Overview
Attributes are simple facts or features about your business that appear on your profile. They help customers quickly learn what you offer and can boost your visibility in local search results.
What are attributes?
Attributes are mini statements or tags that describe your business's services, amenities, identity, and accessibility features. For example, you can indicate if your business has outdoor seating, free Wi-Fi, wheelchair accessibility, or if it's women-owned or veteran-owned. These attributes show up in your business profile and sometimes as icons or justifications in search results, helping customers find exactly what they're looking for.
Attributes fall into several categories, including:
- Accessibility (e.g., wheelchair-accessible entrance, restroom, seating, parking, elevator)
- Business identity (e.g., Black-owned, Latino-owned, LGBTQ+ owned, women-owned, veteran-owned)
- Service options (e.g., takeout, dine-in, online appointments)
- Amenities (e.g., Wi-Fi, outdoor seating)
- Payment methods (though some payment attributes have been deprecated in certain regions)
- Crowd attributes (e.g., family-friendly, kid-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly)
- Planning attributes (e.g., appointment required, reservations recommended)
- Recycling options (e.g., battery recycling, glass bottle recycling)
Important: The exact attributes available depend on your business category and location.
Why are attributes important?
- Stand out in search results: Attributes can trigger special icons and justifications that catch the eye of potential customers.
- Improve local SEO: Google uses attributes to match search queries with businesses that meet those criteria, increasing your chances of appearing in relevant searches.
- Build trust and connection: Identity attributes like "women-owned" or "veteran-owned" resonate with customers who want to support specific communities.
- Enhance customer experiences: Attributes like "wheelchair accessible" or "curbside pickup" provide useful information that helps customers decide if your business fits their needs.
- Increase visibility for niche searches: For example, searches like "wheelchair accessible restaurants near me" or "Black-owned coffee shops" are more likely to show businesses with those attributes.
How to add and manage attributes
- On Google Search, click Edit profile; on Google Maps, select Manage your Business Profile and then click Edit profile.
- Go to the More tab.
- Choose the attribute category you want to update (e.g., Amenities, Service options).
- Select Yes or No next to each attribute.
- Click Save.
Google will review your changes, usually within 10 minutes, but sometimes it can take up to 30 days.
How user-generated attributes affect your profile
Some attributes are crowd-sourced or based on customer reviews and third-party references. For instance, if many customers mention "great dessert" in reviews, Google may highlight that as an attribute on your profile. Similarly, positive mentions in local publications can lead to attributes like "On critic's lists." While you can't directly control these, encouraging satisfied customers to leave detailed reviews can help.
Best practices for using attributes
- Choose relevant attributes: Only add attributes that truly apply to your business to maintain accuracy and trust.
- Keep attributes updated: Regularly review and update your attributes as your business evolves or offers new services.
- Prioritize impactful attributes: Focus on three to four key attributes that differentiate your business rather than overloading your profile.
- Monitor customer feedback: Customers can suggest attributes via reviews, so keep an eye on what they say about your business.
- Leverage seasonal or event-specific attributes: For example, toggle attributes like "Appointment required" during busy periods.
Final thoughts
Getting your Google Business Profile set up and verified is the foundation. Whether you're claiming an existing listing or creating a new one, it's all about making sure the right people (that's you!) have control. Once you're verified, filling in accurate business details and attributes helps build trust with both Google and your customers. The more complete and consistent your profile is, the better your chances of showing up at the exact moment people are searching for what you offer.