- Getting on Google Maps means creating and verifying a free Google Business Profile.
- A new or unverified profile, a suspension or a hidden address are the usual reasons you can't find it.
- Showing on Maps and ranking well are different: relevance, distance and prominence decide position.
- Reviews, the right category and a complete profile are the levers you control.
How to get your business on Google Maps
Your business appears on Google Maps through a Google Business Profile, Google's free business listing. The same profile powers your listing in Maps, in the map results for local searches, and in the panel beside search results when someone looks you up by name.
To add your business to Google Maps:
- Search Google Maps for your business name to check whether a listing already exists. If it does, claim it rather than creating a new one.
- Go to Google Business Profile and sign in with the Google account you want to manage the listing from.
- Add your business name, exactly as customers know it.
- Choose your category, the most specific one that fits your main service.
- Add your location. If customers visit you, enter the address and check the pin on the map. If you visit customers instead, choose to hide your address and list the areas you serve.
- Add your phone number and website.
- Verify the business. Google offers the verification methods available to you, which may include a video, phone, text, email or postcard.
- Complete the profile: hours, services, description, photos.
There's no charge to appear on Google Maps. Our guide to setting up your Google Business Profile covers each step and how to optimise the profile once it's live.
Why is my business not showing on Google Maps?
If you've set up a profile but can't find it, work through these causes in order.
| Cause | How to tell | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Not verified yet | Your profile shows a verification prompt | Complete verification; until then the listing may not appear publicly |
| Recently created or edited | Changes say they're under review | Wait; reviews of edits can take some time |
| Suspended | You see a suspension notice when signed in | See our guide to a suspended Google Business Profile |
| Address hidden (service-area business) | You chose not to show your address | This is fine: you'll appear for searches in your service areas, but not as a pin at an address |
| Searching for the wrong thing | You find it by name but not by service | You're on Maps; you're just not ranking for that search yet (see below) |
| Too far from the searcher | It appears near your premises but not elsewhere | Distance is a ranking factor you can't change; strengthen relevance and prominence |
| Duplicate listings | Two listings for your business, splitting reviews | Request removal of the duplicate and keep one verified profile |
| Wrong pin location | The marker sits on the wrong street | Edit the address and adjust the pin |
The most common situation is the fifth: the business is on Maps, but doesn't appear when people search for the service. That's a ranking question.
How to rank higher on Google Maps
Google says local results are based mainly on three things: relevance, distance and prominence. You can't move your premises, but you can improve the other two.
Improve relevance
- Choose the most specific primary category for your main service, and add additional categories for other genuine services.
- List your services in the profile, with descriptions.
- Write a clear business description of what you do and who for.
- Link to a relevant page on your website, with service pages that match what people search for.
Improve prominence
- Get more reviews, steadily. Ask every customer with your direct review link, and reply to every review. See Google review link.
- Keep your name, address and phone number consistent on your website and across directories. See free business directories.
- Earn mentions and links from local and sector sources: trade bodies, local press, partners and suppliers.
- Strengthen your website. Google notes that your position in web results also counts towards local ranking.
Keep the profile active
Add photos regularly, publish updates, keep hours accurate (including holidays), and fix any wrong details Google or users suggest.
Our local SEO audit walks through every check and compares you with the businesses already in the map results.
How to beat competitors in the local pack
Search for your main service in your area on a phone and look at the three businesses in the local pack. Compare:
- their primary category
- their number of reviews, rating and how recent the reviews are
- whether they reply to reviews
- how complete their profile is (photos, services, updates)
- the page their profile links to
Close the most obvious gap first. Most often it's reviews or category.
Questions
How do I add my business to Google Maps?
Create a free Google Business Profile, add your name, category, address or service area, phone and website, verify the business, and complete the profile. Your listing then appears in Google Maps.
Does it cost anything to be on Google Maps?
No. Creating and managing a Google Business Profile, and appearing on Google Maps, is free. Paid ads are a separate option.
Why is my business not showing up on Google Maps?
Usually because the profile isn't verified yet, is under review or suspended, the address is hidden for a service-area business, or you're searching for a service you don't yet rank for rather than your business name.
How long does it take to appear on Google Maps?
Once verified, a profile usually appears quickly, though new profiles and edits may be reviewed first. Ranking well for service searches takes longer and depends on reviews, relevance and prominence.
Can I appear on Google Maps without an address?
Yes. Service-area businesses can hide their address and list the areas they serve. They appear in results for those areas, though without a pin at a street address.
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