Free GBP Analysis: See How Your Maps Profiles Are Performing

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Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is already at work – generating calls, direction requests, website visits, and bookings. But do you know how many?

Most businesses don’t. They know their profile exists. They see reviews come in. But the actual volume of customers their GBP is sending them (and what they’re worth in revenue) is a number most have never seen.

This number exists. We pull it on every analysis call we do – and it surprises even the most sophisticated marketers. Most businesses have no idea how many customers they are already getting from Google Maps (and how they can easily get even more).

TL;DR: Most businesses are guessing at how their Google Business Profile is performing – and what you don’t know is costing you customers. Map Labs’ free GBP analysis shows you exactly where you stand:

  • 12 months of real performance data
  • Your Maps presence in dollars
  • And a clear path to get more from your GBP

We show you how you’re doing right now. No commitment required.

Your Most Visited Page Isn’t Your Website

Before a customer ever reaches your website, they see your Google Business Profile. It drives clicks, calls, visits, and purchases – often in seconds. 80% of GBP views come from non-branded searches – they search “near me” and decide in that moment where to go.

Here are the facts:

  • Every month in 2025, Google drove more than 2.5 billion direct connections for U.S. businesses – phone calls, messages, bookings, direction requests, and reviews 1.
  • 88% of people who open a Maps listing call or visit within 24 hours.

This is high-intent traffic (people nearby, and ready to buy) landing on your profile every single day.

Most businesses have no idea how many customers they are converting from Maps (or losing). The free Google Business Profile Analysis walks you through exactly what’s currently working and what Map Labs experts would do differently to drive more customers through your doors instantly. 

What’s In the GBP Analysis

In a one-on-one call with a Map Labs expert, we pull up your real data and show you exactly where you stand. No fluff, no pitch decks. Just an honest take on where you’re leaving customers on the table, and what opportunities exist to get more.

You’ll walk away with three things:

  • 12 months of real-world GBP performance – the actual calls, direction requests, website visits, and bookings your profile drove over the last year.
  • The estimated dollar value of your Google Maps presence – what your current visibility is actually worth in revenue terms.
  • Clear next steps to drive more customers – the specific optimizations that will move the needle fastest for your business.

All your data, and a clear picture of where to go next. Use the information with or without Map Labs (though we hope you choose to work with us 😉)

Showing Up Isn’t the Same as Performing

Most businesses assume their GBP is fine. It’s live, it has reviews, and it shows up when someone searches their brand name. But… that’s the bare minimum.

Performing well means showing up for the customers who don’t know you yet. The ones searching “best [your category] near me” – people who are nearby, ready to buy, and about to choose between you and your competitor.

The gap between showing up for your brand name and showing up for new customers is where most businesses are quietly losing. Our GBP analysis shows you exactly how well your profile is performing today, so you know where the real revenue growth opportunities are.

Ready to See Your Numbers?

Map Labs’ free GBP analysis is a one-on-one expert consultation – real data and real recommendations – no commitment required. It’s the fastest way to go from guessing how your Google Maps presence is performing to knowing.

Want to learn how to optimize your profile yourself? Take our 🎓 FREE GBP Masterclass. It walks you through every section of your Google Business Profile step by step – so you know exactly what to improve and why.

Want to know more?

🎥 Watch ‘Google Business Profile is Your New Landing Page‘ below!

  1. https://economicimpact.google/resources/ ↩︎

AI Local Search in 2026: Your GBP Is Your GEO Strategy

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If you’ve been wondering how AI is changing the way customers find local businesses, you’re not alone. Tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini are becoming part of how people search – and for business owners, that can feel like a new problem to solve.

It isn’t. Here’s what’s actually happening.

TL;DR: AI tools like ChatGPT don’t have their own local business data. They pull it directly from Google Business Profile (GBP) and Apple Maps. Optimizing for AI local search and optimizing for Google Maps are the same activity. If your profiles are strong, you’re already showing up.

What Is AI Local Search?

AI local search is what happens when someone uses a tool like ChatGPT, Gemini, or Perplexity to find a nearby business instead of going directly to Google.

It sounds like a completely different system, but it isn’t.

