## **📋 Overview**

When you deploy a Google Business Profile (GBP) category change through Search Atlas, the platform records the change as **Deployed**. However, **Deployed** does not mean the update is immediately visible on Google. Google has its own internal review and approval process that runs independently of Search Atlas. This article explains the difference between these two states and what to expect after deploying a category change.

## **🔍 What "Deployed" Means in Search Atlas**

The **Deployed** status in Search Atlas confirms that the category change has been successfully submitted to Google's systems through the API. At this point, Search Atlas has completed its part of the process. What happens next is entirely controlled by Google.

To review the deployment status of your GBP changes, locate the relevant GBP project within Search Atlas. The status shown reflects what Search Atlas has submitted, not what is currently live on Google Business Profile.

## **⏳ Google's Approval and Review Workflow**

After a category change is submitted, Google applies its own review process before the update goes live. This process is not instant and is not controlled by Search Atlas. Here is what typically happens:

1. **Submission received:** Google's systems receive the category update via the API.
2. **Internal review:** Google reviews the change to ensure it complies with its category policies and matches the nature of the business.
3. **Propagation:** Once approved, the change propagates across Google Search and Maps, which can take additional time.
4. **Live on GBP:** The updated category becomes visible to users on Google.

The time it takes for a category change to go live on Google is determined entirely by Google's review process and is outside of Search Atlas's control. If a category change shows as **Deployed** in Search Atlas but is not yet visible on your Google Business Profile, this is expected behavior — it means the update is pending Google's review, not that something went wrong.

## **✅ How to Confirm the Change Is Pending (Not Failed)**

Use the following steps to verify that your category change was submitted correctly and is not in an error state:

1. Locate the relevant GBP project within Search Atlas.
2. Check that the category change shows a status of **Deployed** with no error flags or warning indicators.
3. Log in directly to your Google Business Profile account to monitor when the category update becomes visible on Google.

If your category change does not show a **Deployed** status, or if you see an error indicator, this may indicate a submission issue that requires further investigation.

## **📞 Need Help?**

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.