Google My Business for Nonprofits: Claim and Optimize It

When someone searches your name or nonprofits near me, what do they see? If you have not claimed your Google Business Profile, you might be missing. Or worse, wrong info might show. Claiming and optimizing it is free. It is one of the best ways to get found in local search.

What Is Google Business Profile?

It is the panel that shows on the right when you search a business. It has your name, address, phone, hours, photos, and reviews. It also shows in Google Maps. For nonprofits it works the same. You get a listing. You claim it. You keep it updated. Then you show up when people search nearby.

Claim Your Listing

Go to business.google.com. Sign in with a Google account you use for your org. Search for your nonprofit by name and address. If a listing exists, click Claim this business. Follow the steps. Google may send a postcard to your address with a code. Enter the code to verify. That can take a few days.

If no listing exists, click Add your business. Enter your name, address, category, and website. Pick the category that fits best. Nonprofit organization is one option. You can also choose something like Food bank or Homeless shelter if that is more specific. Then verify the same way.

Fill Everything Out

Do not leave fields blank. Name. Address. Phone. Website. Hours. Description. Service area if you do not have a walk in address. The more complete your profile, the better it ranks. Google wants to show useful results. Complete profiles look useful.

In the description, say what you do in plain words. Who you serve. Where. What you need. A few sentences are enough. Use the attributes section. Add that you are a nonprofit. Add accessibility info if you have it. Every detail helps.

Keep Your Info Consistent

Your name, address, and phone must match everywhere. On your website. On your profile. On other sites. If you use Suite 200 on your site but not on Google, that can confuse Google. Pick one format. Use it every time.

Check your website footer. Your email signature. Any directories you are in. Fix any mismatch. Consistency builds trust. It also helps Google know all those references are to the same place. That helps local rank.

Add Photos

Profiles with photos get more engagement. Add a logo. Add a cover photo. Add photos of your space, your team, your programs. You do not need fancy shots. Clear and real is better. Add new photos every few months. Google likes active profiles.

Use Posts to Stay Visible

You can publish short posts to your profile. Events. Updates. Volunteer needs. Donation drives. One image. A few lines. A button or link. Post every week or two. It signals that you are active. Active profiles rank higher. Posts also give people a reason to click.

Keep posts simple. We need 10 volunteers Saturday. Donate here for our spring drive. Our new hours. Short. Clear. One call to action. You can schedule them in advance if that helps.

Keep It Up

Update your hours when they change. Reply to reviews. Add a post when you have news. Check your profile once a month. Small upkeep goes a long way. Stale or wrong info hurts you. Correct info builds trust and rank.

Google Business Profile is free. It does not replace your website. It sends people to it. Claim it. Fill it out. Keep it consistent and current. You will show up when your city searches for what you do.

Want help claiming or optimizing your profile? AYNI offers free support to nonprofits. Nominate your org or book a chat at ayni.io. We will help you get found in local search.