GBPly - Google Business Profile management software
    Examples, templates and checklist · Updated November 2026

    Best Google Business Profile Examples, and What Makes Them Work

    There's no single "best" Google Business Profile, because every business is different. But the best ones all do the same things: the right categories, every service they offer, real photos, accurate hours, steady reviews with thoughtful replies, and regular posts. Here are four annotated examples, field-by-field templates and a checklist, all built on Google's own guidance.

    By the GBPly team · Sources: Google Business Profile Help and Google's 2026 Business Profile Best Practices Playbook

    Bakery counter with sourdough loaves and morning bunsBaker shaping sourdough on a floured bench
    Illustrative example. Little Fig Bakehouse is a fictional business with illustrative photos.

    What does a great Google Business Profile look like?

    A great Google Business Profile is complete, accurate and kept active. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence, and that businesses with complete and accurate information are more likely to show up in local search results. In practice, the best profiles share these traits:

    • Real business name, no keywords added
    • The most specific accurate primary category
    • Additional categories for real departments
    • Every service and product from the website
    • A clear 750-character description
    • Regular, special and holiday hours
    • Every attribute that genuinely applies
    • Real photos, added every month
    • Posts at least once a week
    • New reviews, and a reply to every one

    Google-confirmed — Google — Tips to improve your local ranking on Google (opens in a new tab)

    Google's official local ranking factors

    What 'best' means to Google: relevance, distance and prominence

    Google's help page on local ranking says results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence (its summary line now calls the third one "popularity"). Google keeps the detail of its ranking systems confidential and says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking. What you can do is give it complete, accurate information and a profile people trust.

    Relevance

    What Google says

    How well a Business Profile matches what someone is searching for. Google says complete, detailed business information helps it match you to relevant searches.

    What you control

    • Primary and additional categories
    • Services, products and menus
    • Business description
    • Attributes
    • A website that backs up the profile

    Distance

    What Google says

    How far each business is from the person searching, or from the place named in the search. If someone doesn't share their location, Google uses what it knows about it.

    What you control

    • An exact address and map pin
    • Service areas, if you travel to customers
    • Real, staffed extra locations, if you have them

    You can't move closer to every customer, but you can make sure Google knows exactly where you are and where you work.

    Prominence

    What Google says

    How well known a business is. Google says this is based on information like how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have, and that more reviews and positive ratings can help.

    What you control

    • A steady flow of new reviews
    • Replies to every review
    • Links and mentions from local websites
    • Consistent details across directories

    And one more thing that matters: turning views into customers

    Ranking only gets you seen. Hours, photos, posts, booking buttons and review replies decide whether someone calls you or the next result. Throughout this guide, these are tagged Conversion. They're our recommendation, based on what Google says helps customers, not confirmed ranking factors.

    RelevanceDistanceProminenceConversion

    Google-confirmed — Google — Tips to improve your local ranking on Google (opens in a new tab)

    How we source and qualify what Google says

    Annotated examples

    4 Google Business Profile examples to learn from

    Four fictional businesses, set up the way the strongest real profiles in their categories are. Each one shows a different type of business, because the right setup for a café is different from the right setup for a plumber. The numbers on each profile match its numbered notes.

    Example 1 · Storefront

    Bakery and café: Little Fig Bakehouse

    Bakery counter with sourdough loaves and morning buns
    Baker shaping sourdough on a floured bench
    186 photos
    Note 3

    Little Fig Bakehouse

    Note 1
    4.8(412)Bakery

    Also listed as: Cafe · Coffee shop · Cake shop · Wedding bakery

    Note 2

    Open · Closes 4 pm

    DirectionsCallWebsiteOrder

    Address

    14 Linden Row, Bishopston, Bristol

    Mon–Fri 7:30 am–4 pm · Sat–Sun 8 am–3 pm

    Bank holiday Monday: 9 am–1 pm (special hours set)

    Note 4

    0117 496 0142

    littlefigbakehouse.example

    From the business

    Little Fig Bakehouse is an independent bakery and café in Bishopston, Bristol, baking naturally leavened sourdough, morning buns and seasonal pastries from scratch every day. Sit in with coffee from a local roaster and a slice of cake, or order a celebration or wedding cake made to your design, with vegan and gluten-free options. We started as a market stall in 2016 and still use British-grown heritage wheat in our loaves, fermented slowly so they keep for days. You'll find step-free access, a sunny terrace with outdoor seating, and dogs are always welcome outside.

    571 / 750 characters

    Menu highlights

    • Sourdough loaves

      Country white, seeded rye and heritage spelt, baked daily

    • Morning buns

      Laminated dough, orange zest and cardamom sugar

    • Celebration cakes

      Made to order with two days' notice

    • Wedding cakes

      Tastings by appointment

    • + 22 more

    Attributes

    Note 5

    Service options

    ✓ Dine-in✓ Takeaway✓ Outdoor seating

    Accessibility

    ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance✓ Wheelchair-accessible toilet

    Amenities

    ✓ Free Wi-Fi✓ Good for kids✓ Dogs allowed

    Offerings

    ✓ Vegan options✓ Coffee

    Payments

    ✓ Contactless payments✓ Debit cards

    Latest update

    Note 6
    Event2 days ago

    Sourdough for beginners: Saturday class

    Learn to mix, shape and bake your own sourdough loaf with our head baker. Two hours, all ingredients included, and you take home your loaf and a jar of our starter. Saturday 22 November, 9 to 11 am.

    Book

    Reviews

    Note 7

    Hannah R.

    1 week ago

    Best sourdough in Bristol, and the morning buns are dangerous. Ordered a birthday cake for my daughter and it was exactly what we asked for. Lovely staff, and they let us shelter with the dog on a rainy day.

    Response from the owner · 6 days ago

    Thank you for such a lovely review. We're so glad the birthday cake was a hit, and the dog is welcome any time it rains. See you on the next wet Saturday. Sam at Little Fig

    Illustrative example. Little Fig Bakehouse is a fictional business shown with illustrative photos; use real photos on your own profile.

