How to set up and optimize your Google Business Profile
Learn how to create and optimize your Google Business Profile to boost visibility, attract local customers, and improve your online presence.
Google Business Profile
Search Engine Land is your definitive source for Google Business Profile news and content. You’ll find a variety of up-to-date and authoritative resources, including the latest news, tactic-rich tutorials, and the latest data-driven insights to help you optimize your local search presence, work smarter, and make better decisions.
Why Google Business Profile matters for your strategy
Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for businesses looking to attract local customers, improve their online visibility, and manage customer relationships effectively. With new features like AI-transcribed menu uploads, staying updated on GBP innovations can significantly impact your local SEO strategy. Whether you’re optimizing GBP listings, managing reviews, or utilizing advanced insights, this page offers tools and tips tailored to your business goals.
Our comprehensive coverage ensures you stay ahead of trends, such as new features for Google Business Profile, changes to local search algorithms, and actionable tips for maximizing the impact of your GBP; we break down what these changes mean for your local SEO strategy.
What you read here is written by our experienced in-house team, alongside subject matter experts from leading brands and agencies.
Explore strategies to improve your local visibility, manage customer interactions seamlessly, and improve your business’s reputation online
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Google Business Profile’s AI-transcribed menu upload just got better
GBP now accepts multi-page PDF menus. Find out how this AI-powered update simplifies uploads, boosts accuracy and enhances restaurant SEO.
Google Maps adds products nearby for product searches
You can now search for products in Google Maps and see product results.
How FTC’s new review policy could impact your local SEO
Navigate the FTC's new review regulations confidently with tips for compliant review collection, Google Business Profile management and more.
Top SEO tips for location-specific websites
Learn how SEO differs for service area vs. brick-and-mortar businesses. Boost your presence with targeted tactics to reach local customers.
How to pick the right Google Business Profile categories
Choose effective primary and secondary GBP categories to improve your search rankings and connect with more local customers.
6 Google Business Profile questions asked and answered
Get answers to common questions on GBP listing edits, suspensions, address updates, review management and finding support.
How to handle negative Google reviews: Remove, respond, recover
Frustrated with negative reviews from unreasonable customers? Here’s how to respond to negative Google reviews related to your business.
11 local SEO tools you should be using
From analytics to rank tracking, boost your local SEO with these tools. Learn how to use them effectively and understand their limitations.
New Google Business Profile AI tool creates a menu from an image
Learn how Google's AI-powered feature helps you create a detailed menu from a photo, along with its benefits and limitations.
Google Business Profile chat is gone and call history going away
This is just a reminder that Google has discontinued Google Business Profile chat yesterday and call history is going away.
The Google Maps pin scam: A new Google Business Profile threat
Understand how this deceptive practice affects rankings and learn the safe way to correct your listing's location.
Report: Menu items, busier businesses may be Google local ranking signals
Google has not specifically confirmed this but a new local SEO report says these may be newly discovered local ranking signals.
How to extract GBP review insights to boost local SEO visibility
Gain a competitive edge by extracting actionable insights from your – and your competitors' – Google Business Profile reviews.
Google Business Profile chat and call history going away
July 31, 2024 Google will shut down call history and chat - you can download your history now.
How to reappeal a Google Business Profile suspension
Follow these steps to appeal your GBP suspension and increase your chances of getting reinstated on Google Maps and local search results.
What to do when Google changes your GBP information
Learn how to effectively manage and protect your Google Business Profile from unexpected updates by Google.
Google Business Profiles tools are temporarily unavailable
Verification status, managing appeals and managing reviews currently may not be working.
Google Business Profile websites are now redirected to Google Maps
Eventually these redirects will go away and the website URLs will lead users to a dead end.
Google removes option to see more local results in the search results
It is unclear if this was intentionally removed or if this is a bug that Google will fix soon.
Google gets tough on third-party ordering and booking providers hogging GBP listings
Google mandates third parties to let merchants easily disconnect services from Business Profiles. Learn more about the new opt-out process.
Google local pack not showing for many searchers
In some regions outside of the US, some are seeing local packs in the Google search results but in many regions they are not.
Google says it took down 45% more fake reviews in 2023 thanks to new algorithm
Google also shared new stats on actions it took in 2023 to block fake reviews and local listings.
Local SEO success: How to track rankings, conversions, calls
Learn tips for setting up and analyzing local SEO ranking reports to uncover opportunities and measure success.
Google Business Profile performance insights: What you need to know
Learn how to access and understand your Google Business Profile's performance. See metrics for views, calls, directions, bookings, and more.
Google is shutting down websites made with Business Profiles
Businesses wanting to maintain their online presence will need to rebuild their sites using an alternative platform.
Google local search ranking algorithm strengthens ‘openness’ signal
If your business isn't open 24/7, Google does not recommend you change your business listing to be open 24 hours per day.
Google adds small business filter to shopping search results
Google said it is "making it easy for U.S. shoppers to discover and shop at small businesses this weekend and beyond."
Google Business Profile: The new suspension appeal process
Learn how to navigate the revamped process with confidence and provide the right documents and evidence for a successful reinstatement.
Google Business Profiles adds disabled-owned attribute to listings
Google also added new accessibility features to Google Maps.
How to follow Google Business Profile guidelines
Here's why understanding Google's guidelines is vital for your Business Profile's success and how to avoid suspension.
Google Business Profiles to let you manage your social links
While Google showed social media profile links for local listings for a long time, Google Business Profiles may soon let you manage those links.
Essential guide to Google Reviews
Get step-by-step instructions on how to claim and optimize your Google My Business profile, solicit and respond to customer reviews, and more.
Google files lawsuit over fake review scams
Google said in this case the alleged scammers created 350 fraudulent Business Profiles and over 14,000 fake reviews.
Google SGE now uses photos and reviews from Google Business Profile listings
Google has updated the Search Generative Experience to use Business Profile data for its AI-snapshots.
Google Local Service Ads mass policy violations
Google is investigating if this is a bug or a new enforcement of some kind.
Boost your visibility in search with online reviews
Take a closer look at how Google reviews, rankings, and ratings work together to help new businesses and get tips on how you can start getting reviews.
5 reasons your Google Business Profile might get suspended
Some “unwritten” rules can trigger your GBP's suspension and impact your local search visibility. Here are some violations to watch out for.
Google Maps can detect fake phone numbers in photos and remove them
Google also shared some states on how it fought fake reviews and content in local search.
How ChatGPT can help with local SEO
From Google Business Profile to reviews and local link building, here are specific ways ChatGPT can (and can't) help in local SEO.