Google Business Profile Setup and Optimization Guide

From claiming your profile to the posting strategy that drives clicks. Your Google Business Profile is the single richest signal for local and AI search.

Step 1 — Claim and verify

Go to google.com/business and search for your business
Claim it if it exists, or create it if it does not
Choose verification (postcard, phone, email, or video)
Complete verification before doing anything else

Step 2 — Complete every field

Exact business name (no keyword stuffing)
Primary category that best fits
Secondary categories for your other services
Local phone number
Website and a booking/quote link
Accurate hours, including holidays
Service area or storefront address
Business description with your services and area

Step 3 — Photos and visuals

Logo and cover photo
At least 10 photos of real work, team, and location
New photos added monthly
Short video tour if possible

Step 4 — Ongoing posting strategy

Publish a Google Post weekly (offer, update, or tip)
Seed and answer 5+ questions in Q&A
Respond to every review within 48 hours
Add new services and products as they change

The profiles that win are the active ones. Stale profiles signal a business that may have closed.

Want this done for you?

AdIQ handles all of this for local businesses as a done-for-you service. See where you stand first.

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