Thread by @semrush

OMG, Y’ALL - I’m Greg Gifford, VP of Search at @searchlabagency, I speak at tons of conferences, and I’ve got a bunch of classes at @semrushacademy - and I'm taking over the #SEOthread - And today, we’re gonna chat about Google Business Profiles!

First of all, yeah - it's the worst rebrand ever. We're probably all going to keep calling it "Google My Business" and "GMB" for another year or two (and did no one at Google realize how confusing “GBP” would be in the UK?

#SEOthread @greggifford

But it's not just a name change - you can now edit your profile directly in search results (you don't have to log into the dashboard)

(and no, the dashboard isn't going away - you can still use it if you prefer)

#SEOthread @greggifford

Your Google Business Profile is your new home page - it's the first impression you make with potential customers when they search for you by name, or find you in a map pack or Google Maps

#SEOthread @greggifford

And speaking of the map pack and Google Maps...

Your Google Business Profile is what allows you to show in the map pack/Google Maps - so optimizing it correctly is MASSIVELY important. Let's talk about how to do that...

#SEOthread @greggifford

Use your actual (correct) business name in your Google Business Profile - don't add additional keywords, that can get you suspended.

#SEOthread @greggifford

It's incredibly important to list a phone number with a local area code. It's a huge signal to Google, and no one needs toll-free numbers anymore.

You CAN use a tracking number though - check my video for details: bit.ly/call-tracking-…

#SEOthread @greggifford

The categories you select in your Google Business Profile have a huge influence on the searches you'll be visible for! Make sure you choose all the applicable categories (you can select up to 10 categories)

#SEOthread @greggifford

Your primary category (the one you select first) in your Google Business Profile is more weighted - so be strategic with what you select. Watch my video for more details: bit.ly/gmb-primary-ca…

#SEOthread @greggifford

BE SURE to include UTM tracking on your website link in your Google Business Profile! Many times, mobile devices don't pass referral info to GA, so UTMs ensure that organic traffic is correctly attributed...

bit.ly/utm-in-gmb

#SEOthread @greggifford

Pay attention to the Google Business Profile Questions and Answers section! Anyone can ask you a question... and any random person can answer it for you!

Users think it's chat, but it's really community discussion.

#SEOthread @greggifford

You can upload your own common questions to the GBP Q&A section - and then answer them!

Make sure you're using Google Posts - they're basically free ads that show in search results.

Don't share social fluff - posts should be promotional!

#SEOthread @greggifford

For Google Posts, make sure you optimize what shows up in the thumbnail - make it compelling, otherwise no one will ever click it to see the full post!

For better control over what shows in the cropped image, use our template: bit.ly/posts-image-gu…

#SEOthread @greggifford

If you ever have problems with your Google Business Profile, support is... not so great (ok, really it sucks)

Instead, create a new thread on the GBP Community Forum and get help from volunteer Product Experts! bit.ly/gbp-forum

#SEOthread @greggifford

Thanks for following! Most everyone knows I love movies and have tons of movie tattoos, but my office is super fun too... Check it out:

#SEOthread @greggifford