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Google Business posts: how to post on your profile, with examples

Google Business posts are the updates, offers and events you publish on your Business Profile from Posts, then Add post. They show on your profile in Google Search and Maps, and Google archives a post after 6 months unless it has a date range.

By Joseph Jang, Co-founder, PlacePilot

Published

4 min read
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Key takeaways

  • There are three kinds of post: an update, an offer with its own View Offer button, and an event with start and end dates.
  • Google recommends photos of 720 by 720 pixels, as a JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB.
  • A phone number typed into the text can get a post rejected, so add a Call button instead.
  • You can schedule a post for later, or set it to repeat weekly or monthly, from the same screen.

Why post on your Google Business Profile?

A post sits where people already look you up: under Updates or Overview on a phone, and under From the owner on a computer, in both Search and Maps. Google says seeing your latest news helps customers decide to visit. For single-location food and drink businesses in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, in English, Google can also feature a post on the phone view of your profile in place of reviews. Posts are one part of a complete listing; our free Google Business Profile optimization check goes through the rest, field by field.

How do you post on Google My Business?

  1. 1. Verify your profile first

    Until your Google Business Profile is verified, a post stays Pending and doesn't show on Search or Maps.1

  2. 2. Open Posts and choose Add post

    On your Business Profile, select Posts, then Add post. Pick Update for news, Offer for a sale or deal, or Event for something on a date.1

  3. 3. Give it a title and the details

    Google asks for a descriptive title, an event's start and end times and an offer's terms. An offer needs a title, dates and times and gets a View Offer button on its own. An event with no times shows as lasting all day. Our free AI social media post generator drafts the words from your own details, with Instagram and Facebook versions of the same post.1

  4. 4. Add a real photo or a short video

    Use a JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB, ideally 720 by 720 pixels and at least 250 by 250. A video can run up to 30 seconds and 75 MB, at 720p or higher. Google wants photos in focus, well lit and close to how the place really looks.3

  5. 5. Add one button that does what it says

    An update or an event can carry a button: Book, Order, Shop, Learn more, Sign up or Call. Point it at the page where the customer can actually book or order, not your home page.4

  6. 6. Keep phone numbers out of the text

    Google may remove a post with contact details it can't verify, including phone numbers, email addresses and social handles. The Call button uses your verified number instead.2

  7. 7. Schedule it, or set it to repeat

    Turn on Schedule this post to pick the day and time it goes out, or use Repeats for weekly, monthly or a custom schedule. With several locations, choose the profiles to share it on before you post.1

  8. 8. Check that it went Live

    Google reviews each post against its content policy. Live means customers see it, Pending means it is still processing, and Not approved shows a question mark naming the policy it broke. Edit or delete a post from More beside it.1

Checklist

  • Profile verified
  • Update, offer or event chosen
  • A descriptive title, with dates for an offer or event
  • A real, well-lit photo in JPG or PNG
  • One button pointing at the page where they can act
  • No phone number or email in the text
  • Scheduled, or set to repeat
  • Status checked: Live

Questions

What are some examples of Google Business posts?

An update: the terrace is open again from Friday, with lunch served outside. An offer: two coffees for the price of one on weekday mornings this month, with the terms spelled out. An event: live music on Saturday night, with a Book button that opens your booking page.

How long do Google Business posts stay up?

Google archives posts older than 6 months unless the post has a date range, like an offer's or an event's dates.

What size should a Google Business post image be?

Google recommends 720 by 720 pixels, as a JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB. The smallest it takes is 250 by 250 pixels.

Can I schedule Google Business posts?

Yes. When you write the post, turn on Schedule this post and pick the date and time, or set it to repeat weekly, monthly or on a custom schedule.

Why was my Google Business post not approved?

Usually a phone number or email Google couldn't verify, a link it doesn't trust, or content its policy bars. A business in a regulated field such as alcohol, tobacco or financial services can post, but not about those products.

Can a hotel post an offer on Google?

No. Hotels can post updates and events, but not offers, and no post that mentions deals, promotions or discounts.

Sources

  1. Google Business Profile Help, Create & manage posts on your Business Profile · read
  2. Google Business Profile Help, Business Profile photos, videos & posts content policy · read
  3. Google Business Profile Help, Manage your Business Profile photos & videos · read
  4. Google for Developers, Business Profile APIs: the LocalPost resource and its call-to-action types · read

Written by Joseph Jang, Co-founder, PlacePilot

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