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- 17. November 2022
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A Google Places (GBP) profile is beneficial for any business. Not only does this make your business easier to find on Google, but it also makes it easier for customers to find important information like hours of operation, contact number, photos, and positive reviews.
However, not updating your Google Business Profile can harm your online presence. Old information like incorrect addresses or outdated hours of operation can frustrate customers, while the lack of fresh photos or reviews can make your business look unprofessional.
In this guide, we'll show you how to edit and manage your Google Business Profile so it's always up to date and accurately reflects your business.
Maintain your Google business profile
Formerly known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile works like a mini website for your business. When someone searches for your business name or category, they will appear in the search results with basic information like:
- Your official site
- phone number
- E-Mail-Addresse
- Address
- opening hours
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Product or service photo
- Pinned to Google Maps
- A description of your business
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Depending on the nature of your business, it can also include menus, price lists, virtual tours, and other interactive content.
Best of all, customers can call or message you directly from your business profile, book appointments, and even buy products and services online. Clicking your location pin on Google Maps will also automatically open directions to your business.
As a business, you can also communicate with customers through your business profile by posting updates, replying to comments, and sending messages.
Even better, signing up for a Google Business Profile is completely free. Additionally, you can connect it to your Google Ads account or Google Search Console for a deeper understanding of how customers interact with your online business.
Users naturally assume that the information in your GBP is correct. It is therefore your responsibility to keep them up to date.
When to update your Google business profile
You should regularly review and update your GBP as your company information changes.This includes the following:
- Rebranding information, such as a new company name
- Mobile location
- update business hours
- Change your website's URL
- Add a new product or service
- Photos of changes to your business location, e.g. B. a new appearance or renovations
- Seasonal opening hours
- Update your company information
In addition, you should always update your GBP when you receive new Google reviews to show that you are actively interacting with customers.
How long does it take for Google to update your Google Places listing?
google sea,It typically takes a few minutes for changes to be accepted and applied publicly to search and maps.However, it may take up to 3 days for some screen display changes to be published on the GMB platform.
In practice, you have to expect a waiting time of around 12 to 48 hours for the changes in your company profile to take effect.
Also, it depends on the type of editing you are doing. For example, just updating your business hours or adding a photo can make those changes much faster than changing your business name or business category.
If you need to make a major change to your listing soon, such as changing your business hours for a holiday, you can contact Google My Business support and request an expedited review.
Google may refuse certain types of changes to the Google business profile
In some cases, Google may review and reject changes you submit to your business profile.
This is usually because the information you're trying to add doesn't follow Google's guidelines. Prohibited content includes:
- Confidential or private information (e.g. government ID, personal bank information, etc.)
- inaccurate or false reviews
- Fancy and misleading promotions and coupons
- Irrelevant or excessive keywords in the business description
- Links to Other Sites
- Offensive or explicit content
- The company name does not match
- Multiple listings for the same company
- incomplete list
- and more
More information can be found here Google Places Content Policy.
If your change is rejected, you will receive an email notification from Google with details of why the change was rejected and how to resubmit it.
Before resubmitting your edit for review, be sure to correct any errors in your listing and double-check that it follows Google's guidelines. Repeat violations may result in suspension of your business profile.
How to edit your Google business profile
These days, there's little reason not to have a Google Business Profile, let alone an outdated one.
In addition to being free to create and use, Google offers several options for managing and editing GBPs. They are all quick and easy and can be done in minutes. Here are some of them:
Option 1: Bulk edit (for multi-site companies)
Google requires businesses with multiple locations, such as chain stores or franchises, to provide separate listings for each location.
Bulk editing is the easiest way to centrally manage and update these entries without having to log in and make changes to each entry individually.
To edit your listings in bulk, just follow the steps below:
- First, sign in to Google My Business and select the listing you want to edit
- Then click Actions → Edit Information
- Finally, make the required changes in the fields provided and click Apply
Option 2: Edit via the Google Maps app
If you run a business with only one location or just want to change one listing at a time, you can do so directly from the Google Maps application.
