How to Grow Google Business Profile Audience: 7 Easy Tips

Did you know that 90% of customers read online reviews before visiting a business? Having a strong Google Business Profile (GBP) is no longer optional—it’s essential. Your GBP acts as a digital storefront, influencing potential customers’ decisions and improving your local search visibility.

However, many businesses struggle to grow their audience, leaving their profile stagnant with little engagement. Simply setting up a profile isn’t enough; you need to optimize it and use the right strategies to attract more views, clicks, and interactions.

The good news? Growing your Google Business Profile audience doesn’t have to be complicated. With a few strategic tweaks, you can boost visibility, gain more customer interactions, and ultimately drive more traffic and sales.

In this guide, we’ll explore seven proven ways to grow Google Business Profile audience—simple, effective, and backed by best practices. Let’s dive into these strategies and help your business stand out!

Key Takeaways

• Optimize Your Profile Information – Ensure your business name, address, phone number (NAP), and category are accurate. Use keyword-rich descriptions to improve visibility.
• Upload High-Quality Photos & Videos – Businesses with images get more clicks and engagement. Showcase your storefront, team, and products.
• Encourage and Respond to Reviews – Positive reviews boost trust, while professional responses (even to negative ones) improve credibility.
• Post Regular Updates & Offers – Use Google Posts to share promotions, events, and news, keeping your audience engaged.
• Leverage the Q&A Section – Answer common customer queries with SEO-optimized responses to improve engagement and visibility.
• Enable Google Messaging – Activate instant messaging for real-time customer support, leading to higher conversion rates.
• Monitor Insights & Adjust Strategy – Track profile views, search queries, and customer actions to refine your approach for better results.

Implement these strategies to maximize your Google Business Profile’s potential and attract more customers.

7 Tips to Grow Google Business Profile Audience

A well-optimized Google Business Profile (GBP) can dramatically improve your local search presence and attract more customers. By following these seven simple yet powerful strategies, you can increase visibility, boost engagement, and grow your audience effectively.

1. Optimize Your Google Business Profile Information

Your Google Business Profile information serves as the foundation for visibility and credibility. Ensuring accuracy and optimization helps customers find and trust your business.

Key Steps to Optimize Your GBP:

• Correct NAP Details: Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are accurate and consistent across all online directories.
• Choose the Right Category: Select the most relevant primary category and additional categories to improve search rankings.
• Keyword-Optimized Business Description: Craft a compelling business description incorporating local SEO keywords and highlighting your main services.
• Add Business Hours: Keep your working hours updated, including holiday hours, to avoid misleading customers.

Example: A local bakery in NYC optimized its profile with keywords like “best cupcakes in NYC”, resulting in a 35% increase in profile visits within three months.

Did You Know?

56% of local retailers haven’t claimed their GBP listing (Source). If your business isn’t optimized, you’re missing out on potential customers!

2. Upload High-Quality Photos and Videos

Visual content plays a major role in engaging potential customers. Google reports that businesses with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more website clicks. (Source)

What to Include:

Photos:

• Exterior and Interior – Helps customers recognize your location.
• Team Members at Work – Builds trust and showcases your customer service.
• Products and Services – Highlight best-selling items or special offers.
• Behind-the-Scenes – Gives a personal touch and strengthens your brand image.

Videos (Max 30 Seconds, Allowed by Google):

• Short promos showcasing products/services.
• Customer testimonials.
• Quick store walkthroughs or event highlights.

Example: A Toronto salon started uploading weekly transformation photos and short styling videos, leading to double the number of appointment bookings in six months.

Pro Tip: Regularly update photos to keep your profile fresh and active. Google favors profiles that frequently add visual content.

3. Encourage and Respond to Customer Reviews

Online reviews significantly influence consumer trust. 42% of consumers trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations (Source: BrightLocal).

How to Get More Reviews:

• Ask Happy Customers – Request reviews via email follow-ups, in-store signage, and social media.
• Make It Easy – Share a direct review link through SMS or email.
• Respond to Every Review – Acknowledging reviews shows responsiveness and credibility.

Handling Negative Reviews Professionally:

• Acknowledge the issue – Show empathy and concern.
• Apologize professionally – Keep responses polite and constructive.
• Offer a resolution – Suggest a solution or invite them to discuss further privately.

Example: A London café actively responded to both positive and negative reviews. As a result, it saw a 20% increase in foot traffic within six months.

SEO Benefit: Google rewards businesses with more and better reviews by ranking them higher in local search results.

4. Post Regular Updates and Offers

Keeping your Google Business Profile active with fresh content encourages engagement and signals Google that your business is relevant.

Types of Google Posts to Use:

• Special Offers: Promote discounts and limited-time deals.
• Event Announcements: Share upcoming events, sales, or in-store activities.
• Holiday Greetings: Post festive messages to connect with customers.

