A Google Business Profile, formerly Google My Business, is the free listing that shows your business on Google Search and Google Maps. To create one, sign in to a Google Account, go to business.google.com/create, enter your details and verify that you run the business. Customers only see the profile after verification is complete. This guide covers setup, verification, reviews and what affects your local ranking in Malaysia.

How do I create or claim a Google Business Profile?

Sign in to a Google Account. Google suggests one on your business email domain.
Go to business.google.com/create and type your business name. If Google suggests a matching listing, select it to claim it.
Choose your primary category.
Say whether customers can visit you. Choose yes only if the location is staffed during business hours.
Add your service area if you travel to customers, then your phone number and website.
Pick a verification method and follow the steps.

If someone else already verified it, such as a former staff member or agency, use the request ownership option.

How does Google verify a business?

Google decides which methods you see, based on your business type, public information, region and opening hours. You cannot change them, and some businesses need more than one.

Method	How it works	Watch out for
Video recording	A continuous video of at least 30 seconds, recorded live on your phone	No edits, no pre-recorded clips, no other people’s faces
Live video call	You show your premises to a Google support representative	Only during your business hours
Phone or SMS	A code is sent to your business number	Automated phone menus (IVR) cannot receive it
Email	You follow the steps sent to the address shown	You need access to that inbox
Postcard	A 5-digit code is posted to your address	Not available for all businesses

Google recommends video when it is offered. For a shop, show the street or nearby landmarks, a permanent signboard with the same name as your profile, and something only staff can reach, such as the cash register or POS system. A service-area business can show its tools or branded van instead.

Google does not publish which methods each country gets, so work with the options on your own screen. If you get a postcard, do not edit your name, address or category while you wait, or the code stops working. Google’s review then takes up to 5 business days.

Which business category should I choose?

Your primary category tells Google what you do and which searches you should appear for. Pick the most specific option, such as “Nail salon” rather than “Salon”. Add a few additional categories for real departments, not one for every product. Changing categories later may trigger re-verification.

Storefront, service-area or hybrid business?

Storefront: customers visit you at a location with permanent signage.
Service-area: you go to customers, such as aircon servicing or home cleaning. Remove your address and set up to 20 service areas by city or postcode, ideally within about two hours’ drive of your base.
Hybrid: customers visit you and you also deliver, such as a café in Petaling Jaya with delivery. Show the address and add a service area.

A service-area business gets one profile for its whole area. Creating several to cover the Klang Valley can get your account suspended.

Why does NAP consistency matter?

NAP is your business name, address and phone number. Google’s guidelines say the profile name must match the real-world name on your storefront, website and stationery. Adding keywords, as in “ABC Dental Best Dentist KL”, is not permitted and can get the profile suspended.

Use identical details on your profile, website, social pages and directory listings. Write the address the same way each time, from unit number and jalan to postcode and state, and use a number that reaches the actual location. Our corporate website must-haves list covers the contact details your site should show.

What else should I add to the profile?

Hours, including special hours for Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and Deepavali.
Photos and videos of the shopfront, interior, team and products.
Services with descriptions, if your category supports them.
Posts for offers, events and news. A post containing a phone number may be rejected if Google cannot link it to your business.

How should I ask for and reply to reviews?

Google says more reviews and positive ratings can help local ranking. Create a review link or QR code from your profile and share it on receipts, in thank-you emails, at the end of a WhatsApp chat, or at the counter.

Google’s policies do not allow you to:

Offer anything for a review, or for removing a negative one. A free teh tarik for five stars counts.
Ask only happy customers, or discourage negative reviews.
Pressure customers to review on the premises, or tell them what to write.
Post reviews from staff, family or anyone with a conflict of interest.

Google removes fake reviews and can block new reviews for a period, unpublish existing ones, or show a warning on your profile. When you reply, keep it short, polite and specific, and do not use replies to promote offers.

Is Google Business Profile Q&A still available?

Not in its old form. Google discontinued the Q&A API on 3 November 2025 and has been phasing out public Q&A in Google Maps in favour of AI-generated answers drawn from your profile, reviews and other information.

Answer common questions yourself where those answers can find them: your profile description, your services and an FAQ on your website. Parking, halal options, payment methods and delivery areas are good starting points. Our guide to AI Overviews and ChatGPT search explains how to structure that content.

What actually affects local ranking on Google?

Google says local results are mainly based on three factors, and that you cannot pay for a better local ranking:

Relevance: how well your profile matches the search.
Distance: how far you are from the person searching.
Prominence: how well-known you are, based on information such as how many websites link to you and how many reviews you have.

You control relevance through the profile. Prominence comes from reviews, links and reputation, which is where the profile and your website’s SEO work together. Our SEO service includes review strategy and link building alongside on-site work. If you are weighing up outside help, see what SEO costs in Malaysia.

Setup checklist

Item	Check
Ownership	Profile sits on a business Google Account you control
Verification	Complete, with no “Get verified” button showing
Name	Matches your signage and website, no extra keywords
Category	Specific primary category, few additional ones
Address or service area	Shown for a storefront, hidden for a service-area business
Phone and website	Same details as your site, and the phone is answered
Hours	Regular and public holiday hours set
Photos and services	Shopfront, interior and products added, services described
Reviews	Review link in use, replies posted

Frequently asked questions

Is Google Business Profile free?

Yes. Creating and managing a profile costs nothing. Google Ads is a separate, paid product.

Is Google My Business the same as Google Business Profile?

Yes. Google My Business is the old name for the same listing.

How long does verification take?

Google says its review takes up to 5 business days after you complete the steps. Postcard codes usually arrive within 14 days.

Can I have a profile without a shop?

Yes, as a service-area business that visits or delivers to customers. A business that only operates online is not eligible.

Need your profile and website working together? Talk to us.

Sources: Google Business Profile Help, Sign up, Verify your business, Video verification, Service areas, Guidelines, Reviews and Local ranking, plus Google Maps content policy and API sunset dates, checked October 2026.

Google Business Profile Malaysia: Setup and Ranking Guide