Local SEO · 6 min read
Google Business Profile in 2026: a young marketer's checklist
How UK small businesses should set up and maintain Google Business Profile in 2026 — categories, photos, reviews and posts.
By Jack Frampton, Apprentice Advocate working at Queen's College, Taunton · Published 10 July 2026
Google Business Profile is the single highest-ROI marketing asset a UK local business has — and most under-use it dramatically.
Primary category is everything
Pick the narrowest accurate primary category. Add up to 9 secondary ones. Wrong categories under-rank permanently.
Photos weekly
Businesses that add 5+ photos a month rank higher than those that don't. Founder-shot, unfiltered, high resolution.
Reviews drive the algorithm
Ask every happy customer. Respond within 24 hours to every review, positive or negative.
Posts and Q&A
Post weekly (offers, events, news). Answer every Q&A in the panel — otherwise competitors will.
Frequently asked questions
- How long until GBP improvements show?
- 2–8 weeks for most local businesses. Category changes can show in days.
- How many photos should I have?
- 50+ minimum, and add 5–10 new ones every month.
- Do posts on GBP help ranking?
- Marginally — but they help conversion from the map pack listing.
- Can I have multiple GBP listings?
- Only for genuinely separate locations. Duplicates get suspended.