    Why this profile works

    1. 1

      The real name, nothing added

      Relevance

      Exactly what's on the shop sign. No "Best Sourdough Bristol" tacked on, which Google's guidelines forbid and which can get a profile suspended.

    2. 2

      A specific primary category, plus real extras

      Relevance

      Bakery is the main business. Cafe, Coffee shop, Cake shop and Wedding bakery each describe something it genuinely sells, so it can be shown for all of those searches.

    3. 3

      Photos that answer "what's it like?"

      Conversion

      186 real photos: the counter, the team at work, cakes, the terrace and the step-free entrance, with new ones added every month.

    4. 4

      Holiday hours set before the holiday

      Conversion

      Special hours for the bank holiday stop people turning up to a locked door, which is one of the fastest ways to earn a one-star review.

    5. 5

      Attributes that match how people search

      Relevance

      Outdoor seating, dogs allowed, vegan options and step-free access are things people actively search for and filter by.

    6. 6

      An event post with a date and a button

      Conversion

      A real reason to visit this week, with the date in the post and a booking button, instead of a vague "come and see us".

    7. 7

      Replies that sound like a person

      Prominence

      Specific, warm and signed by someone who works there. Every review gets an answer, good or bad.

    What it could still improve

    Most menu items have no description yet. Adding short, plain descriptions gives customers and Google more detail about what's actually on offer.

    Example 2 · Service-area business

    Plumbing and heating: Northside Plumbing & Heating

    Heating engineer servicing a combi boiler in a kitchen
    Finished bathroom installation with a walk-in shower
    94 photos
    Note 6

    Northside Plumbing & Heating

    4.9(238)Plumber

    Also listed as: Heating contractor · Gas engineer · Drainage service

    Note 2

    Open · Closes 6 pm

    CallWebsiteBookChat
    Note 7

    Service area

    Serves Leeds and 14 nearby areas

    LeedsHorsforthHeadingleyRoundhayOtleyPudseyGarforthMorley
    Note 1

    Mon–Fri 7:30 am–6 pm · Sat 8 am–1 pm

    Boxing Day: Closed (special hours set)

    0113 496 0999

    northsideplumbing.example

    From the business

    Note 4

    Northside Plumbing & Heating is a family-run plumbing and heating company serving homes and landlords across north Leeds, including Horsforth, Headingley, Roundhay and Otley. Our Gas Safe registered engineers repair, service and install combi and system boilers, fix leaks and blocked drains, and fit new bathrooms from first design to final tile. Landlords rely on us for gas safety certificates and planned maintenance across their properties. We've worked in Leeds since 2009, we explain your options before any work starts, and every boiler we install comes with a written warranty. Book a visit online, or call us for urgent repairs.

    638 / 750 characters

    Services

    Note 3
    • Emergency plumbing

      Leaks, burst pipes and no hot water, same-day where possible

    • Boiler repair

      Combi and system boilers, all major makes

    • Annual boiler service

      Full safety check, flue test and service record

    • Landlord gas safety certificate

      CP12 certificates and reminders before they expire

    • Bathroom installation

      Design, plumbing, tiling and finishing

    • Blocked drains

      Sinks, toilets and outside drains cleared

    • + 8 more

    Attributes

    Service options

    ✓ Onsite services✓ Online appointments✓ Online estimates

    Payments

    ✓ Credit cards✓ Contactless payments

    Latest update

    Offer4 days ago

    Free radiator check with every boiler service

    Get your boiler ready before the cold weather sets in. Book an annual boiler service before 30 November and our engineer will bleed and balance your radiators and check your thermostat at no extra cost while they're with you.

    Book

    Reviews

    Note 5

    David K.

    3 weeks ago

    Boiler packed in on a Sunday night. Northside had an engineer with us in Horsforth by 9 the next morning, found the fault quickly and explained everything. Fair price, and they cleaned up after themselves.

    Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago

    Thanks for taking the time to write this. No heating on a cold Monday morning is no fun, so we're glad Chris had it running again quickly. If anything else comes up, you know where we are. Emma at Northside

    Illustrative example. Northside Plumbing & Heating is a fictional business shown with illustrative photos; use real photos on your own profile.

    Why this profile works

    1. 1

      Address hidden, service area set properly

      Distance

      The team works from home, so the address is cleared and 15 named areas are listed instead, all well inside Google's guide of about two hours' drive from base.

    2. 2

      One clear primary, three genuine extras

      Relevance

      Plumber first, then Heating contractor, Gas engineer and Drainage service for the other work it really does. No categories for jobs it doesn't take on.

    3. 3

      Every service from the website

      Relevance

      14 services, starting with the ones Google suggests for plumbers, then custom ones, each with a one-line description. Nothing on the website is missing from the profile.

    4. 4

      A description that says what, where and why

      Relevance

      Names the areas and the main jobs in the first two sentences, then gives reasons to trust them. No prices, no links, no keyword list.

    5. 5

      Reviews that mention the job and the town

      Prominence

      Asked for straight after every job, so reviews naturally describe the work and the area. Never scripted, and never only asked of happy customers.

    6. 6

      Real jobs, not stock photos

      Conversion

      Engineers at work, finished bathrooms and the van customers will see on their drive. Real photos build trust before the first call.

    7. 7

      More than one way to get in touch

      Conversion

      Call for emergencies, book online for planned work, or send a message, so nobody has to wait for office hours.

    What it could still improve

    No new photos in the last six weeks. A monthly habit of adding finished-job photos keeps the profile looking active and current.

