2022 Update: Google My Business is now known as the Google Business Profile. With the name change comes some value-added upgrades. Be sure to subscribe to Bigger Better Biz on YouTube to learn how you can improve your chances of showing up on Google Search and Maps.

Posts on GMB are just like posts on social media!

One of the things that sets Google Business apart from other online business directories is that it also doubles as kind of a social media platform. Google Business lets you interact with your customers! One way it does this is by allowing you to create “posts.”

Posts are exactly what you think they are - they are updates, information, photos and more about your business that you would want featured on your Google Business Profile. This is a feature that is not used by a ton of businesses but can be very helpful promoting things you are doing or getting people in the door. Think of it as a social media post that people will see when they search for your business, no following required!

Why Should I Post?

Posts are a great way to keep customers updates on what’s going on at your business right this second. People can read your description and get a feel for your business but they can get the latest updates through your posts. Are you changing your hours? Post about it. Do you have a new item on the menu? Post about it.

Posts also get prominent placement in both search and on your profile itself. It’s essentially free real estate to advertise what is going on at your business right now.

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What Kinds Of Things Can I Post?

There are a few different kinds of posts you can create depending on what you need to get across. Always create a post with a photo to make sure it is visible!

What’s New?

Here is where you will want to post about upcoming events, new items or services or just facts and interesting things happening at your business. This area is generally a free space to post. You can promote a blog post, an email list or anything in-between! This is essentially the same as a social media post except you can choose a call to action to add with a link.

Offers

Here is where you will want to add any new offers you have running. You can add a photo, description, amount and beginning and end dates for the offer. Update this whenever you run a new sale since it will be enticing to those seeing your business when they are searching for your products and services on Google.

COVID-19 Update

This is a new kind of update and (hopefully) won’t be around forever. Here is where you will update customers on any kind of COVID-related closures, changes in hours or new protocols.

How Often Should I Post?

A good rule of thumb is to post at least once a week, two ideally. Whenever you post something in “What’s New?” it will stay on your profile for only around 4 days. Once the post expires it will disappear and there will be no post that shows up at the top of your page. Offers and COVID updates stay up longer so they don’t need to be updated as regularly.

Two posts a week is perfect. Try out different kinds of posts and see what kind of traction you get! You can easily see clicks and activity in the Google My Business “Insights” tab.

Final Thoughts

Posting on your Google Business Profile is an easy way to claim prominent , free real estate on Google Search. Posts are featured prominently when potential customers search your business and may be the reason someone goes from searcher to purchaser!