Google Business Profile helps customers easily find and connect with your business on Google Search and Maps. While it offers tools for success, running a business often limits the time to establish and maintain your online presence.
If you need help or expert advice to manage or optimize your Business Profile, you can consider working with a third party. There are many third party providers that you can partner with, from individual web consultants to large companies that manage hundreds of customers.
What to consider when working with a third party
Important: We have policies to help maintain positive experiences when businesses use third parties to manage their Business Profile. Learn more about Business Profile third-party policies.
Although Business Profile is a tool that can be used at no charge, third parties often charge a fee to manage your profile. They might offer services to keep your profile up-to-date, provide you with customer insights, answer your questions, and respond to reviews. It’s important to understand the potential benefits and risks when you work with a third party so that you can evaluate your return on investment.
If you decide to work with a third party, consider these best practices for selection and collaboration:
- Educate yourself: It doesn’t take long to understand how Business Profile works and use its features. When you understand how Business Profile works, you can make more informed decisions when you work with a third party.
- For an intro to commonly used Business Profile features, go to the Google Profile Business Learning Center.
- For detailed answers on a variety of Business Profile topics, go to the Google Business Profile Help Center.
- You can also ask questions, get answers, and find other helpful updates in our Business Profile Community forum. This resource is shared by other merchants and Product Experts.
- For a basic introduction to other Google services that help you grow your business, review the guidance to get you going on Google.
- Be selective: When choosing a third party to partner with, ask:
- Have they managed Business Profiles before?
- Have they worked with businesses that have similar budgets and target audiences?
- What other services can they provide to help grow your business?
- Work with one third party at a time: While you might be tempted to split your budget among multiple third parties to compare results, it’s best to test them individually. Your business can only appear once on Google, which can make it difficult to test multiple third parties at the same time.
- Trust experience: Companies that have managed hundreds of businesses on Google likely have expertise with Business Profile. Before you hire a third party, speak with their staff to understand their past experience managing businesses on Google.
- Evaluate your profile performance: You can find insights in your Business Profile account that gives you info about how customers find and interact with your business on Google. Spend time each month to review your profile's performance and evaluate the results you get when you work with a third party. Check for updated photos, current business hours, and changes in how customers find your business online. Learn how to check and view your Business Profile performance.
Identify deceptive behavior
Many third parties act in their clients’ best interests, but some are less reputable. Here are some warnings signs to be aware of when selecting and working a third party:
- Lack of transparency: You have the right to know your profile’s performance, such as how many users interact with, view, and click on your Business Profile.
- Guarantees placement on Google: Third parties can’t promise nor directly influence your business’s ranking on Google Search or Maps through any special means. Learn more about tips to improve your local ranking on Google.
- Claims to work for Google: If a third-party representative claims they work for Google, ask for their name and request they email you from their “@google.com” email address. If they can’t provide this info, they likely don’t work for Google or are acting in an unauthorized capacity.
- Makes threats: Third parties can’t remove your business from Google or access your profile without your permission. Only profile owners can control who has access and can update permissions at any time. Learn how to manage your Business Profile owners and managers.
- Deceptive pricing: Malicious third parties might charge you more than the price you agreed to. Before you agree to work with a third party, get an official copy of your agreement that clearly details the services and their costs.
Report a violation of third-party policy
If a third-party partner violates the Business Profile third-party policies, report them through the Business Profile third party violation complaint form.
We might not respond personally when you report a third party, but we investigate your comments and take appropriate action if necessary.