    Example 3 · Professional practice

    Family dentist: Brightwater Family Dental

    Bright dental practice reception and waiting area
    Dentist and dental nurse talking with a patient before a checkup
    71 photos
    Note 7

    Brightwater Family Dental

    4.9(627)Dentist

    Also listed as: Cosmetic dentist · Emergency dental service · Pediatric dentist

    Note 1

    Open · Closes 6 PM

    Book onlineCallDirectionsWebsite
    Note 4

    Address

    2250 Aspen Grove Blvd, Suite 200, Denver, CO

    Mon–Thu 7 AM–6 PM · Fri 7 AM–2 PM

    Thanksgiving Day: Closed (special hours set)

    Note 6

    (303) 555-0187

    brightwaterdental.example

    From the business

    Brightwater Family Dental is a general and family dental practice in Denver's Cherry Creek neighborhood, caring for patients of every age from their very first baby teeth onward. Our dentists provide checkups and cleanings, children's dentistry, fillings, crowns, dental implants, clear aligners and professional teeth whitening, and we keep time open every weekday for same-day emergency appointments. Nervous about the dentist? We offer sedation options and take the time to explain each step before any treatment begins. The office has step-free access, on-site parking and early appointments every weekday. New patients are always welcome, and you can request a visit online.

    679 / 750 characters

    Services

    Note 2
    • New patient exam and cleaning

      Full checkup, X-rays and a clear treatment plan

    • Children's dentistry

      Gentle first visits, sealants and fluoride

    • Same-day emergency appointments

      Toothache, chipped or knocked-out teeth

    • Dental implants

      Single teeth to full arches, planned in-house

    • Clear aligners

      Straighten teeth without metal braces

    • Teeth whitening

      In-office and take-home options

    • + 12 more

    Attributes

    Note 3

    Accessibility

    ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance✓ Wheelchair-accessible parking lot✓ Wheelchair-accessible restroom

    Planning

    ✓ Appointment required✓ Online appointments

    Crowd

    ✓ LGBTQ+ friendly

    Amenities

    ✓ Restroom✓ Free Wi-Fi

    Latest update

    Update1 week ago

    Winter break checkups for kids

    School's out soon, which makes winter break a great time for your child's checkup and cleaning. Our children's team keeps visits short and friendly, and early appointments mean you can be done before the day gets busy.

    Book

    Reviews

    Note 5

    Maria G.

    2 weeks ago

    I avoided the dentist for years and Brightwater made it easy. They explained everything, nothing was rushed, and my kids actually like coming here now.

    Response from the owner · 2 weeks ago

    Thank you for taking the time to share this. We really appreciate it, and it means a lot to the whole team to hear that the family feels at home with us. The Brightwater team

    Illustrative example. Brightwater Family Dental is a fictional business shown with illustrative photos; use real photos on your own profile.

    Why this profile works

    1. 1

      Specialties as categories, treatments as services

      Relevance

      Cosmetic, emergency and pediatric care are real parts of the practice, so they're categories. Individual treatments go in the services list instead of becoming a category each.

    2. 2

      Treatments in plain English

      Relevance

      18 services, each with a short description a nervous patient can understand, matching the treatment pages on the practice website.

    3. 3

      Answers the questions people hesitate to ask

      Conversion

      Step-free access, accessible parking and LGBTQ+ friendly are shown before anyone has to call and ask.

    4. 4

      Booking straight from the profile

      Conversion

      A booking link means someone searching late at night can request a visit without waiting to phone.

    5. 5

      Privacy-safe replies to every review

      Prominence

      627 reviews from asking every patient after their visit. Replies thank people warmly but never confirm someone is a patient or mention treatment.

    6. 6

      Early hours and holiday hours

      Conversion

      7 AM openings are a real reason to choose this practice, and holiday closures are set in advance.

    7. 7

      Photos that calm nerves

      Conversion

      The reception, treatment rooms and the team, so patients know what to expect before they walk in.

    What it could still improve

    Some dentists also have their own practitioner profiles. Their names, hours and booking links should match the practice profile exactly.

    Example 4 · Hybrid business

    Auto repair: Ridgeline Auto Care

    Auto repair shop exterior with three open service bays
    Technician inspecting brakes on a car raised on a lift
    128 photos
    Note 6

    Ridgeline Auto Care

    4.8(353)Auto repair shop

    Also listed as: Brake shop · Oil change service · Tire shop · Auto air conditioning service

    Note 2

    Open · Closes 6 PM

    DirectionsCallBookWebsite

    Address and service area

    3150 Cleveland Ave, Columbus, OH · Mobile service in 6 areas

    ColumbusWestervilleWorthingtonGahannaDublinUpper Arlington
    Note 1

    Mon–Fri 7:30 AM–6 PM · Sat 8 AM–2 PM

    Thanksgiving Day: Closed (special hours set)

    (614) 555-0136

    ridgelineautocare.example

    From the business

    Note 7

    Ridgeline Auto Care is an independent, veteran-owned auto repair shop in north Columbus, servicing cars, SUVs and light trucks of every make. Our ASE-certified technicians handle brakes, oil changes, check engine diagnostics, tires, suspension, and heating and air conditioning repairs in our three-bay shop. Can't get to us? Our mobile service van comes to homes and workplaces across Columbus, Westerville, Worthington and Gahanna for battery replacement, diagnostics and routine maintenance. We show you the problem before we fix it, explain your options in plain English, and back our repairs with a written warranty. Wait in comfort with free Wi-Fi.

    654 / 750 characters

    Services

    Note 3
    • Brake repair

      Pads, rotors, calipers and brake fluid

    • Check engine light diagnostics

      Computer scan and a clear written report

    • Oil change

      Conventional and synthetic, all makes

    • Tire replacement and rotation

      Fitting, balancing and alignment checks

    • Mobile battery replacement

      We come to your home or workplace

    • AC repair and recharge

      Leak checks and recharge for every refrigerant type

    • + 15 more

    Attributes

    Note 4

    From the business

    ✓ Identifies as veteran-owned

    Service options

    ✓ Onsite services

    Accessibility

    ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance✓ Wheelchair-accessible restroom

    Amenities

    ✓ Free Wi-Fi✓ Restroom

    Payments

    ✓ Credit cards✓ NFC mobile payments

    Latest update

    Update5 days ago

    Is your car ready for winter?

    Cold mornings are hard on batteries and tires. Our winter check tests your battery, tires, wipers and antifreeze in about 20 minutes. Drop by the shop, or book the mobile van to come to you.

    Learn more

    Reviews

    Note 5

    James T.

