For service-based businesses, managing their online presence is crucial for attracting local customers and building trust. Google My Business (GMB) is a key tool that allows businesses to appear in local search results and Google Maps. However, many service providers wonder if they can have multiple GMB listings and under what circumstances this is allowed. Understanding Google’s guidelines and best practices helps businesses avoid penalties and maximize their visibility. This article explores when it is appropriate for a service-based business to have multiple Google My Business listings, ensuring compliance and effective local marketing strategies.
Google My Business listings are typically tied to physical business locations, but service-based businesses often operate differently. Many provide services at customer locations without a storefront, which complicates the question of multiple listings. Google’s policies focus on representing a business’s real-world presence accurately. This means that multiple listings are generally only permitted when they reflect distinct business locations or service areas. We’ll examine scenarios such as multiple offices, service-area businesses, and franchises to clarify when multiple GMB listings are allowed and how to optimize them properly.
In this article:
- Understanding Google My Business Listings
- When Can a Service-Based Business Have Multiple Locations?
- How Do Service Area Business Listings Work?
- Franchises and Multiple GMB Listings
- Key Google Guidelines to Follow
- Common Mistakes with Multiple Listings
- Tips for Optimizing Multiple GMB Listings
Understanding Google My Business Listings
Google My Business listings serve as the digital storefront for businesses, showing essential information such as address, phone number, hours, and customer reviews. For businesses with physical locations, GMB helps customers find them easily on Google Search and Maps. Service-based businesses, which often operate without a fixed storefront, can also create listings but must carefully follow Google’s rules to avoid confusion. The primary goal of GMB is to provide accurate and helpful information to users, so listings must represent real, verifiable business locations or service areas.
When Can a Service-Based Business Have Multiple Locations?
A service-based business can have multiple GMB listings if it operates from more than one physical location where customers can visit or where the business has staff working regularly. For example, a plumbing company with offices in three cities can create a separate listing for each office. Each listing must have a unique address and phone number, and the business must be able to receive customers or dispatch employees from that location. If the business only operates remotely or from a home office without customer visits, multiple listings are generally not permissible.
How Do Service Area Business Listings Work?
Service Area Businesses (SABs) provide services directly at customers’ locations instead of a storefront. Google allows SABs to create listings without displaying a physical address publicly. Instead, these businesses specify the geographic areas they serve. Multiple listings may be created only if the business operates distinct service areas with dedicated teams or offices. For example, a cleaning service with separate teams in different cities could have multiple listings, each targeting a specific service region. However, creating multiple listings for overlapping or vague areas can violate Google’s guidelines.
Franchises and Multiple GMB Listings
Franchise businesses often have multiple locations operated by different owners but under the same brand. Each franchise location qualifies for its own GMB listing as long as it meets Google’s criteria for a distinct physical presence. Franchise owners must ensure their listings reflect accurate information unique to their location. This helps customers find the nearest franchise and receive location-specific details. Google supports multiple listings for franchises because each location is a separate business entity serving a defined local market.
Key Google Guidelines to Follow
Google’s guidelines emphasize that listings must represent real business locations or service areas where staff are available during stated hours. Businesses should avoid creating listings for virtual offices, P.O. boxes, or locations where they do not have a physical presence. Duplicate listings for the same location are prohibited and can lead to suspension. Maintaining consistent and accurate information across all listings is essential. Following these guidelines helps prevent penalties and improves the business’s credibility and search ranking.
Common Mistakes with Multiple Listings
Many service businesses make the mistake of creating multiple listings for the same location or for areas they do not genuinely serve. Another frequent error is using the same phone number or address on multiple listings, which confuses customers and violates Google’s policies. Some businesses also try to manipulate rankings by creating fake locations, risking suspension. To avoid these pitfalls, businesses should audit their listings regularly, remove duplicates, and ensure each listing corresponds to a legitimate business presence or service area.
Tips for Optimizing Multiple GMB Listings
To get the most from multiple Google My Business listings, ensure each listing has unique and accurate information, including address, phone number, and business hours. Use high-quality photos and encourage customer reviews specific to each location or service area. Regularly update your listings with posts, offers, and Q&A to engage customers. Monitor your listings for accuracy and respond promptly to reviews. Proper optimization helps each listing perform well in local search results, driving more leads and establishing a strong online reputation for your service-based business.
Primary category for this article: Home Remodeling
