What is GMB Post And Why Do You Need Them?

In the digital age, maintaining a robust online presence is crucial for businesses of all sizes. One powerful tool at your disposal is Google Business Profile Posts. 

But what exactly are they, and why should you incorporate them into your business strategy? In this blog, we’ll explore these questions in detail and provide you with actionable insights to make the most of GMB Posts.

What Are Google Business Profile Posts?

Google Business Profile posts are updates that businesses can publish to communicate with their customers directly. These posts can encompass a wide range of content, including announcements about the brand, special offers, events, products, and more.

When you create a post, it appears in several locations: primarily on the Google Maps app for mobile users, as well as within the desktop search results under your business’s information section, known as the knowledge panel or knowledge card.

GBP posts function similarly to social media posts, enabling users to share content with their own networks. However, unlike traditional social media platforms, customers cannot create profiles or comment directly on GBP posts.

Advantages of Posting on Google Business Profile

Leveraging Google Business Profile posts offers a myriad of benefits that can significantly enhance your business’s visibility and engagement with customers:

Free Advertising

One of the most significant advantages of GBP posts is the ability to advertise your brand, products, events, and promotions without incurring any costs. This means you can effectively reach out to potential customers without allocating any budget for advertising.

Increased Visibility

When you publish posts on GBP, you increase your visibility in search results. This means more potential customers can discover your business online, enhancing your chances of attracting new clientele.

Brand Awareness and Affinity

Posting on your GBP allows you to communicate directly with local customers, helping to build awareness and affinity for your brand. By sharing valuable information and timely updates, such as changes in operating hours or new product launches, you can keep your audience informed and engaged.

Engagement with Your Audience

GBP posts provide an opportunity to engage with customers right when they are searching for your services. By incorporating multimedia elements like photos and videos into your posts, you can enhance the customer experience and provide them with relevant information at a crucial decision-making moment.

Improved Local SEO

Another advantage of posting on your Google Business Profile is the positive impact on local search engine optimization (SEO). Regularly updating your GBP with fresh content makes it easier for customers to access your business information, offers, and updates. Since GBP is closely tied to search and Google Maps, this can help improve your ranking for local keywords, ensuring your business stands out to potential customers.

Types of Google Business Profile Posts

Google Business Profile offers four primary types of posts that businesses can create. Each serves a unique purpose and allows for different types of content to be shared:

What’s New

The “What’s New” post type allows businesses to share recent updates, such as changes in business hours, new product launches, or special promotions. These posts are particularly effective at generating brand awareness and affinity.

On desktop searches, “What’s New” posts typically appear as a carousel in your knowledge panel, located above the “People Also Search For” section. In mobile searches, these posts are displayed in a feed format within the “Update” tab of your knowledge panel.

Events

The Events post type allows businesses to promote upcoming online or in-person events, which can help increase attendance and visibility. When creating an event post, you’ll need to set a title, as well as start and end dates for the event. If you do not specify the duration, the event will default to a 24-hour timeframe.

Additionally, you can include location details, a photo or video, a description, and a call-to-action (CTA) like “RSVP.” If your event meets specific criteria, it may also show on the “Overview” tab in your GBP profile.

In desktop searches, event posts appear in your knowledge panel, typically located under your business’s address and hours. On mobile, they will show up in the “Updates” tab along with other posts.

Offers

“Offer” posts are an excellent way to advertise deals and promotions for your business. These posts look similar to “What’s New” posts but are specifically tailored to highlight special offers.

Like event posts, “Offer” posts require you to set start and end times. You also have the option to include links, coupon codes, and terms and conditions in your post. A significant benefit of offer posts is that GBP automatically adds a “View Offer” CTA button. When clicked, this button directs users to another page with more information about the offer, along with options to redeem it.

Products

Product posts allow businesses to showcase their products in a catalog format. Unlike “Offers” and “What’s New” posts, product posts are not sharable but serve as a visual catalog of items available for purchase.

For mobile searches, product posts will appear in the “Products” tab on your GBP profile. In these posts, you can add product descriptions and pricing, making it easier for customers to explore what you have to offer.

How Post Time Frames Work

It’s important to note that Google Business Profile posts have limited time frames. By default, posts remain active for seven days after publication, but you can extend this time frame to fourteen days if desired. Product posts are the exception, as they are always active.