    1 month ago

    Fair price on new brakes and the car drives great, but it was ready a few hours later than they quoted.

    Response from the owner · 1 month ago

    Thanks for the honest feedback. You're right, your car was ready later than we promised. A part arrived late and we should have called you sooner. We've changed how we update customers when parts are delayed, and we're glad the brakes feel good. Mike at Ridgeline

    Illustrative example. Ridgeline Auto Care is a fictional business shown with illustrative photos; use real photos on your own profile.

    Why this profile works

    1. 1

      A staffed shop and a service area

      Distance

      Customers visit the shop during opening hours, and the mobile van covers six named areas, so the profile shows both, as Google allows for hybrid businesses.

    2. 2

      Categories for each real department

      Relevance

      Auto repair shop is the core. Brakes, oil changes, tires and air conditioning are all done in-house, so each earns a category.

    3. 3

      Shop and mobile services both listed

      Relevance

      21 services, including the ones only the mobile van offers, so people searching for help at home can find them too.

    4. 4

      Identity and comfort details

      Relevance

      Veteran-owned, free Wi-Fi and accessible restrooms help people choose between shops that look alike on the map.

    5. 5

      An honest reply to a 4-star review

      Prominence

      Owns the mistake, explains what changed and thanks the customer. People reading it see a business that listens.

    6. 6

      An exterior photo people will recognise

      Conversion

      The front of the building makes the shop easy to spot from the road, and the bay photos show a clean, organised workshop.

    7. 7

      Trust signals in the description

      Relevance

      ASE-certified technicians, a written warranty and "we show you the problem first" answer the biggest worry people have about garages.

    What it could still improve

    The tire and battery brands the shop stocks aren't listed as products yet. Adding them lets people check what's available before they call.

    Field by field

    The anatomy of the best Google Business Profiles

    Every field the strongest profiles fill in, what they do with it, and an example. Use it as a template for your own profile.
    Business nameRelevance
    Your real-world name, exactly as it appears on your sign, website and paperwork. Nothing added.
    Example: Northside Plumbing & Heating, not "Northside Plumbing Leeds 24/7 Emergency Plumber".
    Primary categoryRelevance
    The most specific category that describes what you mainly are. Google's own example: choose Nail salon rather than Salon. Categories guide
    Example: Bakery for a bakery that also serves coffee, not Restaurant.
    Additional categoriesRelevance
    Up to nine more for real departments or lines of business. Not one for every product or service.
    Example: Cafe, Coffee shop, Cake shop, Wedding bakery.
    Business descriptionRelevance
    Up to 750 characters on what you do, where, for whom, and why people choose you. No links, prices or promotions.
    Example: See the six description examples below.
    Address or service areaDistance
    An exact address with permanent signage if customers visit you. Hide it and list up to 20 service areas if you go to them.
    Example: Serves Leeds and 14 nearby areas, address hidden.
    Opening hoursConversion
    Regular hours, special hours for every holiday, and more hours (such as delivery, pickup or online service hours) where they differ.
    Example: Bank holiday Monday: 9 am–1 pm, set two weeks ahead.
    Phone numberConversion
    A local number that reaches this location and that you control. Not a call centre or a number that redirects elsewhere.
    Example: The direct line for the branch, answered by the team.
    Website linkConversion
    The page for this location. Add tracking parameters so you can see visits from your profile in your analytics.
    Example: The Leeds page, tagged as coming from Google Business Profile.
    ServicesRelevance
    Every service you offer, starting with Google's suggestions for your category, then custom services, each with a short description.
    Example: 14 services, from Emergency plumbing to Blocked drains.
    Products and menusRelevance
    Your main products, menu items or stock with photos, descriptions and prices where they apply.
    Example: Sourdough loaves, morning buns, celebration cakes.
    AttributesRelevance
    Every attribute that's genuinely true: accessibility, amenities, service options, payments, and identity attributes where they're offered.
    Example: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Free Wi-Fi, Outdoor seating.
    Photos and videosConversion
    Logo, cover, exterior, interior, team, work and products. Real, well lit and unfiltered, with new photos added regularly. Photos guide
    Example: 186 photos, refreshed every month.
    PostsConversion
    At least weekly, mixing Updates, Offers and Events, each with an image, the details and a button. Posts guide
    Example: "Sourdough for beginners" event with a date and a Book button.
    ReviewsProminence
    A steady flow of new reviews from asking every customer, right after the job or visit. No incentives and no filtering. Reviews guide
    Example: 238 reviews, with new ones every week.
    Review repliesProminence
    A reply to every review, good or bad, that's specific, human and privacy-safe.
    Example: See the reply examples below.
    Bookings, orders and chatConversion
    Booking or ordering links (or a booking partner), plus WhatsApp or text chat if you can answer messages quickly.
    Example: Book online, Order, and Chat buttons.
    Social profilesProminence
    Links to the social profiles you actually keep up to date, so people can see more of your work.
    Example: Instagram and Facebook links on the profile.
    VerificationProminence
    A verified profile. Google says verification makes a business more likely to show up in search results.
    Example: Verified, with edits going live as expected.
    Common questionsConversion
    Public Q&A no longer appears on managed profiles, so answer common questions in your description, services, posts and website FAQ instead. Q&A guide
    Example: "Do you do same-day repairs?" answered in a post and on the website.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Guidelines for representing your business on Google (opens in a new tab)

    Relevance

    The biggest gap in most profiles: categories and services that match the website

    Categories and services are the parts of relevance you control most directly, and they're where most profiles fall shortest. A business sets them once during sign-up, then adds services to its website for years without ever telling Google.

