Google Business Profile FAQ for shop owners
Updated: October 2026
Straight answers to the questions shop owners ask most, based on Google's own help pages.
Basics and setup
Q: What is Google My Business, and is it free?
It is now called Google Business Profile. It is the free listing that shows your shop on Google Search and Google Maps: address, hours, phone, photos and reviews.
Q: How does Google verify that I own the shop?
Google shows the methods that are available for your business. They can include a phone or text code, an email, a live video call with Google support, or a postcard with a 5-digit code mailed to your address. Google chooses what you can use, and it varies by business type and region.
Q: How long does verification take?
Google says most postcards arrive within 14 days and the code expires after 30 days. After you finish, Google can take up to 5 business days to review, sometimes longer. A video call is only available during your shop's business hours.
Ranking and visibility
Q: What decides who shows first in Google Maps?
Google says local results are based mainly on relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how far you are from the searcher) and prominence (how well known you are). More reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. Google does not publish how much each factor counts, and nobody can guarantee a position.
Q: My competitor next door ranks above me. Why?
Distance changes with where the customer is standing, so the order can differ from person to person. You can work on what you control: accurate information, the right category, real reviews and fresh photos and posts.
Reviews
Q: Do I have to reply to every review?
You do not have to, but Google says replies show customers that you value their feedback, and that positive reviews and helpful replies help your business stand out. Replies are public, so keep them short, polite and useful.
Q: How should I answer a bad review?
Stay calm. Thank the person, apologize if something went wrong, use their name, and reply soon. Do not share their private information or attack them. For complicated cases, invite them to call or email you.
Q: Can I delete a bad review?
Owners cannot delete reviews directly. If a review breaks Google's content policies, for example spam or fake content, you can flag it for Google to check. A review that is only negative but honest normally stays.
Q: Can I give a discount to customers who write 5 stars?
No. Offering rewards for reviews is not allowed, and neither is offering something in exchange for changing or removing a negative review. Ask every customer honestly and let them write what they think.
Q: Can I put a coupon or promotion in my reply?
Google's guidance for replies says not to use them to offer deals or promotions. Use Google Posts or your own channels for offers.
Safety and managing the profile
Q: My profile was suspended. What now?
First check that the profile follows Google's guidelines. Then use Google's appeals tool, signed in with the account linked to the profile. You can attach proof such as a business registration, license or utility bill, as long as the name and address match the profile. Do not create a new profile for the same business, and appeal only once, because each appeal can be sent one time.
Q: Do I give the management company my Google password?
No. Google's way is to add the company as a Manager in your Business Profile settings (People and access), using their own Google account. Owners have full control and can add or remove users; Managers have almost the same access but cannot add or remove users or delete the profile. You stay the owner and can remove their access at any time.
Hours, photos and information
Q: How do I show holiday hours?
In your profile choose Edit profile, then Hours, and next to Special hours choose Edit. Pick the date, mark it closed or enter the hours, and save. Special hours only show if your main hours are set to "Open with main hours". Special hours can cover closures of up to 6 days in a row. Google also advises confirming your hours for official holidays even when they match your normal hours, so customers see they are accurate.
Q: What photos can I upload, and how big?
Photos should be JPG or PNG, between 10 KB and 5 MB. Google recommends 720 x 720 pixels, with a minimum of 250 x 250. Photos should be in focus and well lit, with no heavy filters, and should represent reality. Videos can be up to 30 seconds and 75 MB, at 720p or higher. Good starting points are your logo, a cover photo and photos of your shop, products and services. New uploads can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
Q: Can customers add photos to my profile?
Yes. Customers can add photos. If you think one does not belong, you can ask for its removal. Google may also choose a customer photo as your cover photo if the one you picked is low quality or not the best picture of your business.
Results and no-storefront businesses
Q: Can I see how many people found me on Google?
Yes. The performance report shows calls (clicks on the call button), directions requests, website clicks, the search terms that brought people to your profile, messages and, if you use a booking provider, completed bookings. These numbers are only for verified profiles. A call click is not the same as a customer who phoned you or bought something, so read them as a trend, not as sales.
Q: I work from home or travel to customers. Can I still have a profile?
Yes, as a service-area business. Google says that if you have no storefront where you receive customers, you should hide your business address and show only your service area. Businesses with a real storefront can show the address, and can also set a service area if they travel too. Virtual offices are not eligible unless staffed during business hours.
Why a service like BzadPro?
