Google My Places (many small business owners still call it Google My Business) is now simpler to use than before. Plus, you don’t always need a physical storefront address anymore. Before, you had to run a location-based business to qualify for a Google Business Profile (the updated name).
Because of these updates, you can now edit your business profile right from the SERP (Search Engine Results Page) when you’re signed into your Google account.
Still, keep this in mind: the Google My Business mobile app is no longer available. Instead, you’ll manage your business on mobile through the Google Maps app.
In addition, you can also manage your profile directly on Google Search. You’ll still find the same tools and features you relied on before.
Estimated reading time: 26 minutes
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Google My Business (GMB) simplifies managing business profiles, allowing updates directly on Google Search and Maps.
- Home-based businesses can now create profiles without a physical address, facilitating broader participation.
- To optimize GMB, fill out complete business details, add photos, and solicit customer reviews to improve visibility.
- GMB features new attributes, such as health standards and the ability to link social media profiles, enhancing engagement.
- Verification of your GMB listing can happen via phone, text, or video, ensuring proper management access.
Google Listings – Recent Updates You Can Use Now
If you are a home-based business like me, you can now have your own Google My Business Place page without the address shown.
You’re about to learn how to use Google My Business (Google My Business/Places) to help your small business grow, and the best part is it’s free.
Still, don’t expect instant results. Like SEO, it takes time, and you may wait 6 to 12 months to see real traction.
Also, results vary by niche. For example, restaurants often see faster gains than many service-based businesses.
Setting Up Your Google My Business Account
When you have had a business for a few years, your listing is there waiting to be claimed, if you haven’t already. (It could be a brick-and-mortar business or online biz.)
If not, there will be nothing listed in your Google search, then you can go here to claim your page → you can start to claim your business here.
Once you do fill out all the information. Next, after doing that, you will need to VERIFY your Google listing. Google will call you with a code or text you a CODE. Finally, once you input the code, you are all SET and READY to GO!
Google may ask you to take a video of your Business address on the map. Usually, they look for the street sign with your building.
It may take up to 5 days for Google to verify your account and add a checkmark to your listing. What if you find a duplicate listing?
You can try to delete it before claiming a new one. You can find more instructions via Google here.
How to Fill Out Your Info Completely to Optimize
Fill out the hours that you are open to operate your business. I filled mine out to reflect 8 a.m.-6 p.m. so people can call or email during my business’s peak times.
Others may keep it open 24 hours for their digital business. I prefer not to get calls at all hours of the evening, though I oftentimes answer them from clients.
Notice how the phone number below is mobile-ready. It’s a push of a button for clients to call you.
Often, Google will send you emails around the holidays to see if your hours have changed, and they include a link so you can quickly update them. This is a great way to remind you to adjust your hours around the holidays.
However, it’s important to choose categories when filling out your information for Google My Business pages. Be sure to pick the ones you want to be known for, and that makes sense.
Furthermore, your business description is another area to complete thoroughly, with keywords in mind. If you want to be seen as a local business, be sure to add the areas.
How To Add Social Media Profiles To Google Places – New Feature
Now, you can add your social media profiles to your Google Places app. It’s easy to do. Just edit your profile, and you will see it as this screenshot below shows:
The supported social platform links are: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, TikTok, Twitter X, and YouTube.
New Health and Safety Attributes Available
3 years ago, Google introduced new health standards attributes due to COVID-19.
If you have a brick-and-mortar business, you may want to let people know they need to wear a mask or that you will ask for a temperature check upon arrival. Some businesses require an appointment before entering.
These are the things you can still have on your GMB profile in 2026 for any future health issues.
Black-Owned Business
Another attribute is whether your business is black-owned. Searches with terms like “black-owned bookstores,” “black-owned restaurants,” and “black-owned business near me” have soared due to racial inequality being highlighted in the past year.
Do note that this attribute shows up in the shopping search. There is one attribute for women-owned businesses as well.
Restaurants Now May Feature:
- Curbside Pickup
- Dine-In
- or No Contact Delivery.
Online Service Attributes:
- Online Appointments
- Classes Online
- Online Appointment and
- Care Right Online.
Hence, having these attributes selected on your Google My Business will help clients make better decisions before calling or coming to your business.
Adding Other Users for Your Google Business Profile
You can now have other people manage your pages for you. Here at Inspire To Thrive, we do manage pages for small businesses.
There are 3 types of roles for Business Profiles:
- Owners
- Managers
- Site Managers
When owners add users, they share profile management with multiple people but can use different passwords.
Go to your profile online, click the 3 dots as shown below, and select Business Profile Settings.
From there, you go to People and access:
Just add their email address, and they will receive an invite to manage your profile.
