What's your experience with using Google My Business to improve your local SEO? Share a helpful tip or insight.

The Google Business Profile (GBP) is essential for any local business. It's connected to Google Maps. This is an invaluable tool if you have a local brick-and-mortar business where customers visit your physical location. Your Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) need to be identical on your GBP, as well as your website, social media profiles, and any other local listings you may be in. You must be verified. GBP allows you to include your services and/or products, how you wish to be contacted, and if you book appointments, you can link to your booking system. However, it may be challenging if your business is located inside another business, and you don't have outside signage or a suite number. The original business in that location will own the GBP, and you cannot post to it unless the owner grants you access. Otherwise, Google will consider your listing as a duplicate and won't make it live. That recently happened to a client of mine. She needs to work something out with her landlord or add herself as a health and wellness practitioner. Some big pluses of having a GBP are reviews, pictures, videos, and posting directly to it in updates. Also, make sure your branding is consistent throughout. If you blog regularly, you can set up a tool like Dlvr.it to automatically post to GBP using your RSS feed. If you are a home-based, local business or an ecommerce store, you can still have a GBP. You'll have to submit your physical address and wait to be verified. Just set your profile to not show your home address. All in all, do not ignore your Google Business Profile!

My experience with using Google My Business has been great, and it helps improve my local SEO rankings and increase my clients' business visibility on Google Search and Maps. Here are some of the benefits and tips on optimizing it: Firstly, it helps with confirming that your business is legitimate. The verification process itself signals to Google and users that you're an authentic operation. This foundational trust is crucial. Beyond legitimacy, GMB acts as a powerful information hub, directly feeding Google's Knowledge Panel and Local Pack results. This means potential customers get accurate, up-to-date information like business hours, services offered, your exact location, and contact details instantly, reducing friction and encouraging engagement. We've seen significant increases in calls, website visits, and direction requests directly attributable to well-optimized GMB profiles. For optimizing, my top tip, beyond complete and accurate information (especially NAP - Name, Address, Phone), is to actively manage and leverage the Q&A section and customer reviews. Proactively populate the Q&A with common questions and provide clear, concise answers. This not only helps customers but also allows you to strategically include relevant keywords. When it comes to reviews, encourage happy customers to leave them, and always respond professionally to all reviews, positive or negative. This shows you value customer feedback and are engaged, which Google rewards and potential customers appreciate. Also, consistently use Google Posts to share updates, offers, or news; it keeps your listing fresh and engaging.

Google My Business has been a powerful tool in our local SEO efforts, especially for helping clients stand out in saturated local markets. While the basics like keeping NAP details accurate, uploading photos, and collecting reviews are essential, we go a step further with tactics that most businesses overlook. One unique method we use is treating the Q&A section as an extension of our content strategy. Instead of waiting for potential customers to ask questions, we seed the section with common queries using localised and service-related keywords. For example, for a client offering 24/7 emergency plumbing in Southend, we add a question like "Do you offer emergency plumbing services in Southend at night?" and follow up with a clear, keyword-optimised answer. This not only adds useful information for users but also helps the listing surface for long-tail and voice search queries. It is especially effective for service-based businesses where searchers often ask detailed, location-specific questions. Another underused tip is geotagging images before uploading them to the listing. When we add photos of the office, staff, completed projects, or branded vehicles, we embed GPS coordinates relevant to the business's physical location. This gives Google stronger geographic signals, which can help listings appear more prominently in the local map pack. It is particularly helpful when trying to expand visibility just beyond the immediate area. We also regularly post updates with calls to action, such as special offers or seasonal services, and format these posts in a way that matches trending local search intent. Over time, this consistent optimisation builds authority and engagement with the listing, helping to outperform competitors who let theirs go stale. Combining these small but strategic optimisations with ongoing review management and category targeting has led to measurable gains in impressions, calls, and map actions for many of our local clients. Google My Business is more than just a directory listing. When used proactively, it becomes a high-impact local visibility tool.

Google My Business is an absolute must-have for local SEO. In fact, it's one of the most valuable "backlinks" you can get - and one that Google itself gives a lot of weight to. From my experience, the most important factor isn't just having a profile, but how well it's optimized. The business description, product or service listings, and the general text you include play a huge role in how you rank locally. One tip that always works — even if it's not the prettiest - is what I'd call "reasonable keyword stuffing." In other words: include every relevant service or product keyword directly in your profile, especially in the description and product sections. Do it in a way that still sounds human, but don't hold back. Old-school SEO rules still apply here. If it's not in your Google Business profile, you probably won't rank well for it. Simple as that.

