Google Ended Add Me to Search – To Create Your Own Digital Card Alternative

With the rise of digital transformation, online presence is becoming more important than you think. So, Google has an advanced feature, Add Me to Search, which lets users maintain their digital identity smoothly. It will help others to find out about you very easily. 

For individuals, all it takes is to create a People Card where they have to mention all the prime details that are asked. 

Let’s take a sneak peek at what this feature was all about and how it worked. With a quick tap, we are diving into the blog.  

Summary At a Glance! 

1. Google People Card is also termed as Add Me to Search. 
2. The feature was originally designed to work only on mobile devices through Google Search.
3. Improves your online presence. 
4. Enhances visibility and allows people to come across you seamlessly. 
5. Google has permanently removed this feature on April 7, 2024.
6. Users who are willing to represent their brand online suit well.
7. It isn’t compatible with a desktop-based browser. 
8. Remove your card details at your own convenience. 

What Is “Add Me to Search” in Google?

Add Me to Search, or Google People Card, is an advanced Google feature that allows users to make a customized card. It appears when someone is looking for you virtually. 

When you are creating the Add Me to Search card, you just need to fill out all the information that Google is asking of you. 

These data consist of: 

1. Your actual name 
2. Profile photo
3. A short description or bio 
4. Social media profiles
5. Links to your website
6. Mention the contact details if required
7. Your current location 

By creating this card, the other individual searches for you; they will get to know about you smoothly. 

Who Can Use “Add Me to Search”?

There’s a list of users who could easily use the Add Me to Search feature when this was highly in use; as of now, this doesn’t exist: 

• Digital creators and freelancers
• Professionals and job seekers 
• Small business owners and entrepreneurs
• Researchers and students
• Public Speakers and Influencers 

In short, anyone can effortlessly opt for this feature who wants to showcase their identity globally. 

Benefits of “Add Me to Search” for Businesses

Google had designed this feature till April 2024, but there are multiple advantages that you should know when you run a business. 

• Increased Visibility: It is beneficial in enhancing your visibility on the internet, and it is easy to find you when someone enters your name into the search box.
• Professional Presence: A Google People Card may highlight a business profile of your skills, qualifications, and experience that will provide you with a more believable online presence.
• Connecting With Others: It is also better to upload links to your website, blog, or other internet profiles so that people can contact you and learn more about you.
• Better search results: You can enhance the quality of the search results. Enter the appropriate data on your Google People Card so that others can get the accurate information about you.

What Do You Need Before Getting Started? 

Understand one point: this feature has been discontinued by Google, so before starting, keep these points in mind.

• Google Email Address: Your profile is linked to an operating Google account. One can create a profile using a Gmail or a G Suite account. Then you can open an account at account.google.com in case you do not have one.  
• Your name and a brief bio: Your profile should include your real name. In addition, you may add a nickname if required. 
• Profile image: Add a profile photo on your Google People Card. Use a present-day picture, which recognizes you. 
• Work title: You are requested to provide your job or the name of your job as an employed or self-employed individual.
• Location: Provide the name of your city/town and country of residence so that people can simply locate you.  
• Links: The links of your social media profiles, blog, or any other existing links should be added. Consequently, it will allow people to follow you and know more about you.

Lastly, include a short description of your skills and credentials in your profile. After providing all the needed information, apply for a Google People Card so that you can be added to their records. You are able to maintain and edit your profile at any time. 

How to Optimize the Add Me to Search Card?

There are three key areas where you have to optimize your Google People Card. In the following section, we are going to explain each of them. Most importantly, these bullets only work till April 2024.  

Content and Branding:

• Use a premium-quality photo: Make sure to upload a professional picture that looks natural and not overly filtered to showcase your best performance. 
• Write a compelling bio: Prepare a short and informative bio to represent your occupation and experience.
• Integrate keywords: Add specific keywords so that you can appear in the maximum searches. 

Accuracy and Consistency:

• Mention accurate contact information: Your precise and exact data will allow people to make a call smoothly. 
• Use high-quality and verified links: Make sure to upload your website, LinkedIn, or your professional social network links to enhance your virtual card. 
• Maintain consistency: Ensure you’ve typed down your real name on all the platforms you are opting for. It leads Google to identify your virtual identity. 