    1. Choose categories like Google asks you to

    Google says the categories you select affect your local ranking. Choose the most specific primary category that describes what you mainly are (Google's example is Nail salon rather than Salon), then add additional categories for real departments or lines of business. You can have up to 10 in total. Don't add a category for every product or service, and leave out separately owned businesses inside yours; they need their own profiles.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Manage your business category (opens in a new tab)

    2. Build your services list from your website

    Open your website and list every service page, product line and treatment. Then add them to your profile: start with the services Google suggests for your category, add custom services for the rest, group them into categories and give each one a short description. Google says when someone searches for an offering you provide, that service may be highlighted on your profile. Keep prices, phone numbers and anything unprofessional out of custom service names, or Google will reject them.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Add or edit your services (opens in a new tab)

    3. Check it again whenever the business changes

    New service on the website? New treatment, new menu, new van? The profile needs it too. This is the step most businesses, and many agencies, miss.

    1 in 3

    customers check a business's offerings before visiting, according to Google's 2026 playbook.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Best Practices Playbook (2026) (opens in a new tab)

    10

    categories allowed per profile: one primary and up to nine additional.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Best Practices Playbook (2026) (opens in a new tab)

    Sources for services, products and attributes
    Website vs profileExample data
    Found on the websiteWebsiteProfile
    • Boiler repair
    • Annual boiler service
    • Landlord gas safety certificates
    • Bathroom installation
    • Power flushing
    • Blocked drains
    • Saturday hours 8 am–1 pm

    4 things customers can see on the website that Google can't see on the profile.

    Before

    1 category · 3 services, no descriptions

    Categories

    Plumber

    Services

    • Boiler repair
    • Annual boiler service
    • Blocked drains

    After

    4 categories · 14 services with descriptions

    Categories

    PlumberHeating contractorGas engineerDrainage service

    Services

    • Emergency plumbing
    • Boiler repair
    • Boiler installation
    • Annual boiler service
    • Landlord gas safety certificate
    • Leak detection and repair
    • Bathroom installation
    • Radiator installation
    • Blocked drains
    • Power flushing
    • + 4 more

    Examples use the fictional Northside Plumbing & Heating.

    How GBPly helps

    Ask the Expert compares your website with your profile for you

    GBP Expert's Ask the Expert reads your website, lists the services, products, hours and areas it finds, and shows which ones your Google profile is missing. It suggests extra categories, checks your name for keyword stuffing, and you apply each fix to Google in one click. Agencies use it to catch the new service a client launched without telling them.

    See GBP Expert

    Templates you can adapt

    Google Business Profile description examples

    Your description gets up to 750 characters. The best ones follow the same pattern: what you are and where in the first sentence, then your main services, who you serve, and the reasons people choose you.

    Part 1

    Who and where

    Your name, what you are and the area, in plain English.

    Part 2

    What you offer

    Your main services or products, in the words customers use.

    Part 3

    Why you

    Years trading, specialities, guarantees, accessibility, languages.

    Part 4

    What to do next

    Book, visit or get in touch, without a phone number or link.

    Before: breaks Google's rules

    BEST plumber in Leeds!!! Boilers fitted from £1,499 and 20% OFF all services this month only. Visit www.northsideplumbing.example or call 0113 496 0999 now. Plumber Leeds, boiler repair Leeds, emergency plumber Leeds, cheap plumber Leeds, best plumber Leeds.

    • Prices and promotions, which Google's description guidelines don't allow
    • A website link, and links of any kind aren't allowed in a description
    • A phone number that's already on the profile
    • Repeated keywords that read as spam to customers
    • Capitals and exclamation marks instead of useful information

    After: useful and within the rules

    Northside Plumbing & Heating is a family-run plumbing and heating company serving homes and landlords across north Leeds, including Horsforth, Headingley, Roundhay and Otley. Our Gas Safe registered engineers repair, service and install combi and system boilers, fix leaks and blocked drains, and fit new bathrooms from first design to final tile. Landlords rely on us for gas safety certificates and planned maintenance across their properties. We've worked in Leeds since 2009, we explain your options before any work starts, and every boiler we install comes with a written warranty. Book a visit online, or call us for urgent repairs.

    638 / 750 characters

    Personal injury law firm

    Halvorsen & Reyes Injury Lawyers

    647 / 750

    Halvorsen & Reyes Injury Lawyers is a personal injury law firm in downtown Sacramento representing people hurt in car, truck, motorcycle and pedestrian accidents, as well as slips, falls and workplace injuries. Our attorneys have handled injury claims across Northern California for more than 20 years, and we work on a contingency basis, so you pay no legal fees unless we recover compensation for you. Every client has a named attorney and a direct line to their case manager. Consultations are free and confidential, and we offer meetings in English and Spanish, in our office, by video, or at your home or hospital bedside if you can't travel.

    Why it works: Leads with the case types people search for, then answers the two big worries: cost and who you'll actually deal with.

    Hair salon

    Maple & Mint Hair Studio

    604 / 750

    Maple & Mint Hair Studio is a relaxed, independent hair salon in Didsbury, Manchester, specialising in lived-in colour, balayage, precision cuts and curly hair. Our stylists are trained in curl-specific cutting and colour correction, and every first visit starts with a free consultation so we can understand your hair, your routine and the look you want. We use vegan, cruelty-free products and offer a quiet appointment option with no music and minimal conversation for anyone who prefers a calmer visit. Find us in the village centre with step-free access and evening appointments three nights a week.

    Why it works: Names the specialities that set it apart and the details that matter to the people it wants to attract.

    Accountant

    Clearwater Accounts

    639 / 750

    Clearwater Accounts is a chartered accountancy practice in Reading helping sole traders, contractors and small limited companies with bookkeeping, VAT returns, payroll, year-end accounts and self assessment tax returns. We work fully online with cloud accounting software, so you can send receipts from your phone and see where your business stands at any time, but you'll always have a named accountant you can actually speak to. We also support landlords with property income and help new businesses choose the right structure from day one. Free initial calls are available and appointments can be held at our Reading office or by video.

    Why it works: Spells out who it serves and every service, and handles the online versus in-person question up front.

    Italian restaurant

    Nonna Lucia

    593 / 750

    Nonna Lucia is a family-run Italian restaurant in Chicago's Lincoln Square, serving handmade pasta, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and seasonal dishes from the Amalfi Coast, where our family is from. Our pasta is rolled fresh every afternoon and our dough rests for 48 hours before it meets the oven. Join us for a relaxed dinner, a long Sunday lunch, or a celebration in our private dining room for up to 30 guests. We have a full Italian wine list, gluten-free pasta and vegetarian dishes on every menu, and a heated patio in the warmer months. Takeout and delivery are available every evening.

