Google Business Profile — Formerly Google My Business
Your free business listing on Google Search and Maps, with reviews, photos, hours and contact details.
What it means
Google Business Profile is a free listing that shows your business on Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches your business name, or something like "bakery near me", your profile can show your address, phone number, hours, photos, reviews and website link. It used to be called Google My Business, so you may still hear the old name.
How it works
You claim or create your profile, then verify that you run the business, for example by video recording, phone or email. Once verified, you can manage:
- Name, categories and description: pick the primary category that best describes what you do.
- Address or service area, hours and contact details: keep these accurate, including holiday hours.
- Photos: storefront, interiors, products and team.
- Posts: short updates about offers, events or new arrivals.
- Reviews: customers leave star ratings and comments, and you can reply to each one.
Profiles appear in Google Maps and in the local pack, the group of businesses shown with a map near the top of many local searches.
A simple example
A café in Pune sets up its profile with the correct address, hours, menu photos and the category "Café". The owner asks happy customers for reviews and replies politely to each one, even complaints. A student searching "cafés near FC Road" sees the café in the local pack, checks the reviews and taps for directions.
Why it matters
Shops, clinics, restaurants, salons and coaching centres are often found through Maps and local searches. A complete, active profile is one of the most important parts of local SEO, and reviews build trust before a customer even walks in.
Beginner tips
- Fill in every section and keep your hours and phone number current.
- Add fresh photos and post updates regularly.
- Reply to all reviews, positive and negative, calmly and helpfully.
- Common mistake: buying fake reviews. It breaks Google's policies and can get your profile restricted.