Google Business Profile FAQ, 50+ Expert Answers

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free profile that lets your business appear in Google Maps, Google Search Knowledge Panel, and the local Map Pack. It's the most valuable digital marketing asset for local businesses.

Go to business.google.com, search for your business or create a new listing, and complete verification (postcard, phone, email, or video). Verification is required before your profile can rank.

Postcard: 5-14 days. Phone: instant if eligible. Email: 24-72 hours. Video: 5 business days for Google's review.

Most common reasons: unverified, wrong primary category, address mismatch, ranking outside the search radius, or recent edits triggered re-review. Run our diagnostic at profile not showing up.

Three pillars: optimized GBP (especially primary category), 80+ NAP-consistent citations, and 5-10 new compliant reviews per month. Done together, timing depends on the category and the competitive set; the audit gives a timeline.

Plans are available on request for 1-location small businesses. See pricing tiers.

Yes , with 4-6 hours upfront and 2-3 hours per month for maintenance. Many small businesses do.

Same thing. Google rebranded "Google My Business" to "Google Business Profile" in 2021.

20+ at launch, 5-10 fresh per month. Regular uploads keep the profile current for searchers.

Build a compliant SMS/email automation that asks every recent customer for a review with a direct review link. Aim for 5-10 new reviews per month. Never gate (don't filter for happy ones first), never pay for reviews. Full guide.

Google can suspend a profile for policy violations: keyword stuffing in name, virtual office addresses, fake reviews, or duplicate listings. Our suspension recovery service reinstates suspended profiles.

Highly recommended. Your website provides E-E-A-T signals that strengthen your GBP rankings. But a fully optimized GBP can drive customers in the early months even without a website.

Name, Address, Phone , the exact same format across your website, GBP, and every directory citation. NAP inconsistency fragments your local SEO authority.

Standard update posts no longer expire after 7 days; Google dropped that rule in 2021, and older posts can stay on the profile. Event and offer posts drop off after their end date. Post weekly so your newest post stays recent.

One per physical location. Multi-location businesses need separate verified profiles per location, all managed under one Business Profile Manager account.