Q: Google Business Profile is free. Why pay someone?
The profile is free, but keeping it active takes time every week: replying to reviews, posting, updating photos and hours. BzadPro does that work for you in Chinese or English. We do not sell Google rankings and we do not promise any position.
Sources
Google Business Profile Help: local ranking, reading and replying to reviews, verification, suspended profiles, owners and managers. Also: special hours, photos and videos, performance, storefront and service-area businesses.
Want someone to do this for you every day?
BzadPro replies to your Google reviews, posts about every 2 days and keeps your profile up to date, in Chinese or English. We also check your Google page for free: call or text (281) 696-2269, or WeChat bzadpro.
This is general information, not legal advice. Google changes its rules from time to time; Google's own help pages are always the final word.
More guides
Google 商家资料常见问题（FAQ）
更新: 2026年10月
店主最常问的问题，根据 Google 官方帮助页面整理的简明回答。
基础与开通
问：Google My Business 是什么？要钱吗？
它现在的正式名称是 Google Business Profile（Google 商家资料）。这是免费的商家页面，让你的店出现在 Google 搜索和 Google 地图上，显示地址、营业时间、电话、照片和评论。
问：Google 怎么确认我是店主？
Google 会显示适合你这家店的验证方式，可能包括电话或短信验证码、电子邮件、与 Google 客服的实时视频通话，或者寄到店址的 5 位数字明信片。能用哪种由 Google 决定，因店的类型和地区而不同。
问：验证要多久？
Google 说明：明信片大多在 14 天内寄到，验证码 30 天后失效。完成验证后，Google 审核最多可能需要 5 个工作日，有时更久。视频通话只能在你店的营业时间内进行。
排名与曝光
问：Google 地图上谁排前面，由什么决定？
Google 说明，本地搜索结果主要看相关性（你的资料和搜索内容有多符合）、距离（你离搜索的人有多远）和知名度（你有多出名）。更多评论和好评有助于提升本地排名。Google 没有公布各项的比重，所以没有人能保证排名。
问：隔壁的同行排在我前面，为什么？
距离会随着客人所在的位置变化，所以每个人看到的顺序可能不同。你能做的是自己能控制的部分：资料准确、选对类别、真实评论，以及新的照片和动态。
评论
问：每条评论都要回复吗？
不是必须，但 Google 说明：回复能让客人看到你重视他们的反馈，好评和有帮助的回复能让你的店更突出。回复是公开的，所以要简短、礼貌、有用。
问：差评怎么回复？
保持冷静。感谢对方，如果确实有问题就道歉，用对方的名字称呼，尽快回复。不要公开对方的私人信息，也不要攻击对方。复杂的情况，请对方打电话或发邮件联系你。
问：我能删除差评吗？
店主不能自己直接删除评论。如果评论违反 Google 的内容政策，例如垃圾或虚假内容，可以举报，由 Google 审核。只是负面但属实的评论，通常会保留。
问：可以送折扣换五星评论吗？
不可以。用奖励换评论是不允许的，用好处换对方修改或删除差评也不允许。诚实地请每一位客人写评论，让他们写自己真实的想法。
问：回复里可以放优惠吗？
Google 对回复的建议是：不要在回复里放优惠或促销。优惠请用 Google 动态（Posts）或自己的渠道发布。
安全与管理
问：我的商家资料被暂停了怎么办？
先检查资料是否符合 Google 的规定。然后用关联该资料的 Google 账号登录申诉工具提交申诉。可以附上证明文件，例如营业登记、执照或水电账单，名称和地址必须和资料一致。不要为同一家店重新创建新的资料，也不要重复申诉，因为每个申诉只能提交一次。
问：请管理公司帮忙，要给对方我的 Google 密码吗？
不需要。Google 的做法是在你的商家资料设置（People and access，人员和访问权限）里，把对方的 Google 账号加为 Manager（管理员）。Owner（所有者）拥有完全控制权，可以添加或移除用户；Manager 的权限几乎相同，但不能添加或移除用户，也不能删除资料。你始终是所有者，随时可以移除对方的权限。
营业时间、照片与资料
问：节假日的营业时间怎么设置？
在你的商家资料里选 Edit profile（编辑资料）→ Hours（营业时间），在 Special hours（特殊时间）旁边点 Edit。选日期，标记为休息或填写营业时间，然后保存。只有当主营业时间设为“Open with main hours”（按主营业时间营业）时，特殊时间才会显示。特殊时间最多可以连续覆盖 6 天的休息。Google 还建议：即使节日营业时间和平时一样，也确认一次，这样客人看到的是准确的。
问：能上传什么照片？有什么要求？
照片格式为 JPG 或 PNG，大小 10 KB 到 5 MB。Google 建议 720 x 720 像素，最小 250 x 250。照片要对焦清楚、光线好、不要过度滤镜，并且要如实反映真实情况。视频最长 30 秒、最大 75 MB、分辨率 720p 或更高。可以先从 logo、封面照片，以及店面、产品和服务的照片开始。新上传的内容可能需要 24 到 48 小时才显示。
问：客人可以往我的资料里加照片吗？
可以，客人可以上传照片。如果你认为某张照片不合适，可以申请移除。如果你选的封面照片质量不好或不能代表你的店，Google 也可能选用客人的照片作为封面。
效果数据与没有门店的业务
问：我能看到有多少人通过 Google 找到我吗？
可以。表现报告会显示电话（点击拨号按钮的次数）、路线请求、网站点击、带客人找到你的搜索词、消息，以及（如果你用预约服务商）已完成的预约。这些数据只有已验证的资料才有。点击拨号不等于客人真的打了电话，更不等于成交，所以要看趋势，不要当成营业额。