Best Practices for Google Posts:

• Use compelling headlines to grab attention.
• Include high-quality images or videos for visual appeal.
• Add clear CTAs like “Call Now,” “Get Directions,” or “Book Online.”

Example: A fitness studio in California started posting weekly class schedules, fitness tips, and promotions. This resulted in a 50% increase in profile views within four months.

Google’s Algorithm Insight: Profiles with consistent updates rank higher in local searches.

5. Leverage Q&A Section for Better Engagement

The Q&A feature on Google Business Profile (GBP) allows businesses to address common customer concerns and improve engagement. Customers can ask questions directly on your profile, and businesses or other users can provide answers.

How to Use the Q&A Section Effectively:

• Add Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Proactively post and answer common questions about services, pricing, policies, and availability.
• Monitor and Respond Quickly: Answer customer queries as soon as possible to build trust and demonstrate responsiveness.
• Use Keywords Naturally: Optimize responses by incorporating relevant keywords to improve visibility in local searches.

Example: A real estate agency in Chicago started actively answering customer inquiries about mortgage options and home-buying processes. Within three months, their profile engagement increased by 10%, leading to more client inquiries.

Engaging with customers through the Q&A section helps address concerns before they become obstacles, improving customer satisfaction and increasing conversions.

6. Utilize Google Messaging for Instant Communication

Google Messaging allows customers to chat with businesses directly from their GBP listing, making real-time interaction easier. Fast and efficient communication can significantly enhance customer experience and boost conversions.

Why Enable Google Messaging?

• Instant Customer Support: Answer inquiries about services, pricing, or availability without delays.
• Higher Conversion Rates: Quick responses lead to more bookings and purchases.
• Builds Customer Trust: Consumers appreciate businesses that respond promptly and professionally.

How to Use Google Messaging:

• Enable the messaging feature in your Google Business Profile dashboard.
• Set up automated greetings for quick replies.
• Ensure timely responses to inquiries to maintain engagement.

Example: A plumbing service in Los Angeles enabled Google Messaging and trained staff to respond within minutes. As a result, they saw a 30% increase in service bookings within two months.

Instant messaging bridges the gap between businesses and potential customers, ensuring inquiries turn into actual sales.

7. Monitor Insights and Adjust Your Strategy

Tracking performance using Google Business Profile Insights allows businesses to refine their marketing strategy based on real data. GBP Insights provide valuable analytics, including:

• Search Queries: Understand what terms people use to find your business.
• Profile Views & Clicks: Measure how often your listing appears in searches.
• Direction Requests & Calls: Track customer interactions and optimize based on trends.

How to Optimize Using GBP Insights:

• Identify High-Performing Keywords: If specific keywords bring in traffic, use them more in your profile description and posts.
• Enhance Popular Listings: If certain posts, images, or updates perform well, create more similar content.
• Improve Weak Areas: If engagement is low, update your profile with fresh content and optimize descriptions.

Example: A pet grooming salon in New York noticed that most users searched for “mobile dog grooming near me.” They updated their GBP to emphasize mobile services, leading to a 25% increase in bookings.

Regularly reviewing insights ensures that businesses stay ahead of trends and continuously improve their online visibility.

Final Thoughts

A well-optimized Google Business Profile can significantly boost your online visibility, attract local customers, and increase conversions. By ensuring accurate business information, regularly updating your profile with engaging content, and actively responding to customer interactions, you create a stronger online presence. High-quality photos, customer reviews, and Google’s Q&A and messaging features help build trust and credibility.

Consistency is key—businesses that post frequent updates, respond to inquiries promptly, and analyze GBP insights will see steady growth. Monitoring performance metrics allows you to refine your approach based on customer behavior and preferences. Small adjustments, like optimizing for high-ranking keywords or improving response times, can lead to substantial results.

With Google prioritizing active and engaged profiles, now is the time to implement these strategies. Start optimizing your Google Business Profile today and make it a powerful tool for attracting and retaining customers.

FAQs

How do I claim or create my Google Business Profile?

To claim or create your profile, visit the Google Business Profile Manager, sign in with your Google account, and follow the prompts to add your business information.

Why is it important to keep my business information accurate and up-to-date?

Accurate information ensures customers can find and contact you easily, improving your local search ranking and enhancing customer trust.

How can I encourage customers to leave positive reviews on my Google Business Profile?

Ask satisfied customers directly, provide exceptional service, and make the review process simple by sharing a direct link to your profile.

What types of photos should I upload to my Google Business Profile?

Include high-quality images of your storefront, interior, products, and team to showcase your business and attract potential customers.

How often should I post updates on my Google Business Profile?

Regularly posting updates, such as weekly or bi-weekly, keeps your audience engaged and informs them about promotions, events, or news.