Having a Google My Business (GMB) profile is one of the best ways to attract attention to your local business and boost your rankings. With so many features, managing GMB can sometimes feel overwhelming.
One feature worth using is Google My Business Posts. Posts enable you to promote your brand, services, products, events, and offers. These posts are displayed at the bottom of your Google My Business Knowledge Panel and are a great way to showcase your business offerings.
Get Familiar with the GMB Posts Policy
Creating posts is fairly easy, but before you start, it’s essential to familiarize yourself with the Google My Business Posts content policy. Understanding what is acceptable will ensure that your posts are not rejected.
How to Create a GMB Post
To create a post, simply log in to your GMB dashboard and you will see a link to posts on the left side. If this is your first time posting, you’ll see a screen prompting you to click on the "Create your first post" button. From there, a post pop-up will appear, allowing you to select the type of post you’d like to create.
The Types of Posts You Can Create
Google offers various types of posts. Here’s an overview:
- COVID-19 Update: Update customers about changes to your business due to COVID-19.
- Add Offer: Perfect for special offers with a time limit. You can include start and end dates, headlines, descriptions, and disclaimers (e.g., "limit one per customer").
- Add Update: Useful for sharing company news or other information about your business, products, or services.
- Add Event: Ideal for special events at your business, such as ribbon cuttings or VIP shopping hours. These posts remain live during the event date range.
- Add Product: Showcase products available at your physical store. Include the product name, category, description, price, and a call to action.
Whenever you create a post, be sure to include a call to action (CTA). Options for CTAs may include:
- Book
- Order online
- Buy
- Learn more
- Sign Up
- Call Now
If you’re using a URL as part of your CTA, consider using UTM tracking to monitor your results in Google Analytics, as clicks will show up as Direct Traffic.
Add Photos or Videos
Enhance your posts by adding a photo or a 30-second video, which will help grab attention. While there’s debate about the best image size, many recommend 1,200 x 900 pixels. Be mindful that Google Post images often get cropped inconsistently, so ensure that any text on the image is fully visible.
You can upload up to ten 30-second videos and/or photos to your GMB post. Posts typically stay live for seven days or until the date of the event. COVID-specific posts last 14 days.
Posts Look Different on Desktop & Mobile Devices
Keep in mind that posts will display differently on desktop computers and mobile devices. Although posts can contain up to 1,500 characters, the visible text may be cut off depending on the device. Ensure that critical information is at the beginning of the post.
Rejected Posts
Posts may be rejected if they violate GMB Post policies, including issues with content or the photo or video used. Certain words and phrases might also cause posts to be flagged. Avoid including URLs, email addresses, or phone numbers in your GMB posts, and refrain from using ALL CAPS or stock photos to minimize the risk of rejection.
Posts Improve Engagement
While there is no concrete proof that posts can improve rankings, they are an excellent way to attract attention and engage searchers. You can monitor the performance of your posts by checking the insights for views and CTA clicks.
Quality posts can also help answer questions that appear in your GMB Knowledge Panel, as Google may use post content to respond to customer inquiries.
The Takeaway
Creating Google My Business Posts is a valuable task for any local business. Aim to post regularly, at least three times a month, to maintain engagement and attract potential customers. When done correctly, GMB posts can lead to calls, website visits, and sales.
