Getting your business on Google Maps starts with creating a free Google Business Profile, which is Google’s tool for managing how your business appears in Maps and Search results. The entire setup takes about 15 to 30 minutes, though verification can add a few days depending on the method Google assigns you. Here’s how to do it.
Who Can Create a Listing
Any business that makes in-person contact with customers can create a Google Business Profile. This includes traditional storefronts like restaurants and retail shops, but it also covers service-area businesses like plumbers, electricians, and mobile pet groomers who travel to customers rather than operating from a public-facing location. If your business serves customers face to face in any capacity, you qualify.
There are a few restrictions. Businesses tied to age-restricted products or services (alcohol, cannabis, weapons) can’t list as service-area businesses without a physical storefront. And you can’t use a virtual office address unless that office is actually staffed during your posted business hours.
Create Your Google Business Profile
Go to the Google Business Profile website and click “Manage now.” You’ll need to sign in with a Google account, so create one first if you don’t already have one. From there, type in your business name. If it appears in the dropdown suggestions, select it to claim the existing listing. If it doesn’t appear, click “Add your business to Google” to create a new one.
Use your exact legal business name, spelled the same way it appears on your website, signage, and other platforms. Google cross-references these details, and inconsistencies can delay your listing or trigger a suspension later. Don’t stuff keywords into your business name (like “Joe’s Plumbing | Best Plumber in Town”). Google’s guidelines prohibit this, and it’s a common reason profiles get flagged.
You’ll then be prompted to choose a business category. Pick the one that most precisely describes what you do. Google offers hundreds of categories, so search for yours rather than settling for a generic one. You can add secondary categories later.
Set Your Location or Service Area
If you have a storefront or office where customers visit you, enter the full street address. Google will place your pin on the map at that location, so double-check the address for accuracy.
If you go to your customers instead, like a landscaper or house cleaner, you’ll set up a service area instead of displaying a physical address. Google lets you define your service area by city, zip code, or region, but the boundary shouldn’t extend farther than about two hours of driving time from where your business is based. If you run the business from your home, hide your residential address from the public listing. Google provides a toggle for this during setup.
Businesses that both receive customers at a location and travel to serve them can do both: display an address and set a service area. If you operate from multiple locations with separate staff and separate coverage zones, you can create one profile for each location.
Add Your Business Details
After setting your location, Google walks you through adding your phone number, website URL, and business hours. Fill in every field you can. Listings with complete information rank higher in local search results and give potential customers fewer reasons to look elsewhere.
You’ll also be able to add photos, a business description (up to 750 characters), and attributes like “wheelchair accessible” or “free Wi-Fi.” Photos matter more than most business owners expect. Listings with photos receive significantly more clicks and direction requests than those without. Upload clear images of your storefront, interior, products, or team. Aim for at least five to start.
Verify Your Business
Google won’t publish your listing until you verify that you’re the actual owner or authorized representative. The verification method isn’t something you choose freely. Google assigns one or more options based on your business type and location. The most common methods include:
- Postcard: Google mails a postcard with a verification code to your business address. This typically arrives within 5 to 14 days. Enter the code in your Business Profile dashboard when it arrives.
- Phone: Google calls or texts a code to the phone number on your listing. This takes seconds.
- Email: Google sends a code to the email address associated with your business domain.
- Video: Google may ask you to record a short video showing your business location, signage, and proof that you operate there. You upload this through the verification flow, and Google reviews it manually.
Video verification has become more common, especially for new businesses or those in categories prone to spam. If Google requests it, walk through your business space showing the street address, any visible signage, and evidence of normal operations like equipment, inventory, or branded materials.
Don’t make changes to your profile (like updating your address or business name) while verification is pending. Edits during this window can reset the process or trigger additional review.
What Happens After Verification
Once verified, your listing typically goes live on Google Maps within a few days. You can then manage it through the Google Business Profile dashboard or the Google Maps app itself. From there, you can respond to customer reviews, post updates and offers, add new photos, and track how many people viewed your listing or requested directions.
Keep your information current. If your hours change seasonally, update them. If you move locations, update your address carefully, as significant edits like address changes can sometimes trigger a re-verification or even a temporary suspension while Google confirms the new details. Make one change at a time rather than overhauling your entire profile at once.
Adding a Missing Place (Not a Business)
If you’re not a business owner and simply want to add a missing location to Google Maps, like a park, landmark, or building, you can suggest it directly through the Google Maps app. Open the app, tap “Contribute,” then “Add place,” and follow the on-screen instructions. Google reviews these suggestions before publishing them, which can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks depending on the type of place and whether Google can verify it through other data sources.