How to Rank Your Restaurant on Google My Business 2025
- MarketinCrew
- Sep 17
- 5 min read
In today’s competitive restaurant industry, having a strong online presence is non-negotiable. If you haven’t yet set up your Google My Business (GMB) profile, you’re missing out on a powerful tool that can boost your restaurant’s visibility and attract more customers. In 2025, ranking on Google My Business can mean the difference between getting noticed and getting lost in the sea of competitors. Here’s how you can rank your restaurant profile higher on a local search engine.
What is Google My Business?
Google My Business is a free tool offered by Google that allows businesses, including restaurant owners, to manage their online presence across Google, including search results and Google Maps. It's a key player in local SEO and, for restaurants, it's the best way to make sure your business is seen by people in your area searching for “dining” options.
Why does it matter in 2025? Well, Google’s algorithms have evolved to favor local businesses in search results, and if you want your restaurant to be discovered, ranking high on GMB is essential. It’s the easiest way for potential customers to find your contact details, location, menu, and reviews all at a glance.
Proven Steps to Boost Your GMB Profile Ranking
To get your restaurant seen by more people online, you need to create and optimize your Google My Business (GMB) profile. Here’s how you can set it up step by step:
Claim your GMB listing:
What you need to do: You need to take control of your restaurant’s GMB profile by confirming that it really is your business. This process is called “claiming” your listing.
Why it’s important: By claiming it, you verify that you’re the owner and can update or manage all your business details. Google will send you a verification code (usually by mail or phone), and once you enter it, you’ll have full control of your profile.
Fill in all business details:
What you need to do: Add key information like NAP means your restaurant’s name, address, phone number, website, and working hours, is the important part of the Google My Business profile.
Why it’s important: This is how Google knows who you are and where to find you. Make sure the information you put here matches exactly with what’s listed on your website and social media pages. For example, if your phone number or address is different on your website than what you put in your GMB profile, Google might not rank you properly in search results.
Write a compelling business description:
What you need to do: In this section, you write a short description of your restaurant. Telling potential customers what makes your place unique, do you have a cozy ambiance, a special dish, or excellent customer service? Also include Keywords related to your industry, as this helps your profile to rank for keywords you want to rank.
Why it’s important: This is your chance to introduce your restaurant in a way that attracts customers. Keep it clear and interesting. Focus on what sets your restaurant apart from others. Think of it as your digital “elevator pitch”
Upload high-quality images:
What you need to do: Upload good-quality photos of your food, the interior of your restaurant, and your staff. The more visually appealing, the better! It increases interest among the audience. Add geo-tagging to images, which helps Google to understand where the images are taken, and this helps in ranking.
Why it’s important: Photos help potential customers get a feel for your restaurant before visiting. Google loves fresh, high-quality images because they make your profile look more professional and engaging. Plus, listings with photos are more likely to be clicked on and attract customers
Keyword Optimization: Use the Right keywords to rank
Optimizing your GMB listing with the right keywords is crucial for getting discovered. When writing your restaurant’s description and posts, make sure to integrate relevant local keywords like “best vegetarian restaurant in [Location]” or “top Indian food near me, indian restaurant, or fast food restaurants ”. For keyword research, use tools like GMB Everywhere, Ahrefs, or Semrush. Consider the search terms your potential customers are using and incorporate them into your GMB profile. Remember, Google uses the information you provide in your profile to match your business with relevant searches.
Engage with Customer Reviews
Customer reviews are one of the most significant ranking factors on Google My Business. In fact, restaurants with more positive reviews tend to rank higher. Here’s how you can leverage reviews to improve your ranking:
Ask for reviews from satisfied customers. Make it easy by providing links in emails, social media, and on your website.
Respond to reviews, both good and bad. Engage with customers by thanking them for their feedback and addressing any concerns promptly. This shows that you care about your customer satisfaction.
Encourage detailed reviews. Reviews with specifics like the dishes they loved or the experience they had can improve your credibility.
Google Posts: Keep Your Audience Engaged
Google Posts are a fantastic way to communicate directly with potential customers. You can use them to share updates, promotions, events, and new menu items. The more active you are on Google Posts, the more likely your restaurant will appear higher in search results. This shows that your profile is active.
Consider these types of posts:
Special offers: Promote discounts or limited-time offers.
Events: Share information about live music nights, special events, or any happenings in your restaurant.
New dishes: Highlight seasonal specials or new items on your menu.
Aim to post regularly, ideally at least once a week, to keep your profile fresh.
Utilize the Google Q&A Section
The Google Q&A section on your GMB profile is an underrated yet powerful tool. Here’s how to use it:
Answer frequently asked questions about your restaurant’s offerings, such as “Do you offer vegetarian options?” or “Is parking available?”
Encourage customers to ask questions. This can help improve engagement and keep your profile active.
Optimize for Mobile Search
More and more people are searching for restaurants on their smartphones. If your restaurant’s GMB page isn’t mobile-friendly, you could be missing out on a large audience. Ensure that your website is optimized for mobile, and that your GMB profile loads quickly and is easy to navigate on any device.
Use Google Insights for Performance Tracking
Google Insights offers valuable data on how your restaurant GMB profile is performing in local search results. Use it to track:
- How many people are viewing your profile
- How many people are calling your restaurant
- On which keyword is your profile ranking
- How many people are clicking for directions
- Which posts are performing best
By regularly reviewing these metrics, you can adjust your strategy to improve performance and ranking.
Conclusion
Ranking your restaurant on Google My Business in 2025 is all about optimization, engagement, and consistency. By setting up your profile correctly, engaging with reviews, posting regularly, and monitoring performance, you can enhance your visibility, build trust with customers, and ultimately increase foot traffic to your restaurant.
As a restaurant marketing agency, we help you rank your restaurant and ensure your profile stands out, attracting more customers. Ready to rank higher? Start implementing these strategies today and watch your restaurant soar to the top of Google search results. Don’t forget to track your progress using Google Insights and make adjustments as needed.