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Is your Google Business Profile optimized for the new year? While Google Maps continues to change, these Google Business Profile tips are here to stay.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the first thing people see when searching for your business in Google Maps, and it’s often one of the first visuals people see in general search results when looking for your business or one like yours.
Having accurate, attractive, and complete information and images not only generates real revenue for you but also increases your ranking in the Google Map Pack. Optimization really can be that simple.
“Optimization” can seem like a nebulous term, one that agencies use to justify gray, unprovable recommendations. When it comes to your Google Business Profile, however, optimization is simply the act of making your profile “as fully perfect, functional, or effective as possible.”
To do so, you have to be aware of the features and functionality available to you in a GBP, and we’re here to help. Use these Google Business Profile tips to ensure your profile is as optimized as possible for the holidays and into 2025 to earn higher Map Pack rankings, and ultimately more revenue!
Google allows you to designate up to 10 categories for your listing, and it adds, updates, and removes categories every few months — and we really mean every few months!
Dalton Luka reports, “As of November 14th, 2024, there are 4,098 Google Business Profile categories…In the last 90 days, 5 new Google Business Profile categories were added: Physical Rehabilitation Center, Psychosocial Therapist, Rental Car Return Location, Wire And Cable Supplier, and Mobility Hub.”
You’re allowed 1 primary category, and up to 9 additional categories. While your primary category is the only one displayed prominently on your profile, all of the categories contribute to your ranking.
Your primary category should be your core service/offering and what you want to rank for. The remaining categories should be ancillary offerings that create a more robust picture of what your business does.
Here’s an example. Hicks Family Subaru is primarily a Subaru dealership. However, the dealership also buys and sells used vehicles from other manufacturers and services Subaru vehicles alongside other makes and models. But their primary goal is to sell more Subaru vehicles, so their primary category is “Subaru dealer” and not “Car dealer” or “Car maintenance & repair.”
Optimization Action: Check that your current Primary category reflects your most important business offering and that you’re maximizing the remaining secondary categories.
We mentioned this point in our last GBP tips blog, however, we failed to mention that your Primary category will define the attributes available to you to “complete.” If you’re a furniture store and you’re comparing the backend of your GBP with a Mexican restaurant, you’ll see different options.
Apart from Service Area Businesses, all profiles will have name, address, hours, phone number, description, opening date, website, and social profiles available to add.
Other available options will differ in the main menu and when you click “Edit profile.” Here are two examples: one from a furniture store and the other from a Mexican restaurant.
Beyond changes in this menu, you’ll also note differences in the attributes you can select Yes/No on when you click into “Edit profile” and scroll down to “More” underneath your hours. If you can select Yes/No on an attribute, select something! The more information you give Google, the more ways it can and will showcase your profile.
But it’s not just about what Google wants. What do your customers want?
Optimization Action: Review your profile for completeness. Have you provided information in every available area? Have you selected Yes or No for every available attribute?
Once your GBP is polished and complete, it’s time to capture attention and drive clicks! Think of Google Posts as parallel to social media updates—keep them concise, visually engaging, and consistent. While usually located toward the bottom of your GBP listing (Google is always testing placement!), these posts are increasingly showcased in various areas of Google Maps, amplifying their visibility.
For example, Offer Post titles have been known to show when you scroll through the Google Maps app on your phone.
Information Posts and images are pulled into the main header image area of Profiles, as you can see below.
A visually dynamic and up-to-date profile encourages searchers to click and can even make your business the obvious choice over competitors—especially when highlighting irresistible offers or timely discounts.
If you manage multiple locations, streamline your workflow with a listings distribution tool or partner. These tools enable bulk uploads and scheduled publishing across profiles, saving you valuable time. Enhance efficiency further by syncing with your social media calendar—repurpose content for both platforms without worrying about it being flagged as duplicate.
Optimization Action: Publish weekly Google Posts that link to blog posts, products, categories, Q&A, events, or offers. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel here, either. Pull meta descriptions from blog posts to use as copy, or repurpose your Facebook posts as Google Posts! Check out the Google biz profiles of your competitors, and unrelated brands you admire. What can you learn from their Google Posts?
Visuals are a powerful tool to attract attention and drive engagement. The more frequently you add fresh, high-quality images and videos, the better your chances of standing out and converting views into actions. Plus, frequent updates to your GBP signal to Google—and your customers—that your business is active, engaged, and worth visiting. You’ll turn curiosity into clicks, calls, and visits with the right mix of visuals.
