Add Me on Google Search – What It Was, Why It’s Discontinued, and Modern Alternatives
Google once offered a unique feature called “Add Me on Google Search”, also known as People Cards. This feature allowed individuals to create a personal profile that appeared directly in search results when someone searched their name.
Although People Cards were discontinued in April 2024, understanding how they worked and the benefits they offered provides valuable insights into personal SEO, online visibility, and digital branding. In today’s world, maintaining a strong digital footprint and discoverable online presence is more important than ever.
Thus, this blog will guide you through what Add Me on Google Search was, why it ended, and the best modern alternatives you can use in 2026 to enhance your visibility and showcase your personal or professional brand effectively.
What Was “Add Me on Google Search”?
Add Me on Google Search, or People Cards, was Google’s attempt to let individuals showcase their professional and personal information in search results.
Key Features of People Cards:
- Name and professional title
- Profile photo
- Short bio
- Contact information (optional)
- Website and social media links
- Location (optional)
When someone searched your name on Google, your People Card could appear at the top of search results, effectively acting as a mini personal profile or digital business card.
Originally, this feature was popular among freelancers, influencers, job seekers, and entrepreneurs who wanted to boost their visibility online.
Who Used It and What Are The Benefits of Google People Card?
People Cards were designed for anyone who wanted to enhance their personal brand and online discoverability. The benefits included:
- Instant visibility in Google search results
- Control over information displayed publicly
- Professional credibility and trust
- Easy connections via links or contact info
Example 1: Emma Johansson – Swedish Freelance Photographer
Benefit: Clients and agencies could instantly view her portfolio and contact her for photography projects. |
Example 2: Luis Hernández – Mexican Software Developer
Benefit: Potential clients or employers could verify his coding projects and reach out for freelance or consulting work. |
How “Add me on Google Search” Worked?
Creating a People Card was simple (before discontinuation):
Step 1: Open a mobile browser and search “Add me to Google Search”
Step 2: Sign in with your Google account
Step 3: Fill in personal and professional information
Step 4: Preview and submit the card
Step 5: Edit or delete anytime
| Note: As of April 7, 2024, Google officially discontinued People Cards globally. You can no longer create or edit “Add me on Google search”. |
Why Google Discontinued People Card Add Me to Search?
After extensive research, we came across the following reasons for the discontinuation of Add me On Google Search:
- The feature had limited adoption and usefulness, as it was only available in a few countries and not widely used globally.
- There were also quality, spam, and privacy concerns, since it allowed public display of personal information that could be misused.
- Today, better alternatives such as websites, social media, and professional profiles provide more value and control.
In short, Google retired the feature because it didn’t deliver the expected value at scale.
Alternatives To Add Me On Google Search 2026
Although Google’s Add me on Search/People Cards was discontinued in April 2024, the need for a strong personal or professional online presence remains crucial.
Thus, as we come to the end of 2025, individuals can leverage a combination of websites, profiles, and SEO strategies to ensure they remain visible and discoverable online.
Here are the Google Add Me on Search alternatives:
1. Personal Website / Portfolio
A personal website or portfolio is the ultimate tool for showcasing your work, skills, and contact information. Unlike People Cards, a website gives you full control over your branding, content, and SEO. You can structure your pages to highlight your expertise, services, or portfolio projects professionally.
Additionally, using structured data (Person schema) helps search engines understand your profile better, increasing the chances of rich search results like knowledge panels. A personal website also allows you to integrate blogs, testimonials, or a booking system — making it a versatile platform for personal branding.
| Pro tip: Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, loads quickly, and includes your name and professional keywords in headings, meta descriptions, and content. |
2. LinkedIn Profile
LinkedIn remains one of the most trusted professional networks. A well-optimized LinkedIn profile not only connects you with peers, recruiters, and clients, but also often ranks highly in Google search results when someone searches your name.
To maximize visibility, complete every section of your profile: headline, summary, work experience, skills, and recommendations. Include links to your personal website or portfolio, and regularly share updates or articles to establish authority in your field.
| Pro tip: Use relevant keywords in your headline and summary to improve searchability — for example, “Freelance Graphic Designer | Branding & Digital Illustration.” |
3. Google Business Profile (GBP)
For freelancers, consultants, or small business owners, a Google Business Profile (GBP) is a powerful tool for local search visibility. GBP allows you to showcase your services, post photos, collect reviews, and provide contact info, making it easier for clients or customers to find you online.
