What Is a Google Business Profile?
A Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is a free listing that lets your business appear in Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches for a local business — like "coffee shop near me" or "plumber in Austin" — those results in the map pack are powered by Google Business Profiles.
Claiming your profile is the single most impactful step you can take for local visibility. If you haven't done it yet, here's exactly how to get started.
Step 1: Check If Your Business Is Already Listed
Before creating a new profile, search for your business name on Google Maps. Google sometimes auto-generates listings based on public data. If your business appears but is marked "Claim this business", you simply need to claim it rather than create one from scratch.
Step 2: Go to Google Business Profile Manager
Navigate to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account you want associated with your business. This account will have ownership/admin rights, so use a business email if possible.
Step 3: Enter Your Business Name and Category
Type your business name exactly as you want it to appear publicly. Then choose the most accurate primary business category — this is critical because Google uses your category to match you with relevant searches. You can add additional categories later.
Step 4: Add Your Location or Service Area
You'll be asked whether customers visit your physical location or whether you serve customers at their location (or both):
- Brick-and-mortar businesses: Enter your full street address.
- Service-area businesses (SABs): You can hide your address and instead define your service areas by city, region, or zip code.
- Hybrid businesses: You can have a physical address and service areas.
Step 5: Add Your Contact Details
Enter your business phone number and website URL. If you don't have a website yet, Google offers a free basic website builder through your profile — useful as a temporary placeholder.
Step 6: Verify Your Business
Verification proves to Google that you're the legitimate owner of the business. Verification methods vary and may include:
- Postcard by mail: Google mails a postcard with a 5-digit code to your business address (arrives in 5–14 days).
- Phone or text verification: Available to some businesses — Google calls or texts your listed number.
- Email verification: Available for some account types.
- Video verification: A newer method where you record a short video of your business location.
- Instant verification: Available if your business is already verified in Google Search Console.
What Happens After Verification?
Once verified, your profile goes live and becomes eligible to appear in local search results and Google Maps. You can now:
- Add photos, business hours, and a description
- Respond to customer reviews
- Post updates and offers
- View how customers are finding you via Insights
Pro Tips for New Profiles
Complete every section immediately. Google rewards completeness. A fully filled-out profile ranks better and earns more customer trust than a sparse one. Don't leave your profile at the bare minimum — that's just the foundation. Optimization is what drives results.
Check out our Optimization Tips section for your next steps after claiming your profile.