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Your Business Profile questions, answered

Business Profile FAQs

What’s a Business Profile?

Your Business Profile is a free tool that allows you to take charge of the way your business appears on Google Search and Maps. With your Business Profile, you can connect with customers, post updates, list your products and services, accept online orders and more.

Learn more about how Google sources information about your business

Is a Business Profile on Google free?

Yes, it‘s free to create your Business Profile on Google. Create your profile at no cost, and you can manage your business from Google Search and Maps to start reaching more customers.

Do I need to download an app to create and manage my profile?

You can use the Google Maps app to manage your Business Profile on your mobile device. On your desktop, you can manage directly from Google Search in the browser.

Learn more about updating your profile from Search and Maps

My business doesn’t have a shopfront. Can I still have a Business Profile?

Yes, you can have a profile if your business doesn’t have a physical address as long as you make in-person contact with customers. You can also have a profile if you’re a hybrid business that serves customers at your business address and visits or delivers directly to customers. You may also have a profile if you’re a service-area business that visits or delivers to customers directly, but doesn’t serve customers at its business address, like a plumber or cleaning service.

Learn how to claim and verify your profile if you’re a service-area business

Should I create a Business Profile if I already have a website?

Yes, your free Business Profile complements your website by adding more visibility to your current business website on Google Search and Google Maps.

How do I verify my business?

Most businesses verify ownership via phone, SMS or requesting and receiving a postcard to your address from Google.

Learn more about verifying your business

Why do I need to verify my business?

Verification allows us to confirm that you are the rightful owner of the business, so that you have permission to manage your Business Profile. Your security is important to us and we don’t want anyone else but you or your approved managers making updates to your profile.

I have a physical shopfront but I also offer online services. How do I show this on my profile?

You can show that you offer both in-person and online services on your Business Profile using attributes.

Learn more about showing your online services

Can I respond to customer reviews on my Business Profile?

Yes, you can respond to reviews when you’re signed into your account. When you reply to a review, your response appears below your customer’s review on Google Search and Maps under the label ‘Response from the owner’.

Learn more about responding to reviews

Can I set hours on my profile for specific services?

Yes. If your business provides specific services with different times (e.g. senior hours, delivery, takeaway) you can set ‘More hours’ instead of special hours.

Learn how to set More hours

How do I add and edit my business attributes to show the services that I offer, like delivery or pickup?

Use attributes to let customers know which services you offer, like ‘Dine-in’ or ‘kerbside pickup’. You can also indicate safety precautions that your business has implemented, like ‘Mask required’, ‘Staff gets temperature checks’ or ‘Surfaces disinfected between visits’. Learn how to add or edit your business attributes.

Learn more about editing attributes

How do I update my menu?

Update your menu when you’ve changed what dishes you serve, or if you have special offerings or deals to attract customers. To update your menu, sign into your Business Profile. In the menu on the left, click Info > Menu. Then, edit or add items.

Learn more more about updating your menu

How do I show what products I have in-store?

You can use Pointy from Google. Pointy connects to select point of sale systems and automatically adds your in-store inventory to your Business Profile on Google.

Learn more about Pointy

How do I update my Business Profile?

You can now update your Business Profile directly from Google Search and Maps. To start, sign in with the Google account used to verify your business. On Google Maps, tap your profile picture on the top right corner of the mobile app and select ‘Your Business Profile’ to access these tools. On Google Search, look up your business by name or search ‘my business’ to update your profile.

Learn more about updating your profile from Search and Maps

What’s the difference between a Business Profile and Google Places for Business, Google Business Profile, Google Listings, Google+ Business Pages?

Business Profiles have replaced Google Places for Business, Google Listings and Google+ Business Pages.

Does Google have featured partners that help manage Business Profiles?

Yes. Our featured Partners Program highlights partners who provide valuable services to the broader Google Business Profile merchant community.

Learn more about our featured partners

What other tools does Google have to help small business owners grow?

From offering tailored advice to improving your workflow, we provide tools to help businesses of all kinds thrive and grow.

Discover more tools

How else can I reach more customers?

You can use Google Ads to reach more customers. Google Ads drives people to your business, no matter what you sell.

Learn more about using Google Ads