We were recently at the International Pizza Expo in Vegas and watched real people search for local businesses live. Some used Google. Some used Apple Maps. Some went straight to ChatGPT.

When you type: “best pizza in Vegas” into ChatGPT, it doesn’t already know the answer. It has no database of local businesses. So, what does it do? It searches the web, which is essentially… Googling it.

This technique is called grounding – AI finds information from existing sources rather than pulling from its own data.

Where Does AI Get Its Local Business Data?

When AI platforms generate local search results, they pull primarily from Google and Apple Maps profiles.

That means the results your customers see on ChatGPT look a lot like what they’d see on Google:

  • Same star ratings
  • Same review count
  • Same photos
  • Same business description & hours

There is no ChatGPT business directory. There is no Perplexity profile to manage. For local searches, AI is pulling directly from the same profiles that power Google and Apple Maps results – and may also reference other sources like OpenTable or local review sites. But the foundation is always your Google and Apple Maps profiles.

What This Means for Your Strategy

Well-managed Google and Apple Maps profiles are already doing double duty – showing up on all Google/Apple surfaces AND powering AI local search results at the same time.

So, how do you take advantage of this? Make sure your profiles are as optimized and up-to-date as possible:

  • Photos and videos – current, comprehensive, and high-quality
  • Services and menus – fully built out, so AI has all the complete information to surface
  • Reviews – consistent volume, consistently responded to
  • Booking integrations – make it easy to convert directly from the profile
  • Accurate hours – including special and holiday hours

More than 60% of Google searches never leave the search results page.1 AI is accelerating that trend, and businesses that understand this early are positioned to take advantage of it.

One profile. All platforms.

Optimizing for AI local search and optimizing your Google Business Profile are the same activity. There’s no separate AI strategy needed.

80% of Google Business Profile views come from a non-branded search – people in discovery mode, choosing between you and a competitor in the moment. Those micro-moments happen in Google and Apple Maps. They happen in ChatGPT. They happen in Gemini. In every case, the data driving the result comes from the same place – your GBP.

That’s your AI local search strategy.

Managing Your GBP Across Multiple Locations

Your Google Business Profile is your most powerful marketing asset – and like any asset, it needs to be actively managed to perform.

For a single location, that’s manageable. Across dozens or hundreds, that’s where most businesses need support – and where the biggest opportunities get missed.

Map Labs helps businesses manage and optimize their GBPs at scale – bulk updates, custom strategy, and accurate reporting, all in one place.

Get a free Google Business Profile analysis at maplabs.com/gbp-analysis and see exactly how your profiles are performing.

Want to know more?

🎥 Watch the videos below:

  1. https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2026/03/02/the-zero-click-economy-why-60-of-searches-end-without-a-click-and-what-ceos-should-do-about-it/
    ↩︎

Free GBP Masterclass: Get More Customers from Google Maps

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Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is live right now. Customers are finding it, judging it, and choosing between you and a competitor – often in seconds. There’s a big difference between just showing up and standing out, and that gap is costing you customers.

Most businesses set up their profile once and move on. Meanwhile, there are dozens of optimization opportunities sitting untouched – reducing your visibility and leaving potential customers on the table.

TL;DR: Map Labs’ free GBP Masterclass teaches you exactly how Google Business Profile works, what actually moves the needle, and how to turn your profile into your highest-performing marketing asset. No fluff, no guesswork – just the step-by-step strategy we’ve used with 10,000+ businesses.

🎓 Enroll in the FREE Masterclass

What is the GBP Masterclass

Over the last 10 years, the Map Labs team has worked with over 10,000 businesses across a variety of industries – restaurant, automotive, healthcare, real estate, legal, and more – helping them generate more visibility and more customers from Google and Apple Maps.

The GBP Masterclass is built on everything we’ve learned so far – a foundation of proven strategies to help you get more out of your GBP. It covers everything from the basics of your profile to the more advanced features most businesses never touch – each one with a direct and measurable impact on your visibility.

What It Covers

After auditing tens of thousands of Google Business Profiles over the years, we’ve learned exactly where the biggest opportunities are and what gaps show up almost every single time. This Masterclass shows you everything from initial profile setup to fine-tuning optimizations for maximum channel results.

