How to Optimize Google Business Profile: Quick Audit and Fixes

When someone searches for your service in your city, your Google Business Profile decides whether you get the click, or your competitor does. The Map Pack receives a significant majority of local search clicks, with estimates ranging from 33% to over 60%, which is exactly why knowing how to optimize Google Business Profile matters. 

Start with a simple audit: Google your service/product and location and see where you rank in the Map Pack. If you’re not on that first page of "more searches," you’re leaving real business on the table. And the real magic? Well that happens when you crack the top 3! But how does one do that?First complete everything in your profile, make an search optimized bio, add keyword-rich services and products, post updates with website links, collect keyword-based reviews, and use Profile Insights to guide improvements.

Optimize your Google Business Profile by:

• Complete every field — Business name, address, phone, hours, website, and categories. And use up as many characters as possible in your Bio with keyword rich content. You also want to ensure your business information is the same across all websites and platforms from your profile to your business website, Facebook page and yes even Yelp!

• Keyword-rich services & product names — List every service with a search-friendly name (mine for example I would use both “SEO Red Deer” and “Local SEO Services”). Google reads those labels, use them! (Podium)

• Add photos & products — High-quality images and product/service entries increase actions and trust. Link products back to relevant pages on your site.

• Post updates with links — Use Google Posts to promote offers, pages, or blog posts or simply your community updates. Link to relevant pages on your site (example: add a blog link or your service/event page).

• Ask for keyword rich reviews — When a customer loved working with your business ask them for a review, and to be afraid to ask them to mention the service and location in the review. These real-world phrases help local relevance!

• Monitor Insights & refine — Track Searches, Views, and Actions in your GBP dashboard. Did your website clicks go up? Were you posting it in updates? Are a lot of people asking for directions? Make social media posts about where and how people can find you.

• Avoid spammy name changes — Don’t keyword-stuff your business name, plus this could actually harm you in the long run, use categories and services for keywords.

Why Google Business Profile Optimization Matters

Local listings matter more than most business owners realize. A large portion of local clicks go straight to the Map Pack, studies estimate anywhere from 33% to over 60% of all local search clicks land on those top three profiles. That means if you’re not showing up in the top spots, you’re handing the majority of real buyer intent to your competitors without even knowing it. Ranking high isn’t just a visibility win, it directly impacts calls, website visits, and walk-ins. Getting into the top three is one of the fastest ways to boost local leads without increasing ad spend.

Your Marketing Monday Task this week

• Google your service + location (in an incognito or private browsing window) and identify where you land?

• Update your profile fields, add services/products, and consistently begin posting a Google Update weekly with a link to your website.

• Ask two recent customers for keyword-rich reviews.

And yes, I’m doing this right alongside you. I used to sit comfortably in the top three Google Map Pack results for “Marketing Red Deer,” but recently I’ve slipped to positions 4 - 6. That’s the reality of local SEO: if you stop maintaining your Google Business Profile, the algorithm notices. Competitors rise, you fall, and visibility fades fast. So this week’s Marketing Monday task isn’t just all talk; I'll be walking the walk with you! Optimization is ongoing, and if you want to stay at the top, you have to keep showing Google, and your customers, why you deserve to be there.

Want help walking through your Google Business Profile audit and cracking the top 3? Book a free marketing evaluation and we’ll review your GBP together!