You set up your Google Business Profile, added your hours and photos, and then left it alone. Meanwhile, competitors on the map keep sharing updates, offers and new photos. Posts are a small, free way to show Google and customers that your business is active. The hard part is knowing what to post. Here is a simple answer.
What Google Business Profile posts are
Posts are short updates that appear on your profile in Google Search and Maps. Each one can have a photo or video, some text and a button such as Call, Book, Order online or Learn more. There are three main types:
- Updates (sometimes shown as "Add update"): news, tips, new work, anything general.
- Offers: a discount or deal with start and end dates and optional terms.
- Events: something happening on a date, such as a workshop, open day or tasting night.
Posts are not a magic ranking switch. But an active profile with fresh photos and useful posts gives people more reasons to choose you over the listing next to yours.
How often to post
Once a week is a good, realistic target for most small businesses. It keeps your profile looking current without becoming a chore. If you can only manage two a month, that is still far better than nothing. Consistency matters more than volume.
12 post ideas that work for almost any business
- A recent job or product, with a real photo
- Before and after photos
- A quick tip your customers would find useful
- Answer to a question you get asked every week
- A seasonal reminder ("Time to service your AC before summer")
- A new service, product or menu item
- Holiday or special opening hours
- A limited offer with a clear end date
- Meet the team, or a new staff member
- Thank you to customers after a milestone, such as an anniversary
- A local event you are part of or sponsoring
- How to book, order or get a quote, step by step
Examples by industry
- Plumbers, electricians, HVAC: seasonal maintenance reminders, photos of tidy installs, "what to do while you wait for us" tips, emergency availability.
- Restaurants and cafes: this week's special, a new dish with a good photo, live music nights as Events, holiday hours, a direct link to order online.
- Salons and beauty: recent styles (with client permission), new treatments, open slots this week, aftercare tips.
- Dentists and clinics: new patient information, what to expect at a first visit, insurance questions, team introductions.
- Retail shops: new arrivals, gift ideas before holidays, in-store events, a weekend offer.
- Event decorators and planners: setups from recent events, seasonal themes, booking reminders for busy dates.
How to write a good post
- Use your own photo. Real photos of your work, your place or your team build more trust than stock images.
- Put the key point in the first sentence. Only the beginning shows before people tap to read more.
- Mention your service and area naturally, the way you would say it out loud: "We just finished a kitchen rewire in Plano."
- Pick the button that matches the goal. Call for urgent services, Book for appointments, Order online for food.
- Keep it short. A few sentences is enough.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Putting a phone number in the text. Google may reject posts that include phone numbers in the description. Use the Call button instead.
- Posting the same text every week. It looks automated and gives people nothing new.
- Stuffing keywords. "Best plumber Dallas plumber near me Dallas" reads badly and can get the post removed.
- Old offers left showing. Always set an end date on offers.
- Posting and ignoring everything else. Posts help most when the rest of the profile is in good shape: correct category, hours, photos and recent reviews.
Make the rest of the profile work too
Posts are one piece. If your profile is missing basics, start with our Google Business Profile checklist, then keep a steady flow of new reviews with how to get more Google reviews. If you would rather hand it over, our Google Business Profile optimization includes weekly posts, photo updates and review replies, and every plan starts with a free audit.