To edit your listing in the Google Maps app, you need to do the following:
- First, open the Google Maps app on your iOS or Android device or on the web
- Then tap or click your profile picture → your business profile
- Then select the company/profile you want to update
- Finally, make your changes and tap or click Apply.
Option 3: Edit it directly in your Google Business Profile Dashboard
This is the most common way to edit and manage GBP. You can access your business profile dashboard by logging into Google My Business and clicking on the listing you want to edit.
From the Company Profile Dashboard, click Information from the menu.
A list of all information about your listing will appear, including your hours of operation, website, business description, contact information and more.
To edit this information, simply click on the pencil icon next to the field you wish to update.
However, this option is being discontinued by Google, which prefers the Direct Edit option.
Option 4: Edit via the "In Place Edit" experience
You can skip navigating through the GBP dashboard thanks to "Instant Edit". Instead, you can edit your listings directly from Google Search or Google Maps.
To access in-place editing, simply follow the steps below:
- First, sign in to your Google business account
- Then search Google for your company name and press Enter
- After clicking you will see a block unique to you
- In this block you will find various GBP management and editing functions
This is especially useful when you want to quickly update your hours of operation or add a brief description of a sale or promotion.
Edit your Google Business Profile from Google Search
The ability to edit Google Business Profiles via Google Search has been around since 2017.
However, over the years it has become the standard method for many small businesses. Editing directly from Google Search is faster, more convenient and doesn't require fiddling with a separate dashboard.
Note Beginning in November 2022, users of Google Business Profiles will be automatically directed to edit via Google Search.
Edit Profile button.
Clicking this button gives you access to various ways to edit your profile settings. These are just some of the changes you can make:
1. Edit your company information
yourBasic Business Informationis what appears in your Google Places listing. This includes your business name, which should be consistent across your online listing and physical storefront, as well as all other marketing materials.
Define yoursService categoryis also important. This can be a broad category like "clothing store" or a more specific category like "kids clothing store". Additionally, you can also add multiple categories that can help you show up for more relevant searches.
yourbusiness descriptionThis is where you can market what your business has to offer to potential customers. This is also a good place to include relevant keywords as Google will index this information.
youropening dateis another important piece of information to consider as it helps build trust with potential customers. This is a plus if your business has been around for a long time.
you can alsoInclude your business phone number, address, and website URL.If you have multiple websites, you can paste multiple URLs - as long as you can verify that they all belong to your business.
last but not least,Attributes are any other information that may be relevant to your customerFor example, whether you are wheelchair accessible, have free parking, or are a pet-friendly business.
2. Edit your business hours
Your business hours is another important piece of information to include on your Google Places listing as potential customers need to know when to reach you.
To edit your opening times, simply click on the day of the week and enter your changes. In addition, you also have the option to set special times for holidays or other occasions.
3. Add your company logo
This is what potential customers see when they search for your business. Therefore, it is important to choose something that is compelling and easy to remember.
4. Add a cover photo
Your cover photo is the large image that appears at the top of your Google Places listing. This is your chance to really make your listing stand out. So choose a high-quality photo that represents your business well and complements your logo.
5. Reservation Service
If you offer reservation services such as scheduling appointments or making reservations, you may include this information in the reservations section of your Google Places listing.
You can add a booking button to your listing, which allows potential clients to book an appointment directly on your listing. In addition, you also have the option to add your booking URL, which will redirect potential customers to your booking page.
ad button
As the name suggests, it helps you promote your listing by:
1. Access the performance report
Performance reports were previously called "Insights" and you can find them on the Performance tab. These reports provide you with valuable information about the performance of your listing, e.g. For example, how many people viewed your listing, clicked on your website, or called your business.
2. Advertise your business
The Ads tab takes you to Google Ads where you can create an ad for your business. These ads may appear on Google search results pages, websites that participate in the Google Display Network, or on YouTube.
3. Request a review
Customer reviews are one of the most effective marketing tools for small businesses and GBP's Promote section makes it easy to collect reviews from customers.
