AI + Google Business Profile: Be the Answer in Local Search (Week 1)

Why this matters

AI is changing how people discover local businesses. When someone searches “best bakery near me” or “roof repair open now,” Google and AI systems lean heavily on Google Business Profile (GBP) - often before a user ever clicks to a website. If your GBP is complete, consistent, and fresh, you’re far more likely to be the answer customers see first.

This guide keeps it simple: what to fill out, what to post, and what to measure, so your profile works as hard as you do.

---

1) Set your Google Business Profile foundation (the “entity” basics)

Think of GBP as the single source of truth about your business. Fill out every field - completely and accurately.

• Business name (exact, no keyword stuffing)

• Primary category (the one thing you’re most known for)

  • Add secondary categories that reflect real services.

• Address or service areas (choose one; don’t mix unless you truly do both)

• Hours & holiday hours (keep these current)

• Phone & website (use your main number; keep your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) consistent across the web)

• Attributes (accessibility, women-led, outdoor seating, etc.)

Outcome: Search and AI systems can confidently recognize who you are and when you’re available with no guesswork.

2) List what you sell (services, products, menus)

AI can’t recommend what it can’t see. Add your offers directly into GBP.

• Services: Add each service with a short, plain-language description and (if possible) a price or price range.

• Products / Menu items: Include name, photo, price, and a one-line benefit.

• Links: Point “Book,” “Order,” or “Menu” to the exact page on your site.

Big catalogs (100+ SKUs)? Don’t add every product to GBP by hand. Connect your site’s product feed to Google Merchant Center for free product listings and Shopping placements. Use GBP “Products” to spotlight a few best-sellers; let Merchant Center handle the full catalog.

Outcome: Your offers can surface in local results and AI summaries without the customer having to guess.

3) Keep it fresh (photos & weekly Posts)

Recency signals reliability.

• Photos: Upload owner photos regularly: exterior, interior, team, best-sellers, before/after. Add short, descriptive captions.

• GBP Posts (weekly):

  • What’s new: updates, new services, milestones

  • Offers: clear title, start/end dates, redemption steps

  • Events: date/time, how to participate End with a simple call-to-action (Call, Learn more, Order, Book).

Outcome: Fresh content earns more impressions, and customers see proof you’re active and trustworthy.

4) Reviews & Q&A (show you’re listening)

Engagement is both a ranking and a conversion signal.

• Request reviews after a good experience; make it easy.

• Respond to every review - positive or negative - within a few days. Keep replies within your brand tone and specific.

• Use Q&A: Seed 3–5 common questions (hours, parking, turnaround time, warranties) and answer them concisely.

• Keywords, naturally: If someone mentions “furnace tune-up,” you can use that phrase once in your reply - no stuffing!

How to get your review link + a QR code (fastest way in GBP)

1. Log in to the Google account that manages your profile and search your business name on Google. You’ll see the Your business on Google panel.

2. Click Ask for reviews. In the popup:

   • Review link: click Copy to grab your unique link.

   • QR code: right-click → Save image as… to download the PNG.

3. Share the link in emails/texts and place the QR on receipts, checkout cards, or signage.

Pro Tip: Static QR codes don’t expire; they only stop working if the link changes.

Outcome: Prospects see social proof, and AI sees consistent topics tied to your brand.

5) Match your website (consistency wins)

Your GBP and website should tell the same story.

• Mirror services (names and wording) on your site’s pages.

• Embed a Google Map on your Contact page.

  • From Google Maps: search your business → Share → Embed a map → choose size → Copy HTML (iframe).

  • On your website: add an HTML/Embed block and paste the iframe. (Examples: WordPress → Custom HTML block; Squarespace → Code block; Shopify → Custom HTML section; Webflow → Embed.)

• Keep your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) identical across your website, GBP, and directories.

• On your website: add LocalBusiness schema and a clear “About/Contact” block so AI can confirm your details.

Outcome: Consistency reduces ambiguity—so systems feel confident showing you to more people.

6) Measure what matters (and keep improving)

Track whether this is working:

• Use UTM tags on your GBP links so you can see results in Analytics.

  • UTM tags are simple labels added to your links so results show clearly in Analytics. Example: ?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=gbp

• Check your GBP Insights (monthly):

  • Calls, website clicks, direction requests

  • Photo views, Post views

  • Top “Queries” people used to find you

Anchor Watch monthly analytics: Anchor Watch Marketing provides monthly analytics with clear analysis and actionable next steps. In an AI-shaped search world, ongoing optimization isn’t optional. Search behavior moves fast, and your profile and website need steady tuning to stay visible. We can manage some or all of it for you.

Outcome: You’re not guessing. You’re improving the parts that drive calls and visits.

GBP Checklist

Print this checklist out to routinely check your profile for consistency and opportunities of improvement.

Mistakes to avoid

• Keyword stuffing the business name—hurts trust and can trigger edits.

• Mixed signals (different hours or phone numbers across platforms).

• Stale profiles (no Posts, old photos, unanswered reviews).

• Sending all clicks to the homepage—link directly to the relevant page (booking, menu, service).

Prefer outcomes over upkeep? Anchor Watch Marketing keeps your GBP current - categories, posts, reviews, photos, and tracking - so more customers call and visit.

Learn More About AWM