Maintenance and Updates:

• Update regularly: Fill out the card information at a time. 
• Avoid spam: It is highly recommended not to use spammy and hyped claims. Google automatically removes the card after finding out that the particular information is fake. 

How to Edit or Delete Your Google People Card?

As we already mentioned, Google has already paused this feature. So, after understanding the optimization tips, you can effortlessly perform the deletion or editing process on your card. 

For Editing:

1. Start using Google as a web browser. 
2. Mention to edit my people card. 
3. Click Edit. 
4. Choose the section first that you are willing to make changes to. 
5. See all the changes that you have made. 
6. Navigate to Save Changes. 

For Deleting:

1. Visit Google.com. 
2. Create an account or enter your previous ID password. 
3. Enter the keyword to edit my people card. 
4. From the following results, opt for Remove my search card from Google.  

How to Remove Email And Phone Numbers from Google People Card?

For security reasons, most people remove their contact information. So, if you also want to delete, go through these guidelines. However, from April 2024, you can’t remove or edit any details, as Google has deleted this feature. 

• Access Google. 
• Write down Edit my People Card. 
• Choose your People Card. 
• Move towards the Contacts section, where you’ll find the phone number and email address. 
• Select Remove from both categories. 
• Tap on Save all Changes. 

Common Issues & Troubleshooting

Let us be clear on one thing that Google has already discontinued this service. But this feature usually had some challenges. This section will cover common issues and their fixes. 

Issue 1: The card is not appearing in the search box. 

Fix: Complete all the necessary details. Accomplish the verification process and wait for a while. 

Issue 2: Verification failed. 

Fix: Cross-check your phone format. Try again after some time and consider using another mobile number. 

Issue 3: Data has not been updated. 

Fix: Edit your previous data and replace it with the current one. 

Issue 4: Duplicate cards. 

Fix: If you have created multiple cards, remove the duplicate one and leave only the actual one.  

8 Smart Tools to Replace Google’s Add Me to Search

As we know that Google no longer offers this feature. That’s why our experts have prepared a list of all its competitors. 

What Do People Usually Ask?

To understand more about the Add Me to Search topic, we have prepared a quick question-and-answer list.  

Q1. Can I see who has googled me?

Ans. Unfortunately, Google doesn’t give permission to you to find out who has searched for you. Google safeguards all the users’ search data.  

Q2. How to make yourself searchable?

Ans. If you want other individuals to search for you more on Google, all you’ve got to do is to create a Google People Card. It can be done by looking for Add me to Search. 

Q3. Can I delete my People Card?

Ans. YES! Users are allowed to delete their People Card. They just need to tap on the Remove my People Card option. 

Q4. How do I add a new name?

Ans. These are the instructions you are required to follow when you are willing to add a new name. 

• Open your Google account. 
• In the search bar, enter the keyword – edit my people card or add me to search. 
• Look for the name option you want to change or add. 
• Mention the name of the other individual. 

Q5. Why is Add me to Search not showing up on my Android phone?

Ans. It is not appearing on your Android device because Google has ended the availability of the feature in April 2024. 

Q6. How do I be more visible on Google?

Ans. It is simple: you need to optimize your Google Business Profile. Otherwise, you can also try to maintain your website, follow best SEO practices, and so on. 

End Notes!

Google People Card and Add Me to Search are both synonyms. This fact implies that any user who wishes to depict his/her online identity can simply create a card. 

They only need to complete the necessary information, i.e., their name, occupation, name of the company, phone number, etc. 

Once this has been done, the other individual will be in a position to reach you without experiencing any difficulties.

Reference Links:-

https://support.google.com/websearch/thread/262762292/google-inform-me-my-people-card-and-content-should-be-deleted-may-7-its-affect-my-blog-content?hl=en#:~:text=deleted%20may%207.-,its%20affect%20my%20blog%20content?,Varunprakash

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-to-remove-add-me-to-search-people-cards-in-april/510669/

https://support.google.com/websearch/thread/265565879?sjid=6723558023968695320-NC