Google Groups can’t be added as managers or owners of profiles.
An account manager can:
- Add, edit, and delete locations in the account.
- Transfer ownership of locations to a different business group/business account.
Whereas an account owner can:
- Add and remove business group/business account managers.
- Delete business group/business account.
- Transfer business group/business account ownership.
- Create, manage, and publish posts.
See the complete chart below:
| Capability | Owner | Manager | Site manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Add and remove users |  | ||
| Remove Business Profiles | | ||
| Edit all URLs | | | |
| Accept all Google updates | | | |
| Opt-in or out of Bookings | | | |
| Update certain location settings
| | | |
| Manage Business Profile directly on Search and Maps | | | |
| Manage Google Ads account links | | | |
| Use Messaging | | | |
| Add custom labels to make it easy to find particular groups of locations | | | |
| Edit attributes | | | |
| Food delivery link edit | | | |
Edit some main business info, like hours and | | | |
| Edit phone number | | | |
| Edit services | | | |
| Create, manage, and publish posts | | | |
| Add, delete, and edit cover photos and additional photos | | | |
| Delete, add and edit logos | | | |
| Add, delete, and edit the product | | | |
| Respond to reviews | | | |
| Download insights | | | |
| Respond to Q&A | | |
Still not sure? Check out the GMB support page for further information.
The 5 Ways to Use Your Google My Business
1. Share Your Events
If you are having a special sale, an open house, a workshop, etc., do post it on your Google My Business page so people will see that and have a link where they can register if necessary.
Foremost, make the event posts 100-300 words in length with keywords, of course. You can use AI to help you create the best content to rank with these.
Price reductions and special sales can be used in these event posts for realtors and businesses alike.
There is an appointment setting available right on Google My Business. Make it easy for your clients!
2. Show Pictures and Videos of Your Business
People love seeing behind-the-scenes images of what’s happening at your company. Oftentimes, I tell clients that people LOVE doing business with people, not logos or corporations.
In particular, be sure to use JPEG or PNG images for your business. If you make a video, it has to be 30 seconds or less for Google My Business pages.
Next, be aware that GMB recently reached its maximum video upload size. The old limit was 100MB. The new limit is 75MB.
Here is a Size Guide for images on Google My Business:
- Profile photo. Your profile photo will help your customers recognize your company on Google. The correct size is 250×250 pixels for your Google My Business profile photo. Additionally, there is a spot to add a caption under your profile photo.
- Cover Photo. Showcase your page’s personality. By adding a cover photo, it automatically sets it as your listing’s preferred photo. This action doesn’t guarantee that it will appear as the first image for your business, but it does tell Google you prefer to display this photo. 1080×608 (pixels) is the size you can use for your cover photo.
- Additional Photos. Add different photos to spotlight features of your business that customers consider when making purchasing decisions. 720×540 pixels are recommended for your additional photos. Similarly, this image size is also used when you write your Google My Business posts. (Posts with images do better!)
- Special Photos. 360-degree photos are also available if you can use them. Of course, they would look great on your Google My Places Page.
Make sure your videos meet the following requirements:
- Duration: Up to 30 seconds long
- File size: Up to 75 MB
- Resolution: 720p or higher
Again, having a video will enhance your listing and your ability to get more views. I’ll be working on one myself soon. Besides, with a 30-second max, how hard can it be, right?
3. Share Your Products
Another great feature of Google My Business is the ability to show your products on your business page. As you can see above, I’ve added my eBook on learning how to tweet available on Amazon.
If you have a retail store, this is a great place to showcase your best products and the ones you want to move!
4. How To Write Your Blog Posts On Google My Places Business Page
In fact, Google gives you another place to link your blog posts. Therefore, I choose blog posts that are relevant to my clients to showcase on my business page. Be sure your photos for your blog posts are 720×540 pixels.
You can write a short description of your original blog post with an image and link back to your original blog post. These are called “updates” in Google Places.
This is also the same area you would create your event, special offer, or product offerings. Very easy to do! See the video example below to get started.
Once again, Google will remind you via email if your post is getting old. (A week there is OLD!) I love getting these emails from Google, so I don’t have to think about when I last posted to my Google My Business page.
You can also download their Google Maps app and use it on your mobile device.
5. Generate Reviews and Testimonials from Clients
Recommendations on Google My Business are great for new visitors to see. I’m working on getting some reviews from current and past clients there.
As some would say, you can’t be shy in asking for reviews! If you need tips for emailing clients, check out this guide. (Something I will be doing myself!)
You can watch the video below to quickly find where your review link is located.
Not only does Google show its recommendations, but your Facebook reviews show up there, too!
What Moves the Needle The Most?