问：我在家工作或上门服务，也能有商家资料吗？
可以，作为“服务范围型商家”（service-area business）。Google 说明：如果你没有接待客人的门店，应该隐藏商家地址，只显示服务范围。有真实门店的商家可以显示地址，如果也上门服务，还可以同时设置服务范围。虚拟办公室不符合条件，除非营业时间内有人驻守。
为什么需要 BzadPro 这样的服务？
问：Google 商家资料是免费的，为什么还要请人？
资料本身是免费的，但要保持活跃，每周都要花时间：回复评论、发布动态、更新照片和营业时间。BzadPro 用中文或英文替你做这些事。我们不卖 Google 排名，也不承诺任何名次。
资料来源
Google 商家资料帮助：本地排名、阅读和回复评论、验证、被暂停的资料、所有者与管理员。 另见：特殊营业时间、照片和视频、表现数据、门店与服务范围型商家。
想让专业团队每天帮你做吗？
BzadPro 帮你回复 Google 评论，大约每 2 天发布一条动态，并保持商家资料最新，可用中文沟通。我们也可以免费帮你检查 Google 页面：电话或短信 (281) 696-2269，微信 bzadpro。
本文是一般性介绍，不是法律意见。Google 的规定会不时调整，请以 Google 官方说明为准。
更多文章
Google Business Profile FAQ for shop owners
Updated: October 2026
Straight answers to the questions shop owners ask most, based on Google's own help pages.
Basics and setup
Q: What is Google My Business, and is it free?
It is now called Google Business Profile. It is the free listing that shows your shop on Google Search and Google Maps: address, hours, phone, photos and reviews.
Q: How does Google verify that I own the shop?
Google shows the methods that are available for your business. They can include a phone or text code, an email, a live video call with Google support, or a postcard with a 5-digit code mailed to your address. Google chooses what you can use, and it varies by business type and region.
Q: How long does verification take?
Google says most postcards arrive within 14 days and the code expires after 30 days. After you finish, Google can take up to 5 business days to review, sometimes longer. A video call is only available during your shop's business hours.
Ranking and visibility
Q: What decides who shows first in Google Maps?
Google says local results are based mainly on relevance (how well your profile matches the search), distance (how far you are from the searcher) and prominence (how well known you are). More reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking. Google does not publish how much each factor counts, and nobody can guarantee a position.
Q: My competitor next door ranks above me. Why?
Distance changes with where the customer is standing, so the order can differ from person to person. You can work on what you control: accurate information, the right category, real reviews and fresh photos and posts.
Reviews
Q: Do I have to reply to every review?
You do not have to, but Google says replies show customers that you value their feedback, and that positive reviews and helpful replies help your business stand out. Replies are public, so keep them short, polite and useful.
Q: How should I answer a bad review?
Stay calm. Thank the person, apologize if something went wrong, use their name, and reply soon. Do not share their private information or attack them. For complicated cases, invite them to call or email you.
Q: Can I delete a bad review?
Owners cannot delete reviews directly. If a review breaks Google's content policies, for example spam or fake content, you can flag it for Google to check. A review that is only negative but honest normally stays.
Q: Can I give a discount to customers who write 5 stars?
