Does Google My Business Help SEO?

Published: Tuesday, April 12, 2022 | Tags: association resources, Chamber of Commerce resources, EDO resources, Google My Business, JCC Resources, SEO, SEO for chambers, SEO for JCCs, YMCA Resources

Using a Google Business Profile, also known as Google My Business, is a free tool that every organization should be utilizing. This easy-to-use online account allows businesses, nonprofits, community and recreation centers, associations, chambers of commerce, and economic development organizations to:

Add photos of your business and products/services
Write blog posts about what you do and how it helps people
Make sure all of your contact information is correct and up-to-date
Encourage customers to write reviews on Google about their experience with your business
Add important details, such as hours of operation, location, and services offered
Connect with other local businesses in Google+ Communities
Appear on Google Maps
Post promotions and special offers
Provide links to your website
Allows visitors to click to call on mobile devices

While all of those benefits are great, you might be wondering, “Does Google My Business help search engine optimization (SEO)?” In short, yes, it does. Let’s take a look at some of the direct SEO impacts Google My Business has so you can make the most out of your listing and improve your chances of showing up in local search results.

Table of contents:

Increase website traffic

When you create a Google My Business listing, you are allowed to include a link to your website. This will help increase traffic to your website because Google will rank it higher in search engine results pages (SERPs).

Enhance local search results

We believe that Google prioritizes businesses that have complete and accurate information listed on Google My Business. This includes a business address, current phone number, website, hours, and if your organization accepts appointments. If someone searches for a company in your area, and you have this information filled out on your listing, your company could be one of the first results that appear.

Improve brand awareness

Having a Google My Business listing helps improve brand awareness because it allows you to control how your business appears in search results. Your Google My Business listing is an opportunity for you to put your best foot forward and show potential customers what makes your business special.

Appear in relevant searches

Google My Business also gives you the ability to control the information that appears about your business. You can add photos, business hours, service and product descriptions, blogs, and newsworthy content. This can help improve click-through rates from search results and allow Google to understand your business better. The more information Google has about your business, the more likely you will show up in relevant searches.

Share updates and special offers

Another benefit of this free tool is the ability to post updates and special offers. These posts appear in Google Search and Maps and can help drive traffic to your website or store. Google My Business posts also give you the chance to show up in Google News, which can be a great way to get more exposure for your business.

It’s clear that Google My Business is a powerful tool that can help improve your organization's SEO in several ways. By optimizing and claiming your Google My Business listing, you can improve your chances of appearing higher in search results. If you’re looking to set up an account, here is a quick 10-step guide on how to create a free Google My Business profile. Don’t hesitate to reach out to our team if you have any questions along the way. We look forward to hearing from you!