Formerly Google My Business
Google renamed Google My Business to Google Business Profile in late 2021. The listing is the same: the panel and map result people see when they search for your business or for a service nearby.
What it includes
Business name, categories, address or service area, hours, phone, website, services and products, photos, posts, questions and answers, and reviews. Every field you complete gives Google and customers more to work with.
Why it matters for local search
For many local searches, the map results appear above the regular results. Your profile is what people see and choose from there, often without visiting your website at all.
Why Google Business Profile matters
For local businesses, the profile is often the first impression and the place where people decide to call, visit or book. A complete, active profile with strong reviews wins those decisions.
Small fixes, more calls
A plumbing company added its full list of services, set accurate hours including emergency availability, uploaded new job photos each week and started asking every customer for a review. Calls and direction requests from its profile rose over the following months.
Common mistakes
Choosing the wrong primary category
Your primary category strongly affects which searches you show up for. Pick the one that best matches your main service.
Keyword stuffing the business name
Adding keywords to your business name that aren't part of your real name violates Google's guidelines and can get the profile suspended.
Ignoring reviews
Unanswered reviews, good or bad, make a business look absent. Reply to them promptly and professionally.
Letting details go stale
Old hours, closed locations and outdated photos frustrate customers and erode trust.