Why GBP Posts Matter
Google Business Profile posts are often underutilized. They provide free visibility directly in search results and Google Maps:
Visibility Benefits
- Search presence: Posts can appear directly in search results
- Maps visibility: Posts show in your Maps listing
- Knowledge panel: Posts appear in your business knowledge panel
- Mobile prominence: Posts are highly visible on mobile searches
Business Benefits
- Share timely updates and news
- Promote offers and events
- Highlight products and services
- Drive website traffic and calls
- Show customers you're active and engaged
SEO Benefits
While not a major ranking factor, posts contribute to your overall profile activity and can help with relevance signals when posts contain keywords matching searches.
Types of GBP Posts
Update Posts
General updates about your business. Share news, tips, behind-the-scenes content, or anything relevant to your customers.
- Expire after 7 days
- Most flexible content type
- Great for regular engagement
Event Posts
Promote upcoming events with dates, times, and details. These remain visible until the event passes.
- Require event title, start date, and end date
- Stay visible until event ends
- Perfect for workshops, sales, grand openings
Offer Posts
Share special deals and discounts. Include offer details, terms, and redemption instructions.
- Include offer code or details
- Set expiration date
- Terms and conditions field available
- Stay visible until offer expires
Product Posts
Highlight specific products or services with images, descriptions, and pricing.
- Feature individual products
- Include pricing information
- Link directly to product pages
Content Ideas by Industry
Restaurants & Food Service
- Daily or weekly specials
- New menu items
- Behind-the-scenes kitchen content
- Chef spotlights
- Seasonal menu changes
- Catering availability
Retail
- New arrivals
- Sale announcements
- Product spotlights
- Style tips and how-tos
- Customer photos (with permission)
- Holiday hours and events
Service Businesses
- Before/after project photos
- Service tips and advice
- Seasonal service reminders
- Team member spotlights
- Industry certifications and awards
- Customer testimonials
Healthcare & Wellness
- Health tips and education
- New services or treatments
- Team introductions
- Community involvement
- Appointment availability
- Insurance updates
Post Best Practices
Images
- Size: At least 1200x900 pixels (4:3 ratio)
- Quality: Sharp, well-lit, professional-looking
- Content: Relevant to the post topic
- Avoid: Heavy text overlays, stock photos, low quality
Copy
- Keep it concise—aim for 150-300 characters
- Lead with the most important information
- Include relevant keywords naturally
- Use active, engaging language
- Always include a call-to-action
Calls-to-Action
Every post should include a clear CTA:
- Learn More: Link to your website
- Book: Appointments or reservations
- Order Online: E-commerce or food ordering
- Call Now: Phone inquiries
- Sign Up: Newsletter or event registration
- Get Offer: Redeem a deal
What to Avoid
- Overly promotional or salesy language
- Misleading information
- Political or controversial content
- Low-quality or irrelevant images
- Broken or irrelevant links
- Excessive hashtags or emojis
Creating a Posting Schedule
Minimum: Weekly
Since posts expire after 7 days, posting at least weekly ensures you always have visible content.
Ideal: 2-3 Times Per Week
More frequent posting keeps your profile fresh and gives you more opportunities to reach customers.
Sample Weekly Schedule
- Monday: Weekly tip or educational content
- Wednesday: Product/service spotlight
- Friday: Weekend event, offer, or team content
Content Calendar Tips
- Plan posts a month in advance
- Account for holidays and seasonal events
- Repurpose content from other channels
- Use scheduling tools for consistency
- Leave room for timely, reactive content
Measuring Post Success
Available Metrics
Google provides basic post insights:
- Views: How many times your post was seen
- Clicks: How many times the CTA was clicked
What to Track
- Which post types get the most engagement
- Which topics resonate with your audience
- Optimal posting times
- Image styles that perform best
Optimization Tips
- A/B test different CTA buttons
- Experiment with post timing
- Try different content formats
- Double down on what works
- Review performance monthly