This takes the form of a short link that you can send to customers via SMS, email or social media. When they click this link, they will be taken to a page where they can leave a comment about your business.
4. Update your GBP list
You can also use the Advertise button to add updates to your GBP offers. This is a great way to let potential customers know about special offers or company news with a What's New Google post.
5. Add offers for your customers
Adding an offer is another great way to promote your business and attract potential customers. Offers can be discounts, freebies, or anything else you think will attract customers to your business.
Quickly create and publish offers for your business with the offer google post in the advertise section.
6. Add the event to your Google business profile
If you are running an event, such as a promotion, seminar or course, you can add it to your listing using the Promote button. Don't forget to add keywords to your event title so potential customers can easily find it when they search for your event.
7. Photos
In addition to the photo in the Edit Profile section, you can add more photos of your business in the Advertisement section. Use them to highlight special events, offers, or products/services you want to promote.
Respond to customers
There are also many ways to respond to customers.
1. Comments
Here you can find all the Google reviews your business has received. You can also use this section to quickly respond to customers, whether it's thanking them for a positive review or addressing concerns raised by a negative review.
2nd message
The Messages section contains a popup with all the messages your customers have sent to your business. These messages come from various sources such as Google My Business, Google Maps and Google Search.
3. Questions and Answers
The Questions and Answers section is a relatively new addition to Google My Business and has become one of the most useful tools for businesses and customers.
Because it acts as a knowledge base for your company – customers can ask questions about your products, services or any other questions about your company and you can answer them openly.
All of these features work together to give businesses the power to connect with customers, promote their business, and track performance—all from one easy-to-use interface.
to sum up
While Google Business Profile is undoubtedly a powerful tool for businesses, trying to keep track of all this data and insight can be overwhelming.
Whether you're managing a pound or a bunch, Reporting Ninja's GMB integration tool can make your life a whole lot easier.
Report NinjaIntegration of green minibusesAllows businesses to automatically generate reports from their GBP, organize and extract the data they need, and share their reports with clients or managers in just a few clicks.
Even better, it's free to try –register hereActivate your free trial now and check out Reporting Ninja's other great features.
Learn more about Google Analytics
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Learn how to track and analyze all the important analytics in your Google Business Profile.
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Complete list of Google My Business categories
December 26, 2022
Looking for Google My Business category listings? Read our guide to find out what you're looking for.
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Verify your Google business profile
3. November 2022
Verifying your business is quick and easy, but there are several methods to choose from. In this guide, we'll show you step-by-step how to verify your Google business profile so you can get your business in front of potential customers as quickly as possible. Click here to read now.
Continue reading "
Post written by
Kyle Rushton McGregor
Marketing for Reporting Ninja
Show more posts by this author
Kyle Rushton McGregor
Marketing for Reporting Ninja
Show more posts by this author
FAQs
How do I correct my Google Business Profile? ›
- Go to your Business Profile. Learn how to find your profile.
- To edit your business profile: With Google Search, select Edit profile. With Google Maps, select Edit profile. Business information.
- After each change you make, select Save.
- Step 1: Go to Google Maps and Add Your Business. ...
- Step 2: Create Your Business Account. ...
- Step 3: Fill Out Your Business Name and Category. ...
- Step 4: Add Your Location. ...
- Step 5: Choose Your Service Area. ...
- Step 6: Add Your Contact Information.
How long does it take Google to change my listing information? Some changes to your Google My Business listing are automatic, while others, especially those that involve removing information, can take up to 60 days.
How long does it take for Google to review and edit? ›It typically takes up to 10 minutes to review your edits. In some cases, the review may take up to 30 days. If Google is unable to confirm the accuracy of your proposed edit, it may not be accepted. Learn more about the guidelines for representing your business on Google.
What not to do with Google Business Profile? ›Don't: Overuse keywords – There is no need to use the same words over and over. Make your post for the reader and not the search engines. The rewards will be greater when searchers read your post and take action.
