Glossary · SEO & Search
Google Business Profile
Overview
What Google Business Profile is
Google Business Profile is Google's free service for local businesses to control their presence across Search and Maps. It replaced the Google My Business brand name in late 2021, though the underlying purpose is the same.
The profile is the panel of information searchers see when they look up your business or a related local service: your name, category, address or service area, hours, phone number, website link, photos, products, and customer reviews with your responses.
How Google Business Profile works
You claim and verify the business, usually by phone, email, video, or postcard, to prove you own it. Once verified, you edit the details, add photos, publish posts and offers, list products or services, and reply to reviews and questions.
Google decides local ranking mainly from relevance, distance, and prominence, so a complete, accurate, and actively managed profile with genuine reviews tends to perform better. You manage everything directly in Search and Maps, and can track calls, direction requests, and website clicks in the performance reports.
Why Google Business Profile matters
For any business that serves customers in a physical location or defined area, the profile is often the first thing people find, and it heavily influences whether they visit, call, or click. Appearing in the three-result map pack can drive significant local traffic.
It is free, so the main investment is time and consistency: keeping hours current, answering reviews, and adding fresh photos. Third-party tools such as BrightLocal, Whitespark, and Local Falcon help you track rankings and manage citations, but the profile itself remains the foundation of local SEO.
Where we use it
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How our team puts Google Business Profile to work in real projects.
FAQ
Google Business Profile — common questions
Is Google Business Profile free?
Yes. Creating, verifying, and managing a Google Business Profile is completely free. Google does not charge to appear in Search or Maps, and you only pay if you separately choose to run Google Ads.
Is Google Business Profile the same as Google My Business?
Yes. Google Business Profile is the current name for what was called Google My Business until Google rebranded it in 2021. The tool and its features carried over under the new name.
How do I rank higher in the local map pack?
Google ranks local results by relevance, distance, and prominence. Complete every profile field, choose accurate categories, earn genuine reviews, add photos, and keep information current to improve your chances.
Need Google Business Profile done right?
Book a free consultation and we’ll map the fastest, most cost-effective path for your project.
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