Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is the most important asset for local search visibility. This lesson covers complete optimization — from claiming to ongoing management.
Claiming & Verification
- Go to business.google.com and claim your listing
- Complete verification (postcard, phone, email, or video depending on your business type)
- Once verified, you have full control of your listing
Essential Optimization Steps
Business Name
Use your exact legal business name — no keyword stuffing. "Joe's Plumbing" not "Joe's Plumbing — Best Emergency Plumber in Austin TX." Keyword stuffing in business names violates Google's guidelines and can get your listing suspended.
Primary Category
This is the #1 ranking factor for Local Pack visibility. Choose the most specific category that describes your core business. If you're a pizza restaurant, choose "Pizza Restaurant" not just "Restaurant."
Secondary Categories
Add all relevant secondary categories for additional services. A dentist might add: "Cosmetic Dentist," "Pediatric Dentist," "Emergency Dental Service."
Business Description
750 characters to describe your business. Include key services, unique selling points, and service areas. Don't keyword-stuff — write naturally for potential customers.
Services & Products
List every service you offer with descriptions and pricing. This helps Google match your business to specific service-related queries.
Hours
Keep hours accurate and update for holidays. Businesses with accurate hours earn more trust from both Google and customers.
Photos
Upload 20+ high-quality photos across categories: exterior, interior, team, products/services, and customer interactions. Update monthly — recency matters. Businesses with 100+ photos get 520% more calls.
Google Posts
Publish weekly posts: offers, events, updates, product highlights. Posts appear on your listing and in Maps. They expire after 7 days, so consistency matters.
Using SEB Local
SEB Local provides a unified dashboard for managing your GBP: performance tracking, post scheduling, review monitoring, and competitor analysis — all in one place.
Key takeaway: A fully optimized GBP starts with the right primary category, complete information, regular photos, and weekly posts. Treat your profile as a living asset, not a set-it-and-forget-it listing.