Why isn't my business showing on Google Maps?

Your business appears on Google Maps through a Google Business Profile, which is free. If it's missing, the profile may not exist yet, may still need verifying, or may not match the search. Google ranks local results on relevance, distance and prominence. Nobody can pay Google for a better position.

Check the profile exists and is verified

Check it yourself: search your exact business name on Google Maps, on your phone. If nothing appears, search Google for "Google Business Profile" and claim or create your profile.

Google says you need to verify your business before you can edit its details or reply to customers. Google offers one or more ways to verify, such as a phone call, text, email, video call or postcard. It decides which ones you get.

Check your business qualifies

Google has rules about who can have a profile:

• You must meet customers in person during the hours you list, at your premises or theirs.
• Businesses that travel to customers qualify, like plumbers, cleaners and mobile hairdressers.
• Online-only businesses don't qualify. Neither do virtual offices or PO boxes used as an address.

Why you show for your name but not for "plumber near me"

Google gives three reasons a business ranks where it does in local results:

• Relevance: how well your profile matches what someone searched for.
• Distance: how far you are from the person searching. You can't change this one.
• Prominence: how well known your business is, including reviews and ratings.

What you can do:

• Choose the category that best matches what you do.
• Fill in every field: hours, phone number, website, a short description and your services.
• Add real photos of your premises, your work and your team.
• Ask customers for reviews and reply to them. Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help your local ranking.

Common questions

Is a Google Business Profile free?

Yes. Google says you can manage how your business shows up on Maps and Search at no charge.

Can I pay to rank higher on Google Maps?

No. Google says there's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking. Ads are a separate product.

Does my website affect my Google Maps listing?

Your profile links to your website, and customers look at both. Use the same business name, address, phone number and hours on each, so they describe one business.

How do I get more Google reviews?

Ask soon after the job, while it's fresh. Send customers the review link from your profile, by text or email. Reply to every review, including the bad ones. Google says replying shows customers you value their feedback.

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Sitecomb checks the website side of this. It looks for your address, opening hours and a phone number people can tap to call. It's one of six areas in a €9.99 report. It doesn't look at your Business Profile.