Here are some things to focus on to move the needle and get quicker results:
- Primary category (then secondary categories)
- Services and products
- Reviews (volume, quality, recency, responses)
- Photos (volume and freshness)
- Accurate hours and special hours
- Attributes
- Posts (supporting role)
- Website and citations (NAP consistency)
Bonus Tips for Google My Business
You may receive a postcard in the mail from Google offering FREE AdWords with any purchase of equal value. For example, recently I received one for $150 if I spent $150 in AdWords.
Many businesses that use Google AdWords do so to grow their businesses.
If you try to do these AdWords yourself, be sure to use some negative keywords. (If you need help, I know someone who is Google AdWords certified for you.)
Finally, use appropriate keywords in your Google My Business listing. If you are unsure, use a tool like Ubersuggest by the brilliant Neil Patel.
If you want more tips on SEO for your business check out this latest post with a simple SEO checklist!
Special Note For Real Estate Agents
Many real estate agents claim or try to claim their offices on Google My Business. Only the broker/owner is allowed to do this. They now have to approve or reject any incoming requests.
But with the home-based business option available, real estate agents can have their own Google My Business page without an address! (Or, use a PO Box in your local area, of course).
Realtors may also use the company address, but not with the company name in the first area, with their own name.
Getting Verified on GMB is Easy
Once your Google My Business account is verified, you will have the blue checkmark next to your logo.
Make sure your business information on GMB is accurate and that only you, the business owner or manager, have access to it by verifying your business.
Most local businesses verify by mail. Some businesses, like service-area businesses, have other verification options, such as email, video, text message, or Search Console. Who wants to wait on the mail today, right?
Before starting the verification process, create or claim a Google My Business listing. You may see one or several verification types depending on the kind of business listing you manage.
Back in July 2020, Google offered an upgrade to businesses that use Google Ads. From time to time, they offer different packages for their users.
Google is starting to offer an upgraded Business Profile (Google My Business listing) for $50/month that will add the Google Guaranteed badge to the listing and back services the business provides with the Google Guarantee.
You Can Monitor Results on GMB
Consequently, there is some data you can see in your account. For example, you can see how many people called you from Google My Business or visited your website. You can also see how many people view photos, videos, or products.
It’s right in your Google My Business dashboard. You can even access it on your mobile device, making it really easy. (Do note that it has been on Google Maps since July 2022.)
Your Turn: Google My Business
Finally, I’d love to hear from you if you have upgraded to Google My Business. Did you know how to use Google My Business for your small business?
If you need help managing your Google My Business (Places) Inspire To Thrive offers services for that. Contact Lisa today.
FAQ: How to Use Google My Business To Grow Your Small Business
Google My Business is a free tool from Google. It lets you manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps.
Go to the Google My Business website. Click “Start now,” then follow the steps to enter your business details. Verify your business to complete the setup.
GMB boosts your online presence. It helps customers find your business, read reviews, and get essential info like hours and location.
Google will send a text message or a phone call to verify. Some may want a video of your physical location. It can take up to 5 days for them to verify it.
Yes, you can update your business name, address, hours, and more anytime on the GMB dashboard.
Log in to your GMB account. Go to the “Reviews” section and click on a review to respond. Keep responses professional and polite.
You can post updates, offers, events, and product news. Each post can include text, photos, and call-to-action buttons.
In your GMB dashboard, go to the “Photos” tab. Click “Add Photos” and upload images from your computer or phone.
Yes, use the “Insights” tab in your GMB dashboard. It shows data on how customers search for your business and what actions they take.
Yes, GMB is completely free to use. You don’t need to pay to manage your business listing.
Update your profile whenever there’s a change in business hours, address, or services. Posting weekly can also keep your profile fresh.
Yes, you can add multiple locations to your GMB account. Use the “Add location” feature in your dashboard.
Attributes provide additional information about your business, such as “Wheelchair Accessible” or “Wi-Fi Available.” You can set these in your GMB profile.
Fill out all your business details, add high-quality photos, post regular updates, and respond to reviews. This helps improve your search visibility.
Hello Lisa,
Awesome and very helpful post. I have recently listed my Astrology business on Google business and waiting for the verification code. I will definitely implement your tips to improve my business. Thanks for sharing the awesome post.
Regards,
Vishwajeet Kumar
Hi Vishwajeet, what is your Astrology business? I have not seen it yet, sounds interesting. Do give Google My Business time to work for you- it’s like a blog, it takes time but once it works it will help your business grow. Thanks for your input and for coming by. Make it a great day and congratulations on your new business Vishwajeet!
