What is a Google Business Profile?
It is the free listing that shows up in Google Maps and in the map results at the top of a local search. It shows your hours, phone number, reviews, photos, and directions. It used to be called Google My Business.
How do I set one up?
- Go to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account that should own the listing. Use a business account you will keep, not a staff member's.
- Search for your business name. If a listing already exists, claim it. If not, create one.
- Choose whether customers visit you (a storefront) or you go to them (a service area). Service area businesses can hide their street address.
- Verify. Google picks the method, which can be a short video, a phone call, a text, or a postcard.
- Fill in every field before you share the link.
Which details matter most?
- Primary category. The most important field. Be specific: “Mexican restaurant”, not “Restaurant”.
- Additional categories for the other things you genuinely do.
- Hours, including holiday and special hours. Wrong hours lose customers and trust.
- Services or products, listed in the words customers use.
- Description. Up to 750 characters on what you do and where. Plain words, no keyword lists.
- Photos of the outside, the inside, the team, and the work.
- Website and booking links, so people can act without searching again.
How do I keep it ranking?
- Post an update, offer, or event at least once a month.
- Add new photos every month. Real ones beat stock.
- Ask every happy customer for a review, and reply to every review.
- Update hours before holidays and busy weekends.
- Keep your name, phone number, and area identical everywhere else you are listed.
What should I avoid?
- Adding keywords or towns to your business name. It is against Google's guidelines and can get the profile suspended.
- Using a virtual office or a PO box as your address.
- Creating a second listing for the same location.
- Buying reviews or offering anything in exchange for them.
Common questions
Is a Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating and managing a profile costs nothing. Google sells ads separately, but you do not need them to appear in the map results.
How long does it take to show up in Google Maps?
A verified profile can appear within days. Ranking well for competitive searches usually takes a few months of steady activity: reviews, photos, posts, and accurate details.
Can I have a profile without a storefront?
Yes. Choose a service area business, list the towns or ZIP codes you serve, and Google hides your street address.