Google Business Profile for business

Your business appears on Google Search and Maps with hours, reviews and photos.

Maps and navigation · business.google.com

Claim or add your listing Visit business.google.com

Cost to list: Free
Approval: Reviewed in days
Link type: Dofollow link; Per BrightLocal, not our test
Shows up in searches for: No business types; Across our 399 searches
Popularity: Tranco #1; Rank of google.com
Countries: Worldwide

Checked Oct 20, 2026 · 2 sources

Is Google Business Profile worth it?

Our reading of the measured data, not a score.

Low priority

Low priority: no measured reach in Google.

Google Business Profile didn't make Google's top 10 in any of the 276 buyer searches we ran for the 69 business types it accepts. Listing is stated as free. Profile links are reported dofollow (BrightLocal, not our test).

What works

Free to list
Dofollow profile link (per BrightLocal, not our test)

Watch out for

Not in Google's top 10 for accountants, addiction treatment centers, alternative medicine practitioners, and 66 other types (0 of 276 searches)

Measured fit, by business group

How often Google Business Profile made Google's top 10 in our US buyer searches for the types it accepts.

Home services & trades 0/72

Not seen · 18 types
Health & wellness 0/48

Not seen · 12 types
Food, drink & hospitality 0/32

Not seen · 8 types
Weddings & events 0/28

Not seen · 7 types
Legal, finance & insurance 0/20

Not seen · 5 types
Real estate 0/20

Not seen · 5 types
Automotive 0/12

Not seen · 3 types
Education & childcare 0/12

Not seen · 3 types
Community & nonprofit 0/12

Not seen · 3 types
Beauty & fitness 0/12

Not seen · 3 types
Pets 0/8

Not seen · 2 types

See every search result →

Where Google Business Profile shows up when people search

We ran 399 real buyer searches (Google US, desktop) for 100 business types on Oct 20, 2026 and recorded which directories made the organic top 10. Local packs and ads are not counted.

Not in the top 10 of any search we ran.

Common for niche, community and launch sites. What they offer is the audience that browses them directly, not a page that ranks for generic searches.

Local types where it didn't rank: Accountants, Addiction treatment centers, Alternative medicine practitioners, Architects, Auto body shops, Auto repair shops, Bars and breweries, Cafes, Campgrounds, Car dealers, and 59 more.

"Among directories" is its position among the directories we track that appeared for that business type, by searches appeared in, then best spot. How we measure

What Google Business Profile costs and who can list

As stated on Google Business Profile's own pages or reported by a named source. Checked Oct 20, 2026.

Who can list: Any local business

Census audience: local businesses · Worldwide
Pricing: Free

Google: 'Stand out on Google with a free Business Profile'; no listing fee.
Approval: Reviewed in days. Requires verification after creating/claiming the profile: options shown per business may include video recording, live video call, phone/text code, email or postcard (mailed code, most arrive within 14 days). After completing verification steps, Google reviews the info; reviews take up to 5 business days, occasionally longer.
Link attribute: Dofollow link. Per BrightLocal's list, not our test.
Requirements: Google Account; business name, address/service area, category; ability to receive verification (business phone, email, mailing address for postcard, or video showing location and proof of ownership).
Note: Website links on Search/Maps profiles are rendered by JS-heavy Google surfaces; not inspected.
Sources: business.google.com/us/business-profile
support.google.com/business/answer/7107242

Prices and rules change; the linked pages are the authority.

How to add your business to Google Business Profile

1
Prepare your details

Google Business Profile asks for: Google Account; business name, address/service area, category; ability to receive verification (business phone, email, mailing address for postcard, or video showing location and proof of ownership).
- Business name, address and phone written exactly as on your Google Business Profile and website
- Primary category, plus the services you actually offer
- Opening hours, service area and website URL
- Real photos: storefront or vehicle, team, finished work
- Access to the business phone or email, in case it verifies ownership
- A way to ask real customers for reviews (never buy them)
Our standard checklist for this kind of site (local listing), not a list published by Google Business Profile.
2

Open the claim page
business.google.com/create/new
3

Approval: reviewed in days

Requires verification after creating/claiming the profile: options shown per business may include video recording, live video call, phone/text code, email or postcard (mailed code, most arrive within 14 days). After completing verification steps, Google reviews the info; reviews take up to 5 business days, occasionally longer.
4

Check the watch-outs

1 thing to know before you claim.

Google Business Profile alternatives

Ranked by the same evidence: Google top-10 appearances for the business types Google Business Profile serves, then audience fit, then Tranco popularity.

Questions about Google Business Profile

Is Google Business Profile worth it for a business?

Low priority: no measured reach in Google. Google Business Profile didn't make Google's top 10 in any of the 276 buyer searches we ran for the 69 business types it accepts. Listing is stated as free. Profile links are reported dofollow (BrightLocal, not our test). This is our reading of the measured data.

How much does a Google Business Profile listing cost?

Free. What we found: Google: 'Stand out on Google with a free Business Profile'; no listing fee.. Checked Oct 20, 2026.

Is a link from Google Business Profile dofollow?

Dofollow link, according to BrightLocal's dofollow/nofollow list; we haven't tested it ourselves.

How do I add my business to Google Business Profile?

Start at business.google.com/create/new. Approval: reviewed in days (Requires verification after creating/claiming the profile: options shown per business may include video recording, live video call, phone/text code, email or postcard (mailed code, most arrive within 14 days). After completing verification steps, Google reviews the info; reviews take up to 5 business days, occasionally longer.). Have your details ready first (see "How to list" above).

What are the best Google Business Profile alternatives?

Ranked by the same evidence: OpenStreetMap, Waze, and MapQuest (claim via Yext). The full list of 8 is above, with the searches each one appeared in.

Run Google Business Profile?

Link to this profile with a TopDirs badge. Get the code →