One of the most overlooked advantages in real estate SEO is how prominently Google Business Profiles show up in search results. When someone types in "real estate agent in [city]," they don't see Zillow or Realtor.com first—they see the Google Map Pack. These profiles appear above the organic search results, which means that even if massive platforms like Zillow dominate the regular rankings, your local profile can outrank them visually and functionally. At Real Estate Rankers, we've worked with agents across the U.S. to optimize their Google Business Profiles as part of their overall local SEO strategy, and the results have been dramatic. The number of 5-star reviews and how frequently you receive them can make the difference between showing up in the top 3 or being buried below the fold. We recommend building a post-closing system that automatically asks satisfied clients to leave a review, ideally using language that includes your city and service. For example, "We loved working with [agent name] as our real estate agent in Charleston." Photos also matter more than most realize. Regularly updating your profile with high-quality images of you, your listings, local landmarks, or community events gives Google more visual signals that your business is active and relevant to the area. Make sure your address, phone number, and hours are correct, and use your exact business name as it appears everywhere else online. That consistency supports your authority in Google's local algorithm. If you're a real estate agent who wants to compete locally without relying on paid ads or national platforms, your Google Business Profile is where it starts.

At Machintel, we've seen firsthand how Google My Business (GMB) can significantly enhance local SEO, especially when paired with a structured content and data strategy. For one of our mid-sized clients in the hospitality sector, optimizing their GMB profile—by regularly updating business hours, adding high-quality images, and actively responding to reviews—led to a 38% increase in local search visibility within three months. Our approach goes beyond listing management. We integrate GMB insights with first-party data to tailor hyperlocal content and retarget high-intent users. For example, by analyzing keyword trends from GMB's performance data, we adjusted the client's local content strategy to target "near me" and city-specific searches—boosting their local map pack presence. What stands out is how GMB complements full-funnel marketing when used right. While it's often treated as a checklist item, we treat it as a dynamic local engagement tool—backed by data, media, and AI.

My experience with Google My Business (GMB) has been very positive—especially when it comes to strengthening local visibility in map packs and organic search. The standout benefit: the ability to directly influence how and when a business appears for "near me" or geo-specific search queries. GMB gives businesses a front-row seat on Google's real estate, and when optimized, it consistently drives qualified local traffic with strong intent. A unique tactic that's worked well for us is what I call "Geo-Intent Layering." In place of just stuffing location keywords into the business description or posts, we align every update—photos, Q&A, posts, and even service area selections—with real local user behavior data from Google Search Console and Maps insights. It's hyper-relevant content, published natively on the GMB profile, that's rooted in real local demand. I've learned that CONSISTENCY in review cadence beats volume bursts. Businesses that earn reviews steadily—even if fewer—tend to maintain stronger visibility than those that receive them in sudden spikes.

Google My Business has been a core part of our local SEO strategy, and one of the most effective elements we've consistently leveraged is reviews. We've seen firsthand that businesses with a steady stream of recent, high-quality reviews tend to rank better in the Local Pack, especially in competitive industries like law, healthcare, or home services. One tip that works incredibly well: build a review collection system into your customer journey. For our clients, we identify the key moment when a customer is happiest (for example, right after a legal case closes or a service visit is completed), and that's when we ask for a review. To make it easy, we recommend they use: A direct review link A QR code they can place at their reception or include on invoices Email/SMS templates to follow up with the client We've had clients go from 5 to 50+ reviews in a few months, and the results were clear: better local rankings, more clicks, and most importantly, increased calls from potential customers.

One particularly successful Google My Business optimization involved a family-owned plumbing service that dramatically improved local visibility through strategic post timing and content strategy. The breakthrough came through data-driven post optimization: First, we analyzed their existing GMB performance and discovered that while they maintained accurate business information and collected reviews regularly, their sporadic posting schedule and generic content weren't driving engagement or visibility improvements. Our strategic GMB posting approach included: Implementing weekly posts timed 2-3 hours before peak local search times (identified through Search Console data) Creating service-specific posts highlighting emergency availability during high-demand periods Adding compelling calls-to-action with phone numbers directly in post descriptions Including high-quality before/after photos showing completed work Posting customer success stories with permission, focusing on problem resolution Creating seasonal content addressing common plumbing issues during weather changes The results were remarkable: Local search visibility improved by 73% within 4 months Phone calls directly from GMB increased by 127% Direction requests to their location grew by 84% Average response time to customer inquiries decreased as they appeared more active Overall local ranking improved from position 8 to position 2 for "emergency plumber [city]" My key insight: The most overlooked GMB optimization is strategic post timing combined with service-specific content. While most businesses post randomly or not at all, consistent posting during peak local search hours signals active business engagement to Google's algorithm. The critical tip: Use GMB posts as mini-landing pages for specific services rather than general business updates. Each post should address a specific customer need with clear next steps, essentially creating multiple touchpoints for different service offerings within your GMB profile. This approach transforms GMB from a static directory listing into an active lead generation tool that consistently outperforms competitors with basic optimization.

