What is Google My Business and how does it impact local SEO?
Local SEO
Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile, GBP) is Google’s free tool for businesses to manage how they appear in Search and Maps. In 2025, it’s still the foundation of local SEO visibility. A fully optimized profile can directly influence whether your business shows up in the local pack (map results), which is where most local search clicks happen.
Key optimizations include:
(1) Keep NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistent across all platforms.
(2) Add categories, products, services, and business hours.
(3) Regularly update posts and images—Google favors active profiles.
(4) Collect and respond to reviews (a major local ranking factor).
(5) Use attributes like “family-friendly” or “women-owned” that align with user searches.
With AI-driven search (SGE) rolling out, GBP feeds structured data directly into AI-generated overviews, making it even more critical. Businesses with rich GBP profiles are more likely to be cited in zero-click answers.
Further Reading: