Lesson 2 of 3 · Google Posts
Google Posts: publish a useful update
What it is
Google Posts let a business share updates, offers and events on its profile. They are a customer communication task, not a failed audit check when samples are missing. 1. Open the correct business in Google Search or Maps with an owner or manager account. Choose Add update or Posts; available controls can vary. 2. Pick an Update, Offer or Event that matches the announcement. Write one clear message about a real service, deadline or event. Use a genuine, relevant photo you have permission to publish. 3. Add accurate dates and offer terms when required. Avoid unsupported claims, prohibited content and customer details. Do not put a phone number in the post text; use the supported Call now button instead. 4. If you add a website button, use the relevant business page and test it on a phone. 5. Preview and publish, then check whether Google accepts the post. A submitted or pending post is not yet a confirmed public post. 6. Inspect the public listing, dates and button destination. Correct outdated offers or misleading information. Sources: Create and manage posts, Posts content policy.
Why it matters
Useful posts can give customers timely information and a relevant next step. No fixed posting frequency guarantees higher Maps rankings. Competitor post samples are observations, not proof that posting caused their positions.
✓ Good example
Fictional example: Maple Leaf Plumbing & Heating shares a real seasonal maintenance update with a genuine service photo and a button to its furnace maintenance page. It checks the accepted post on the public listing.
✗ Common mistake
Publishing invented discounts, putting phone numbers into the post text, sharing a customer address, linking every post to an unrelated homepage or counting a rejected post as live.
You pass when: Confirm one accepted post appears on the correct public listing and its dates and button work. If you use the post planner, it saves drafts only; an owner or manager still publishes in Google.