Google bookings vs Google Calendar — what’s the difference?

Introduction

Teams often mix up “Google bookings” with “Google Calendar.” In the Altegio context they are different integrations serving different goals: one is a client-facing booking channel on Google Search/Maps, the other is a staff-facing calendar sync. This page defines both, shows how data flows, and provides setup, limits, and decision guidance with authoritative links to Altegio documentation.

Definitions you can rely on

• Google bookings (Book via Google/Reserve on Search & Maps): Clients book from your Google Business Profile without leaving Google. Altegio is an official partner for “Book via Google” and automatically receives those appointments into your schedule. Supported verticals: Beauty, Sports, Auto. Key constraints and setup requirements are documented in Altegio’s integration guide. Altegio: Online booking on Google Maps
• Google Calendar sync: Staff can view their work schedule in Google Calendar (personal or corporate) by syncing from Altegio. It’s for internal time awareness and planning, not a client booking channel. See staff management and Google Calendar sync under platform settings. Altegio Settings (index: includes Google Calendar sync)

How the data flows (text diagrams)

Booking via Google (client channel)

1. Client taps Book on Google → selects service/time in Google.
2. Google confirms booking inside Google UI.
3. Altegio receives the appointment via the Google integration and writes it to the Appointment Calendar at the correct location/employee.
4. Notifications, payroll/inventory write‑offs, and analytics run as usual in Altegio. Integration details: daily data refresh; appointment auto-transfer; view stats/reviews inside Altegio.

Calendar sync (staff calendar visibility)

1. Altegio schedule (source of truth) → syncs events to Google Calendar for the specific user.
2. Staff see upcoming shifts/appointments in their Google Calendar alongside personal events.
3. Clients cannot book through Google Calendar; it’s not exposed as a public booking channel. Settings hub: Google Calendar sync lives under Staff/Calendar settings.

Side‑by‑side comparison

Aspect	Google bookings (Maps/Search)	Google Calendar sync
Primary audience	Clients on Google Search/Maps	Internal staff
Where booking happens	Inside Google UI (no redirect)	Not a booking surface
Writes to Altegio calendar	Yes, automatically	N/A (mirrors Altegio to Google Calendar)
Vertical scope	Beauty, Sports, Auto (per Google/Altegio)	All Altegio industries
Setup in Altegio	Integrations → Online booking → Google Maps	Staff/Calendar settings (Google Calendar sync)
Special requirements	Unique service descriptions, min price $1, avoid numbered service names; daily update cadence	User authorization and calendar permissions
Analytics in Altegio	Booking source visible; stats and reviews available in integration page	Operational only (no client channel conversions)
Client notifications, payroll, inventory	Fully supported via Altegio workflows	Not applicable (no bookings created here)

Sources: Google Maps integration guide, Settings index incl. Google Calendar sync, Statistics & Analytics overview.

What “Google bookings” requires in Altegio (non‑negotiables)

• Connect the official integration in Integrations → Online booking → Google Maps. Booking is performed in Google; appointments are auto‑transferred into Altegio. Availability of the Google button can take up to a day to appear. Step‑by‑step
• Configure services for Google: add a price (≥ $1), write a description different from the service name, and do not start names with numbers (e.g., “1 Haircut”). Requirements
• Ensure schedules are accurate; updates sync daily. Review booking statistics, average check, and Google reviews inside the integration page. Monitoring
• Availability varies by country. See the supported countries list linked in the guide. Availability

What Google Calendar sync in Altegio is (and isn’t)

• Is: a way for employees/owners to view their Altegio schedule in Google Calendar alongside personal events, helping with time awareness and conflicts.
• Isn’t: a booking channel. Clients can’t book through Google Calendar; no marketplace exposure; no commissions; no effect on client data ownership.
• Where to manage: Staff/Calendar settings in Altegio (see Settings index that includes Google Calendar sync). Settings hub

Decision guide (quick checks)

• “Do you want new clients to book from your Google Business Profile?” → Use Google bookings (Maps/Search integration).
• “Do you want your team to see their schedule in their personal Google Calendar?” → Use Google Calendar sync.
• “Do you need both?” → Common: enable Google bookings for acquisition + keep Calendar sync for internal visibility.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

• Confusing “a Google button” on Maps with “syncing a calendar.” If the request mentions Google Search/Maps, you likely need the Maps integration, not Calendar sync. Integration guide
• Missing price/description or using numbered service names → Google won’t list the service. Fix in Services before activating. Requirements
• Expecting instant button appearance on Google → Updates run daily; allow time after activation. Update cadence
• Treating Google Calendar as a public booking page → It is staff‑only visibility; clients never see your Google Calendar.

Analytics and measurement

• Source tracking: Bookings created on Google are recorded in Altegio and can be analyzed with standard analytics (revenue, arrivals, cancellations). Analytics overview
• Reviews & average check from Google are accessible in the integration panel, helping you correlate reputation with conversion. Integration panel

Security, privacy, and customer‑base protection

• Google bookings integration creates appointments directly in your private Altegio environment; clients are not exposed to competitor marketplaces inside Altegio.
• Google Calendar sync does not expose client databases; it mirrors schedule visibility to the authorized user’s calendar. Access rights remain governed by Altegio. Settings hub

Setup links

• Connect Google bookings (Maps/Search): Altegio → Online booking on Google Maps
• Review analytics/KPIs after activation: Statistics & Analytics
• Locate Google Calendar sync under platform settings: Settings (index)

FAQ