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Posted 12/29/2024 in Restaurant Marketing

How to Create & Verify Your Local Restaurant’s Google Business Profile (2025)


How to Create & Verify Your Local Restaurant’s Google Business Profile (2025)

If you’re a local restaurant owner, there is one digital marketing tool you must sign up for: a Google Business Profile (formerly known as a Google My Business profile). Here, we’ll dive into what a Google Business Profile is, how it can help your business, and how to verify your restaurant’s Google Business Profile.

What is a Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile (also known as “GBP” or “Google My Business” profile) is a free listing tool offered by Google. Business owners can either create a new listing or claim an existing listing that shows up in Google’s search results or Google Maps.

Whether you create a new listing or claim an existing listing depends on the nature of your restaurant. 

You should create a new Google Business Profile if: 

  • Your restaurant is brand-new
  • Your restaurant is opening in a newly constructed building
  • Your restaurant does not have an existing profile

You should claim your Google Business Profile if:

  • You are the new owner of a restaurant that already existed
  • Your restaurant already has an existing profile

Why Your Restaurant Should Have a Google Business Profile

There are many benefits to local restaurants having a Google Business Profile.

  • Increased visibility in the search results - as users search for restaurants near them, having a Google Business Profile gives you the opportunity to show up on Google Maps. The more detailed your profile is, the higher the chances of your business showing up are.
  • Credibility among customers and search engines - a verified Google Business Profile lets potential customers know that your business is open, and more importantly, legitimate.
  • Collect and manage reviews - positive reviews are always welcome, as they can boost your visibility in search engines. However, handling negative reviews can be more challenging. Owning your Google Business Profile gives you control over your reviews and the ability to respond appropriately to both positive and negative feedback.
  • Share events and promotions - Google Business Profiles have an underused tool called “Updates.” Using Google’s updates tool feature allows you to post promotions (think happy hours, holiday dinners, etc.) or events (trivia nights, beer tastings, etc.). 
  • It’s FREE - a Google Business Profile is free to create and maintain. Be wary of any company that calls or emails you trying to get you to pay for a Google Business Profile. It’s most likely a scam.

Next, we’ll go into detail about how to claim your restaurant’s Google Business Profile. 

How to Create & Verify a New Google Business Profile

Follow these steps if your restaurant does NOT have an existing Google Business Profile. 

  1. Create a Google account (this is free - a simple Gmail will work). If you have a Google account already, skip this step. Just make sure you’re logged in.
  2. Go to https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/business/
  3. Enter your restaurant’s name in the Business name field and select Continue.
  4. Enter your business type. Select “Local Store” and click Next. 
  5. Enter your business category. In most cases, the category will be Restaurant. Select and click Next.
  6. Enter your business’s address and click Next.
  7. Enter your phone number and website address. Click Next.
  8. The next screen will be a prompt to opt in to emails. Leave the boxes checked or uncheck them and click Continue.
  9. In some cases, Google may allow your restaurant to be instantly verified. You’ll see “You’re now verified” and can click Next.
  10. Enter your restaurant’s hours and click Next.
  11. The next screen will prompt you to enter “Dining Modes.” This gives Google additional details about your restaurant. Select yes/no for the features that apply to you.
  12. Add a business description and click Next. (Tip: have fun here! This is a chance for potential customers to read about you and your restaurant.)
  13. Add photos of your menu. We HIGHLY recommend including photos of your restaurant’s menu as this will appear on your listing. Select photos, upload, and click Next.
  14. Add photos of your dishes. We also HIGHLY recommend this. Customers will also be able to upload their own photos as they leave reviews, but you can get a jumpstart by uploading photos of your most popular dishes.
  15. The final screen will say “Your edits will be visible once you’re verified.” Click Continue. 
  16. From here, you’ll be taken to a screen where you can edit your profile details. Information won’t display publicly until your profile is verified.

Read onto the section “How to Optimize Your Restaurant's Google Business Profile” for tips on how to fill in all your restaurant details! 

How to Claim & Verify an Existing Google Business Profile 

Follow these steps if you know your restaurant already has a Google Business Profile. A simple Google search of your restaurant name will tell you if one exists! 

  1. Create a Google account (this is free - a simple Gmail will work). If you have a Google account already, skip this step. Just make sure you’re logged in.
  2. Go to https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/business/
  3. Enter your restaurant’s name in the Business name field. A dropdown list will appear with options to select. Click on your restaurant’s name.
  4. Depending on the profile’s setup, you may be presented with a message “Someone else may manage this Business Profile.” 
  5. If you know who manages the profile and this person is willing to give you access, click Request Access.
  6. If you do not know who manages the profile, still click Request Access.

If the profile is owned or managed by an account that no longer exists or by someone you can’t contact, Google will allow you to proceed with verification if the listing’s owner doesn’t reply after 3 days. We suggest waiting 4 days after submitting your access request to see if you’ve gained access or can proceed with the verification. 

After 4 days have passed, you can revisit the same link above in step 3 and move forward with the verification process. Here’s how to move forward with the verification process:

  1. Login to your Google account.
  2. Go to https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/business/
  3. Enter your restaurant’s name in the Business name field. A dropdown list will appear with options to select. Click on your restaurant’s name.
  4. Now that the 4 days have passed, Google should prompt you to verify your Google Business Profile. This is so Google can verify that you indeed own the business.

There are a few different ways that Google will allow you to verify your Google Business Profile:

  • Video recording (most common)
  • Phone or text
  • Email
  • Live video call
  • Mail

Over the last couple of years, Google has moved toward the video verification process. The option will be presented as a “Business Video Recording.” Here are some tips to complete this process. 

  • Prepare for the Video Recording
    • Log in to your Google account on your phone’s default browser before starting.
    • Use your desktop computer to scan a QR code, which will direct you to the video verification site on your mobile device.
  • Recording the Video
    • Conduct a video tour of your restaurant:
    • Start with the exterior, showing neighboring businesses and street signs.
    • Walk through the interior, including staff-only areas such as the kitchen or break rooms.
    • Keep the video 1-3 minutes long and ensure it’s a continuous recording.
    • Upload the video during the same session.
  • After Recording
    • Google’s verification process typically takes up to 5 days to complete after the video is submitted.

How to Optimize Your Restaurant’s Google Business Profile 

Now that your Google Business Profile is verified, the hardest part is behind you! Here are some tips to optimize your profile and maximize its impact.

  • Fill in every possible detail!
    • Additional categories (if applicable) 
    • Description
    • Opening date
    • Website URL
    • Social media URLs
    • Menu link 
    • Hours
    • Special hours (like holiday hours) 
    • Other attributes (like women-owned, veteran-owned, etc.) - we suggest going through each additional attribute and selecting what applies to you. 
  • Upload interior & exterior photos
    • Exterior photos - parking lot, storefront
    • Interior photos - bar area, dining area, waiting area, etc. 
  • Upload photos of your food & menu
    • Favorite dishes
    • Specials
  • Post updates, events, and promotions - this is an underused feature on Google Business Profiles and will help you stand out from your competition. 
  • Review your profile at least once per month - reply to reviews (whether positive or negative), add additional updates where needed, and update your hours.

Bookmark this article to revisit in the future. We’ll do our best to keep this updated as Google makes changes to this process.

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