High-level, here’s what you’ll learn:

  • Location Information – Categories, Hours & Attributes

Categories are the single biggest ranking factor on Google Maps – and the most commonly misconfigured. Most businesses set them once and never revisit them. A single unanswered attribute can prevent you from showing up for an entire category of searches – and most businesses don’t know it’s happening.

We’ll show you how to choose the right primary category, when to add additional categories (and when not to), how opening hours affect your rankings, and why completing every attribute matters more than most businesses realize.

  • Menus & Services

This section is often where the most visibility is being left on the table. If your services are incomplete or your menu is outdated, it can directly damage your search performance. If you don’t manage your menu, Google and customers will fill the gaps – and it’ll be wrong.

You’ll learn how to write services that convert users and how Google indexes your menu keywords to determine what searches you show up for.

  • Photos & Posts

Google reads the objects and keywords inside your images. What you upload (and how often) both send signals that affect your visibility.

You’ll learn what content your audience actually wants to see when they land on your profile, and how to drive the engagement signals that move the needle.

  • Reviews

Responding only to negative reviews can actually make them more visible, not less. Responding to every review is a ranking factor, and consistency matters more than volume.

You’ll learn how to build a review strategy that works, and when it makes sense to automate.

  • Analytics

Ranking #1 for an ultra-specific long-tail keyword doesn’t mean you’re getting more customers. Direction requests, phone calls, and bookings are what actually correlate to revenue.

You’ll learn how to stop chasing rankings and start measuring what actually drives business results.

This is just a preview. The full Masterclass covers every section above in detail – with industry-specific best practices for setup, management, and optimization of your Google Business Profile. Each stage of setup and active profile management can make a measurable difference in your visibility.

The Results Look Like This

One restaurant group we worked with increased bookings by over 100% year over year – translating to $900K in incremental revenue tracked directly through their reservation integration. Another client connected a $250K contract back to a single lead from their Google Business Profile.

These aren’t outliers. This is what happens when a profile is fully optimized and actively managed.

Check out the Case Study here: Altamarea Group increased revenue by $907,257.22 at a single location with Map Labs

Ready to Get More Customers From Maps?

The free GBP Masterclass walks through every section of your Google Business Profile step by step – so you know exactly what to optimize and why.

Enroll now and turn your profile into your highest-performing marketing asset.

Enroll in the Free GBP Masterclass

  • Have us do it with you – or for you.

If you want to take it a step further and have an expert from the Map Labs team look at your specific profile and walk you through exactly where the improvements and opportunities are, book a free GBP analysis. No commitment – use the insights with or without Map Labs.

If you choose to work with us, our professional services team offers coaching and full-service management – we’ll figure out together what’s right for your business.

Get a free GBP Analysis

Want to know more?

🎥 Watch “Why Maps Should Be Your Top Marketing Priority in 2026” below!

Special Hours on Google Business Profile

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When a holiday weekend rolls around, your customers are already making plans—and they’re checking Google to see if you’re open. If your hours aren’t accurate, you’re not just missing out on sales; you’re risking bad reviews, broken trust, and lost traffic.

That’s where Google Business Profile’s Special Hours come in. Whether you’re closing for the Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, or just changing hours for a one-time event—keeping your hours updated tells Google (and your customers) that your business is active, reliable, and ready.

In this guide, we’ll break down what Special Hours are, why they matter more than most businesses realize, and how to update them quickly; especially if you’re managing multiple locations.

Spoiler: there’s a much faster way than doing it one-by-one.

What are Special Hours?

Special hours on Google Business Profile allow you to specify temporary or exceptional operating hours for your business on specific dates, such as holidays or special events, that differ from your regular hours. These hours override your standard hours for those particular dates and help customers avoid confusion when they expect your business to be open or closed.

You can use special hours to indicate when your business will be open or closed for a short period, like a few hours or up to six consecutive days. Special hours are perfect for marking holidays, special events, or any other occasion where your business operates outside of its normal schedule. Special hours will be displayed on your Google Business Profile instead of your regular hours for the specific dates you’ve set.

Why Special Hours Matter

  • Rank Higher on Google

If there is a holiday coming up in your region, you must update your ‘holiday hours’ even if your hours are not changing for the holiday. This signals to Google that your business is active and has confirmed when you will or will not be open, allowing Google to display your GBP with confidence to consumers. Businesses that do not update their special or holiday hours will appear lower in search results than those that do.

