How to schedule Google Business Profile posts

Posts on your Google Business Profile show on your listing in Search and Maps, right where a nearby customer is deciding whether to come in. A listing with a recent offer or update looks open and cared for; one with nothing since spring does not. Scheduling is how a busy business keeps it fresh.

1. On Google itself

You can add an update, an offer or an event to your profile from Google Search or Maps while signed in as the owner. Google's own editor is built for posting now, so it suits a business that remembers to post each week.

2. With a scheduler

To post ahead of time, use a tool that connects to your Business Profile. You write the posts in one sitting and they go out on the days you pick. Few social tools reach Google Business, so our guide to the best Google Business Profile schedulers lists the ones that do.

What to post there

• This week's offer, with the dates it runs.
• An event, with the date, time and how to book.
• News a customer would want before visiting: new opening hours, a new service, a new menu.
• A good photo with each one. A post with a picture gets far more attention on a listing.
• Keep it short: a post holds 1,500 characters. Check a draft with our free character counter.

Answer the reviews too

The same listing shows your reviews, and a reply to each, good or bad, tells the next customer someone is there. Our guide to Google Business Profile for local businesses covers reviews and the rest of the listing.

Scheduling Google Business with Optimate

Optimate's Google Business Profile scheduler puts your listing on one calendar with your social platforms, writes the posts from your brand kit, and from Pro brings Google reviews into one Inbox with replies drafted in your voice. Start your 14-day free trial, no card needed.