers through the API.
Google Maps help says the place questions feature is only available «in certain countries and regions», without listing them. On Android, Google may send users questions about a place for them to answer.
We have not confirmed in an official source that the section has gone from every profile, from what date or in which countries. Some Business Profile help pages still mention it.

Ask Maps: Gemini answers questions in Google Maps

October 2024 (US): Google let people «ask Maps questions» about a place (for example outdoor seating or atmosphere) and Gemini began summarising reviews.
12 March 2026: Google launched «Ask Maps», a Gemini conversation that analyses information on over 300 million places and reviews from more than 500 million contributors. It started in the US and India, on Android and iOS.
6 August 2026: Ask Maps reached Australia, Brazil, Canada, Indonesia, Japan and Mexico, plus over 150 countries and territories in English. Google does not publish the list: we have not confirmed whether it includes Spain, Portugal, Italy or Greece.
Hotel search in Ask Maps (comparing real-time prices and availability) started in the US only, «with more countries to come».

What data it uses

Confirmed: Maps place information, community reviews and tips, and the user's own activity (searches, saved places) if personalisation is on.
The help page says results depend mainly on relevance, distance and prominence.
Google does not detail which profile fields it uses (attributes, description, hours). Photos: not confirmed.
Google warns that «AI-powered answers can sometimes be incorrect».

What your hotel can do

Everything Google shows comes from your profile, reviews and user contributions. What you do control:

Verify your profile. Without verification you cannot edit amenities or reply to reviews.
Complete «Hotel details»: amenities and services (parking, pool, pets, breakfast, accessibility), sustainability practices and check-in and check-out times. Google shows an amenities summary on Search and Maps.
Check the Yes/No attributes. Some are filled in from customer input: make sure they are right. Changes are reviewed in about 10 minutes, sometimes up to 30 days.
Write a clear description: what you offer, where you are, who you suit. Google offers AI help to draft it; check the final text.
Upload real, current photos of rooms, shared areas and surroundings.
Fix wrong details, duplicates or a false «closed» label.
Reply to reviews with concrete facts (for example «parking is free and next to the entrance»).

What you CANNOT do

Pay to appear in Ask Maps: the official help says «payment from other companies doesn't influence results in Ask Maps».
Opt out of Ask Maps: we have not found any official option to exclude a profile.
Edit the AI answer directly. You can fix the source data; users can rate the answer with a thumbs up or down.
Edit your class rating (stars) or booking prices and links from the profile: they come from Google Hotel Ads and free booking links. Hotels cannot edit opening hours either, as they are listed as open 24 hours.

Can I publish my own FAQs?

In 2017 Google announced that owners could add frequently asked questions to their listing. Today we have not found an owner FAQ section in the official Business Profile help, so we do not claim it exists. Safe alternative: put the key answers (parking, pets, times, accessibility) in your amenities, your description and the FAQ on your own website.

Quick checklist

Verified profile, no duplicates.
Every amenity in «Hotel details» reviewed.
Up-to-date description and recent photos.
Reviews answered with concrete facts.
The same details on your website, on Google and on your channels.
Once a month, look up your hotel on Google Maps and check what it shows.

How iQuota helps

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See the Founding Hotels programme

Frequently asked questions

Has «Questions and answers» disappeared from my Google listing?

Google shut down the API on 3 November 2025 and says it is updating the feature. Whether the section has gone from every profile, and since when, we have not confirmed in an official source.

Can I pay for Ask Maps to recommend my hotel?

No. Official Google Maps help says payment from other companies doesn't influence Ask Maps results. What helps is a complete, accurate profile.

Is Ask Maps already available in Spain, Portugal, Italy or Greece?

Google says it is rolling out in over 150 countries and territories in English but does not publish the list, so we have not confirmed it. Hotel search started in the US only.

Sources

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