What should your Google Business Profile include?
Use real business details to help nearby customers check your location, hours and contact options.
A Google Business Profile displays information such as your name, category and hours in Google Search and Maps. It is separate from your website, and not every business is eligible.
The basics to remember
- Check eligibility first and keep the business in control of the account. Generally, a business should make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours. An online-only business should not invent a physical location.
- Use the actual business name and an accurate category. Do not add service keywords or city names that are not part of the real name.
- Follow the address rules for a location customers visit. For a business that visits customers, configure the actual service area. Keep hours, phone numbers and the website address current.
See Google: Guidelines for representing your business and Google: Local ranking .
Walk through an example
| Check | Before (hypothetical) | After or appropriate action |
|---|---|---|
| Business name | Filled with service keywords | Use the real name |
| Hours | Normal hours shown on a holiday | Set accurate special hours |
| Website link | An outdated address | Update it to the correct address |
Suppose a repair business only visits customers and does not receive them on site. Configure its service area and address visibility under Google’s rules instead of presenting a virtual office as a shop customers can visit.
Common misunderstandings
Verification confirms your right to manage the profile. It is not quality certification or a ranking guarantee. Changes to the business still require updates.
Read next
- How do reviews and business details support local visibility?
- Search and discovery: all modules
- SiteMonk technical SEO standards
Official sources checked on October 2, 2026. Tables and scenarios are illustrative, not real business results.