# Google Business Profile > Optimizes Google Business Profile listings with categories, attributes, posts, Q&A, and review response templates. Use when improving local search presence. - Skill: `reaperinvest/google-business-profile` (Agent Skill) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add reaperinvest/google-business-profile` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/reaperinvest/google-business-profile/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Marketing & Growth - Author: reaperinvest (https://skillmd.com/u/reaperinvest) - Updated: 2026-09-22 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/reaperinvest/google-business-profile --- # Google Business Profile ## When to Use This Skill Use this skill when you need to: - Fully optimize a Google Business Profile for maximum local visibility - Write business descriptions, Google Posts, and Q&A content - Create review response templates for positive and negative reviews - Plan an ongoing GBP management strategy **DO NOT** use this skill for website SEO, social media strategy, or paid local ads. This is specifically for Google Business Profile optimization and management. --- ## Core Principle YOUR GOOGLE BUSINESS PROFILE IS OFTEN THE FIRST IMPRESSION A LOCAL CUSTOMER HAS OF YOUR BUSINESS — EVERY FIELD COMPLETED, EVERY PHOTO UPLOADED, AND EVERY REVIEW RESPONDED TO CONTRIBUTES TO WHETHER THEY CHOOSE YOU OR YOUR COMPETITOR. --- ## Phase 1: Brief ### Required Inputs | Input | What to Ask | Default | |-------|------------|---------| | **Business name** | "What is your business name (as it appears on signage)?" | No default — must be provided | | **Business category** | "What is your primary business type?" | No default — must be provided | | **Address/service area** | "Do you have a physical location or are you service-area based?" | Physical location | | **Current GBP status** | "Is your profile claimed and verified?" | Claimed, not optimized | | **Services offered** | "List your main services or products." | No default — must be provided | | **Competitors** | "Who are the top 3 local competitors?" | General awareness | **GATE: Confirm before optimizing.** --- ## Phase 2: Profile Optimization ### Complete Every Field ``` ## GBP Optimization Checklist **Basic Information:** - [ ] Business name (exact legal name, no keyword stuffing) - [ ] Primary category (most specific option available) - [ ] Secondary categories (all relevant additional categories) - [ ] Address or service area defined - [ ] Phone number (local number preferred over 800) - [ ] Website URL - [ ] Hours of operation (including special hours) **Description (750 characters max):** - [ ] Written with primary keywords naturally included - [ ] Describes what you do, who you serve, what makes you different - [ ] No promotional language or special offers (GBP guidelines) - [ ] Includes service area or location mentions **Attributes:** - [ ] All applicable attributes selected (women-owned, wheelchair accessible, etc.) - [ ] Payment methods listed - [ ] Amenities selected **Services/Products:** - [ ] Each service listed with description and price (if applicable) - [ ] Organized by category - [ ] Keywords naturally included in service descriptions ``` ### Business Description Template ``` [Business Name] provides [primary service] for [target customers] in [city/area]. With [X] years of experience, we specialize in [specialty 1], [specialty 2], and [specialty 3]. Our [unique differentiator] ensures [key benefit for customers]. [Additional detail about approach, values, or service area]. Contact us today for [CTA: a free estimate / consultation / appointment]. ``` ### Photo Strategy ``` ## Photo Uploads (minimum 20) **Required:** - Exterior (3-5): storefront from different angles and times of day - Interior (3-5): clean, well-lit interior photos - Team (3-5): staff photos, team shots - Product/service (5-10): your work, products, results **Tips:** - Geo-tag photos before uploading - Use high-resolution images (720px minimum) - Upload new photos monthly to signal activity - Add photos of seasonal services or promotions ``` **GATE: Approve the optimization plan before writing content.** --- ## Phase 3: Content Creation ### Google Posts (Weekly) Write 4 templates rotating between post types: **Update Post:** ``` [Topic/news about your business] [2-3 sentences of value or information] [CTA: Learn more / Call now / Book online] [Link to relevant page] ``` **Offer Post:** ``` [Offer headline: "20% Off First Visit"] [Offer details: what, when, terms] [Redemption instructions] [Start and end dates] ``` **Event Post:** ``` [Event name] [Date, time, location] [What attendees will get/learn] [Registration link or details] ``` ### Q&A Strategy Seed the Q&A section with common questions and answers: ``` ## Pre-Seeded Q&A (5-10 questions) Q: "What are your hours?" A: "We're open [hours]. We also offer [evening/weekend appointments] by request." Q: "Do you offer free estimates?" A: "Yes! Contact us at [phone] or book online at [URL] for a free estimate." Q: "What areas do you serve?" A: "We serve [city] and surrounding areas including [area 1], [area 2], and [area 3]." ``` ### Review Response Templates **Positive review (5 stars):** ``` Thank you so much, [Name]! We're glad you had a great experience with [specific service mentioned]. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback. See you next time! ``` **Neutral review (3-4 stars):** ``` Thank you for your feedback, [Name]. We're glad [positive aspect], and we'd love the chance to earn that 5th star. If there's anything we can improve, please reach out to us directly at [email/phone]. ``` **Negative review (1-2 stars):** ``` [Name], thank you for letting us know. We take this seriously and want to make it right. Please contact us directly at [email/phone] so we can address your concerns. We're committed to providing [positive statement about standards]. ``` --- ## Phase 4: Polish ### 1. Monthly Management Routine - Week 1: Upload 2-3 new photos - Week 2: Publish a Google Post - Week 3: Respond to all new reviews - Week 4: Update Q&A, check for accuracy, publish another Post ### 2. Competitive Monitoring - Track your GBP ranking for key local searches monthly - Compare review count and rating to top 3 competitors - Note competitors' posting frequency and categories ### 3. Metrics to Track - Profile views (search vs. maps) - Customer actions (calls, direction requests, website clicks) - Photo views compared to competitors - Review count growth and average rating --- ## Anti-Patterns - **Keyword-stuffed business name** — adding "Best Plumber in Austin" to your business name violates guidelines and risks suspension. - **Ignoring reviews** — unresponded reviews (positive or negative) signal you don't care about customer feedback. - **Stock photos** — Google and customers can tell. Use real photos of your business, team, and work. - **Inaccurate hours** — showing up to a closed business is the fastest way to earn a 1-star review. - **No posts for months** — an inactive profile signals a possibly closed or neglected business. - **Arguing with negative reviewers** — always stay professional. Take the conversation offline. --- ## Recovery - **Profile not claimed:** Walk through the Google verification process (postcard, phone, or instant verification). - **Suspended profile:** Review GBP guidelines for violations (name stuffing is the most common). Submit a reinstatement request with corrections. - **Low reviews:** Implement a systematic review request process — ask every satisfied customer within 24 hours of service. - **Competitor outranking you:** Optimize every field, increase review velocity, and post weekly. Consistency wins in local SEO.