TL;DR
Your Google Business Profile might not be ranking because of incomplete info, lack of reviews, or poor SEO. The good news? You can fix it. This post breaks down the most common issues and shows you how to optimize your Google Business Profile to rank better and show up for more local customers.
The Basics: What Google Looks for in Local Rankings
Google uses three main factors to rank local businesses: relevance, distance, and prominence. But even businesses that are nearby and relevant won’t rank if their profiles are incomplete, inactive, or inconsistent.
Signs Your Profile Needs Work
- You’re not showing up in the local 3-pack
- Your competitors have more photos, reviews, and categories
- Your business info is outdated or incomplete
- You haven’t posted updates or responded to reviews
How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile
Here’s what we look at during a local SEO tune-up:
- Use all available fields—especially business categories and services
- Upload recent photos and videos (bonus if they’re geo-tagged)
- Add weekly posts to keep your profile active
- Respond to every review—good or bad
- Ensure NAP (name, address, phone) consistency across the web
Want more technical tips? Our post on using ChatGPT for local SEO has a great breakdown on keyword alignment and search intent matching.
Real Client Example
One of our service-based clients was barely visible in their own zip code. We audited and optimized their Google Business Profile, added weekly updates, photos from a recent shoot, and review replies. Within three weeks, they went from buried in the map results to showing in the top 3 for multiple queries.
What We Can Do
If your profile isn’t performing, we’ll run a local SEO tune-up that covers:
- Profile optimization
- Keyword research and placement
- Content/post strategy
- Visual asset updates
- Directory and citation cleanup
This service is fast, affordable, and customized for local businesses that need to start showing up.
How do I know if my Google Business Profile is ranking?
Search for your services or business name in incognito mode and check if your profile appears in the local map pack. You can also use Google’s “Performance” tab inside your profile dashboard.
How long does it take to rank after optimization?
Most clients see movement within 2–4 weeks, depending on your local competition, keyword volume, and profile activity.
What’s the most important thing I can do to improve visibility?
Keep your profile active. Post weekly, upload new photos, and consistently request reviews. Google favors businesses that keep their profiles fresh and responsive.
Do I need professional help to optimize my Google Business Profile?
Not always—but if you’re not seeing results, an expert can speed things up. We’ve optimized dozens of profiles across industries and markets with repeatable success.
Can you audit my profile before I commit?
Yes—just reach out. We’ll review your profile and give you a quick punch list of what’s helping and what’s hurting your visibility.