Local search. Reviewed October 29, 2026
Google Business Profile
Also called: GBP, Google My Business, GMB
Google Business Profile is the free listing that puts a business on Google Maps and in the map pack, with its hours, phone number, reviews, photos and service area.
In practice
For a contractor it is the single listing that produces the most calls, because most searches like plumber near me end in the map pack rather than on a website. Claim it, verify it, pick the most specific primary category, list every service, add real job photos every month and answer every review.
Skip anyone who offers to verify it for a fee or promises a top spot. Google does not sell either.
For example
A roofer categorized as Roofing contractor shows for roofer near me across its city. The same business categorized as Contractor does not.
Related terms
- Map packThe map pack is the block of three business listings with a map that Google shows above the regular results for local searches such as plumber near me.
- Primary categoryThe primary category is the one business type on a Google Business Profile that Google weighs most when deciding which searches the listing should appear for.
- Service area businessA service area business is a Google Business Profile type for companies that travel to customers, such as plumbers and landscapers, and it shows a service area instead of a street address.
- NAP consistencyNAP stands for name, address and phone number, and NAP consistency means those three match exactly everywhere the business is listed online.
More local search terms
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