Guide

How to create a Google Business Profile

Formerly Google My Business: what to prepare, how to set it up step by step, how verification works and what to do next.

In short

Sign in with your Google Account and go to business.google.com/create.
Enter your business name, category, address or service area, phone number and website.
Verify your business with the method Google offers. Your profile becomes visible to customers after verification.

Is Google My Business the same as Google Business Profile?

Yes. In November 2021 Google My Business was renamed Google Business Profile. The separate app was retired; you now manage your profile directly from Google Search and Google Maps. Searching for the old name leads you to the same product.

Prepare before you start

Your real business name: exactly what is on your sign and invoices. Do not add marketing phrases or a location in brackets; Google does not allow it and the profile can be suspended.
Address or service area: an address if customers come to you; the areas you serve if you go to customers.
Phone and website: a separate phone number for each location is recommended.
Primary category: the single category that describes your business most precisely (for example "Dentist" or "Auto repair shop").
Opening hours and a few real photos: added after the profile is created.

Step-by-step setup

Sign in to your Google Account on a computer. If you are creating a new account, using your business email address is recommended.
Go to business.google.com/create.
Type your business name. If your business appears among the suggestions, select it; if someone else has already verified it, you need to request ownership.
Choose your primary category and click Next.
Say whether you have a location customers can visit. If staff are there during opening hours, choose Yes and enter the address or mark it on the map; otherwise choose No.
Add your service area (city, district or postcode; up to 20 areas).
Enter your phone number and website, click Next, then Finish.
Start verification right away (Verify now) or leave it for later.

Verification: how and how long?

You do not choose the verification method; Google offers the options that fit your business type, region and hours. You may see one or more of these:

Phone or text message: a call or code to the business phone.
Email: following the steps in the email you receive.
Video recording or live video call: showing your location and that it belongs to you.
Postcard: a 5-digit code sent by post to your address. According to Google, codes usually arrive within 14 days and expire after 30 days.

After you complete the steps, Google reviews the information; according to Google this can take up to 5 business days. Your profile is visible to customers after verification.

If your business already appears on the map

Sometimes your business has already been added to the map. Find it on Google Search or Maps, then claim and verify it with the ownership link on the profile. Do not create a new profile: Google allows only one profile per business; if you have several locations, each location can have its own profile.

First tasks after creating it

Choose additional categories for the other services you offer.
Enter your opening hours, including holiday and special hours.
Add real photos of your premises, your work and your team.
List your services one by one and write the description in plain language.
Send customers your review link and reply to every review.

Common mistakes

Adding marketing phrases or a neighbourhood or city in brackets to the business name.
Creating a second profile for the same business.
Showing a PO box or a virtual office where you do not work; Google does not accept these.
Choosing a primary category that only loosely matches your business.

Sources

The information was taken from Google's own pages on the date below and may change.

Published 21 October 2026

Outside Türkiye, raxads manages Google Ads campaigns. If you want ads that bring calls to your business, see Google Ads management.