Additionally, the knowledge panel on desktop search has space limitations for displaying posts. Posts are displayed from newest to oldest, and only eight posts can be visible at any given time. This means that even if a post has not expired, newer posts may push it out of view.

After a post expires, audiences can still access it by navigating to the “Posts” tab on mobile or clicking on “View previous updates on Google” in your business’s knowledge panel.

How to Create a Google Business Profile Post

Creating a Google Business Profile post is a straightforward process. Follow these steps to publish your own posts:

Sign on to Your Google Business Profile Account: Start by logging into your GBP account.

Select the “Posts” Tab from the Menu: Find the “Posts” option in the menu to begin creating your post.

Select the Type of Post: Choose from the available post types: What’s New, Events, Offers, or Products.

Add Title, Description, Media, and CTA: Input your post title, description, and add any relevant photos or videos. Include a call-to-action if applicable.

Preview and Edit Your Post: Before publishing, preview your post to ensure it looks as intended. Make any necessary edits.

Select “Publish” When You’re Ready: Once you’re satisfied with your post, click “Publish” to make it live.

Design Requirements for Google Business Profile Posts

When creating posts for your Google Business Profile, there are several design requirements to keep in mind:

Media Specifications

• Minimum size: 400 x 300 pixels and a 10 KB size limit.
• Maximum size: 10,000 x 10,000 pixels and a 25 MB size limit.

Character Count Guidelines

• Each post has a maximum character count of 1,500, but best practices suggest keeping your posts between 150 and 300 characters for optimal engagement.
• Keep in mind that Google often truncates words in desktop views, so it’s advisable to place the most critical information within the first 80 characters.

Quality Content

To create high-quality content for your GBP posts, ensure that your posts are:

• Useful and relevant to your audience.
• Grammatically correct and well-written.
• Accompanied by high-resolution images.
• Respectful and family-friendly in language and media.

Where Customers See Your Google Business Profile Posts

Your customers can access your published posts through several different platforms, including the following:

Google Maps App

Overview Tab: When customers open the Google Maps app, they can scroll to the bottom of the Overview tab to find a section labeled “Latest updates from this business.” All your posts will be displayed here.

Updates Tab: The Updates tab in the Google Maps app allows users to see posts more easily, appearing directly after the Overview tab. If your business has no posts, this tab will not be displayed.

Chrome, Desktop Search

Your posts will appear in a carousel format in your knowledge panel, usually located near the bottom under a section called “Updates from [your business].” If posts have expired, this section may show a link to “View previous updates on Google” instead.

Google Maps App and Mobile Search, as a Follower

Users can follow your business in both the Google Maps app and mobile search, enabling them to receive updates about your posts. In the Maps app, users can access the Updates tab from the bottom navigation menu, while the “For You” tab allows them to see posts from followed businesses in their area.

FAQs

1. How often should I post on my Google Business Profile?

It’s recommended to post at least once a week. Consistent posting helps keep your business visible and engaged with your audience.

2. Can I schedule Google Business Profile Posts?

Currently, Google Business Profile does not offer a built-in scheduling feature. However, you can use third-party tools to schedule posts in advance.

3. What type of content should I post?

You can post a variety of content, including business updates, special offers, events, and product highlights. Focus on content that is relevant and valuable to your audience.

4. How long do Google Business Profile Posts stay visible?

Posts typically remain visible for up to seven days. However, offers and events can stay visible until their end date.

5. Can I edit or delete a post after publishing?

Yes, you can edit or delete a post after it has been published. Simply go to the “Posts” section in your Google Business Profile, find the post you want to modify, and make the necessary changes.

6. Are there any character limits for Google Business Profile Posts?

Yes, there are character limits. For most posts, the limit is 1,500 characters. However, only the first 100-150 characters are visible without clicking “more,” so make sure your key message appears early in the post.

Conclusion

Google Business Profile Posts are a valuable tool for businesses looking to enhance their online presence and engage with potential customers. By regularly sharing updates, promotions, and relevant information, you can boost your visibility, improve local SEO, and drive more traffic to your business. Follow the best practices outlined in this blog to create effective posts that resonate with your audience and keep your business top of mind.

Incorporating Google Business Profile Posts into your digital marketing strategy can lead to increased customer engagement and business growth. Start utilizing this feature today to make the most of your online presence and stay ahead of the competition.