Back in the early days of AboveApex, we used Google My Business to help build trust and look more legit online. Even though most of our clients were remote, having a verified business profile gave us credibility and helped us show up in local search results for SEO-related terms. That visibility, even on a small scale, made a difference when we were just getting started. We asked a few early clients to leave honest reviews, and that really helped build social proof. Early on, when you haven't built much of an online presence yet, having a proper GMB setup gives potential clients confidence that they're reaching out to a real, active business. It didn't bring in a huge number of leads, but it definitely helped tip the scale in our favor during those first conversations. If you're starting out, don't overlook it—GMB is a simple way to boost your local SEO and makes a big difference in how people perceive you.

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is where I have been generating the majority of leads for my business in the competitive Austin, TX area. I am currently in the top 3 positions for 'digital marketing agency austin' and 'SEO agency austin'. If I have any advice to offer, it's to commit to your campaign and invest in quality tools to achieve the most effective results. Remain consistent in implementing the best strategies, and adopt tools and AI solutions that assist in efficiently maximizing your time on your campaign.

One of the best tips for improving local SEO with Google My Business is to reply to your reviews to show that you're an active business. This will not only show your customers that you're engaged and responsive, but also send signals to search engines with the same thing. You can also include relevant keywords in your review responses, which will provide search engines with additional context about your business and help you show up more in local search.

Google My Business is one of our most important marketing channels as we're a brick and mortar business. If optimised and performing correctly, it can bring you the most valuable leads as users are located close to your shop and queries are commercial (meaning ready to convert). We noticed a significant increase in calls and foot traffic as we reached the map pack for our most important keywords, and vice versa whenever we were losing positions. I definitely recommend business owners to focus on that channel specifically, as it doesn't require too much technical expertise or time to get significant results.

When asking for reviews, don't just send the link in your email. Instead, when reaching out, aim to use prompts to guide clients. So, for example, say, "We'd love it if you left a review. As you know, reviews really matter to small businesses such as ours. Many clients think that we're responsive and deliver a high-quality [insert keyword] service. We'd love to hear about your experience". That way, you're prompting people to develop a full response (e.g. not just click the stars and leave), but also nudging them towards the services that you're aiming to rank for. While not a primary ranking signal, reviews containing relevant keywords can indirectly boost your profile by providing a more comprehensive picture of your business to potential clients and Google's search algorithm.

Here's your expert quote as Dan Taylor: --- One of the most underrated features of Google My Business is the insights dashboard—it gives you real data on how people are discovering your profile, right down to the search queries they're using. For local SEO, that's gold. You can see whether those impressions are turning into website visits, direction requests, or phone calls, which helps you understand what's actually driving engagement. A practical tip: monitor the "Queries used to find your business" section regularly. If you notice people are finding you through unexpected keywords, you can adapt your website content or GMB description to align better with that intent. It's a simple way to make sure your local SEO isn't just visible, but relevant and actionable.

As an SEO professional, I've worked closely with local businesses to turn their underperforming Google Business Profiles into lead-generating machines. One of the most rewarding projects involved a physiotherapy clinic that had no visibility outside of word-of-mouth referrals. When I began optimizing their Google Business Profile, the first priority was accuracy and completeness. We listed every service they provided—each with a keyword-friendly explanation—so Google had no confusion about their offerings. But where we saw the biggest shift was in how we approached content and engagement directly within the profile. Rather than relying solely on generic photos, we asked the team to send behind-the-scenes images of their wellness sessions, community events, and even birthday celebrations at the clinic. These posts created a more relatable brand image and helped us show up in more visual searches. I also implemented a localized posting strategy—weekly updates that mentioned seasonal health concerns (like posture issues during exam season for students) paired with a call-to-action. These weren't just fillers; they were crafted to match what people in that city were searching for at that time. One overlooked feature we used well was the Questions & Answers section. Instead of waiting for potential clients to ask questions, I added pre-written FAQs with clear, helpful responses. For example: "Do you offer weekend appointments?" or "Is parking available on-site?" Each one addressed a concern we knew people had—and since it was published under the business, it built more trust and helped with keyword relevance. Here's a tip: Treat your Google Business Profile like your second website. Don't just update it once and leave it. Add fresh posts, monitor and respond to reviews (even the short ones), and keep service listings updated. Google pays attention to consistency, and users notice care. By consistently nurturing the profile, the clinic began ranking in the local map pack for competitive keywords within four months. More importantly, appointment bookings from "discovery" searches (where people didn't know their name but found them anyway) went up by 61%

