Let’s explore and debunk some of the most common GMB myths that might be holding your business back from achieving its full potential online.
Myth #1: GMB Is Only for Retail Stores and Brick-and-Mortar Businesses
One of the most prevalent misconceptions is that Google Business Profile is exclusively beneficial for physical retail shops or traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
The Truth: GMB is valuable for virtually any business type, including service-based businesses, professionals, and home-based operations. Whether you’re running a law firm, a salon, a home repair service, or even a consultancy from your home office, having a GMB profile can significantly boost your online visibility and help potential clients discover your services.
For service-area businesses without a physical storefront, Google allows you to set up your profile as a service-area business, using your residential address while choosing not to display it publicly. This ensures your privacy while still enabling you to benefit from local search visibility.
Myth #2: GMB Doesn’t Impact Local Search Rankings
Some business owners believe that their GMB profile has little to no effect on their local search rankings, viewing it merely as an online directory listing.
The Truth: Your Google Business Profile significantly influences your local search rankings. Google’s algorithm places considerable value on accurate, complete, and regularly updated business information. By maintaining a well-optimised GMB profile with current contact details, business hours, and customer reviews, you can substantially improve your visibility in local search results and potentially outrank competitors.
In fact, GMB is considered by many experts to be THE most important component of local SEO. It provides Google with essential information that appears in local “maps” search results, making it virtually impossible to compete effectively in local searches without a verified and fully completed GMB profile.
Myth #3: Setting Up and Managing GMB Is Too Complicated
Many business owners shy away from GMB because they perceive it as a complex platform requiring technical expertise to set up and manage.
The Truth: Google has designed the Business Profile platform with user-friendliness in mind. The setup process is straightforward, with Google providing step-by-step guidance to help you create and optimise your listing. Once established, regular management activities like posting updates, uploading photos, and responding to reviews can be easily integrated into your routine marketing efforts.
With intuitive navigation and clear instructions, managing your GMB profile can become a simple and rewarding aspect of your marketing strategy rather than a technical burden.
Myth #4: Once Set Up, GMB Profiles Don’t Need Regular Updates
After creating their GMB profile, some businesses adopt a “set it and forget it” approach, believing that no further attention is required.
The Truth: Regular updates to your GMB profile are essential for maintaining visibility and accuracy. Outdated information can mislead potential customers and damage trust. Moreover, Google’s algorithm favours active profiles that show regular engagement through new posts, photos, and review responses.
Studies have consistently shown that active profiles achieve higher rankings than stale and inactive ones. By regularly refreshing your content and responding promptly to customer interactions, you signal to Google that your business is active and relevant, potentially boosting your position in search results.
Myth #5: Reviews Don’t Matter or Can’t Be Managed
Some business owners either ignore customer reviews entirely or respond negatively to criticism, while others believe they have no recourse against fake or malicious reviews.
The Truth: Reviews are not just reflections of customer satisfaction-they’re critical ranking factors for local SEO. Engaging actively with your reviews demonstrates to both Google and potential customers that you value feedback and are committed to customer service.
When it comes to fake reviews, you do have options. Google allows businesses to report fraudulent reviews for removal. Taking a proactive approach to managing your online reputation ensures that authentic customer experiences are highlighted while protecting your business from unfair criticism.
Myth #6: A Business Can Claim They’re Open 24/7 If They Have an Answering Service
Some businesses incorrectly list themselves as operating 24/7 because they have an answering service or online booking system available round the clock.
The Truth: The hours listed on your GMB profile must accurately reflect when staff are physically working at your location1. Even if your business has systems in place to handle enquiries outside regular hours, your stated business hours should only cover times when customers can expect to find staff physically present. Businesses that operate by appointment only should indicate this rather than posting standard hours.
Misrepresenting your availability can lead to frustrated customers and potentially violate Google’s guidelines, risking penalties to your listing.
Myth #7: Using Keywords in Business Names Improves Search Visibility
Some businesses attempt to improve their search rankings by incorporating keywords into their business name on GMB, even if these terms aren’t part of their official business name.
The Truth: Google explicitly states that your business name on GMB must accurately reflect your real-world business name as used consistently on your storefront, website, stationery, and as known to customers. Keyword stuffing in your business name violates Google’s guidelines and can result in penalties rather than improved rankings.
Instead of manipulating your business name, focus on legitimate optimisation strategies like completing all profile sections, gathering authentic reviews, and posting regular updates.
Myth #8: GMB Is Only for Large Businesses
Smaller businesses or solo entrepreneurs sometimes believe that GMB is primarily designed for larger enterprises with bigger marketing budgets.
The Truth: Google Business Profile offers tremendous value regardless of your business size. In fact, it can be particularly beneficial for smaller businesses by levelling the playing field and making them more discoverable online. This accessibility allows even the smallest ventures to compete effectively in their local market and reach a broader audience without significant marketing expenditure.
Myth #9: A Business Can’t Rank in a City Where They Don’t Have a Physical Location
Many businesses assume they can only appear in local search results for the specific city where their physical premises are located.
The Truth: While having a physical location in a particular city certainly helps with ranking there, businesses can still appear in search results for nearby areas, especially for service-based businesses that travel to customers. Google’s algorithm considers various factors beyond just physical location, including the service areas you’ve specified in your profile and your overall online presence.
Myth #10: GMB Is Redundant If You Already Have a Website
Some business owners question the value of maintaining a GMB profile when they already have a comprehensive website.
The Truth: Your GMB profile complements rather than competes with your website. While your website provides detailed information about your business, your GMB profile offers a concise snapshot that appears directly in search results and Google Maps. This immediate visibility can capture potential customers at the crucial moment when they’re actively searching for services like yours.
The two platforms work synergistically. Your website provides depth of information, while your GMB profile ensures visibility at the point of search, creating a more robust online presence than either could achieve alone.
Conclusion
Google Business Profile remains one of the most powerful yet often misunderstood tools in the local marketing arsenal. By dispelling these common myths and embracing GMB’s full potential, businesses of all sizes and types can enhance their online visibility, connect more effectively with local customers, and ultimately drive growth.
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