Google My Business
A complete Google My Business listing is your gateway to local search success and it’s 100% free. Add your location details, keep photos and posts fresh, and collect 5-star reviews to earn a spot in the map pack. No agency fees required.
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For businesses that have ‘bricks and mortar’ locations then you are entitled to a free maps listing in Google which is now called your Google My Business [GMB] listing. Once verified you can add all of your location’s information, images, videos, news, hours of operation in addition to key information like your ‘NAP’ – name / address / phone number.
If Google’s deems that the searcher’s intent is for a local product or service then it will likely serve the ‘map pack’ of 3 GMB listings in the search results. By having a complete and up to date GMB listing you increase the chances that your listing will be shown there.
If you are in a competitive industry [e.g. a hairdresser in the CBD] then having a high count of 5 star Google reviews will really help your chances of ranking high and making the map pack. So far all happy customers make sure you get a 5 star review from them all just like we have done so here https://g.page/searchrescuedigitalmarketing/review/
Note you need a separate phone number for each location because Google is cracking down on false locations and people trying to take advantage of this to get fake listings into the results page.
Tip – Many digital marketing companies charge to set this service up for you. This is a FREE service from Google – don’t be fooled that you need to pay once off or even ongoing management for this service. The interface of Google My Business [previously known as Google Maps] is extremely intuitive and it prompts you on missing fields. And if you do regular posting here and keep photos / videos up to date you needn’t pay for this service that can be done easily yourself.
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faq'S
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile is your free business listing on Google Search and Google Maps. It shows your business name, address, phone number, hours, website, photos, reviews and services. It’s what customers see when they search for your business or for local services, and it’s one of the most important parts of local SEO.
Is Google My Business the same as Google Business Profile?
Yes. Google renamed Google My Business to Google Business Profile in November 2021. Before that, it was known as Google Places and Google+ Local. The listing works the same way, and you now manage it directly from Google Search or Google Maps, or through the Business Profile Manager.
Is a Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating, verifying and managing a Google Business Profile is free. You don’t pay Google for the listing or for appearing in the map pack. Some businesses pay agencies to optimise and manage their profile because ranking in competitive local markets takes ongoing work, but the profile itself costs nothing.
Who can have a Google Business Profile?
Any business that meets customers face to face, either at its own location (like a shop, clinic or office) or by travelling to customers (like plumbers, cleaners and mobile mechanics). Online-only businesses with no customer contact aren’t eligible. The business must be genuine, operating and staffed during its listed hours.
Why is a Google Business Profile important?
For local searches like “plumber near me” or “hairdresser Bondi”, Google often shows a map pack of three businesses above the regular results. Those three spots get a large share of clicks, calls and direction requests. A complete, active profile with strong reviews gives you the best chance of being one of them.
How do I set up and verify my Google Business Profile?
Search for your business on Google or go to the Business Profile Manager, then claim or create your listing and enter your details. Google will ask you to verify, usually by video recording, phone, text, email or postcard, depending on your business. Once verified, you can add photos, services, hours and more.
What information should I add to my profile?
Fill in every relevant field: business name, primary and secondary categories, address or service area, phone number, website, opening hours (including holiday hours), services or products with descriptions, business description, attributes, and plenty of real photos and videos. Complete profiles give Google more to match against searches and give customers more reasons to choose you.
What is the Google map pack?
The map pack, or local pack, is the box of three business listings with a map that Google shows for searches with local intent, such as “dentist near me” or “electrician Parramatta”. It usually appears above the regular organic results, so the businesses in it get a large share of the clicks and calls.
How does Google rank businesses in the map pack?
Google says local results are based on three main factors: relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how close you are to the searcher or the location in the search), and prominence (how well known and trusted your business is, including reviews, links and your website’s strength).
How do I get my business into the Google map pack?
Choose the most accurate primary category, complete every profile field, keep your name, address and phone number consistent online, earn a steady flow of genuine reviews and reply to them, add photos and posts regularly, and strengthen your website with local content and links. You can’t control distance, but you can improve relevance and prominence.
How important is the business category?
Very. Your primary category is one of the strongest relevance signals in local rankings, as it tells Google exactly what your business is. Choose the most specific category that describes your main service, then add secondary categories for other services you offer. Review competitors ranking in the map pack to see which categories they use.
Should I put keywords in my business name?
No. Your profile name must match your real business name as used on your signage, website and branding. Adding keywords or locations, like “Smith Plumbing – Emergency Plumber Sydney”, breaks Google’s guidelines and can lead to suspension. If keywords are part of your legal or trading name, that’s fine.
Does posting on my Google Business Profile help rankings?
Posts, or updates, keep your profile fresh and give customers more reasons to choose you, such as offers, news, events and recent projects. Their direct ranking impact is modest, but regular activity, new photos and updates support engagement, which helps your profile convert more searchers into calls and visits.
