How to Post on Google My Business

Using Google Posts on your Business Profile is one of your most powerful - and most underutilized - free local marketing tools. If you've been treating your profile as just a set-it-and-forget-it listing, you're missing out on a direct line to customers who are actively searching for what you offer. This guide will walk you through exactly how to create effective Google Posts, share best practices from experience, and give you actionable strategies to turn your profile into a customer-generating machine.

So, Why Bother With Google My Business Posts?

In short, because they work. When a customer searches for "best coffee shop near me" or a specific business name, your Google Business Profile (GBP) is often the first thing they see. It’s your digital storefront on the world's biggest search engine. Posts transform this static listing into a dynamic, active channel for communication, giving you a serious edge over competitors who aren't using them. Here’s why they are an essential part of a modern marketing strategy:

• Boosted Local SEO: Google rewards active profiles. Regularly publishing posts signals to Google that your business is active, relevant, and engaged. This can positively influence your ranking in local search results and the "Map Pack," making it easier for new customers to find you.
• Direct Communication with Customers: Got a special promotion, a new product, or just BOGO tacos today? A post puts that information directly in front of people actively looking for you or businesses like yours. It bypasses the noise of social media feeds and delivers your message at the exact moment of high intent.
• Increased Engagement and Conversions: Every post can include a call-to-action (CTA) button like “Learn More,” “Call Now,” or “Order Online.” This removes friction, making it incredibly simple for a searcher to go from discovering your business to becoming a customer.
• Humanize Your Brand: Sharing behind-the-scenes photos, employee spotlights, or community news helps you build a brand that feels authentic. It shows people that there are real humans behind the business, which fosters trust and loyalty.

The Anatomy of a Perfect GMB Post

Before you jump into the "how," it's helpful to understand what makes a post effective. A great Google Post isn't just a random status update, it’s a carefully crafted piece of micro-content designed to grab attention and drive an action. Let’s break down the components.

The Different Types of Google Business Posts

Google offers a few different post formats, each tailored to a specific goal. Choosing the right one makes your message clearer and more effective.

• Updates: This is your general-purpose post. It's perfect for sharing news, highlighting a new blog article, introducing a team member, or showing off a recent project. Think of it as a mini-blog or a social media update for your Google profile.
• Offers: This type is designed specifically for promotions. You can include a title, start and end dates, a coupon code, and a link to redeem the offer. It's visually distinct in search results, often showing a yellow tag, which helps it stand out and attract deal-seekers.
• Events: Promoting a workshop, a live music night, a webinar, or an in-store sale? The Event post is your best bet. You can add a title, start and end dates, and a time for the event, giving customers all the key information upfront.

The Essential Elements of Every Post

Regardless of the type, every effective post shares a few core components:

• A High-Quality Visual: Posts with compelling photos or videos get significantly more engagement. Use clear, bright, high-resolution images that are relevant to your post. Show off your products, your team, or your happy customers. Dimensions should ideally be a 4:3 ratio, with a minimum of 400x300 pixels.
• An Engaging Description: You have up to 1,500 characters, but only the first 100 or so are visible before the "More" link. Lead with your most important information. Keep your tone conversational and helpful. Ask a question, state a benefit, or create a sense of urgency.
• A Clear Call-to-Action (CTA): This is arguably the most important element. Google provides several pre-set CTA buttons, including "Book," "Order online," "Buy," "Learn more," "Sign up," and "Call now." Always choose the one that aligns most closely with your post's goal. Don't leave visitors wondering what to do next - tell them directly.

Example: A local bakery wants to promote its new seasonal pumpkin spice loaf.

Weak Post: "We have pumpkin spice now." (No visual, no CTA)

Strong Post:

• Visual: A mouth-watering, high-quality photo of the sliced loaf with steam rising from it.
• Description: "It’s that time of year again! 🍂 Our legendary Pumpkin Spice Sourdough is back for a limited time. Come grab a loaf before it's gone for the season!"
• CTA Button: "Order online" linked directly to their online ordering page.

How to Post on Google My Business: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ready to create your first post? The process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes. You can post directly from a Google SERP (search engine results page) if you're signed in as a manager of the profile, or through the Google Business Profile Manager dashboard.

1. Access Your Business Profile: The easiest way is to just search for your business name on Google. If you're logged into the managing Google account, a control panel will appear right in the search results. You can also sign in to the Google Business Profile Manager.
2. Find the Post Creation Tool: In the search results panel, look for a button labeled "Add update." You'll see options for "Add update," "Add offer," and "Add event."
3. Choose Your Post Type: Select whether you’re creating an Update, Offer, or Event based on your goal.
4. Craft Your Post: This is where you bring it all together.
   • Add Photo or Video: Click "Add photos or videos" and upload your visual from your computer or phone. You can add multiple photos to create a carousel.
   • Write Your Description: Type or paste your copy into the "Description" box. Remember to put the most compelling information first.
   • Add Your Call-to-Action Button: Click "Add a button (optional)" and select the most relevant CTA from the dropdown menu (e.g., "Learn more," "Call," "Book"). Paste the corresponding URL into the link field. (Note: For the "Call" CTA, your business's primary phone number is automatically used.)
5. Preview and Publish: Before you hit publish, click "Preview" to see what your post will look like to customers. Check for typos, make sure the link works, and confirm the image looks good. Once you're satisfied, click "Post."

That's it! Your post is now live on your Google Business Profile and will be visible in search and map results. Keep in mind that "Update" posts expire and are removed from primary view after seven days (though they remain visible on your profile), so consistency is important.

Pro Tips: How to Create GMB Posts That Actually Drive Results

Simply posting isn’t enough, you need to post with intent. Here are some best practices that separate amateur posters from pros who get real business results.

• Post Consistently: Aim to post at least once a week. This keeps your profile fresh, signals to Google that you are active, and gives your customers a reason to keep checking back. Consistency builds momentum.
• Talk About What’s Happening Now: Google Posts are designed for timely, relevant content. Use them to announce what’s new, special, or happening in the near future. Are you closing early for a holiday? Did you just receive a new shipment of a popular product? Is there a flash sale this weekend? This is the perfect place for that kind of information.
• Include Local Keywords: Weave keywords and location-specific terms into your post descriptions naturally. If you're a plumber in Dallas, mentioning your "emergency plumbing repair service in Dallas" helps Google connect your post to relevant local searches.
• Repurpose Your Best Social Content: You don’t need to reinvent the wheel for every GMB post. Take a top-performing post from your Instagram or Facebook and adapt it for Google. It's a smart way to maximize the reach of your best content with minimal extra effort.
• Track Your Performance with UTM Codes: If you're linking to your website, add UTM parameters to your URLs. This allows you to track exactly how many clicks and conversions came from your Google Posts within your Google Analytics account. This data is invaluable for understanding your ROI.

Final Thoughts

Google Business Profile posts are a simple, free, and incredibly effective way to enhance your local SEO, engage more customers, and drive direct sales right from the search results page. By following these steps and best practices, you can turn your static profile into a powerful, dynamic marketing channel that works for your business 24/7.

Juggling all your social platforms, from Instagram and TikTok to local powerhouses like GMB, can quickly become overwhelming. At Postbase, we built our tool to solve that exact problem. Our platform helps you plan, schedule, and analyze your content across all your channels from one clean dashboard, freeing you up to focus on creating great content and engaging with your community, both online and in your neighborhood.