BrightLocal’s analysis of over half a million images across thousands of GBP listings revealed a compelling truth:
This is your chance to showcase your business from every angle—literally and figuratively:
At the same time, you want to watch out for user-uploaded images and have irrelevant content removed ASAP. Otherwise, you could end up like the San Diego Convention Center.
Don’t stop at static images. Videos can make your profile pop! Record quick, casual clips of your business interior, staff at work, or products in use. Google Maps automatically plays videos as users scroll through profiles, making yours more likely to grab attention.
A listing management tool can be your secret weapon if your business has multiple locations. These tools allow you to upload and schedule visuals in bulk, ensuring each location gets its share of attention—just like planning social media posts!
Optimization Action: When was the last time you added pictures of your menu, team, products, services, exterior, or interior? Pick out a few images RIGHT NOW to add to your GBP, and be intentional about regularly uploading images and videos.
The Q&A feature, introduced in 2018, is a powerful tool that allows users to ask and answer questions directly on your Google Business Profile (GBP). Business owners, too, can use this feature to address common inquiries, clarify policies, and showcase expertise. The upvote function helps highlight the most helpful responses, ensuring valuable answers stand out to future customers.
Did you know anyone with a Google account can ask and answer questions on your GBP—including you? Take the initiative to populate your Q&A section with frequently asked questions (FAQs) and their answers. This proactive approach:
Timely responses to customer-posted questions keep your profile current and show potential customers that you care about their concerns.
Optimization Action: Check your Q&A section and respond to existing customer questions, no matter how old. Then, post your commonly asked questions and answers.
Google reviews influence local search rankings, with the quantity, frequency, and positivity of reviews playing a significant role. A thoughtful review response does more than acknowledge feedback—it enhances your profile’s SEO and strengthens your customer relationships.
Google advises, “When you reply to reviews, it shows that you value your customers and their feedback.” Use this opportunity to enrich your responses with details highlighting your business’s offerings and locations.
For example:
A customer leaves a 5-star review:
“Great service and fast oil change!”
Instead of replying with a generic, “Thanks for the review!”, consider a response like:
“Thank you for bringing your Honda in for an oil change at our Bloomingdale, IL location! We’re thrilled to hear you had a great experience and look forward to serving you again, whether in Bloomingdale or Mt. Prospect.”
This response includes relevant keywords (service, location, vehicle type) while showing genuine appreciation. Think of it as crafting a compliment that makes the customer feel seen and understood—while subtly signaling to Google the key details about your business.
Optimization Action: If you’re responding to your reviews, GREAT! Check that you respond with descriptive language and relevant details that help your customer feel heard, and give Google plenty of contextual info. If you’re not responding to reviews, hop to it or enlist a partner like GPO to help!
Your GBP product section is a window into your business’s offerings, enticing customers to explore more. Whether you’re a retail shop, restaurant, or service provider, this feature is an excellent way to showcase your signature items or services.
What to Include
Even non-traditional businesses can get creative. For instance, The Radon Guys uses the product section to display its radon services and recommended radon products with detailed descriptions, call buttons, and links. This approach doesn’t just inform—it excites.
Adding products keeps your profile dynamic, improves customer understanding of your offerings, and might even spark curiosity in someone who wasn’t initially looking for your services.
Watch the following video to learn how to add Products to your GBP.
Two things to note about your product section.
Optimization Action: Watch the above video. Add your evergreen Products or services to your GBP, or for live inventory, explore connecting your POS to your profile instead.
While adding your business’s open date won’t directly boost your search rankings, it adds a layer of credibility. Longevity signals trustworthiness to potential customers. For example, knowing a mechanic has been fixing cars for 20 years inspires more confidence than a business with no visible history.
Optimization Action: Check that you’ve added your opening date to your GBP. Including your open date builds your profile’s authority and increases the likelihood of clicks and calls. It’s a simple yet effective way to stand out as an established, reliable option in your field.
Implementing these strategies is straightforward and quick if you’re managing a single Google Business Profile. But if you’re responsible for multiple locations, the task can feel overwhelming—uploading images, adding Q&A, creating Google Posts, showcasing products, and responding to reviews all while keeping it meaningful and consistent.
The solution? Simplify your efforts with a listings management dashboard and some human touch from GPO. This tool centralizes everything, making it easy to maintain and optimize your profiles at scale. Whether you handle it in-house or partner with experts like us, a dashboard ensures your GBP enhancements are seamless and efficient.
Ready to take your Google Business Profiles to the next level? Let GPO show you how simple it can be. Chat with an expert today and see the difference for yourself!
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