Ultimate Guide to Google My Business (Google Business Profile)

Jan 24, 08:47AM

This guide answers every real question business owners and agencies ask about Google My Business (now called Google Business Profile) without jargon, without fluff, and with honest agency-level insights.

Written by Media Web Tek, a digital marketing agency based in Mira Road, working with local businesses and agencies across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, and Vasai–Virar.

Whether you run a shop, clinic, restaurant, this blog will help you understand how GMB actually works, why profiles don’t show, why reviews disappear, and how to fix common issues.

We’ve managed and audited dozens of Google Business Profiles across industries and most problems are not random. They follow patterns.

Google My Business vs Google Business Profile (First, Clear the Confusion)

Google My Business (GMB) was the old name.

Today, Google officially calls it Google Business Profile (GBP).

👉 Functionally, they are the same thing.

People still search:

• how to create google my business account
• google my business seo
• google my business optimization

So in this guide, we’ll use both terms, but remember: Google My Business = Google Business Profile

What Is Google My Business Used For?

Google My Business (Google Business Profile) is used to help local businesses appear on Google Search and Google Maps when customers look for products or services nearby.

It helps businesses:

• Get discovered in "near me" searches
• Receive calls, direction requests, and website visits
• Build trust through reviews and photos

For Media Web Tek clients across Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Mira Road, GMB is often the highest-converting local marketing channel.

Google My Business is used to:

• Show your business on Google Maps
• Appear in local search results ("near me" searches)
• Collect reviews & ratings
• Display contact details, photos, services, timings
• Drive calls, visits, and leads without ads

For local businesses, GMB is often more powerful than a website.

For agencies, it’s one of the highest ROI local SEO assets.

How Does Google My Business Work?

Google Business Profile works on three primary ranking factors:

• Relevance – how closely your profile matches the search
• Distance – proximity to the searcher
• Prominence – reviews, activity, and trust signals

This is why Google My Business SEO is different from website SEO.

Google shows business profiles based on three core factors:

1. Relevance – How well your profile matches the search
2. Distance – How close you are to the user
3. Prominence – Reviews, activity, optimization, trust

Your website SEO helps but GMB has its own algorithm.

This is why a business with a basic website but a strong GMB profile can outrank a big brand locally.

How to Create a Google My Business Account (Step-by-Step)

Creating a Google My Business account is free and usually takes 10–15 minutes.

Step 1: Go to Google Business Profile

• Sign in with a Google account
• Search your business name

Step 2: Add or Claim Your Business

• If it exists, claim it
• If not, create a new profile

Step 3: Enter Business Details Carefully

• Business name (no extra keywords)
• Category (VERY important)
• Address or service area
• Phone number & website

Step 4: Verify Your Business

Verification can take:

• Instant (rare)
• 3–7 days (postcard)
• Up to 14 days (some categories)

We’ve seen verification delays mostly when details don’t match online listings.

When Will My Business Show Up on Google?

Most verified Google Business Profiles start appearing on Google Search within 3–7 days, and on Google Maps within 5–14 days.

Delays usually happen due to trust or guideline issues, not technical errors.

Typically:

• Search results: 3–7 days after verification
• Google Maps: 5–14 days

But many profiles never show properly.

Most Common Reasons Profiles Don’t Show:

• Wrong primary category
• New profile with no activity
• Suspended (even silently)
• Address conflicts
• Keyword-stuffed business name

Most profiles don’t show because Google doesn’t trust them yet.

Trust is built through consistency, activity, and compliance.

Why Is My Google Business Profile Not Showing on Google?

If your Google Business Profile is not showing, it is usually due to verification, trust, or policy-related issues.

Common reasons include:

• Profile under review or suspended
• Incorrect primary category
• Address or service-area violations
• Duplicate or conflicting listings

This is one of the most searched questions and here’s the real answer.

Common Causes:

• Profile is unverified or under review
• Hidden suspension (very common)
• Service-area business incorrectly showing address
• Violating Google’s name guidelines
• Duplicate listings

We’ve audited profiles that looked “live” but were actually suppressed.

Fixing this requires:

• Guideline cleanup
• Category correction
• Trust rebuilding

Can You Change Your Google My Business Name?

Yes, you can change your Google My Business name but only if it reflects your real-world business name.

Adding keywords or locations can trigger ranking drops or suspension.

Yes but carefully.

What Google Allows:

• Real-world business name
• Branding used on signage

What Google Penalizes:

• Adding keywords ("Best Dentist in Mumbai")
• Adding location unnecessarily

We’ve seen rankings drop overnight after name edits.

Rule of thumb:
If it’s not on your legal documents or signage don’t add it.

Why Are My Google Business Reviews Disappearing?

Google automatically filters reviews that appear unnatural or violate its policies.

Reviews may disappear if they come from the same device, IP address, or appear in sudden bulk.

This scares business owners but it’s usually automated.

Common Reasons Reviews Disappear:

• Review from same IP/device
• Sudden bulk reviews
• Incentivized reviews
• Reviewer account flagged

We’ve seen reviews disappear when businesses pushed WhatsApp review blasts.

Good news: Reviews aren’t “deleted” they’re filtered.

Solution:

• Natural review velocity
• Diverse reviewers
• No scripts or pressure

How Much Does Google My Business Cost?

Google My Business is completely free to use.

You only incur costs if you hire an agency like US for Google My Business optimization or Local SEO services.

Google My Business is 100% free.

You only pay if:

• You run Google Ads
• You hire an agency for optimization

What Is Google My Business Optimization?

Google My Business optimization is the process of improving your profile to rank higher in Google Maps and local search results.

It includes category selection, review strategy, content updates, and trust-building activities.

GMB optimization means:

• Correct category strategy
• Services & descriptions optimized for intent
• Photos & updates
• Review management
• Q&A optimization
• Local SEO signals

Optimization is ongoing, not one-time.

What Is Google My Business SEO?

Google My Business SEO focuses on improving visibility in Google Maps and local search results.

It works alongside website SEO but follows different ranking signals.

GMB SEO focuses on:

• Ranking in Maps Pack (Top 3 results)
• High-intent local keywords

GMB SEO ≠ Website SEO

Website SEO helps Google understand authority.

GMB SEO helps Google decide who to show locally.

Both work best together.

How to Delete a Google My Business Account

You can delete or remove a Google Business Profile if it is permanently closed or no longer required.

You can:

• Remove a listing
• Mark permanently closed

Steps:

1. Go to Business Profile Manager
2. Select the business
3. Choose “Remove Business Profile”

⚠️ Deleting removes reviews permanently.

Google My Business Suspensions (The Hidden Reality Most Agencies Don’t Tell You)

Google suspends profiles for:

• Name violations
• Address misuse
• Spam competitor reports
• Category abuse

Some suspensions are silent.

Many businesses don’t even know they’re suspended.

Recovery requires:

• Full audit
• Evidence submission
• Patience (2–4 weeks typical)

Common Mistakes Businesses Make

• Treating GMB as a one-time setup
• Ignoring reviews
• Keyword stuffing
• Using fake addresses
• Copy-pasting descriptions

These mistakes cost rankings.

Agency Insight: What Actually Works in 2026

From experience:

• Consistency beats hacks
• Reviews matter more than posts
• Categories decide visibility
• Trust signals decide longevity