  • Brand Image

Imagine making a reservation and arriving with your whole family, only to find the business is closed. This is not a good look for your brand and is guaranteed to create frustrated potential customers, especially if they have gone out of their way to visit your business. Keeping your special hours up to date ensures customers have accurate information, preventing wasted trips or negative reviews.

  • GBP is More Visible Than Your Website

Today, most customers make decisions directly on Google Maps, without ever clicking through to your website. This means your Google Business Profile is the first and often only touchpoint before someone visits your business. If your hours are out of date on GBP, it doesn’t matter that you updated them on your website—customers will likely not make it there.

  • Turn Interest into Action

Along with updating your special hours, use Google Posts/Updates to share your holiday offers, promotions, or closures. These posts show up directly in your profile and are a great way to communicate your unique offerings to potential customers during the holiday season. Check out these videos on how to use Google Posts!

How to Update Special Hours

Natively on Google Business Profile

On Google Business Profile native, you can set special hours through your Google Business Profile dashboard, typically by navigating to “Edit Profile,” then “Hours,” and then “Special Hours” or “Holiday Hours.”

Step 1: Click the “Edit Profile” tab on the home page of your GBP

Step 2: Click on the “Hours” tab at the top of the page.

This is where you’ll choose how your business hours appear on your Google Business Profile. Pick the option that best describes your current operating status.

Step 3: Set your day-to-day operating hours for each day of the week.

Add “More hours” if applicable

Step 1: Click the “More” Tab

Step 2: Scroll down to “Add more hours”

Set holiday and special hours

Step 1: Click the “More” Tab

Step 2: Scroll down to “Special Hours” and input the date of the holiday, and time you are open

Updating ‘Special Hours’ on Map Labs

Managing a single location?

Our software allows you to update Special Hours with just a few clicks. Visit the “Location Info” tab inside your Map Labs dashboard to easily manage your Regular Hours, More Hours, and Special Hours, all from one central page.

Bulk Updates on Map Labs

Map Labs makes it easy to update hours for a single location, but you can also bulk update dozens or even hundreds of locations in just a few clicks with our proprietary, industry-leading software. This bulk-hours feature is one of our most popular tools, saving time and reducing the chance of errors.

Step 1: Select locations you would like to update

Step 2: Choose what you would like to update in Bulk (in this example, special hours)

Step 3: Add your Special Hours and hit submit!

Whether you’re prepping for a holiday weekend or adjusting for a special event, Map Labs ensures your listings are up-to-date everywhere, all at once.

Get Started with Map Labs

Keeping your Google Business Profile “Special Hours” updated might seem like a small task, but it plays a big role in shaping how customers perceive your business—especially around holidays. In the fast-moving world of Maps Marketing, the details matter. When someone checks your hours and sees that you’re open, available, and reliable, that quick glance can be the difference between gaining a customer or losing them to a competitor.

In 2025, Google Maps isn’t just a navigation tool—it’s one of the most influential decision-making platforms for local commerce. Map Labs is powered by industry-leading proprietary software, built and continuously refined by a full-time, in-house development team dedicated to keeping us at the forefront of Google Maps Marketing. With over a decade of experience, we’re not just the #1 Maps Marketing software and service—we’re experts in a field we helped define.

But we offer more than just a tool. What sets Map Labs apart is our ability to pair powerful software with custom-built strategies, crafted by a team that’s spent 10+ years versed in the nuances of local search.

Did you know…

If your business wants to start leveraging the most powerful marketing channel available today, visit MapLabs.com to get started.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

Top Local Search Statistics 2025

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Local search is where real buying decisions are made.

Whether someone is craving takeout, rushing to a walk-in clinic, or looking for the nearest gym, their first move is usually a quick search on Google Maps or their phone. If your business does not appear in those moments, you are likely losing customers to someone who does.

To help you stay competitive in this high-intent environment, we’ve compiled a roundup of 2025’s most relevant local search statistics. These stats will give you a clear picture of how today’s consumers find and choose local businesses. From review behaviour to conversion rates and mobile searches, these insights can help you fine-tune your local search strategy, show up where it matters, and turn searches into customers.

