Google Business Profile Optimization Checklist (2026): Rank Higher in Maps and Get More Calls

Posted on February 5th, 2026 | by Andrew Lord

If you’re a local business, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is one of the highest-leverage marketing assets you have

It’s often the first thing customers see before your website, before your social media, before they ever contact you.
This checklist walks you through the most important GBP optimizations in 2026, in the order that usually creates the fastest results.

Step 1: Get the fundamentals right (the non-negotiables)
- Business name (no keyword stuffing)
- Address/service area
- Phone number
- Website URL
- Hours (including holiday hours)
Quick win: Add holiday hours now so you don’t lose trust (and calls) during seasonal changes.
Step 2: Choose the right categories
Your primary category is a major relevance signal.
- Pick the closest match to what you actually are
- Add secondary categories that support your services
Quick win: If you’re unsure, look at the top 3 competitors in Maps and compare categories.
Step 3: Add services (and write them like customers search)
Many profiles leave this blank.
- Add your main services
- Use plain language
- Keep it accurate
Quick win: Use service names that match how people search (not internal jargon).
Step 4: Upload photos that build trust
Photos increase clicks and calls because they reduce uncertainty.
Upload:
- exterior/signage
- interior
- team
- work/process (where appropriate)
- products (if relevant)
Quick win: Add 10–15 real photos first. Then add 2–4 new photos per month.
Step 5: Use GBP posts for freshness (and conversions)
Posting helps keep your profile active and gives people a reason to choose you.
Post 1–2x/week if possible.
Post ideas:
- FAQ answers
- offers
- seasonal reminders
- behind-the-scenes
- community involvement
Quick win: Rotate 3 post types: educational, proof, offer.
Step 6: Seed and manage Q&A
Don’t wait for random questions.
- Add 5–10 common questions
- Answer them clearly
- Keep answers short
Examples:
- Do you accept walk-ins?
- Do you offer financing?
- What areas do you serve?
- How fast can I get an appointment?
Step 7: Build a review system
Reviews influence both rankings and conversions.
- Ask consistently
- Make it easy (direct link via text)
- Respond to every review
Quick win: Set a weekly goal (example: 3–5 reviews/week) and build a simple process to hit it.

Step 8: Track what matters
Track actions that lead to revenue:
- calls
- website clicks
- direction requests
- bookings
Add UTM tracking to your website link so you can see GBP traffic in analytics.
Common GBP mistakes
- wrong category
- no services listed
- outdated hours
- no recent photos
- no review process
- no tracking
CTA: Want to know exactly what to fix first?
Request a Google Business Profile Audit. We’ll review your GBP, your top competitors, and give you a prioritized action plan to improve Maps visibility and increase calls.