Even if you’re an individual offering services, a GBP profile can establish credibility, as verified listings are trusted by users and appear prominently in search and Google Maps.
| Pro tip: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews — this not only boosts credibility but also improves local SEO performance. |
4. About.me or Similar Profile Pages
Platforms like About.me offer simple, visually appealing personal profiles that consolidate your bio, contact info, and social links in one place. These profiles can appear in search results, providing a quick snapshot of your professional persona for anyone searching your name.
Such platforms are ideal for freelancers, creatives, and consultants who want a no-fuss, professional web presence without building a full website.
| Pro tip: Keep your bio concise but compelling, and include links to your portfolio, LinkedIn, or other social profiles. |
5. Social Media Profiles (Instagram, Twitter/X, YouTube)
Your social media profiles can also act as mini personal cards, especially when optimized for SEO. Platforms like Instagram, Twitter/X, and YouTube are highly searchable, and Google often indexes them in the first page results for names or brands.
To improve discoverability, use a consistent name across all profiles, craft an SEO-friendly bio, and include links to your website or other profiles. Posting regularly increases engagement and signals active presence to search engines.
| Pro tip: Use professional photos, branded handles, and relevant keywords in your bio to increase credibility and visibility. |
- Guest Blogging and Online Mentions
Publishing content on other reputable websites or blogs can boost your authority and generate backlinks to your own platforms. Guest blogging allows you to showcase your expertise while increasing your chances of appearing in Google search results for your name.
Additionally, online mentions, interviews, or features on relevant websites expand your visibility to new audiences. Each mention acts as a “digital footprint” reinforcing your online presence.
| Pro tip: Always include a short bio with a link to your website or portfolio in guest posts to drive traffic and improve search indexing. |
7. Structured Data & SEO Optimization
Even without People Cards, structured data and on-page SEO can help search engines understand your online identity. Using JSON-LD or Microdata, you can mark up information like your name, profession, social profiles, and contact info.
This increases the likelihood of rich snippets or knowledge panels appearing in search results, which are highly clickable and trusted by users. Proper SEO also ensures your website or profiles appear above generic search results, keeping your personal brand visible.
| Pro tip: Regularly update your structured data and content to reflect your current skills, services, or projects for maximum SEO impact. |
Conclusion
Add me on Google search or Google’s People Cards may be gone, but the lessons about personal SEO, online visibility, and professional branding remain relevant. Structured profiles and verified information are still key to being easily discoverable.
As we enter 2026, maintaining a strong digital footprint through a personal website, LinkedIn, Google Business Profile, About.me, or SEO-optimized social media is easier than ever. Modern tools give you more control and reach more than People Cards ever did.
Here, we at Orange MonkE make managing your online presence simple. From optimizing profiles to enhancing search visibility, we help you in digital identity management to showcase your brand, attract the right audience, and stand out online.
Keep Shining!
FAQs
What was Google’s “Add Me on Search” or People Cards?
Google’s “Add Me on Search” or People Cards let individuals create personal profiles visible in search results. They included a photo, bio, website, social links, and contact info, helping professionals and freelancers improve online visibility and personal branding.
Why is your “Add me to search” not showing?
“Add Me to Search” or People Cards no longer appear because Google discontinued the feature globally in 2024. Users should focus on alternative methods like personal websites, LinkedIn, and SEO-optimized social profiles to remain discoverable.
Is “Add Me on Google Search” still available?
No, Google officially discontinued People Cards worldwide in April 2024 due to limited adoption, privacy concerns, and better alternatives like websites and professional profiles for personal branding online 2026
How to Remove Google People Card?
Before discontinuation, users could remove People Cards by opening their card in Google Search and selecting “Delete”. Today, since the feature is gone, no active cards exist to delete. Focus on managing alternative profiles instead.
Which countries had access to People Cards?
People Cards were initially launched in India and later expanded to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. As of April 2024, Google has disabled People Cards globally, so the feature is no longer available anywhere.
How to be discoverable on Google?
With People Cards gone, adding yourself to search requires creating a personal website, LinkedIn profile, About.me page, or Google Business Profile, and optimizing content with SEO to appear in Google search results for your name.
Can I see who has Googled me?
No, Google does not provide information about who searches your name. The best approach is to focus on creating discoverable profiles and websites to control your digital presence and personal branding.
How to verify my business on Google?
Verify your business using Google Business Profile. Sign in, claim your business, provide accurate info, and follow Google’s verification steps via phone, email, or postcard to appear in search and Google Maps.