    Why it works: Paints a picture of the food and the occasions it suits, with dietary options and private dining people filter for.

    Gym

    Foundry Strength Club

    635 / 750

    Foundry Strength Club is an independent strength and conditioning gym in Sheffield's Kelham Island, built for beginners and experienced lifters alike. Members get access to Olympic lifting platforms, a full free-weights floor, conditioning equipment and small-group classes coached by qualified strength coaches. New members start with a free induction and movement assessment, and we run beginner barbell courses every month for anyone who's never lifted before. We also offer personal training, a women's lifting club and sessions for over-50s. Open early until late, seven days a week, with showers, lockers and secure bike storage.

    Why it works: Says who it's for, what makes it different from a chain gym, and how a nervous beginner gets started.

    Veterinary clinic

    Cedar Hollow Animal Hospital

    632 / 750

    Cedar Hollow Animal Hospital is a full-service veterinary clinic in Asheville caring for dogs, cats and small pets through every stage of life. Our veterinarians provide wellness exams, vaccinations, dental care, surgery, digital X-rays and in-house lab testing, with same-day sick visits held open every weekday. We're a Fear Free certified practice, which means calmer visits with separate dog and cat waiting areas, gentle handling and plenty of treats. We also offer senior pet care, microchipping and compassionate end-of-life support at the clinic or at home. New clients are welcome, and appointments can be requested online.

    Why it works: Covers the full range of care, then addresses the thing pet owners worry about most: how stressful the visit will be.

    All businesses in these examples are fictional.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business description guidelines (opens in a new tab)

    How GBPly helps

    Get a description written from your own website

    Ask the Expert writes a 750-character description grounded in the facts on your website, checks it against Google's guidelines and lets you edit it before it goes to Google.

    See Ask the Expert

    Photos and videos

    What the best profiles show in their photos

    Photos are often the first thing people look at, and the best profiles answer the questions a customer has before they visit: what does it look like, who will I meet, and is the work any good?

    Every business

    • Logo and cover photo
    • Exterior from the street, so people recognise you
    • Your team, named where they're happy to be
    • Regular new photos, not one big upload

    Shops, cafés and restaurants

    • Interior from the entrance
    • Best-selling products or dishes
    • Menu boards or price lists as text, not just photos
    • Accessible entrance and seating

    Trades and home services

    • Before and after photos of real jobs
    • Engineers at work, in uniform
    • Your van or vehicles
    • Certificates on display, if you have a premises

    Clinics and professional services

    • Reception and waiting area
    • Treatment or meeting rooms
    • The people clients will actually meet
    • Parking and entrance, for first visits

    Google's photo standards

    • JPG or PNG, between 10 KB and 5 MB
    • Recommended 720 × 720 pixels, minimum 250 × 250
    • In focus and well lit, without heavy filters or AI alterations
    • Your profile must be verified for photos to show

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business Profile photo guidelines (opens in a new tab)

    90%

    of people are more likely to visit a business that has photos on Google Search and Maps.

    42%

    more requests for directions on Google Maps for businesses that add photos.

    35%

    more clicks through to their websites for businesses with photos.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business Profile Best Practices Playbook (2026), Google internal data. These show an association with customer actions, not a ranking factor. (opens in a new tab)

    How we source the photo figures

    Posts

    Google post examples: an update, an offer and an event

    Google's 2026 playbook recommends posting at least once a week, using all three post types (Updates, Offers and Events), and including a good image, a clear description and a date. Here's one of each.
    UpdateBrightwater Family Dental

    Winter break checkups for kids

    School's out soon, which makes winter break a great time for your child's checkup and cleaning. Our children's team keeps visits short and friendly, and early appointments mean you can be done before the day gets busy.

    Book

    Why it works: Timely, useful and tied to a real moment in the customer's year, with a Book button.

    OfferNorthside Plumbing & Heating

    Free radiator check with every boiler service

    Get your boiler ready before the cold weather sets in. Book an annual boiler service before 30 November and our engineer will bleed and balance your radiators and check your thermostat at no extra cost while they're with you.

    Book

    Why it works: A clear benefit, a deadline and no small print. Offers belong in posts, never in your description.

    EventLittle Fig Bakehouse

    Sourdough for beginners: Saturday class

    Learn to mix, shape and bake your own sourdough loaf with our head baker. Two hours, all ingredients included, and you take home your loaf and a jar of our starter. Saturday 22 November, 9 to 11 am.

    Book

    Why it works: A date, a time and exactly what's included, so people can decide on the spot.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business Profile Best Practices Playbook (2026) (opens in a new tab)

    What Google says about posts

    How GBPly helps

    A post every week, written from what you actually sell

    GBPly's AI writes posts from your website and services (1 credit per post), checks each one against Google's content rules before it publishes, runs repeating evergreen campaigns, and can share each post to Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and more once Google publishes it.

    See AI content

    Prominence

    Reviews: how the best profiles earn them and answer them

    Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking, and that replying shows customers you value their feedback. The best profiles do both, every week.

    Getting reviews the right way

    • Ask every customer, not just the ones you think are happy
    • Ask soon after the job, visit or appointment, while it's fresh
    • Make it one tap: a direct review link, a QR code at the counter, a follow-up email or text
    • Never offer discounts, gifts or entry into prize draws for reviews
    • Never write reviews yourself or ask staff, friends or family to

    Google-confirmed — Google — Prohibited and restricted content policy (opens in a new tab)

    91%

    of consumers use reviews to evaluate local businesses.

    65%

    are more likely to choose a business that responds to reviews.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business Profile Best Practices Playbook (2026) (opens in a new tab)

    How we source the review figures
    Restaurant, happy regular

    "Our new favourite place for date night. The cacio e pepe was incredible and the staff remembered us from last time."