Is it possible to delete a Google Business Profile? ›If you no longer want to manage a business, you can mark the business as permanently closed and remove the profile content and managers. You won't be able to manage the business directly through Google Search or Maps, but the business may continue to show up on Google.
How do I rank 1 in Google My Business? ›- Claim and verify your Google My Business (GMB) listing.
- Fully complete your GMB listing.
- Ensure your GMB category is accurate.
- Add lots of high quality photos.
- Acquire relevant Google reviews.
- Make posts regularly.
- Learn more about Local SEO factors that affect your rankings.
Once you're verified, it may take a few weeks for your profile and updated business information to show across Google Maps and Search. However, you'll be able to edit your profile and update all your information using Google Business Profile Manager or local listing management tool like ReviewTrackers.
How long does Google business profile last? ›Once your business opens, your profile will show a "Recently opened" tag on Google for 90 days.
Do GMB posts affect SEO? ›Google My Business (GMB) is one of the most effective tools for boosting a company's local search engine optimization (SEO) and online exposure.
How do I know if my business is verified on Google? ›
- Step 1: Visit the verification Status Checker page. ...
- Step 2: Confirm your email. ...
- Step 3: Select your account from the list. ...
- Step 4: Confirm the status of your account.
Google My Business is free! There is no charge to request a postcard. See the GMB FAQ.
How many times can I edit my Google review? ›This is a great question, and we get asked all the time. Unfortunately, Google does not allow you to reassign or even remove reviews from your Google listing.
Will Google remove a bad review? ›Google uses automated spam detection measures to remove reviews that are probably spam. These measures help improve people's experiences on Google and ensure the reviews they see are authentic, relevant, and useful. Some legitimate reviews may be inadvertently removed.
How many reviews do you need for it to show on Google? ›Fewer than five, or no reviews at all, is not going to be as effective - if at all. Despite that, research tells us that customers will read an average of 10 customer reviews before trusting a business. With that in mind, it's worth shooting for double figures if you want to establish your business as an authority.
What is the disadvantage of Google My Business? ›Are there disadvantages to Google My Business? Google My Business is not perfect. The biggest disadvantage is the limited customization options. Google My Business is limited in terms of customizing your profile page and business presence on the platform.
What is the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile? ›New Name: Google My Business has been renamed “Google Business Profile.” This wasn't surprising to many, since GMB Help documents began using the term “profile” instead of “listing” months ago.
How often should I post on my Google Business Profile? ›Post at least 1 time per week on Google My Business.
Google My Business posts might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about social media for business. But, this platform can be surprisingly effective at helping your local SEO and boosting customer engagement.
But unfortunately, deleting your Google Business account will not delete the reviews. Deleting your Google Business Profile will only result in you losing control of your account. The reviews, negative and positive, will still be visible to customers on Google – including all the details about your business.
How do I remove an owner from my Google business account? ›- Go to your Business Profile. Learn how to find your profile.
- Click Menu Business Profile settings. Managers.
- Click the person you want to change access.
- Select the role: Primary owner, Owner, or Manager.
- Click Save. Tip: If you're the primary owner, you can transfer ownership.
Why did Google delete my business account? ›
Common reasons your GMB listing can get suspended include the following: Mistakes or variations of your business name appear online. Multiple businesses claim to operate from your address. Recent changes to your address, categories, name, website, or phone number have appeared on your listing.
How can I improve my Google ranking fast? ›- Get backlinks. A backlink is a link to your page from another website, and these are a heavily weighted ranking factor. ...
- Mine your search queries. ...
- Target how-to and tutorial keywords with videos. ...
- Target pages already ranking. ...
- Do a SERP analysis. ...
- Add Schema markup. ...
- Check your technical SEO.
How much does it cost to rank #1 on Google? While you could use Google ads to appear at the top of search pages, you can't pay to rank on the first page of Google organic results.
Does it cost money to have a Google Business Profile? ›How much does a Business Profile on Google cost? Creating a Business Profile and listing your business on Google is free of cost.