How does my website affect my map pack ranking?
Your website is a key part of prominence. A strong, relevant website with location and service pages, consistent business details, quality backlinks and good speed helps your profile rank. Link your profile to the most relevant page, usually your homepage or a dedicated location page.
Do Google reviews help my ranking?
Yes. The number, quality and recency of your Google reviews are among the strongest signals for map pack rankings, especially in competitive areas like a hairdresser in the CBD. Reviews also influence whether searchers choose you over the businesses listed beside you, so they affect both rankings and clicks.
How do I get more Google reviews?
Ask every customer, not just the ones you think are happy, soon after the job or purchase. Make it easy with a direct review link sent by email or SMS, printed on receipts, or shared as a QR code. Building the request into your normal follow-up process keeps reviews coming in steadily.
Can I ask customers for 5-star reviews?
No. Google’s policies prohibit asking only satisfied customers for reviews or asking for a specific rating, and the ACCC treats selectively soliciting reviews as potentially misleading under Australian Consumer Law. Ask all customers for an honest review instead. Genuine reviews, including the occasional less-than-perfect one, also look more credible to customers.
Can I offer customers a discount or gift for a review?
No. Offering incentives such as discounts, gifts or prize draws in exchange for reviews breaks Google’s policies and can lead to reviews being removed or your profile being restricted. Simply asking at the right time, with an easy link, is the most effective and compliant approach.
Should I reply to Google reviews?
Yes, to both positive and negative reviews. Replies show customers you value feedback and care about service. Thank happy customers personally, and respond to negative reviews calmly and professionally, offering to resolve the issue offline. Never share private customer details in a reply.
Can I remove a negative or fake review?
You can’t remove a review simply because you disagree with it. If a review breaks Google’s policies, for example it’s fake, spam, offensive or from a competitor, you can report it through your Business Profile for Google to assess. For genuine negative reviews, a professional reply is the best response.
Can I have a Google Business Profile without a shopfront?
Yes. Service-area businesses that travel to customers, like plumbers, electricians, cleaners and mobile mechanics, can create a profile, hide their address and list the suburbs or regions they serve. If customers don’t visit your premises, you should hide your address rather than display a home address.
Can I have a profile for each of my locations?
Yes, if each location is a genuine, staffed place where you serve customers during listed hours. Each should have its own profile, address and ideally a local phone number, plus a matching location page on your website. Virtual offices, co-working addresses you don’t staff and PO boxes aren’t allowed and are a common cause of suspensions.
Why was my Google Business Profile suspended?
Common causes include keywords added to the business name, an ineligible or virtual address, a home address shown for a service-area business, duplicate listings, or sudden major changes to key details. To reinstate it, fix the issue and submit an appeal with supporting evidence, such as business registration documents, signage photos and utility bills.
What should I do about duplicate listings?
Duplicate profiles split your reviews and confuse Google and customers. Search Google Maps for your business name, address and phone number to find duplicates, then request ownership or suggest that Google mark them as duplicates or closed. Keep one verified profile per genuine location.
Why is my Google Business Profile not showing up?
Common reasons include an unverified or suspended profile, a weak or inaccurate primary category, an incomplete profile, few or no reviews, inconsistent business details online, or strong competitors closer to the searcher. Searching from a different suburb also changes results. A local SEO audit can pinpoint which factor is holding you back.
Does my Google Business Profile help with AI search?
Yes. Google’s AI Overviews and AI Mode draw on Business Profile data for local queries, and other AI tools use reviews, business details and listings to recommend local businesses. An accurate, complete profile with consistent details and genuine reviews makes it more likely AI tools mention your business. Learn more about AI optimisation.
Can I manage my Google Business Profile myself?
Yes. The profile is free and the dashboard is straightforward, prompting you to fill in missing details. Many small businesses manage it well by keeping details accurate, adding photos, posting updates and asking every customer for a review. Expert help is most valuable in competitive markets, for multi-location businesses, or when your profile isn’t ranking or has been suspended.
What does Search Rescue do to optimise Google Business Profiles?
Search Rescue audits your profile against the competitors in your map pack, chooses the best categories, completes and optimises every field, aligns your website’s location pages and business details, sets up a compliant review request process, and builds local citations and links. Google Business Profile is one of the 8 pillars of SEO.
Can you fix a suspended Google Business Profile?
Yes. Search Rescue can review why your profile was suspended, correct any guideline issues and help you prepare a reinstatement appeal with the right supporting evidence.
How do I get started?
Request a free local SEO audit through the contact page or call 1300 107 110. The audit reviews your Google Business Profile, reviews, local rankings, business listings and website, and shows what’s needed to compete in your map pack. Learn more about Search Rescue’s SEO services.
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