Google Business Profile: A Complete Setup Guide for Indian Businesses

Updated 2 Nov 20265 min read

In this article

1. Before you start
2. Step 1: Create the profile
3. Step 2: Choose the right category
4. Step 3: Address or service area
5. Step 4: Verify
6. Step 5: Complete every section
7. Step 6: Keep it active
8. Mistakes that get profiles suspended
9. Google is not the only listing
10. Frequently asked questions

When someone searches "chemist near me" or "CA in Andheri", Google shows a map with a few businesses under it. Those businesses come from Google Business Profile (once called Google My Business). If you serve customers in a local area, it is the single most important free listing you can have.

This guide walks you through setting it up properly.

Before you start

Have these ready:

• Your business name exactly as it appears on your signboard, letterhead or GST certificate.
• Your full address with PIN code, or the areas you serve if you have no shop or office customers visit.
• A phone number that someone answers during business hours.
• Your website, if you have one. If you don't, your GetBusiness listing link can help customers learn more.
• Your opening hours, a few good photos and your logo.

Use a Google account that belongs to the business, not a staff member's personal account. If an employee leaves with the only login, getting control back is slow.

Step 1: Create the profile

Go to the Google Business Profile website and sign in. Search for your business name first — a profile may already exist, created by Google or by a customer. If it does, choose to claim it rather than creating a new one. Duplicates split your reviews and confuse customers.

If none exists, add your business name and choose a category.

Step 2: Choose the right category

Your primary category matters more than almost anything else. Choose the most specific one that describes your main business. "Dentist" is better than "Doctor"; "Chartered accountant" is better than "Consultant"; "Sweet shop" is better than "Store".

You can add a few secondary categories for other things you do. Don't add categories for services you offer only occasionally.

Step 3: Address or service area

• Customers visit you (shop, clinic, office, restaurant): enter your address and place the pin exactly on your entrance.
• You visit customers (plumber, electrician, pest control, home tutor): you can hide your address and set a service area instead — cities or localities you cover.
• Both: show your address and add a service area.

Don't use a virtual office or a friend's address. Google may ask for proof of the location, and profiles at fake addresses are removed.

Step 4: Verify

Google needs to confirm that you run the business. The options it offers depend on your business type and location. Common ones are:

• Video: a short, unedited video showing your signboard, the inside of your premises and something that proves you manage it, such as opening the shutter or showing equipment.
• Phone or SMS: a code sent to your business number.
• Email: a code sent to an address on your domain.

Follow the steps carefully. If a video is rejected, it is usually because the signboard or the location wasn't clear. Try again in daylight.

Step 5: Complete every section

A verified but empty profile does little. Fill in:

• Hours, including special hours for holidays and festivals.
• Phone and website.
• Description — up to 750 characters on what you do, who you serve and what makes you different. No links, no prices that change often, no ALL CAPS.
• Services or products with short descriptions and prices if you want to show them.
• Attributes such as wheelchair access, women-led, free Wi-Fi or online appointments, where they apply.
• Photos: logo, cover photo, exterior (so people recognise the building), interior, team and work.

Step 6: Keep it active

• Post an update, offer or event every week or two.
• Add new photos every month.
• Reply to every review — see our guides on getting reviews and replying to bad ones.
• Check your profile every month for edits suggested by others. Anyone can suggest a change to your hours or phone number, and Google sometimes accepts them.

Mistakes that get profiles suspended

Mistake	Why it's a problem
Keywords in the name ("Best Dentist Delhi – Smile Clinic")	Breaks Google's guidelines; one of the most common reasons for suspension
Fake or virtual address	Profiles must be at a real location you staff, or set as service-area businesses
Several profiles for one location	Creates duplicates; Google may merge or remove them
Buying reviews or offering rewards for them	Against Google's review policy; reviews can be removed and the profile restricted
Changing many details at once after verification	Can trigger re-verification; make changes gradually and keep them accurate

Google is not the only listing

Many customers also use Apple Maps, Bing, Justdial and business directories. Your details should be the same everywhere. A free listing on GetBusiness adds another place customers can find you, and helps search engines confirm your details. Our list of the best free listing sites in India shows where else to list.

Frequently asked questions