Guide
Google Business Profile Checklist: 15 Things to Check
By the Top the Map team · Updated October 23, 2026
How to use this: open your Google Business Profile and go down the list. Anything you can't check off is a quick win.
The basics
- Business name matches real life. Use the name on your sign and paperwork, with no extra keywords or city names.
- The most specific primary category. "Cosmetic dentist" beats "Dentist" if that's your main work; "Tattoo shop" beats "Art studio."
- A few accurate secondary categories for the other services you really offer.
- Address or service area set correctly. Show your address if customers come to you; hide it and set service areas if you go to them.
- Phone number that's answered during the hours you list.
- Hours and holiday hours. Update special hours before every holiday so Google doesn't send people to a closed door.
- Website link to your real site, ideally a page that matches the profile.
The details that help you rank
- Every service listed with a short description. Each one is another reason for Google to show you.
- A clear business description that says what you do, who you serve and where, in plain words.
- Attributes filled in, like accessibility, parking, payment options and online booking.
- Booking or appointment link if you take appointments online.
The things that keep you active
- Real photos: logo, cover, outside (so people can find you), inside, your team and your work. Add new ones regularly.
- Recent posts. A short update every week or two keeps the profile active.
- Recent reviews, all replied to. See our guide on getting more Google reviews.
- Matching info everywhere else. Your name, address and phone should match exactly on your website, Apple Maps, Bing, Yelp and other directories.
Red flags to fix right away
- A second listing for an old address or old name
- A phone number that goes to a former owner or a dead line
- Keywords stuffed into your business name
- Hours that don't match what's on your door
- A profile you can't log in to because someone else set it up
If your profile is set up but still isn't showing, read why your business might not be showing on Google Maps.
Want us to check yours?
Send us your business name and city. We'll look at your Google profile and your top competitors and send back a short list of quick wins, free.
Get my free auditMore guides
Why Isn't My Business Showing on Google Maps?The most common reasons a business doesn't show up on Google Maps, and how to fix each one.How to Get More Google Reviews (The Right Way)A simple, rule-following routine for getting more Google reviews from real customers.Google Business Profile Suspended? How to Get It BackWhy Google suspends Business Profiles, what to fix first, and how to appeal with the right proof.Google Business Profile Verification Stuck or Failed? What to DoWhy Google verification videos get rejected, how to get it right, and what to do when there are no more ways to verify.Duplicate or Wrong Google Listings: How to Fix ThemHow to find duplicate or outdated Google listings for your business and remove, merge or claim them the right way.