How do I add a manager to my Google Business Profile?

Open your Business Profile, go to the settings menu, then People and access. Click Add, enter the person's Google email address, choose the Manager role, and send the invite. They accept from their own Google account. Never share your login to give someone access. Add them as a manager instead so you can revoke it cleanly later.

What is the difference between an owner and a manager on GBP?

Owners have full control. They can edit everything, add or remove other users, and transfer ownership. A profile can have a primary owner plus additional owners. Managers can edit business info, post, and respond to reviews, but they cannot add or remove users or remove the primary owner. Give agencies and tools the manager role so you keep ownership and stay in control.

How do I manage Google reviews for multiple locations?

Create a location group inside the Business Profile Manager and add every store to it. From there you can see and respond to reviews across all locations in one place instead of logging into each profile separately. Turn on review notifications per location so nothing slips, and grant any tool you use manager access at the group level so it reaches every store at once.

Why is my Google Business Profile suspended?

Common causes are inconsistent name, address, or phone info, making big edits to multiple fields at once, listing a virtual or non-eligible address, keyword stuffing the business name, or duplicate listings for the same location. Fix the underlying issue first, then file a reinstatement request through Google. Avoid mass edits across many profiles in a short window, which often triggers a review.

How often should I post on Google Business Profile?

Aim for about one Google Post per week per location. Posts surface promotions, new menu items, and events directly on your profile and signal to Google that the business is active. You do not need to post daily, but a profile that goes quiet for months looks neglected to both Google and guests.

Why does Google matter more than Yelp or Facebook for restaurants?

Roughly 73% of all restaurant reviews live on Google, and it is where guests start when they search for a place to eat. Your Google Business Profile feeds Search and Maps, the two surfaces most people use to decide where to go. Get Google right first, then extend the same discipline to the other platforms.

Google Business Profile Checklist for Restaurants (2026)

Claim & Verify

Claim the listing for every locationSearch your business on Google and click "Claim this business" or create the profile at business.google.com. If a listing already exists, claim it instead of making a duplicate. Complete verification (postcard, phone, email, or video)Google will offer one or more methods. Postcard takes 5 to 14 days. Video verification is faster but you have to record the storefront, signage, and equipment in one continuous clip. Verify all units, not just the flagshipEvery physical location needs its own verified profile. Unverified locations do not show full features and cannot be managed from the dashboard. Find and remove duplicate listingsDuplicates split your reviews and confuse Google. Search each address, report duplicates through the profile, and merge where Google allows it.

Core Business Info

Lock exact NAP consistency across every locationName, address, and phone must match character for character everywhere they appear online. "St" vs "Street" or a different suite format counts as a mismatch and weakens local ranking. Set accurate hours for each unitWrong hours are the fastest way to earn a 1-star review. Confirm open and close times per location and update them whenever a store changes its schedule. Add special and holiday hours ahead of timeSet holiday hours weeks in advance so guests do not drive to a closed store. Google flags missing holiday hours and prompts guests to confirm. Pick the most specific primary categoryUse "Fast food restaurant" or "Chicken restaurant" rather than a generic "Restaurant" when it fits. The primary category drives which searches you show up in. Add relevant secondary categoriesLayer in categories like "Family restaurant," "Takeout restaurant," or "Caterer" if they apply. Do not stuff categories that do not describe what you actually do. Fill in attributes (dine-in, drive-thru, delivery, accessibility)Attributes power filters guests use to choose where to go. Mark drive-thru, curbside, mobile order, wheelchair access, and payment options accurately.

Photos & Menu

Upload a clean logo and cover photoThese set the first impression in search and maps. Use a high-resolution logo and a cover shot that represents the location, not a stock image. Add exterior and interior photosExterior shots help guests find the building. Interior shots set expectations for the space. Shoot in good light and avoid empty or messy frames. Post real food photos of your top sellersGuest-facing food photos drive clicks. Shoot your actual menu items, not the brand catalog, so what people see matches what they get. Link the menu and ordering URLAdd your menu link and online ordering URL so guests can act without leaving the profile. Keep the link pointed at a working, current page. Set a photo refresh cadenceAdd fresh photos monthly. Active profiles signal to Google that the business is open and engaged, and new photos keep the listing from looking stale.

Reviews & Engagement

Turn on review notificationsEnable email or app alerts so a new review never sits unseen. The faster you know, the faster you can respond and the better recovery you get. Respond to every review, good and badResponding shows future guests you pay attention. Thank the positive ones, take the negative ones offline with a direct contact, and never argue in public. Our negative review guide covers the exact framework. Seed the Questions & Answers sectionPost and answer the questions guests actually ask (parking, allergens, catering, hours). Anyone can answer Q&A, so own it before someone gives a wrong answer. Grab your short review request linkEach profile has a short "review us" link. Pull it for every location and put it on receipts, table tents, and follow-up texts to grow review volume. More on that in how to get more Google reviews.

Manager Access & Multi-Location

Understand owner vs manager rolesOwners control ownership and can add or remove people. Managers can edit info, post, and respond to reviews but cannot remove the primary owner. Give people the lowest role they need. Add managers instead of sharing your passwordOpen the profile, go to Business Profile settings, then People and access, click Add, enter their Google email, and choose Manager. Never hand out your login. Create a business or location group for multi-unitIn the Business Profile Manager, group your locations so you can manage hours, photos, and access across every store from one place instead of one profile at a time. Grant agency or tool access at the group levelWhen you bring on a tool or agency, add them as a manager on the location group so they reach every store at once. You stay the owner and can revoke access any time. Audit who has access quarterlyReview the People and access list per profile and group. Remove former employees and vendors so no one keeps access after they leave.

Ongoing Optimization

Publish Google Posts regularlyUse Posts for promotions, new items, and events. They show on your profile and signal an active business. Aim for one post a week per location. Keep hours and info currentUpdate hours, holiday schedules, and menu links whenever anything changes. Stale info erodes trust and triggers guest-submitted edits you have to fight. Monitor for suspended or merged listingsProfiles can get suspended after edits or flagged as duplicates. Check status across locations so a suspended store does not vanish from search without you noticing. Watch for guest-suggested editsAnyone can suggest a change to your hours, address, or category. Review and correct suggested edits before bad information goes live.

The Google Business Profile checklist for every location you run.