1. Google gets 139.9 billion visits each month, of which 6.4 billion are unique visitors

This is an absurd amount of daily attention flowing through one platform. If your business isn’t showing up, you’re not just missing clicks—you’re missing actual foot traffic, phone calls, and purchases.

2. 88% of mobile local searches lead to business visits within 24 hours

Mobile local searches are high-stakes. If someone’s looking you up from their phone, they’re probably on the move, wallet in hand. Ensuring your Google Business Profile is compelling could be the deciding factor for winning them over.

3. Customers are willing to spend 31% more if the business has a good online reputation

An excellent reputation doesn’t just bring customers—it lets you charge more. Strong reviews are like social proof that you’re worth the premium, and people are happy to pay it for peace of mind.

4. “Near me” Google mobile searches increased by 500%+ in the past two years 

Having a Google Business Profile on Google Search and Maps helps your business appear at the right time—when nearby customers are actively looking and ready to make a purchase.

5. 62% of consumers would avoid using a business if they found incorrect information online

If your hours, phone number, or address are wrong on Google, many people won’t bother to double-check—they’ll just move on to your competitor. Accurate information isn’t optional; it’s basic trust-building.

6. 87% of customers read online reviews for local businesses

This shows that nearly everyone is doing their homework before spending money. People trust other people more than marketing, and your reviews are often your business’s first impression—before your website, storefront, or pricing.

7. 73% of consumers pay attention to reviews written only in the last month

Fresh reviews matter. People want to know what your business is like right now, not a year ago. If your reviews are outdated, customers may assume you’re closed or just not worth the risk.

8. The Google Local 3-pack appears in 93% of searches with local intent

That little box with three Google Business Profiles on Google? It dominates the search results for local queries. Getting featured here can skyrocket visibility and conversions.

9. 62% of shoppers are more likely to buy a product after seeing other customer photos and videos

User-generated content is the new word-of-mouth. It makes your business feel real, relatable, and trustworthy. Social proof from other customers seals the deal.

10. 96% of consumers are open to writing your business a review

Turns out, all you have to do is ask. Seriously—most happy customers just need a gentle nudge. With a 96% success rate, that’s one of the easiest wins you can get for your online reputation. Talk about low effort, high impact.

Why Local Search Matters

These statistics reflect more than trends.

They highlight how people behave when they are ready to make a purchase. Local search is immediate and full of high-intent customers. When someone looks up a service nearby, they are not browsing casually. They are making a decision.

Focusing on Maps Marketing puts your business in front of these ready-to-act customers. The companies that take these insights seriously and align their Google Business Profiles accordingly are not just showing up. They are getting chosen.

Get Started With Map Labs

Map Labs helps businesses create custom Maps Marketing strategies to help businesses across all sectors see growth with local search marketing. The key differentiator between Map Labs and other local search providers (or full-service agencies) is our channel specialization and dedicated support services. 

Visit MapLabs.com to learn how we help thousands of businesses grow with Maps Marketing.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

Sources

  1. https://www.coolest-gadgets.com/ai-integration-in-search-statistics/
  2. https://merged.ca/50-local-seo-statistics-that-will-transform-your-business/
  3. https://www.podium.com/guides/roi-of-online-reviews/
  4. https://www.themediacaptain.com/incredible-near-me-google-search-statistics/
  5. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-business-discovery-trust-report/#:~:text=You’ll%20see%20in%20the,even%20damaging%20your%20business%20reputation.
  6. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey-2023/#:~:text=Key%20Findings&text=The%20number%20of%20consumers%20reading,up%20from%2081%25%20in%202021.
  7. https://www.shoutaboutus.com/blog/do-you-have-to-respond-to-old-reviews-of-your-business#:~:text=Here’s%20another%20way%20of%20conceptualizing,written%20within%20the%20last%20month.”
  8. https://www.brightlocal.com/learn/local-seo/introduction-to-local-seo/google-local-pack/
  9. https://www.emarketer.com/content/user-generated-visual-content-influence-purchases
  10. https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey/

Click-Through Rate Manipulation on Google Maps: Why It’s a Risky Shortcut

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In the world of local search marketing, new “hacks” and shortcuts appear all the time—most promising quick wins on Google. One of the latest is Click-Through Rate (CTR) Manipulation—a strategy aimed at artificially boosting your business’s visibility on Google Maps by faking user engagement.

