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Google My Business

Manages how a local business appears in Google Search and Maps through a free profile that can be claimed and optimised for visibility.

If you have ever filled in a profile once and expected customers to appear, you already know that consistency, reviews, and regular updates matter more than the initial setup.

Key points

  • Claim your profile before optimising it, and check for duplicates first.
  • Keep NAP — name, address, phone — identical across your profile and every other directory.
  • Choose the most specific primary category and up to ten secondary categories.
  • Respond to every review, positive or negative, within a few days.
  • Post photos and updates monthly to signal the business is active.
  • Verify your profile through postcard, phone, email, or video before it appears publicly.

A builder who fixed one category and doubled calls

A roofing contractor in Manchester had a profile with the category "Contractor" and no secondary categories. After three months of zero calls from Maps, they changed the primary category to "Roofing Contractor" and added "Gutter Cleaning Service" and "Skylight Installation Service" as secondary. Within two weeks, their profile appeared in the local pack for "roof repair manchester" and calls increased from zero to seven per week. No other changes were made. This shows how a simple category fix can boost seo for builders without any other optimisation.

Three ways it goes wrong

  • Duplicate listings Creating a new profile when one already exists splits reviews and confuses Google. Always search for your business name and address before starting the claim process.
  • Inconsistent NAP Using "Main St" on the profile but "Main Street" on your website or Yelp creates a trust signal problem. Google sees mismatches as unreliable data and may suppress your listing.
  • Ignoring reviews Leaving reviews unanswered signals neglect. Responding to every review, even a one-star complaint, shows engagement and can improve local ranking over time.

Four things it is not

  • Not a website A profile is not a replacement for a website. It drives local discovery but cannot host detailed service pages, booking systems, or long-form content about what is local seo.
  • Not a ranking guarantee Filling every field does not guarantee top position in the local pack. Google weighs proximity, relevance, and prominence, and the algorithm changes without notice.
  • Not set-and-forget Hours change, services evolve, and Google adds features. A profile that was accurate six months ago may now show outdated holiday hours or missing attributes.
  • Not a support channel You cannot contact Google Business Support via live chat for every issue. Most problems are resolved through the help centre or community forums, not a phone line.

Three costs of getting it wrong

  • Lost local visibility An incomplete or inconsistent profile may not appear in the local pack at all. Competitors with complete profiles and recent reviews will rank above yours for the same search.
  • Wasted ad spend If your profile sends users to a wrong address or closed location, any local search ads you run will drive traffic to a dead end. Fix the profile before spending on ads.
  • Missed checklist items Skipping a google business profile checklist means forgetting attributes like wheelchair access or service areas. These small details can decide whether a customer calls you or a competitor.

Common questions

How do I contact Google Business Support?

Use the Google Business Profile Help centre or community forum. Live chat is not always available; phone support is limited to verified profiles.

How do I contact Google Business Support live chat?

Live chat appears in the help centre for some verified profiles. If unavailable, try the community forum or request a callback during business hours.

Does responding to Google reviews help SEO?

Yes, responding to reviews signals engagement and can improve local ranking. It also builds trust with potential customers who read your replies.

What is the difference between Google My Business and Google Business Profile?

Google My Business is the old name. Google Business Profile is the current name. The tool and its features are the same, only the branding changed.

Sources

  1. Google Business Profile Help Official documentation for claiming, verifying, and managing a profile.
  2. Yoast Practical guide to optimisation steps and common mistakes.
  3. WordStream Checklist-based advice for improving local visibility.
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