Why Attributes Matter
Attributes are additional details about your business that help customers make decisions. They're increasingly important for local search:
Filtered Search
When customers search with specific criteria ("restaurants with outdoor seating near me"), Google filters results based on attributes. Missing attributes = missed opportunities.
Customer Decision-Making
Attributes answer common questions before customers need to ask. Does this place have Wi-Fi? Is it wheelchair accessible? Do they accept Apple Pay?
Profile Completeness
Google favors complete profiles. Setting all relevant attributes signals that your business information is comprehensive and trustworthy.
Competitive Advantage
If competitors haven't set their attributes, you gain an advantage by doing so. You'll appear in filtered searches they won't.
Types of Attributes
Factual Attributes
Objective facts about your business that you control:
- Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, seating
- Amenities: Wi-Fi, restrooms, parking
- Payment: Credit cards, debit cards, NFC, checks, cash only
- Offerings: What you sell or provide
- Planning: Reservations, appointments needed
- Service Options: Dine-in, takeout, delivery, curbside pickup
Subjective Attributes
Characteristics that may be contributed by customers:
- Crowd: Good for kids, groups, business meetings
- Atmosphere: Casual, cozy, romantic, trendy
- Highlights: Great coffee, rooftop seating, live music
Identity Attributes
Business identity and ownership characteristics:
- Black-owned
- Women-owned
- Veteran-owned
- LGBTQ+ friendly
Health & Safety Attributes
Important for customer comfort and confidence:
- Mask required
- Staff wears masks
- Temperature checks
- Appointment required
Adding Services
Services let you detail exactly what you offer. This is especially valuable for service-based businesses.
Service Categories
Google organizes services into categories based on your business type. Examples:
- Plumber: Drain cleaning, water heater installation, pipe repair
- Salon: Haircuts, coloring, styling, treatments
- Dentist: Cleanings, fillings, crowns, whitening
Service Details
For each service, you can add:
- Service name: Clear, descriptive title
- Description: What the service includes
- Price: Fixed price, price range, or "Free"
Best Practices
- List all services you genuinely offer
- Use customer-friendly language
- Include pricing when possible (builds trust)
- Write clear, concise descriptions
- Group related services logically
Service Menu Structure
Think of your services like a menu:
- Lead with most popular services
- Group by category or type
- Include all service levels (basic to premium)
- Add specialty or unique services
Product Catalog
If you sell products, Google's product catalog feature is powerful:
Product Information
- Product name: Clear, searchable title
- Category: How the product is grouped
- Price: Current pricing
- Description: Features and details
- Photo: High-quality product image
- Button: Link to product page
Product Benefits
- Products appear in search results
- Customers can browse before visiting
- Drives traffic to your website
- Shows inventory and specialties
Product Optimization
- Use high-quality photos (720x720 minimum)
- Write keyword-rich descriptions
- Keep pricing current
- Feature popular and unique products
- Organize into logical categories
Optimization Tips
Complete Everything
Set every attribute that applies to your business. Even seemingly minor attributes matter for filtered searches.
Category Alignment
Your available attributes depend on your categories. If you're missing important attributes:
- Review your category selection
- Consider adding relevant secondary categories
- Attributes unlock when you add matching categories
Accuracy First
Never set inaccurate attributes to appear in more searches. This leads to:
- Disappointed customers
- Negative reviews
- Potential policy violations
- Customer edit suggestions correcting you
Seasonal Updates
Some attributes change seasonally:
- Outdoor seating (weather dependent)
- Special holiday offerings
- Seasonal services or products
Monitor Customer Contributions
Customers can suggest attributes. Check regularly and correct any inaccurate suggestions by setting the correct values yourself.
Ongoing Maintenance
Regular Review
Check your attributes quarterly:
- Are all attributes still accurate?
- Has Google added new attribute options?
- Have your offerings changed?
- Any customer-suggested attributes to address?
Service Updates
- Add new services when you offer them
- Remove discontinued services
- Update pricing when it changes
- Refresh descriptions periodically
Product Maintenance
- Add new products regularly
- Remove out-of-stock or discontinued items
- Update seasonal product selections
- Keep photos and descriptions current
Staying Current
Google regularly adds new attribute options. Stay informed about updates and take advantage of new attributes relevant to your business.