If your business relies on local customers and your Google Business Profile isn't fully optimized, you're leaving serious visibility on the table. Think of your Profile as your digital storefront. It's the first impression for people searching in your area. Before they visit your website or walk through the door, they're looking at your GBP. Here's how I recommend taking your local SEO to the next level: 1. Optimize your Profile like a landing page: - Fill out every section with accurate, detailed information- - Write a clear business description that sets you apart - Add products and services so people see exactly what you offer - Keep hours updated — especially around holidays and seasonal changes - Post regular updates about promotions, events, or new offerings - Use video when possible — it stands out and grabs attention - Add high-quality photos and consider using tools like Vision AI to help Google better understand your business 2. Get serious about reviews and reputation: - Build a consistent strategy to request reviews from happy customers - Automate your follow-ups and responses when you can - Respond to reviews — both positive and negative — to show engagement - Fight spam reviews with clear documentation and a plan 3. Treat your Profile like a performance channel: - Use call tracking so you know which calls are coming from GBP - Add UTM parameters to your website links to measure traffic accurately - Monitor metrics like phone calls, direction requests, and profile views - Use your Search breakdown to inform your Q&A and future content 4. Don't ignore your website: - Build complete, unique location pages to rank beyond your immediate area - Make sure your site is fast and mobile-friendly - Use schema markup for multi-location businesses - If competition is strong, create pages hyper-focused on specific services or keywords - Keep content fresh and relevant to avoid slipping in the rankings Local SEO isn't just about ranking higher. It's about showing up where people are already looking and giving them a reason to choose you. Do the basics well. Then go deeper. That's how you win locally.

Unlocking Local SEO Power with Google My Business: It's More Than Just a Listing its your business lifeline Google My Business (GMB) remains one of the most overlooked yet powerful tools for driving real-world traffic — whether you're a physical store, service-based business, or local eCommerce operator. The key? Understand that GMB is not just a directory — it's a search engine within a search engine that prioritizes relevance, proximity, and trust signals. One proven tactic: optimize your reviews for local SEO keywords. Encourage customers to naturally include keywords in their reviews, like for example "[service] in [location]" or "[product] shop near me." Google indexes those terms and uses them to influence your local ranking. But that's just the start. Here's what builds consistent visibility: * Keyword-rich business descriptions tied to actual search intent * Geo-tagged, alt-tagged images showcasing your work or space * Up-to-date service categories and operating hours (fill in everything) * Reviews - Positivity combined with discovery search intents. Consistent posting on GMB like it's a mini social feed — events, promos, product highlights, news and updates. Most brands focus only on one or two of these. But the real impact happens when you stack all the signals. A location-optimized profile + relevant services + SEO-savvy reviews + photo metadata + posts = compounding local authority. And the result? You don't just show up — you outrank competitors and capture ready-to-buy traffic. I use this exact method with my clients, and we've consistently outranked every competitor in their area — often within just 1-2 months. Smart brands use GMB not as a checkbox, but as a strategic growth asset. - Elvijs Plugis Strategic Marketing Consultant | Fractional CMO

My experience with using Google My Business (GMB) for local SEO has been really positive primarily because it puts you on the map. It is the second biggest driver of traffic to our site, behind the homepage, because people nearby look for our services and we appear in the results. From there they can click directly through to our website or call our offices if they want to engage immediately or they can see reviews from people we have worked with if they are still in the research phase. Keeping your profile regularly updated, especially your opening hours, photos, and services ensures you will be looked upon favourably by Google. Google prioritises active and complete profiles in local search results. Even small updates (like adding a new image or responding to a review) can boost your visibility and make your business more appealing to local searchers.

I've used Google My Business (now Google Business Profile) extensively to drive local SEO results for clients—especially in competitive service-based industries like HOA management. It's often one of the highest-ROI tools for local visibility when optimized correctly. One of the most impactful strategies I've implemented is treating the profile like a mini-website. That means fully optimizing every field: writing a compelling business description with keywords, selecting the most accurate and relevant categories (including secondary ones), and adding custom services with descriptions. Most businesses stop after filling in the basics—this is a missed opportunity.