While the logic behind it might sound appealing at first, the long-term consequences are not. Here’s what CTR manipulation actually is, why it can temporarily work, and why using it can ultimately hurt your business far more than it helps.

What Is Click-Through Rate Manipulation?

CTR manipulation is the practice of artificially inflating the engagement metrics on your Google Business Profile (GBP). This can include fake direction requests, clicks, profile visits, and even interactions like photo views or call button taps.

Third-party providers offer services that simulate this engagement using either bots or real users with fake Google accounts. The goal is to trick Google into thinking your business is getting more interest than it actually is—causing your listing to appear more relevant and ideally show up higher in local search results.

Why It Might Work… But Only Temporarily

Google’s algorithm does factor in behavioural signals like clicks and engagement when evaluating which business profiles to surface in search results. More engagement signals higher relevance on Google, which is rewarded with increased visibility.

CTR manipulation simulates those engagement signals. And yes—in the short term, you might see a bump in profile views, direction requests, or even local rankings.

But this is where the strategy unravels. Google can detect fake engagement.

Google doesn’t just track the click. It tracks what happens next.

If dozens or hundreds of direction requests are submitted to your location, but no one actually shows up at your business (based on GPS and mobile data), Google flags this as suspicious behaviour. The same applies if engagement patterns spike and then drop off.

Manipulated engagement lacks one critical thing: follow-through. And Google is very good at spotting when behaviour doesn’t align with reality.

The Drop-Off Effect: Why You Could End Up Worse Off

There’s a bigger problem: once you start using CTR manipulation, you have to keep using it. Artificial engagement inflates your metrics—but when you stop, it signals a sharp decline to Google.

  • For example, if your profile goes from 100 direction requests a month to 1,000 and then suddenly drops back to 100, Google interprets that as a loss in relevance or popularity.
  • In many cases, businesses that stop using CTR manipulation find that their profiles perform worse than they did before they started.

In other words: you’re not just gaming the system—you’re training it to expect fake numbers.

The Real Risk: Suspension or Removal

Beyond performance drops, there’s a much more serious consequence: Google Business Profile suspension or blacklisting.

Google regularly rolls out algorithm updates designed to detect and eliminate spammy behaviour. If your profile is flagged for manipulation, it can be suspended or removed from search and Google Maps entirely—essentially wiping your business off the local map.

Reinstating a suspended profile is difficult and time-consuming. And in some cases, especially with repeated violations, it may not be reinstated at all.

What To Do Instead: Earn Real Engagement

The best way to improve your visibility on Google Maps isn’t to fake engagement—it’s to earn it.

Here’s what actually works:

  • Get consistent, high-quality reviews from real customers
  • Respond to 100% of customer reviews to drive engagement
  • Keep your business information up to date, including hours, address, and services
  • Add high-quality photos that reflect your current space, team, and offerings
  • Post updates regularly using Google Posts
  • Answer customer questions in the Q&A section of your profile
  • Use all available GBP features to show that your business is active and trustworthy

When users engage naturally—because your business is appealing and relevant—Google takes notice. Real engagement leads to long-term visibility and trust, without the risk of penalty.

CTR manipulation might seem like a clever shortcut, but in reality, it’s a short-term tactic with long-term consequences. Google’s algorithms are constantly evolving to detect and penalize these methods—and the businesses that use them.

If you want to build a lasting presence in local search, the answer is simple: be the business people genuinely want to engage with. Optimize your Google Business Profile, engage with your customers, and use Maps the way it was meant to be used.

Need help creating a strategy to optimize your Google Business Profile? At Map Labs, we help businesses grow on Maps through honest, proven local search strategies. Visit MapLabs.com to learn more.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

How to Verify Your Google Business Profile by Video in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

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Why Video Verification Matters

If you’re setting up or reclaiming your Google Business Profile (GBP), verification is a critical step.

Google offers video verification as the fastest and most reliable way to verify your business profile. But there’s a catch: your video can be rejected if you don’t follow Google’s instructions precisely.