    Owner's reply

    That really made our week, thank you. Our pasta team rolls the cacio e pepe fresh every afternoon, so we'll pass your kind words straight on to them. Next time, ask about the seasonal special, it changes every few weeks. See you soon. Luca, Nonna Lucia

    • Mentions something specific from the review
    • Signed by a real person
    • Gives a reason to come back
    Dental practice, unhappy patient

    "Waited 40 minutes past my appointment time and nobody told me why."

    Owner's reply

    We're sorry about the wait you describe. Running late without letting you know isn't the experience we want for anyone. To protect everyone's privacy we can't discuss any visit here, but our practice manager, Lauren, would really like to hear more and put things right. Please call the office and ask for her. The Brightwater team

    • Apologises without being defensive
    • Never confirms the person is a patient or mentions treatment
    • Moves the conversation offline to a named person

    Fictional reviews and replies. In healthcare and law, never confirm that a reviewer is a patient or client.

    How GBPly helps

    Ask every customer automatically, and reply to every review

    GBPly sends review requests by email and SMS as drip campaigns, gives you a review link and QR code, and suggests a reply for each new review using your business details and what the customer wrote. Review Sentiment & Insights then shows what customers praise and complain about most, across one location or hundreds.

    See review management

    The details

    Attributes, hours and contact options: the details that win the click

    Google says that if you add certain attributes, your business might show up in searches for places with those attributes. They also answer the questions people would otherwise have to call and ask.

    Accessibility

    ✓ Wheelchair-accessible entrance✓ Wheelchair-accessible toilet✓ Wheelchair-accessible seating✓ Wheelchair-accessible parking✓ Assistive hearing loop

    Amenities

    ✓ Free Wi-Fi✓ Toilets✓ Good for kids✓ Dogs allowed✓ Outdoor seating

    Service options

    ✓ Onsite services✓ Online appointments✓ Online estimates✓ Delivery✓ Kerbside pickup

    Payments

    ✓ Credit cards✓ Debit cards✓ Contactless payments✓ NFC mobile payments

    Planning and crowd

    ✓ Appointment required✓ Accepts reservations✓ LGBTQ+ friendly

    From the business

    ✓ Identity attributes, such as women-owned or veteran-owned, where Google offers them in your country

    Only set attributes that are true. The attributes available depend on your category and country, Google may rename them over time, and some are filled in from what visitors tell Google.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Manage your business attributes (opens in a new tab)

    Special and holiday hours

    Set them for every bank holiday, Christmas, Thanksgiving or local event before it happens. Google's playbook reports that 96% of customers are more likely to visit a business that displays its hours.

    More hours

    If delivery, pickup, a drive-through or online service hours differ from your main hours, add them separately so customers see the right times.

    Bookings, orders and chat

    Add a booking or ordering link, or connect a booking partner, and switch on WhatsApp or text chat if someone can answer quickly. Link the social profiles you keep up to date.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Business Profile Best Practices Playbook (2026) (opens in a new tab)

    How we source the hours figure

    Distance

    Distance: the factor you can't fake, but can get right

    Distance is the one factor you can't change by editing your profile. You can make sure Google knows exactly where you are and where you work.

    Storefronts

    Use your exact address with permanent signage, and check the map pin sits on your entrance.

    Service-area businesses

    Hide your address if customers don't visit you, and list up to 20 service areas. Google's guidelines say the overall area shouldn't extend beyond about two hours' drive from where you're based.

    Hybrid businesses

    Show your address and a service area only if the address is staffed and receives customers during your hours.

    What not to do

    Virtual offices, PO boxes and unstaffed co-working desks aren't eligible for a profile. Creating them to look closer to customers puts your real profile at risk.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Guidelines for representing your business (address and service areas) (opens in a new tab)

    What Google says about service areas
    "emergency plumber" · north Leeds5×5 check · sample data
    96571253248421266323914851120+
    1–34–1011–1516+

    Centre point is where the business is based. Same search, same profile, different street.

    Rankings change street by street

    Searching from your own phone only shows one point. GBPly's Free Rank Checker searches from a grid of points across your area so you can see where you're strong and where you fade. Every account gets 250 free map point scans every month.

    Check your rankings free

    What to avoid

    10 mistakes that keep a profile out of the 'best' list

    1

    Keywords in the business name

    Adding services or towns to your name breaks Google's guidelines and is a common reason profiles get suspended.

    2

    A primary category that's too broad

    "Contractor" when you're really a roofer means Google has less reason to show you for roofing searches.

    3

    Five services when the website lists thirty

    If it isn't on the profile, Google has less to go on when matching you to searches for that service.

    4

    A virtual office or a fake address

    Addresses you don't staff during opening hours aren't eligible and put the whole profile at risk.

    5

    Stock photos, heavy filters or AI images

    Google asks for photos that represent reality. Customers can usually tell, and it undermines trust before the first visit.

    6

    No holiday hours

    Customers who find you closed when Google said you were open often leave a one-star review.

    7

    Reviews left unanswered

    Silence on a negative review is the loudest reply you can give, and it's what the next customer reads.

    8

    Asking only happy customers for reviews

    Google's policies don't allow selectively asking for positive reviews or offering anything in return.

    9

    A description written as an advert

    Prices, discounts and links aren't allowed in the description. Save offers for posts.

    10

    Set up once, then left alone

    Hours change, services get added and photos age. A profile that isn't checked drifts out of date, and edits from the public can creep in unnoticed.

    Google-confirmed — Google — Guidelines for representing your business on Google (opens in a new tab)

    Your template

    The best Google Business Profile checklist

    Work through it once to get your profile to the standard of the examples above, then use the upkeep list every month.

