A Google Business Profile (GBP) is crucial for your business because it boosts online visibility and helps potential customers find your business easily. By creating a well-optimized GBP, your business can appear in local search results, Google Maps, and knowledge panels, giving you an edge over competitors. It also allows you to share vital information like hours, location, and services, increasing trust and engagement. Furthermore, the ability to respond to reviews and post updates helps strengthen customer relationships and build credibility. However, only certain types of business are eligible for a GBP according to Google. 

Click Here for Google's criteria for eligibility for a Google Business Profile. This article is intended as a guide for Thryv users to determine if they are eligible to create a GBP to use in conjunction with their Thryv software. Should there be any discrepancy between this article and Google's criteria, Google's information supersedes what is in this article.

Eligible businesses

To qualify for a Business Profile, a business must make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours. 

Only business owners or authorized representatives may verify and manage their business information on a Business Profile. If you wish to share management access to your Business Profile with others, you can add them as a manager to your profile. 

Ineligible businesses

The following are examples of businesses that aren't eligible for a Business Profile:

• Rental or for-sale properties such as vacation homes, model homes, or vacant apartments. Sales or leasing offices, however, are eligible for verification.
• An ongoing service, class, or meeting at a location that you don't own or have the authority to represent. 
• Lead generation agents or companies
• Brands, organizations, artists, and other online-only businesses
• Businesses associated with products or services that require the customer to be a certain minimum age, like alcohol, cannabis, or weapons, aren't permitted as service-area businesses without a storefront
• Any business whose address is listed as a P.O. box or mailbox in a remote location

FAQ

Can Thryv help me qualify for a GBP?

The guidelines to qualify for a GBP are set by Google and are at their sole discretion. We are not able to alter these guidelines, nor do we have any recourse to appeal decisions made by Google.

What should I do if my business doesn't meed the eligibility criteria?

If your business doesn't meet the eligibility criteria for a GBP, focus on improving your online presence through other means. Thryv offers tools to manage your presence on other listing sites, enhanced profiles with Thryv Marketing Center, and various social media platforms.