Google Business Profile: the SEO checklist for your local visibility [SEO Summer Reload #8]

This summer, we’re reviewing the SEO classics! Abondance has prepared a series of 10 checklists to evaluate your practices and make sure you don’t forget anything. For this 8th episode, we talk about Google Business Profile, or how to become visible on Google Maps! Put on your flip-flops, it’s the SEO Summer Reload

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1. Initial creation & configuration

Create your Google Business Profile on https://business.google.com/en/business-profile/.

Complete all the mandatory information: company name, address, phone number, website, etc.

Complete the verification process (postcard, phone, email) → mandatory for visibility.

Resources:

Create your Google Business Profile step by step [Tutorial]

Tips and techniques to optimize your Google Business Profile [Video]

Google Business Profile business name: what to do and what not to do [Article]

Google My Business strongly impacts local SERPs [Article]

Integrate your social networks into Google Business Profile now [Article]

2. Categories & Activities

Choose one most relevant primary category (direct impact on GBP ranking).

Add up to 9 secondary categories related to the primary one to ensure consistency.

Explore and select the detailed services offered in each category.

3. Business information & attributes

Set and update opening hours, including special hours (public holidays, vacations).

Write an optimized description (max 750 characters).

Add accepted payment methods, accessibility, and specific attributes.

Align the listing information with the website and local directories (NAP consistency).

Resources:

Integrate your social networks into Google Business Profile now [Article]

4. Media (photos, videos, logos)

Add a company logo and exterior photos for visual recognition.

Add interior and exterior photos to build customer trust.

Add product/service photos and a short video (≤30s, ≥720p).

Regularly update media; Google values freshness.

Follow optimal formats: JPG/PNG 720x720px and video ≤75 MB.

Resources:

Manage the photos or videos of your business profile [Google.com]

5. Review management & social proof

Implement a proactive customer review collection strategy (QR code, email, SMS).

Systematically respond to positive reviews to humanize the relationship.

Respond professionally to negative reviews by offering a solution.

Encourage customers to leave reviews with photos → strong impact on engagement.

Resources:

QR Codes on Google Business Profile: Google makes collecting reviews easier [Article]

Relinking: how to optimize your Tier 2 link strategy? [Subscribers Article]

Ranking for "SEO agency": what winning link-building strategy? [Article]

6. Performance & insights

Track GBP Insights KPIs: views, clicks, calls, directions.

Add UTM parameters to links to measure GBP traffic in Google Analytics.

Adjust the strategy based on trends, especially for multi-site networks.

Resources:

Google Business Profile Training [Abondance Training]

Attract customers with Google Business Profile? Sandrine Bertrand's tips! [Article]

7 key steps to succeed in your local SEO audit [Article]

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