Here’s a quick, step-by-step breakdown of how to get your business verified successfully via video:

1. Use the Google Maps App

You must log into the Google Maps app (not desktop) using the same account that manages your Google Business Profile. This is the only way to initiate video verification.

✅ Double-check you’re logged into the right Google account on your phone.

2. Record the Video “Live”—No Uploads Allowed

Google does not accept pre-recorded or edited videos. The recording has to be done live within the app. Once you’re in the right account and click “verify,” you’ll be prompted to begin recording.

3. Keep It Under 2 Minutes

Keep your video concise. You only need to prove that your business is real and located where you say it is. The ideal video length is a minimum of 30 seconds and a maximum of 90 seconds, but keeping the video under two minutes is essential.

4. Start with Signage and Location

Begin the video by showing your business signage and physical location. Make sure your address or street names are clearly visible when possible.

If you are located inside a large commercial building, showing the entrance with clear signage to your suite or floor is all that is necessary.

📍 The most crucial thing to remember is you are validating to Google what your business looks like in the real world.

5. Choose Your Orientation—And Stick to It

Start filming either vertically or horizontally, but do not switch once the recording has begun. Changing orientation mid-video can cause your submission to be rejected.

6. Do Not Flip the Camera Around

Don’t turn the camera to show your face or provide live narration. Keep the focus on the business location, signage, and relevant surroundings.

7. Skip the Story—Just Show the Essentials

Avoid excessive talking or storytelling. This isn’t a pitch. Just record the essential visuals: signage, front door, street view, and surrounding area.

8. Use a High-Resolution Camera

Google compresses video files during upload. If you use an older phone or a low-resolution camera, the video may become too blurry for Google to verify your location properly.

Be Seen Where it Matters Most

Video verification is the fastest and most reliable way to activate your Google Business Profile—but only if it’s done right. Treat it like proof of location, not a brand story. Stay focused and follow the format, and you’ll avoid delays or rejections.

Verification is the first step in your Maps Marketing journey. Map Labs can help support you every step of the way, from verification to optimization and long-term management. Contact us today to get started.

Visit MapLabs.com to learn how we help thousands of businesses grow with Maps Marketing.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

How to Create a Google Business Profile in 2025 (Step-by-Step Guide)

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If you’re running a local business and want new customers to find you, Google Business Profile is your single most important marketing asset.

Whether someone’s searching “coffee near me,” “24/7 vet,” or “best gym in Los Angeles,” Google pulls up a list of options based on proximity, relevance, and completeness of profile. If your business isn’t showing up—or if your GBP looks incomplete, outdated, or generic… chances are you’re getting skipped.

A Google Business Profile isn’t just a digital listing. It is your most visible landing page. This is where people check your hours, call you, request directions, browse photos, and read reviews—all without ever visiting your website.

TDLR;

Your Google Business Profile is your digital storefront on Google. If it’s not optimized, you’re leaving extra revenue—and customers—for your competitors to grab.

Step 1: Go to Google Business Profile Manager

Head to google.com/business and click “Get Started” You’ll be prompted to log in with your Google account (preferably one tied to your business).

Step 2: Enter Your Business Name

Start typing your business name. If it shows up, it may already exist on Google (especially if customers have previously left reviews). If so, you can request to claim it. If not, proceed to create a new profile.

Tip: Be consistent. Use the exact same business name you use on your storefront signage, website, and other directories.

Step 3: Choose Your Business Type

If customers visit your physical location, select “Local store”. This ensures your business shows up on Google Maps.

If you’re a service-area business (like a mobile groomer or cleaning company), select “Service business” and you’ll be able to list your service areas instead.

If you are an online retailer, click “Online retail”, and you will be prompted to enter your website domain.

Step 4: Choose a Business Category

This step is critical—your primary category determines which types of searches your business can show up for.

Start typing what you do (e.g., “restaurant,” “dentist,” “auto glass repair”) and select the most accurate option. You can add additional categories later, but the primary one carries the most weight.

Avoid guessing. Choose the category your ideal customer would search for when looking for a business like yours.

Step 5: Enter Contact Information

Add your address (if you have one).

