You can use Yext to list future opening dates on Google listings for locations that are opening soon.
- You have the option to display the exact opening date (e.g., November 1, 2025) or the opening month (e.g., November 2025).
- You can add locations that are opening up to a year in advance. Locations will appear on Google around 90 days before opening, with a message that includes the opening date.
- Future opening dates will only display on Google listings.
This article outlines the steps needed to add the open date to Google for locations that are opening in the future. Your Google Business Profile account must be linked with Yext. To link your account, see How to Link Google Business Profile.
Create a Custom Field for the Future Open Date
Create a custom field for the Open Date and Open Month.
- Click Knowledge Graph in the navigation bar and click Configuration.
- Click Fields.
- Click on the + Add Field button.
- Click Select Field Type and select Date from the drop-down menu.
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Enter Open Date or Open Month in the field name.
- Note: you must use these exact names in order for the fields to be mapped correctly to Google Business Profile.
- Click Select Entity Types and select the entity types that this custom field should be available for.
- Click Save Field or Save and Add Another.
Apply the Future Open Date to Entities
Fill in the custom fields you just created for your desired entities.
- Click Content in the navigation bar and click Entities.
- Click on the desired entity.
- Click Other Fields in the left sidebar.
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Click on the Open Date or Open Month field and enter the desired date.
- Note that even if you select the Open Month field, you will need to select a specific date. But you can select any date in that month, as we will only send the month to Google.
- We recommend using a date when the location will be open to the general public.
- Click Save.
Request Your Future Open Date Fields to Sync to Google
Reach out to Yext Support and request to configure your account settings to push the new Open Date and Open Month fields to Google.
Once this is complete, your future open date fields will begin syncing to Google. This will add a callout on the listing that states the opening date.
For an example of what this looks like, see Google’s Fresh ways to stay up to date on your favorite places and find new ones blog post.
Best Practices and Guidelines
- You are able to update your opening date at any time. However, we recommend changing the date as little as possible.
- While you are preparing for opening day, you can add as much content as you’d like for that entity. We recommend adding a Google Cover Photo for the new locations.
- Google will not publish information other than the name, category, opening date, address, and cover photo until the listing is live.
- Do not alter the location's Closed field prior to the opening date, as this may prevent listings from being created.
- Once the opening date or month has passed, the Google listing will say Recently Opened for a few days.
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