    Set-up and accuracy

    • The profile is verified and you can edit it
    • There's only one profile for this location
    • Name matches your sign and website exactly
    • Phone number reaches this location directly
    • Website link goes to the right page, with tracking

    Relevance

    • Most specific accurate primary category
    • Additional categories for real departments only
    • Every service on your website is on your profile, with descriptions
    • Products or menu items added with photos
    • A 750-character description: what, where, for whom, why you
    • Every true attribute set, including accessibility

    Distance

    • Storefront: exact address, pin in the right place, permanent signage
    • Service-area business: address hidden, up to 20 named areas
    • Hybrid: staffed address that receives customers plus a service area
    • Rankings checked across your area, not just from your own desk

    Prominence

    • Every customer is asked for a review, soon after their visit
    • Every review gets a reply, good or bad
    • Name, address and phone match on your website and major directories
    • Social profiles linked

    Conversion

    • Regular, special and holiday hours all set
    • Logo, cover, exterior, interior, team and work photos added
    • A post at least once a week, mixing updates, offers and events
    • Booking, ordering or chat options switched on where you can answer them

    Upkeep

    • New photos added every month
    • Profile checked for changes you didn't make
    • Website and profile re-compared after you add a service

    GBPly

    Build a profile like these, then keep it that way

    GBPly is Google Business Profile software that does the work on this page for you: it finds what's missing, writes and publishes the content, asks for reviews and keeps watch over the profile.

    GBP Expert and Ask the Expert

    Scores every field, then reads your website and lists the services, products and details your profile is missing. Suggests extra categories, writes a 750-character description from your website, and applies each fix to Google in one click.

    GBP Expert

    Review requests and AI replies

    Ask every customer by email or SMS with drip campaigns, a QR code or your review link, then reply to every review with suggestions that use your business details and the review itself.

    Review management

    AI posts and evergreen campaigns

    Weekly posts written from what your business actually sells, checked against Google's content rules before they publish, with repeating campaigns and optional sharing to your social accounts.

    AI content

    Scheduled photo uploads

    Queue up real photos and let GBPly publish them over time, so the profile never goes months without anything new.

    All features

    Profile Guard

    Keeps watch for changes to your profile that you didn't make, shows the old and new values, and lets you put things back in one click.

    Profile Guard

    Rank Tracker and Free Rank Checker

    See where you appear in Google Maps across your whole area, street by street. Every account gets 250 free map point scans every month.

    Free Rank Checker

    Website SEO Audit

    Checks that your website backs up your profile: matching details, local business schema, and pages for your categories, services and areas.

    Website SEO Audit

    Verification and upkeep reminders

    Flags verification problems and stale content: no photo or post in 30 days, or reviews waiting for a reply.

    How it works

    No tool, including ours, can guarantee a ranking. GBPly makes sure your profile is complete, accurate and active, which is what Google asks of every business.

    Google Business Profile examples: frequently asked questions

    What is an example of a good Google Business Profile?
    A good Google Business Profile uses the business's real name, the most specific accurate primary category, a full list of services taken from its website, a clear 750-character description, accurate regular and holiday hours, every attribute that applies, real photos added regularly, weekly posts, and a reply to every review. The four annotated examples on this page show what that looks like for a storefront, a service-area business, a professional practice and a hybrid business.
    What makes the best Google Business Profiles stand out?
    They're complete, accurate and active. Google says local results are mainly based on relevance, distance and prominence, and that complete, detailed information helps it match a profile to relevant searches. The best profiles cover every field that applies to them, match what's on their website, and keep adding fresh photos, posts and review replies.
    What should I write in my Google Business Profile description?
    Use up to 750 characters to say what you do, where, who you serve and why customers choose you. Put the most important information in the first sentence or two. Google's guidelines don't allow links, prices, promotions or irrelevant content in the description, so keep offers for your posts.
    How many categories should a Google Business Profile have?
    As many as genuinely describe your business, up to Google's limit of 10 in total: one primary and up to nine additional categories. Choose the most specific primary category you can, add additional ones only for real departments or lines of business, and list individual services in the services section instead of adding a category for each.
    Do services and products help a Google Business Profile?
    Google says that when someone searches for an offering you provide, that service may be highlighted on your profile, and that complete, detailed information helps it match you to relevant searches. Listing every service you offer, with a short description, gives Google and customers a much clearer picture of what you do. GBP Expert's Ask the Expert compares your website with your profile and lists the services you're missing.
    How many photos should a Google Business Profile have?
    Google doesn't set a target number. Aim to cover everything a customer would want to see: your logo and cover photo, the outside of your premises so people can find you, the inside, your team, your work and your products, then add new photos regularly. Google asks for real, well-lit photos without heavy filters or AI alterations.
    How often should I post on my Google Business Profile?
    Google's 2026 Business Profile playbook recommends posting at least once a week and using a mix of Updates, Offers and Events. Each post should have a good image, the key details, a date where relevant, and a button such as Book or Learn more.
    Does replying to Google reviews help my profile?
    Google recommends replying to reviews and says that positive reviews and helpful replies can help a business stand out. Google also says review count and positive ratings can help local ranking. Replying shows customers you value feedback, and a calm, specific reply to a bad review can reassure the next person reading it.
    Can I add keywords to my Google Business Profile name?
    No. Google's guidelines say your business name should match your real-world name as used on your signage, website and stationery. Adding services, locations or other keywords that aren't part of your real name isn't permitted and can lead to your profile being suspended.
    Is there a Google Business Profile template I can copy?
    There isn't a single template, because the right categories, services, attributes and photos depend on your business. Use the checklist on this page as your template: work through each field, compare it with your website, and copy the approach of the example closest to your business type.
    How can I see whether my profile is ranking across my area?
    Rankings change street by street, so a single search from your own phone doesn't tell the whole story. GBPly's Free Rank Checker searches from a grid of points across your area and shows where you appear in Google Maps. Every account gets 250 free map point scans every month, which is ten standard 5×5 checks, for example.
    Can a service-area business rank outside its service area?
    Your service area tells Google and customers where you work, but it doesn't guarantee visibility across all of it. Google says distance from the person searching is one of its main local ranking factors, so results naturally favour businesses nearer to them. Don't create addresses you don't staff to appear somewhere else; that breaks Google's guidelines.

    Last reviewed November 2026

    Find out what your profile is missing

    GBP Expert compares your profile with your website and Google's guidelines, then gives you a prioritised list of fixes you can send to Google in one click.