Google posts for local businesses: what to post and what's not allowed
Google posts are updates, offers and events you publish on your Google Business Profile. They won't lift your ranking on their own, but they show customers you're active and give them a reason to choose you. Post once a week, keep phone numbers and links out of the text, and use the post's button instead.
What posts do, and don't do
In a 2021 test on three Google listings, Sterling Sky found posts didn't directly affect local rankings. So post for customers, not for Google: a fresh offer, a new service or an event can be the thing that tips someone who's comparing you with a competitor.
In October 2026 Google was also seen testing posts higher up in some business panels, which would make them more visible to people searching for you.
The rules (updated in 2026)
- No email addresses, phone numbers, social media links or links to other websites in the post text. Google's content policy bans them in posts.
- Google says it may remove posts with unverified contact information, to prevent fraud.
- Offers and updates are allowed, as long as they relate to your business.
- Photos must be your own and show reality; the usual content rules apply to them too.
What to post: a month of ideas
| Week | Post | Button |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | A service spotlight: what it is, who it's for, a real photo | Book or Learn more |
| 2 | A recent job or before-and-after, with the customer's permission | Call |
| 3 | An offer with clear dates and terms | Book or Order |
| 4 | News: new team member, longer hours, an event or holiday hours | Learn more |
Keep each post short: a clear first line, two or three sentences and one photo. Most people read them on a phone.
Common mistakes
- Typing a phone number or web address into the post.
- Stock photos, or the same photo every week.
- Offers with no end date or unclear terms.
- Posting in bursts, then nothing for months.
- Expecting posts to fix rankings. Reviews, categories and your hours matter far more.
Sources
- Sterling Sky: Do Google posts impact ranking? (2021)
- Google Business Profile Help: Google posts
- Google Maps: Prohibited and restricted content
- Search Engine Roundtable: Posts crack down on unverified contact information (25 Sep 2026)
Citing these figures? Please link to this page. If you spot a figure that's out of date, email hello@flexilocal.com.
