How to Optimize Google Business Profile
- Raghavarao Battina
- Aug 6, 2024
- 9 min read
Updated: Aug 25
Explore how to get more local customers with Google Business Profile optimization in 2025. It’s a powerful source of local leads, walk-ins, bookings, and even website traffic—if it’s optimized correctly.
The Google My Business mobile app is demised. You can now use the Google Maps mobile app to update your local business Profile. |
What is Google Local 3-Pack?
The Google Local 3-Pack refers to the top three local business listings shown in Google’s search results for location-based queries, displayed alongside a map for quick visibility.
When you search for local-intent keywords like “Nearby SEO consultant to get technical SEO services” or “Banks near me to open NRI accounts”, the results often pull directly from Google Business Profile (GBP) listings—both in traditional and AI-driven search modes. You’ll see the three Google Local Pack listings on the SERPs, displaying their experience, services, ratings, reviews, addresses, operating hours, and prices.
You can click on these business listings to view their full information, including phone numbers, detailed service descriptions, and more. This Local Pack by Google helps local businesses get discovered by potential customers through search.
Although there are multiple alternatives—such as Facebook Places, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, and Yelp—Google Business Profile continues to dominate the local search landscape.
Why Rank Your Local Business In the Google Map Local 3-pack?
Google Maps’ Local 3-Pack provides an opportunity for local businesses to gain online visibility over bigger brands, reach their target audience, and improve sales. Your business, with a properly optimized Google Business Profile, can stay relevant for local searches such as “{%Service%} provider near me” or “{%Service%} provider in {%city name/location name%}.”
With the right Google My Business Profile optimization strategy, you can capture more local leads and stay ahead of competitors. Ranking in the Local 3-Pack increases calls, direction requests, bookings, and walk-ins.
Your listings appear before organic results, meaning users are more likely to click your listing first.
The Local 3-Pack often takes up the entire first screen on mobile devices, so your listing is what customers see without scrolling.
60% of Local SEO experts report that the Local 3-Pack captures the attention of the majority of customers who are ready to convert.
AI frequently recommends businesses from the relevant Google 3-Pack, especially for branded, ready-to-buy intent keywords.
For Google Business Profile Optimization, Master the 3 important Google Local SEO Hacks
To rank local businesses in the Google Maps Local 3-Pack, all you need is a properly implemented Google Business Profile.
Claim Your Business Listing on Google Business Profile
Complete Your Google Business Listing Accurately
Rank Your Business in Google Maps Local 3-Pack for Relevant Searches
Get Your Profile Audited Regularly by an Expert to Make it Stay Relevant for Modern Search
Step 1 - Claim or Add Google Business Profile for Your Local Business
You can expect a rise in profile views and more calls within 30 days of claiming and optimizing your Google Business Profile (GBP).
Before creating a new profile, search your business name on Google Maps to avoid duplicates and claim any existing listings.
If you see a page that says “This listing has already been claimed”, click Request Access.
To claim your GBP:
Go to google.com/business.
Add your business name and choose the most relevant category.
Follow the prompts to verify ownership.
Verification methods include postcard, phone, email, or live video call. Without verification, your business will not appear on Maps or in Google search results.s.
Step 2 - Google Business Profile Optimization For Improving Visibility
According to a 2017 Local Ranking Factors analysis, a Google My Business listing contributes 19% toward improving local rankings.
Google starts ranking your business for “business + location,” “service + location,” and “service + near me” searches when you have strong Google My Business listing optimization. It also displays a Knowledge Graph using your GBP information for verified businesses, providing details during brand-specific searches.
For example, when customers search for “Technical SEO consultant in Bangalore,” the Iamdoingseo GBP local listing appears in the Google Maps Local 3-Pack, as shown below. Local business owners can experience the same results when they have an optimized GBP profile.
Step 3 - Google My Business Listing optimization for Relevancy, Distance & Popularity:
Prominence, distance, and relevance influence the rankings of Google Business Profiles and local web pages for local searches.
Google Business Profile Team says - "Local results are based primarily on predominance, relevance, and distance. A combination of these factors helps us find the best match for your search. For example, our algorithms might decide that a business that’s farther away from your location is more likely to have what you’re looking for than a business that’s closer, and therefore rank it higher in local results.”
Prominence: determines your business popularity both online and offline
In 2025, prominence remains a crucial element in local search rankings. To improve it:
Build high-quality, relevant citations from local community blogs and business listing sites (claim any mentions of your business).
Encourage and drive more positive ratings and reviews via GBP from satisfied customers.
create a link to add reviews to your business and populate it on your business website and other sources.
Business Operational Hours are now a ranking factor — your business may rank higher when it’s open during the search compared to competitors. Keep your operational hours accurate and updated.
Relevance determines how closely a search user’s query matches the information about a local business.
Google uses the following details from your Google Business Profile to determine the relevance of your business to users’ local search queries.
Business Category and Subcategory: Categorize your business into the most accurate primary category and relevant secondary categories.
Add a keyword-rich business description of up to 1000 words.
Keyword-rich business title
Provide your Google Business Profile with phone number, business website, working hours, holidays, service and product prices, and other required business details.
Add photos to showcase your business presence, products, or services; include your website link; and post business updates regularly to your Google Business Profile (GBP).
Remove any listings that are duplicate
Distance determines how close the search user is to local businesses based on their browser location information.
Update correct location address of your business
Add in location keywords naturally into business description
Accurately mark locations on to map
Use your website or local store pages to target “near me” searches; for example, create city-specific pages targeting keywords plus city names in headers, URLs, and more.
