ArcosGoogle Business Profile for service-area businesses: the rules that matter
You can have a Google Business Profile without a storefront. Enter your address so Google can verify you, then hide it. Add up to 20 service areas by city or ZIP code, within about 2 hours' drive. Use your real name, one specific primary category and your own photos.
Your address and service areas
Google's rule is short: "If you're a service-area business, you should hide your business address from customers." Its own example is a plumber who works from home. Google's guidelines
- An address Google can findYou still enter one, because Google verifies you there. Home is fine. "P.O. boxes or mailboxes located at remote locations aren't acceptable," and a virtual office is not eligible. Guidelines
- Up to 20 areasSet by city, ZIP code or another area, not a radius. The whole area "shouldn't be more than about 2 hours of driving time from where your business is based." Service areas
- One profile"Service-area businesses can only have one profile for the whole area that they serve." A second one needs its own location, staff and area. Service areas
- Customers come to you?A yard or shop that takes walk-ins can show its address and a service area, if it is staffed during its hours and has permanent signage. Without the sign, list as a service-area business.
Hide the address and add your areas
- Open your Business Profile and select Edit profile, then Location.
- Next to "Business location," select Edit and turn off Show business address to customers. Save. Address steps
- Next to "Service area," select Edit, add your towns or ZIP codes, and save. Approved edits can take up to 48 hours to show. Service area steps
Categories
Google says the categories you pick "affect your local ranking," and you can't create your own. Pick the one that completes "This business IS a," not "this business HAS a." Categories Guidelines
- One specific primary category. Add a secondary only for work you actually sell.
- "Do not use categories solely as keywords." Guidelines
- Changing a category can send you back through verification.
| Trade | Primary category | Add only if you do it |
|---|---|---|
| Junk removal | Junk removal service | Dumpster rental service, Debris removal service |
| Lawn care | Lawn care service | Landscaper, Lawn sprinkler system contractor |
| Landscaping | Landscaper | Landscape designer, Lawn care service, Drainage service |
| Pressure washing | Pressure washing service | Gutter cleaning service, Window cleaning service |
| Concrete | Concrete contractor | Paving contractor, Masonry contractor |
| House cleaning | House cleaning service | Carpet cleaning service, Janitorial service |
| Towing | Towing service | Auto wrecker, Crane service |
| Fencing | Fence contractor | Railing contractor, Deck builder |
| Decks | Deck builder | Carport and pergola builder, Railing contractor |
| Roofing | Roofing contractor | Gutter service, Siding contractor |
| Tree service | Tree service | Arborist service |
| HVAC | HVAC contractor | Air conditioning contractor, Heating contractor |
Three look right and are not: Junkyard is a salvage yard, Towing equipment provider sells tow gear, and Fence supply store is a shop. Stump grinding has no category, so add it under Services, where Google suggests jobs for your type of business. Services
Each trade page names its categories. Arcos sets up or claims your profile and fills in every field, and you stay the owner.
Your business name
Use the name on your truck, invoices and website, and nothing else. Google: "Including unnecessary information in your business name isn't permitted, and could result in the suspension of your Business Profile." Google's guidelines
- Not allowedYour Business | Junk Removal Near Me 24/7
- AllowedYour Business
Taglines, services, towns, phone numbers, hours and all-caps are out. LLC or special characters only with real-world proof, such as signage or invoices. If the trade is part of your real name, it stays.
Photos
- Google's specJPG or PNG, 10 KB to 5 MB, 720 by 720 pixels recommended, 250 by 250 at the least. Photo tips
- Real ones"In focus, well lit, and have no significant alterations or excessive use of filters or AI."
- What to addGoogle asks for at least three photos of your work and three of your team. Without a storefront, that means the lettered truck, the crew on a job and before-and-after shots.
- When they showOnly once the profile is verified, and up to 24 to 48 hours after upload. Photo guidelines
Mistakes that get profiles suspended
- A P.O. box"Merchants that set their business address at a P.O. Box will have their profile suspended." Google's policies
- Keywords in the nameTowns, services or "24/7" added to the name, as in the example above.
- A second profileOne per business. Never open a new one while an appeal is under review. Appeals
- Paid or rewarded reviewsGoogle removes them and can block new reviews for a while. The review rules.
- An abandoned profileOwners who don't sign in for long periods can lose access after a warning. Google's policies
If you are suspended, fix the cause first, then appeal with a business registration, license, tax certificate or utility bill whose name and address match the profile. Appeals
Questions
Can I use my home address?
Yes. Enter it so Google can verify you, then turn off "Show business address to customers." Google's own example is a plumber who runs the business from home and clears the address. Google's guidelines.
How many service areas can I add?
Up to 20, each a city, ZIP code or other area, not a radius. Google says the whole area "shouldn't be more than about 2 hours of driving time" from where you are based. Google's service area help.
Will I show up in every town I list?
Not in every result there. Google says local results are "mainly based on relevance, distance, and popularity," and distance is how far each business is from the person searching. Your service areas show customers where you work. Google's ranking help.
How do I verify without a storefront?
Google picks the methods it offers you: phone or text, email, video, a live video call or a postcard. For a video, record at least 30 seconds live and unedited on your phone: street signs near your base, your tools and equipment, and proof you run it, such as unlocking your branded van or a permit in your business name. Review can take up to 5 business days. Google's video steps.
Can I have a profile for each city I serve?
No. "Service-area businesses can only have one profile for the whole area that they serve." A second profile is allowed only for a separate location with its own staff and its own service area. Google's service area help.