Google My Business Ranking: Tips to Rank Higher in 2025

For local businesses, competing in digital marketing can feel overwhelming. With so many choices, standing out in local SEO and search results is tough. Mastering Google My Business ranking is one way to rise above the noise.

Learning how to raise your Google Business Profile visibility through GMB helps attract foot traffic and build trust with local customers. Below, you’ll find practical tips for Google My Business optimization that boost your profile’s ranking and support your wider digital marketing strategy.

Learn about the Google My Business posting service

Benefits of a Strong Google My Business Listing

• Increased Visibility: A strong Google My Business listing helps your business show up in local searches and on Google Maps, making it easier for people nearby to find you.
• More Leads: Showing up more often means more calls, messages, and visits from customers who are ready to connect.
• Customer Trust: A complete and active profile with positive reviews gives people confidence that your business is reliable.

Understanding Google My Business Profile

To raise your spot in Google My Business ranking results, it helps to know how Google decides the order for local searches. Three main factors shape your Google My Business ranking performance and overall profile visibility. Google’s official guide to local search ranking explains how relevance, distance, and prominence determine how businesses appear in local search results.

1. Relevance: Strong profiles match search terms with the right business categories, service descriptions, and keywords that support Google My Business ranking.

2. Distance: Google checks how close your business address is to the searcher’s location or the place named in the search.

3. Prominence: This reflects how established your business appears. Customer reviews, star ratings, business photos, and citations all contribute to a higher Google My Business ranking over time.

How to Improve Your Google My Business Ranking

Want to boost your spot in Google My Business ranking results?

Improving your Google My Business ranking starts with a profile that is complete, clear, and active. Here’s how to level up your profile in 4 simple steps to support better Google My Business ranking performance:

1. Claim and Verify Your GMB Profile

Claiming your Google My Business profile helps you take control of your business listing and improve your Google My Business ranking from the start. Once you’re in, you can update your profile and manage how it appears in local search results—both of which support a stronger Google My Business ranking over time.

How to Do It:

1. Create Your Profile: Head to the Google My Business site and sign up if you’re not already set up.

2. Add Business Info: Enter your business name, address, phone number, and category. Double-check everything matches what’s online elsewhere.

3. Pick a Verification Method: Google may mail a postcard or let you verify by phone or email. Most use the postcard option, which sends a code to your business address.

4. Enter the Code: Once the code arrives, plug it into your Google Business Profile. After that, you’re ready to manage your listing and start building local visibility.

Verify Google Business Listing

2. Keep Your Business Details Consistent Everywhere

Matching business name, address, and phone number across your website, social media, and directories helps your Google My Business ranking. Consistent details build trust with Google and improve your Google My Business ranking over time. If your info varies, Google might show your listing less often in search results.

How to Do It:

1. Audit Your Details: Keep tabs on your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) across your site, social platforms, and any listings.

2. Update Quickly: If your hours, phone, or location change, update it everywhere right away to avoid confusion.

3. Consistent: Use the same format each time. If one listing says “St.” and another says “Street,” Google may treat them as different places.

3. Use Keywords to Help People Find You

Keywords help match your Google My Business profile with what people type into search. Using the right terms boosts your Google My Business ranking and gets your business noticed more often in local results. The better the match, the stronger your profile performs in Google My Business ranking over time.

How to Do It:

1. Find the Right Keywords: Think like a customer, what would they search for? Tools like Google Keyword Planner can give you real phrases people use.

2. Add Keywords Smoothly: Use them in your business description, services, and posts. Write the way you’d talk, don’t stuff keywords just to rank.

3. Be Specific: Phrases like “organic bakery in downtown Seattle” work better than general terms like “bakery.” These long-tail keywords help your business show up for exact searches.

4. Tools That Keep Your Google My Business Profile Fresh

Keeping your Google My Business profile active shows Google you’re engaged, which helps maintain a stronger Google My Business ranking. A few simple tools make it easier to stay on top of updates and reviews while supporting your Google My Business ranking through consistent activity.

How to Do It:

1. Check Your Dashboard: The GMB dashboard shows how people are finding and clicking on your listing. Look at things like views, calls, and direction requests to spot trends.

2. Turn on Alerts: Get notified when someone leaves a review or sends a message. Fast replies help your response rate metrics and show you’re paying attention.

3. Plan Regular Edits: Use a calendar or reminder app to nudge you to update your info, add fresh photos, or post something new. It helps your profile stay current and boosts visibility metrics.