How do I get verified on Google? ›- If you don't have one, create a Google Account.
- Go to Google Search.
- Search for yourself or the entity you represent and find its knowledge panel.
- At the bottom, click Claim this knowledge panel. ...
- Review the information.
- Sign in to one of the official sites or profiles listed for the entity like:
Errors or quality guideline violations may delay the process for bulk verification requests. When you upload a data file to your Business Profile, you may encounter errors that can cause location to be disapproved. See the list below for common issues that delay the verification process. Add a new Business Profile.
How much is Google Business Profile monthly? ›Your Business Profile is a free tool that allows you to take charge of the way your business appears on Google Search and Maps.
How many Google business profiles can you have? ›Can I have more than one Google My Business listing? A: If you are legitimately operating multiple, legally distinct businesses, you can typically create a Google My Business listing for each of them. It's not at all uncommon for more than one business to be located at a shared address.
What is the benefit of Google Business Profile? ›- Edit your listing and speak for yourself. ...
- Practical and easy to manage. ...
- Premium options, all for free. ...
- Signing up for a Business Profile is simple. ...
- Understand and expand your presence.
Many 404-code server-side response pages is the bad grade.
Search engines do not like sites with numerous 404 pages. It may influence your rank, and it may be hard to go back to your previous positions. As a bottom line: it is better not to delete an empty page but adjust 301-Redirect and lead users to the home page.
How do I know if my SEO company is doing a good job? ›
- Your Website Health Score Is Getting Better. ...
- You Are Getting More Organic Traffic. ...
- Your Pages Are Ranking Higher. ...
- Visitors Are Spending More Time on Your Website. ...
- You Are Increasing Your Conversion Rate In the Process. ...
- You Are Getting More Referring Domains.
- Go to your Business Profile. Learn how to find your profile.
- Click Get verified. Phone or SMS.
- Answer the call or open the text with the code.
- Enter the code into your profile.
How long does the verification process take? It can take around 5-days for Google to verify you, so it's worth clicking Verify now once you write up your Google Business Profile. Whether you choose video verification or a postcard verification option, Google wants you to prove you own the business.
What is the blue check on Google business? ›So businesses that have adopted Google's brand verification process, which requires registration of your logo with a VMC, and a higher level of account security, will now get a blue checkmark on Gmail, providing additional assurance for recipients that you are who you claim.
Why does Google need to verify my business? ›The first and most important reason for GBP verification is simple: you won't be able to manage your business information in Search, Maps, and other Google properties unless you verify it. Google has to confirm the physical location of your business and check whether you're authorized to own a listing.
Why does my GMB have a Google number? ›Community content may not be verified or up-to-date. Learn more. It sounds like Call History is enabled on your business profile. This results in a Google forwarding number to be shown to users there.
Can you have a GMB without a website? ›Surprisingly yes, you can. It's called Google My Business and it's connected to Google Maps. By having a Google My Business listing customers will be able to find directions to your shop front using with Google Maps.
What happens if you get too many Google reviews at once? ›Does Google Remove Reviews? Yes, Google does sometimes remove reviews, though it's not very often. Unlike Yelp, Google quickly realized that removing too many reviews might alienate their users and discourage them from posting new reviews.
Can I Delete a Google review and rewrite it? ›Edit or delete your review
On your computer, open Google Maps. Reviews. Select Edit review or Delete review and follow the on-screen steps.
Unfortunately, you can only have one active review per business at a time. But, if you'd like your feedback to reflect a more recent experience, you have a few options: Delete your original Google review and post a new one. Leave a review on another review site like Yelp or the Better Business Bureau.
What not to do on Google reviews? ›
- Buying Or Selling Fake Reviews. ...
- Forcing Or Incentivizing Positive Reviews. ...
- Posting Content That Creates A Conflict Of Interest. ...
- Posting Fake Or Misleading Content. ...
- Impersonation. ...
- Review Gating. ...
- Allowing Or Posting Inappropriate Content.
