Google Business Profile optimization
Your Google Business Profile is what people see when they find you on Google Maps and in Google Search. We fill it in completely and correctly, by Google's own rules.
What is Google Business Profile optimization?
Your Google Business Profile is your free business listing on Google. It used to be called Google My Business, so you'll also hear "GMB optimization," and some people call it their Google business page or Google business listing. Optimizing it means filling in every part completely and truthfully, keeping it current, and following Google's guidelines for representing your business. (Source: Google's guidelines for representing your business.)
It's the first of the nine basics we fix. It's the record of your business that customers see on Google Maps and in Google Search, and one of the things search and AI tools read about you.
What we do to your profile
- Name: exactly as it appears on your sign, with no extra keywords, towns or taglines.
- Address: a real location where you serve customers. If you go to your customers instead, we hide the address and list the areas you serve.
- Phone and website: a local number you control, and your own website.
- Hours: the hours customers can really reach you, plus holiday and seasonal changes.
- Categories: as few as possible, with the most specific one first.
- Services and description: what you really sell, in plain words.
- Photos: real photos of your place, your work and your team.
- One profile per location: we sort out duplicates instead of adding more.
- Review link: your link for asking customers for reviews, and a text you can send them.
On our monthly plans we keep it current: fixing anything that changes, and on the larger plans, posting updates and adding new photos.
What we never do
- Stuff keywords or town names into your business name.
- List hours you're not really open, or pile on extra categories.
- Buy, fake or trade for reviews.
- Fake searches or clicks on Google Maps.
Those shortcuts break Google's rules, and Google says it can suspend profiles that break its guidelines.
Want to optimize it yourself?
You can. Sign in to your Google Business Profile and work through the list above, one item at a time. If you'd rather know what's missing first, the free Check shows you.
Related guides
Common questions
What is GMB optimization?
GMB stands for Google My Business, the old name for Google Business Profile. GMB optimization and Google Business Profile optimization are the same thing: getting your free Google listing complete, correct and up to date.
How do I optimize my Google Business Profile?
Use your real business name, a real address (or a hidden address with the areas you serve), your local phone and website, your true hours, the fewest and most specific categories, your services, a plain description and real photos. Then ask every customer for a review and keep the profile current.
Should I put keywords in my business name on Google?
No. Google's guidelines say your name must match your real-world name, the one on your storefront, website and paperwork. Adding keywords or towns breaks the rules, and Google can suspend profiles that break its guidelines.
How many categories should I choose?
As few as possible. Google's guidelines say to use as few categories as possible to describe your core business, and not to use categories as keywords.
Does optimizing my Google Business Profile help me show up in AI answers?
It's one of the basics Google and AI tools read about your business, so we fix it first. But AI tools decide their own answers, so no honest company can guarantee you'll be named.
How much does Google Business Profile optimization cost?
The profile itself is free from Google. Fixing it is part of every package we offer. Start with the free Check: call or text (573) 680-3992 and we'll show you what's missing before you pay anything.