5 Strategies for Engagement and Visibility

Want your Google My Business profile to stand out and improve your Google My Business ranking at the same time?

These five ideas help you stay active, look great, and connect with local customers, all while boosting your Google My Business ranking naturally through engagement.

1. Use Great Photos and Videos

People click on what looks good. Good visuals help show off what your business is all about.

How to Implement:

• Take Quality Photos: Use clear, well-lit images of your location, products, or services. Hire a pro if you can.
• Add Short Videos: A quick tour, happy customers, or a look behind the scenes all make your profile feel more real.
• Keep Things Fresh: Swap out old pictures every season or when something changes at your shop or office.

2. Post Weekly to Stay Active

Keeping your profile updated shows Google you’re still around and ready for business. Fresh posts can help raise your spot in local results.

How to Implement:

• Share Weekly Posts: Talk about new products, promos, events, or anything newsworthy. Use text, photos, and buttons.
• Seasonal Ideas: Tap into holidays or local events to keep things fun and timely.
• Promote Events: Post dates, times, and what people can expect.

Follow the latest Google My Business posts best practices to get more eyes on your updates.

3. Track What’s Working

You can see what people click, search, and do when they find your business. These numbers help you decide what to post next.

How to Implement:

• Open Your Dashboard: See what search terms lead to clicks, calls, or direction requests.
• Look for Patterns: Find out which posts get more views or actions.
• Turn On Notifications: Get alerts when you get customer reviews or messages so you can reply quickly. That helps your response rate metrics and keeps your profile active.

4. Make It Easy to Take Action

If people have to guess what to do next, they’ll bounce. CTAs make it simple.

How to Do It:

How to Implement:

• Use Buttons: Add things like “Call Now,” “Book Online,” or “Visit Website” to your posts.
• Ask Questions: Try polls or open-ended posts that invite replies or reactions.
• Reply to Customers: Thank reviewers, answer questions, and stay part of the conversation. That builds trust and visibility.

5. Get Involved Locally

Local customers love businesses that show up for the community. It also helps with your Google My Business ranking.

How to Implement:

• Post About Local Events: Share updates when you host or attend things nearby.
• Team Up With Neighbors: Partner with another business to run joint promos or giveaways.
• Mention Local Spots: Tag landmarks or use familiar references to show you’re part of the area.

How Can I Get My Business Ranked Higher on Google?

1. Reviews Management

Customer reviews play a major role in your Google My Business ranking. Strong review management helps businesses climb in Google My Business ranking by showing trust, relevance, and responsiveness.

• Ask happy customers to leave a review. A simple request often works.
• Respond to reviews, both the good and the bad. Keep it real and respectful.
• Take feedback seriously. Use it to shape how your team runs day-to-day.

2. Local Citations

Add your business to trusted directories like Yelp, Bing, and others. Use the same business name, address, and phone number across all platforms. These local citations help your profile show up more often.

3. Customer Interactions

Replying to questions or messages shows Google that you’re active. Fast replies can boost your prominence and build trust with future customers.

How to Rank a Service Area Business Without a Physical Address

You don’t need a storefront to show up on local search. If you’re a service area business, you can still land in the top results. It just takes the right setup.

1. Set Up Your Service Area the Smart Way

When you create or update your Google Business Profile, choose “I deliver goods and services to my customers.” Enter your service areas using zip codes instead of miles for tighter targeting. You’ll still need to verify with a real address, but you can hide it from public view afterward.

2. Show Google Where You Work

Even without a listed address, you can give location clues that support your Google My Business ranking. Service-area businesses can achieve a strong Google My Business ranking with the right signals, like local content and geo-tagged photos.

• Build separate pages on your site for each city or zip code you serve
• Mention neighborhoods in your business description (“Serving Echo Park and Boyle Heights”)
• Upload geo-tagged photos from jobs you’ve done

3. Ask for Local Mentions in Reviews

Google notices when customer reviews include location names. A review like “Great electrician in West LA” can help your profile show up in that area. After a job, ask happy customers to include their city or neighborhood in what they write.

4. Get Noticed Locally With Links

Boost your local standing with a few simple moves:

• Join business groups or chambers that list members online
• Ask for links from community websites or blogs
• Share case studies about local projects and tag the neighborhood

These small steps can help your Google Business Profile show up even when you don’t list your address.

How to Set Up Google My Business for Maximum Results

Want to get noticed fast?