Hi, Google My Business is really helpful source of Marketing its take your business to another level and boost your sales as well
Hi Lehigh HVAC, thanks for your input on this post about GMB, and welcome to Inspire To Thrive. I’d love to know how long you have been using Google My Business?
Hi Lisa,
Thank You for sharing this information about GMB. I have been meaning to add my business to the platform and your article really made the whole process look easier. You literally answered every question that was popping into my mind. Kudos for doing the research and putting up such an informative article. You really know how to help a reader, looking forward to reading more posts from you. Keep these informational blogs coming, your readers will thank you.
Hi John, I’m so glad I was able to help you with your Google My Business. You can also update everything on your mobile device as well now. Thank you for your compliments and I hope you do well with it for your business. Have a great day! Don’t hesitate to ask a question about it as you are doing it if something comes up.
Thanks Lisa!
You have inspired me! I went and added my blog. Just waiting for the mail to verify. They didn’t give the option for phone verification. Much smoother than I have experienced with such things in the past.
Hi Eric, I’m so glad this helped you as well! Many people long forgot about Google My Business as they assumed they still needed a physical address. It has changed quite a bit over the years. I’m sure it will continue to in the future as well. Stay tuned. Thanks for letting us know and have a wonderful day Eric.
Hi Lisa,
I had no idea how to do this until you wrote this post. I went along with it step by step so they are sending me a postcard in the mail. Probably because I didn’t want to put my phone number there. I get too many calls and didn’t want to publish that one.
I have to thank you because this was one of the things I wanted to do and I’ve completed it because of you.
Thanks bunches,
-Donna
I’m so glad to hear that Donna.) Made my day. Google My Business has changed a bit over the years and I just updated this post with their latest updates and such. Just like all the social networks and SEO – things are changing at a rapid pace Donna. I’m glad you were able to do it! You are most welcome. Enjoy the rest of your day.
Hey Lisa.
Great read my friend.
All of these are great actionable strategies that you can start using today. The Sniply is pure genius, didn’t even think about doing that.
The great attention to detail with the images and guides is a big help, hell of an article.
Certainly looking forward to reading more of your work, glad I was able to find you.
Best wishes
Shivanshu
Hi Shivanshu, welcome to Inspire To Thrive. Thank you. I love using Sniply for many things. Thanks for coming by and have a great new day and week ahead.
Thanks, Lisa for sharing this blog post online. I really loved the way you have organized and explained the above points. I’m sure the above tips can easily help to get more recognition online. Not just recognition but it also helps to create authority and build trust. I will definitely be sharing this blog post with my friends. Expecting more such posts in the future…
Hi Abhishek, welcome to Inspire To Thrive. Thank you. Yes, I sure hope it helps others along the way. I’m so glad they changed it for home based businesses now. Thanks for coming by and have a great day.
Hello Lisa,
Awesome post. Google Business now powering hundreds of small business to nurture and grow. It helps businesses to grow and build their business online. This also helps to rank better locally when people search about business in their locality. Great Post.
Regards,
Vishwajeet
Thank you Vishwajeet. It sure is a great way to give your business an edge online. Gave you signed up as well for your Google My Business?
Lisa: I am glad to hear that you now could use Google My Business as a home business owner. Do you know if this is working on an international scale?
Btw: What is a “negative” keyword?
Hi Martin, I believe it is. And here’s a great explanation of a negative keyword: When selecting negative keywords for search campaigns, look for search terms that are similar to your keywords, but might cater to customers searching for a different product. For example, let’s say you’re an optometrist who sells eyeglasses. In this case, you may want to add negative keywords for search terms like “wine glasses” and “drinking glasses.”
I used to manage a nursing scrub website and I had to use negative keywords for things like soap scrubs and other meanings of the words scrubs and uniforms. I hope that clarified it for you. Thanks for coming by here Martin and have a great weekend.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for telling us about this. I started creating an account last year. The only downside GMB is that it doesn’t take P.O. Box addresses. I added my address but I’m nervous about it so I haven’t completed my listing…it’s just sitting there.
But I noticed on your listing it just shows the city and state you’re in. Does that mean our address won’t show or is there a feature to turn that off?
I do love that we can share our products and videos about our business..that is definitely a plus. Still, the address thing is in the back of my mind.
Thanks Lisa – this is great stuff to hold on to!
Cori
Hi Cori, I’d go back and delete your address. I didn’t add mine – You have an option not to show it for a home based business. That’s what got me so excited to use it! It’s great for the products and events. If you have a special offer, etc. you can use the event feature. I was thinking of a special for February for one week and using an event to do it with. Maybe a free one-hour consult type of offer.
Thanks for coming by Cori and I hope you are able to get yours up with no address – let me know how you make out with it. Have a great day.