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Why your business doesn't show on Google Maps for "near me": Hollywood, FL area
Your profile can exist and still not show up, because Google also looks at how far you are from the person searching: no business shows first everywhere. What you can fix: real name, main category, real service areas, one profile, verifying it, your site with the same details and real reviews. And Google says there's no way to pay for a better local ranking.
Video coming this week
What you can fix: the list of 7
1. Real name
Your real business name, as you use it on your sign and documents, with no extra words.
2. Right main category
As few categories as possible to describe your core business.
3. Real service areas
Hollywood, Pembroke Pines, Miramar, Davie, Hallandale Beach, Dania Beach: only where you really work. If you go to the customer's home, hide your address.
4. One profile
There should be only one profile per business. If you have duplicates, check Google's help on duplicate profiles.
5. Verified
Verifying gives you ownership of the profile and lets you keep your info accurate.
6. Your website with the same details
The link on your profile, and the same name and phone on the site and the profile.
7. Real reviews and replies
Reviews from real customers, and reply to the good and the bad. Never make one up.
What Google says (official text)
“Relevance is how well a Business Profile matches what someone is searching for.”
Relevance is how well your profile matches what the person is searching for.
“Distance refers to how far each business is from the customer who's searching.”
Distance is how far each business is from the person searching.
“Prominence means how well-known a business is.”
Prominence is how well known a business is.
“There's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking on Google.”
Nobody can sell you a better local ranking on Google.
“If you're a service-area business, you should hide your business address from customers.”
If you go to the customer, Google says to hide your address.
“There should only be one profile per business”
One profile per business.
Free check of your Google profile and your website
We look at your profile and your site and tell you what's missing. Free.
- We check name, category and service areas
- We check your site and profile show the same details
- Free, no strings attached
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn't my business show on Google Maps for "near me" searches?
Google says local results depend on relevance, distance and prominence. If your profile doesn't match what the person is searching for, or you're far from them, you may not show. Go through the list of 7.
Can I pay to show up first?
According to Google's help page, there's no way to request or pay for a better local ranking on Google.
Can I show first in Hollywood, Pembroke Pines and Miramar at once?
Results depend on where the person searching is, so no business shows first everywhere. Listing several cities as service areas doesn't change that distance still counts.
Do I have to show my address?
If you're a service-area business that goes to the customer, Google says to hide your address and set your service areas.
Why should I verify my profile?
According to Google, verifying gives you ownership of the profile and lets you keep your info accurate.
Official sources
- Google Business Profile Help: Improve your local ranking on Google
- Google Business Profile Help: Guidelines for representing your business
- Google Business Profile Help: Verify your business
We are not lawyers and we are not Google. This guide is general information, not legal advice or a guarantee of results.