Setting up your Google Business listing the right way helps people find you on local search and Google Maps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Sign Up and Verify

Go to the Google My Business site and create your free profile. Add your business information using the latest Google My Business posts best practices, then finish the verification process so your listing can go live.

2. Fill Out Every Section

Don’t skip anything. Add your categories, hours, phone number, services, and anything else that applies. The more details you include, the more likely people are to click.

3. Add Location-Based Keywords

Use phrases like “vegan bakery in Portland” or “roof repairs in Miami” in your business description and posts. These location-based keywords help Google match your profile with local searches.

How to Update Google Business Listing

Need to make changes to your Google Business listing? Here’s how to keep everything up to date:

1. Log in to Your Google Account

Use the Google account connected to your business.

2. Open Your Profile

Visit the Google My Business page or search for your business name on Google. Click “Manage this business” when it shows up. If you manage more than one, pick the right location.

3. Edit Your Business Info

Click “Edit profile” to update:

• Business name
• Address
• Phone number
• Business hours
• Website URL
• Photos or logo

4. Add Products or Events

You can also add products, post about local events, or refresh your services and descriptions.

5. Save and Wait

Once you’re done, hit save. Most changes to your business listing go live after a quick review by Google.

Looking for ways to delete a Google Business account?

15 Lesser-Known Tips for Improving Your GMB Ranking and Engagement

These easy-to-miss tricks can improve your Google My Business ranking and drive more attention to your Google Business Profile listing. Each tactic supports long-term Google My Business ranking growth by strengthening relevance, authority, and engagement.

1. Upload Geotagged Images

Use tools like GeoImgr to tag your business photos with location data. This links your visual content to your business location and strengthens your local search visibility.

2. Use the “Products” and “Services” Tabs

Add keyword-rich descriptions to each item. Don’t forget keywords like Google local listing, and optimize the Google business listing to reach more people.

3. Align for Voice Search

Write like your customers talk. Use full questions like “Where can I find a local accountant?” in your profile and posts.

4. Add and Answer FAQs

Use the Q&A section to post your most common customer questions—and answer them yourself. This fills your business profile on Google with relevant info.

5. Use Emojis to Stand Out

Fun visuals like ☕ or 🍕 can make your posts more scroll-stopping. Just don’t overdo it.

6. Add a Clear CTA in Every Post

Simple actions like “Call Now,” “Book Today,” or “Visit Website” get more clicks and improve engagement rate.

7. Check Heat Maps for Traffic Sources

Use a Google Map ranking checker with heat mapping to see where your views are coming from. Then adjust your Service Area Business settings to match.

8. Keep Holiday Hours Up-to-Date

Set special hours for holidays and events. It shows you’re open and active, which helps Google Business listings rank better.

9. Add UTM Tags to Links

Want to know how many clicks come from your GMB profile? UTM codes on your website link let you see traffic inside Google Analytics.

10. Turn on Messaging

Let customers message you directly from your profile. Respond quickly to show you’re present and active.

11. Mention Accessibility and Amenities

Add notes about pet-friendliness, wheelchair access, or family perks. People search for these terms, and Google notices.

12. Use Schema Markup on Your Website

Add the Local business schema to your site. It strengthens the tie between your site and your Google My Business listing.

13. Post Virtual or In-Person Events

Use the Events tab in your profile to list webinars, sales, or meetups. Google counts this as activity and may reward it with better placement.

14. Monitor Questions on Google Search

Look for public questions about your industry in the “People also ask” box on Google. Add those to your Q&A to catch more search clicks.

15. Ask for Keyword-Focused Reviews

Suggest that happy customers mention what you do and where you do it. Phrases like “best vegan lunch in San Diego” can help you rank higher for those terms.

Conclusion

Using these tips along with Google My Business scheduling tools like RecurPost boosts your Google My Business ranking, draws in more leads, and helps your business grow locally. Staying consistent is the key to long-term success with Google My Business ranking and local search visibility.

Wondering why my photos are rejected on Google Business Profile. It could be due to low resolution, policy violations, or incorrect formats. Fixing these ensures your visual content supports your Google Business Profile listing.

Now’s the time to put these methods to work and help your business show up higher in local searches.

FAQs

Ayushi Jain

Ayushi Jain is a content writer with expertise in creating engaging, SEO-friendly content across various industries. With a focus on storytelling and clarity, she helps brands connect with their audience effectively.