No. Offering rewards for reviews is not allowed, and neither is offering something in exchange for changing or removing a negative review. Ask every customer honestly and let them write what they think.
Q: Can I put a coupon or promotion in my reply?
Google's guidance for replies says not to use them to offer deals or promotions. Use Google Posts or your own channels for offers.
Safety and managing the profile
Q: My profile was suspended. What now?
First check that the profile follows Google's guidelines. Then use Google's appeals tool, signed in with the account linked to the profile. You can attach proof such as a business registration, license or utility bill, as long as the name and address match the profile. Do not create a new profile for the same business, and appeal only once, because each appeal can be sent one time.
Q: Do I give the management company my Google password?
No. Google's way is to add the company as a Manager in your Business Profile settings (People and access), using their own Google account. Owners have full control and can add or remove users; Managers have almost the same access but cannot add or remove users or delete the profile. You stay the owner and can remove their access at any time.
Hours, photos and information
Q: How do I show holiday hours?
In your profile choose Edit profile, then Hours, and next to Special hours choose Edit. Pick the date, mark it closed or enter the hours, and save. Special hours only show if your main hours are set to "Open with main hours". Special hours can cover closures of up to 6 days in a row. Google also advises confirming your hours for official holidays even when they match your normal hours, so customers see they are accurate.
Q: What photos can I upload, and how big?
Photos should be JPG or PNG, between 10 KB and 5 MB. Google recommends 720 x 720 pixels, with a minimum of 250 x 250. Photos should be in focus and well lit, with no heavy filters, and should represent reality. Videos can be up to 30 seconds and 75 MB, at 720p or higher. Good starting points are your logo, a cover photo and photos of your shop, products and services. New uploads can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
Q: Can customers add photos to my profile?
Yes. Customers can add photos. If you think one does not belong, you can ask for its removal. Google may also choose a customer photo as your cover photo if the one you picked is low quality or not the best picture of your business.
Results and no-storefront businesses
Q: Can I see how many people found me on Google?
Yes. The performance report shows calls (clicks on the call button), directions requests, website clicks, the search terms that brought people to your profile, messages and, if you use a booking provider, completed bookings. These numbers are only for verified profiles. A call click is not the same as a customer who phoned you or bought something, so read them as a trend, not as sales.
Q: I work from home or travel to customers. Can I still have a profile?
Yes, as a service-area business. Google says that if you have no storefront where you receive customers, you should hide your business address and show only your service area. Businesses with a real storefront can show the address, and can also set a service area if they travel too. Virtual offices are not eligible unless staffed during business hours.
Why a service like BzadPro?
Q: Google Business Profile is free. Why pay someone?
The profile is free, but keeping it active takes time every week: replying to reviews, posting, updating photos and hours. BzadPro does that work for you in Chinese or English. We do not sell Google rankings and we do not promise any position.
Sources
Google Business Profile Help: local ranking, reading and replying to reviews, verification, suspended profiles, owners and managers. Also: special hours, photos and videos, performance, storefront and service-area businesses.
Want someone to do this for you every day?
BzadPro replies to your Google reviews, posts about every 2 days and keeps your profile up to date, in Chinese or English. We also check your Google page for free: call or text (281) 696-2269, or WeChat bzadpro.
This is general information, not legal advice. Google changes its rules from time to time; Google's own help pages are always the final word.
More guides
Know a shop owner who needs this? Share it.认识需要的店主朋友吗？分享给他们。Biết chủ cửa hàng nào cần điều này? Hãy chia sẻ.
QR code二维码Mã QR
On a computer? Scan this with your phone, then share it in WeChat.在电脑上？用手机扫这个二维码，再到微信里分享。Đang dùng máy tính? Quét mã này bằng điện thoại rồi chia sẻ trong WeChat.You are in WeChat: tap the ··· at the top right, then Send to Chat or Share to Moments.你正在微信里：点右上角“···”，选“发送给朋友”或“分享到朋友圈”。Bạn đang ở trong WeChat: nhấn ··· ở góc trên bên phải, rồi chọn Gửi cho bạn bè hoặc Chia sẻ lên Khoảnh khắc.
Or send this picture: press and hold it, then choose Send to Chat or Save Image.或者发这张图：长按图片，选“发送给朋友”或“保存图片”。Hoặc gửi ảnh này: nhấn giữ ảnh rồi chọn Gửi cho bạn bè hoặc Lưu ảnh.