You can't block a user but you can report to google by Flag as inappropriate the review, if you think the review doesn't comply with Google's review policies. You can't contact someone who left an inappropriate review, but you can request that Google remove it. On your computer, open Google Maps.
Can a Google review be traced? ›Can Google reviews be traced? Yes. Your IP address can be traced if you leave a Google review anonymously. Google can see your IP address when you post a review, even if you hide your name.
How many 5 star Google reviews do you need to increase your average? ›How many reviews do you need to get five stars on Google? No set number of reviews is required to get a 5-star rating on Google. The rating is an average of all the individual ratings left by customers. The more ratings you receive, the more accurate and representative your overall rating will be.
Is 4.7 a good Google review? ›A study by the Spiegel Research Center determined that ratings of 4.2 - 4.5 are the most trusted. This is a great goal to aim for, and realistic as well. Mistakes happen in every business in every industry. It's a waste of time to stress over a single negative review or an unattainable perfect rating.
Should you respond to every Google review? ›You can reply to reviews, which can help build customer trust. When you reply to reviews, you post publicly as your business. Replies may not appear across Google immediately. However, reviewers will get a notification when you reply to their review.
How do I verify my Google business wrong address? ›If you've already requested a verification postcard at the incorrect address, just update that field to the correct address that can receive mail and request a new postcard. Note that Google will limit the number of verification attempts. Check out this guide about how to verify your business on Google.
What happened to my business profile on Google? ›The Google My Business app is no longer available. To keep your Business Profile updated and reach your customers where they are, you can use the Google Maps app and Google Search. Learn how to manage your profile directly on Google.
Can I change my Google business name and keep reviews? ›Changing your business name can have a big impact on search ranking, but if handled correctly, it should not impact your ability to keep existing reviews on the Google platform. Google allows businesses to move reviews across listings, so reviews should not disappear if the name of your business changes.
How do I delete a duplicate Google My Business account? ›On your computer, sign into Business Profile Manager. Go to Manage locations. Check the box for each location you want to remove. Click "Actions" Remove location.
How do I contact Google about incorrect business information? ›
Use the Report a problem link to report your issue and choose Some photos, reviews, or details belong to a different place. Use the Report a problem link to report your issue and choose Listing contains incorrect information or spam.
How long does it take for Google to fix wrong address? ›It can take up to a month for Google to fix your address. To add an address to Google Maps using your mobile, please enter the address in the search bar. Swipe up the address information that appears at the bottom of your screen - you might have to move the screen up a few times, until you see "Report a problem".
Will I lose my Google reviews if I change my business address? ›Change your physical location
If you move your business to a new location and keep the same business name, Google generally transfers the reviews to the new location. Exceptions include businesses heavily tied to their locations, like hotels, golf courses, or scenic attractions.
New Name: Google My Business has been renamed “Google Business Profile.” This wasn't surprising to many, since GMB Help documents began using the term “profile” instead of “listing” months ago.
Is Google business no longer available? ›Google My Business app will be replaced in July 2022 with Google Maps & Search. At the end of 2021, Google announced that it is replacing the commonly known “Google My Business” with “Google Business Profile” (GBP), an updated way for local businesses to manage their local listing.
How do I contact Google business support? ›- 1-833-272-1444.
- Get started.
Google doesn't enable businesses to delete reviews on their Google Business Profile. This helps prevent businesses from deleting poor reviews due to bad experiences. To have a review removed, the person who wrote the review can delete the review, or a business can ask Google to remove an inappropriate review.
Why do I have two Google business profiles? ›Profiles are marked as duplicates when there's already a profile verified for the same business on Google. To manage someone else's Business Profile, you can request access. On Google Search or Maps, find your business. If the business already has a profile on Google, you'll find a message.
Can I manage two Google business accounts? ›You might want to benefit from using the multi-profile feature to manage multiple Google My Business profiles and post simultaneously. You can also establish Google My Business Listing groups, such as client accounts, and submit them all at once using the "Select Group" option.