Add your phone number and website URL (if you have one). This will make it easy for customers to call or click directly from your Google Business Profile.

Step 6: Verify Your Business

Verification options vary by business location and industry, but when verifying your business, you will be presented with the following options:

Enter the code once it arrives, and your Google Business Profile will go live.

Step 7: Optimize Your Google Business Profile

Once verified, don’t stop there. Fill out everything else to increase your chances of showing up in relevant searches:

  • Business hours (and holiday hours)
  • Photos of your storefront, products, team, or menu
  • Business description clear, concise, and keyword-aligned
  • Attributes like “Wheelchair accessible,” “Outdoor seating”
  • Q&A section (answer customer questions)
  • Review requests (start asking happy customers to leave reviews)

A complete profile doesn’t just show up more often—it gets chosen more often.

In 2025, local search isn’t about your website but your Google Business Profile. This is what shows up when customers are ready to act: to call, visit, book, or buy. It’s where they read reviews, see photos, and make split-second decisions.

Getting your profile right from the start is one of the easiest and highest-impact steps you can take for local visibility.

What Next?

Creating your Google Business Profile is just the first step—winning on Google Maps takes ongoing strategy.

This isn’t a “set it and forget it” platform. It’s a high-intent marketing channel where customers are nearby and ready to buy. To stand out and drive real foot traffic, your Google Business Profile needs to be optimized, updated, and actively managed.

Map Labs helps your business show up ahead of the competition—and get chosen by the customers who matter most.

Visit MapLabs.com to learn how we help thousands of businesses grow with Maps Marketing.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

What Is a Google Business Profile?

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If you’ve ever searched for a business on Google Maps or Google.com and seen a little box pop up with its hours, address, photos, and reviews—that’s a Google Business Profile.

It’s one of the most important marketing channels available to local businesses, and yet many don’t take full advantage of it.

So, what exactly is it, where does it show up, and how do people use it?

A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing that businesses can create and manage on Google. It tells potential customers all the key information about your business—like your name, location, hours, website, phone number, and even photos—right inside Google’s search results and on Google Maps.

Think of it as your business’s digital storefront. Your most visible landing page.

Whether someone is searching for your brand directly or just looking for a service you offer (i.e. “restaurant near me”), your Google Business Profile is what shows up first—before your website, Instagram, or even your Yelp page.

Where Does It Appear?

Your Google Business Profile appears in two main places:

  • Google Search
    When someone searches for your business or a related keyword with local intent, your Google Business Profile shows up at the top of both desktop and mobile Google.com search results.
Google.com Desktop
Google.com Mobile
  • Google Maps
    Your Google Business Profile also appears in Google Maps app search results. When people search for businesses in the area, Google Maps results are sorted based on location, relevance, and the optimization of your profile.
Google Maps

What Can You Use It For?

An optimized and well-managed Google Business Profile lets you:

  • Show up for local searches (“coffee near me”, “best dentist Toronto”)
  • Share your hours, address, phone number, and website
  • Post updates like special offers or seasonal announcements
  • Upload photos and videos to showcase your space or products
  • Collect and respond to customer reviews
  • Add booking or ordering buttons (for restaurants, spas, etc.)
  • Let customers message you directly

It’s like having a mini-website that lives inside Google’s ecosystem—but it’s faster, more visible, and completely free.

How Do Customers Use It?

Most people don’t bother going to a business’s website anymore—especially when they’re on their phone.

Instead, they:

  • Search on Google.com or Google Maps
  • Scroll through the Google Business Profiles displayed
  • Check the hours
  • Call you directly from the listing
  • Click for directions
  • Look through your reviews
  • Judge your business based on your photos
  • Book a service or place an order—right from the Google Business Profile

It’s fast. It’s easy. And in most cases, your Google Business Profile is the only place a customer looks before deciding to visit, call, or skip.

GBP is your most powerful marketing asset for attracting customers who are nearby and ready to buy.

If you’re a local business and you haven’t claimed or optimized your Google Business Profile, you’re missing out on free traffic, footfall, and visibility.

Visit MapLabs.com to learn how we help thousands of businesses grow with Maps Marketing.

Want to know more? 

🎥 Watch ‘Why Every Business Needs Maps Marketing’ video below!

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