Step 4 - Google Business Profile Listing Analytics
Track the performance of your business profile periodically to gain insights into how people interact with your Google business listing. This can include metrics such as:
How customers find your business.
Direct searches: Using your brand name directly.
Keyword or discovery searches: Finding your business using keywords such as “{%Service%} provider near me”, “{%Service%} provider in {%city name/location name%}”, “{%location%} near me”, or “{%location%} in the city”.
Examples:
SEO service provider near me
Schools near me
Schools in Bangalore
Where customers find you on Google
“Listing on Search” – this is called search view.
“Listing on Maps,” – this is called map view.
Customer Engagements
Requested directions,
Visits the website,
Calling the business,
Views for posts, photos, etc.
Clicks to other CTAs
Google My Business Optimization Checklist: Rank in the Local 3 Pack Fast on Google Search?
Update the business information to the latest ( ensure the NAP consistency Rule is passed)
Assign a unique Store code for each business location to distinguish each if have chain addresses. Follow below best practices
Character limit 64,
No special characters This should be unique for each location.
Include your brand name in-store code.
Use the exact name of your business for the "business name" field
Text length < 100 characters,
Use Camel case
Recommend adding only “Brand name”
Avoid making it keyword rich
Same Address across a business profile and website's contact us page – Maintain NAP Consistency. if have a chain of addresses select the primary address.
Good to have Latitude and longitude mentioned for your GBP. Use this guide to find and use your business latitude & longitude coordinates
Assign a primary phone number & additional phone numbers for each business location as applicable – prefer unique phone numbers for different locations
Include the business website or local store website
Recommended different URLs for different locations,
Characters < 256 characters will be displayed
Use a complete URL path, including the “HTTPS://”
Assign a primary category for your GBP listing optimization. you can also add multiple relevant categories under the Additional Categories option. The category should be consistent across all locations
Assign opening & closing hours of business in GBP. I recommend using 24 hours format (HH:MM - HH:MM) or (HH:MM AM - HH:MM PM) can be used
Always good to provide extra details about the business via a business description
Always update holidays in GBP in advance
I prefer to provide the opening date on your GBP, this should grab the attention of the user on SERPs, as Google provides the age of the business on the SERPs "%no% of years old"
Always upload Media ((size Between 10 KB and 5 MB)) to increase engagement and boost trust value by showing up your local presence and the impact you create
Add business logo
Add the team photos,
Add in internal and external view office photos
Recipes, service catalogs, nearby attractions, product showcases, etc vary from business to business
More images on the listing boost customer actions.
Use Labels for adding keywords
Use attributes to help your customers know what your business has to offer to take care of them at the business premises – take advantage of mentioning benefits i.e. wheelchair access, etc.
Your Google Business Profile Self Audit Or Expert Review
Your business must have a physical presence in or near the target location. Never create or claim a Google Business Profile listing using a virtual address, as this can severely harm your business. My business was penalized for doing this, so always say a firm no to virtual addresses. – Passed
Business owners know what a GBP profile is, how GBP works, which GBP details need extra attention, how it helps the business, and who manages the business’s GBP – Passed
The listing is verified using the business owner’s Gmail account. If you don’t have one, create a Gmail account or use an existing one to sign up and claim your Google Business Profile – Passed
You should use only your business name, for example, “Iamdoingseo.” However, you are encouraged to use a keyword-rich business title, such as “Iamdoingseo SEO Consultant” - Passed
Present the correct business address on your business profile and ensure the marker points to the accurate location on the map.. If having multiple addresses take advantage of implementing ladder locations on the same GBP. - Passed
Your business should be assigned to the most appropriate primary business category. While Google suggests a category for your business, choose wisely. For example, I selected Marketing Consultant over Internet Marketing Services for my business. You can also choose secondary categories for your profile, but be aware that this can impact your business’s ranking in SERPs and the Local Map. - Passed
Include the phone number or website URL on the GBP profile - Passed
Validate your business for NAP consistency—that is, ensure you use the same business name, address, and phone number everywhere, including all business profiles, listings, and your website’s contact page. NAP consistency is an important local SEO ranking factor.
Accurate business operational hours updated - Passed
Use individual phone numbers and a store page for each location, if applicable.
Go and create a free website on GMB to populate your business details, updates, etc.
Validate if your GBP is showing up on SERPs. Only verified Google Business Profiles appear in the SERPs. - Passed
Google Business Profile Management Tips:
Regular review to ensure all information is accurate and up to date.
Do Regular audits to verify that your business hours, contact info, address, holiday schedules, refresh business description if you launch new products or services
Frequency: Monthly depends on customer input
Publish photos, posts and updates Regularly
Consistently share updates like business news, images, offers, events, and new products to boost engagement and improve your local search visibility.
Frequency: Biweekly to monthly depending on customer input
Regularly Monitor and respond to reviews
Monitor reviews and questions consistently, respond professionally, and aim to reply within 24 hours—based on the volume of incoming feedback—to ensure timely customer support.
Frequency: Depends on Customer reviews and questions
Factors those keeping Google Business Profile (GBP) Performance at stake:
Inaccurate business information, business categories
Incomplete Google Business Profile
I don't have posts, my business photos,
Don't have reviews
Inaccurate business hours
Having low quality or unsecured websites those linked from business profile
Fake reviews, low quality or automated user engagements, profile bookmarks etc.
Low quality citations
Discrepancies in the business's name, address, or phone number across various platforms, directories etc
Having negative reviews those aren't attended
Don't have messaging options
Are you a frustrated local business owner? You have a verified business listing but it doesn’t show up on Maps. Your profile isn’t getting more user reviews. You want help claiming unclaimed business listings or resolving other frustrating local business profile issues.
We can help — get in touch!
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