Why Your Google Business Profile Isn’t Ranking—and What You Can Do About It
You’ve claimed your Google Business Profile. You’ve added your hours, uploaded a few photos, maybe even collected a handful of reviews. But for some reason, your listing isn’t showing up when people search for your services in Denver.
Sound familiar?
We hear this all the time—from dentists, contractors, law firms, and local service businesses who thought setting up their profile was enough. Truth is, just having a listing doesn’t guarantee visibility. If your Google Business Profile isn’t ranking, there’s usually a reason. And it’s fixable.
Let’s walk through what might be holding you back—and what you can do to turn things around.
Your Business Info Doesn’t Match
Google wants consistency. If your business name, address, or phone number (NAP) is different on your website than it is on your profile—or on other directories like Yelp or Facebook—it creates confusion.
Even small differences matter. “Suite 200” vs. “Ste 200.” “ABC Dental” vs. “ABC Dental Group.” These mismatches can drag down your local rankings.
Start by checking your NAP across your website, your Google Business Profile, and any other listings you’ve claimed. Make sure everything matches—exactly. If you’ve moved or changed numbers, update it everywhere.
This is one of the first things we fix during a technical SEO audit. It’s simple, but it makes a big difference.
Your Website Isn’t Pulling Its Weight
Your Google listing doesn’t stand alone. It’s tied to your website—and if your site isn’t optimized for local search, your profile won’t rank well either.
We see this all the time: a business has a decent GBP setup, but their website barely mentions Denver. No service area pages. No neighborhood references. No local keywords.
If Google can’t connect your site to your location, it won’t show you in the map pack.
This is where on-page SEO comes in. We make sure your homepage, service pages, and even your image alt text send clear signals about where you are and who you serve. It’s not about stuffing keywords—it’s about clarity.
You’re Not Updating Your Profile
Google favors active businesses. If your profile hasn’t been touched in months, it’s a red flag.
You don’t need to post every day, but regular updates help. Add a new photo. Share a quick post. Respond to reviews. Update your hours if they’ve changed.
It’s not just about ranking—it’s about showing potential customers that you’re engaged and trustworthy.
If you’re already creating blog content or social posts, repurpose them into GBP updates. We help clients build that into their SEO content writing strategy so it’s easy to maintain.
Your Reviews Are Thin—or Ignored
Reviews matter. A lot. If your competitors have 100+ reviews and you have 7, you’re at a disadvantage. But it’s not just about quantity—Google also looks at how recent your reviews are, how often you respond, and what people are saying.
If you’re not asking for reviews, start now. Make it part of your follow-up process. And when reviews come in—good or bad—respond to them. A thoughtful reply builds trust and shows you care.
We help businesses set up review funnels and email templates to make this easy. It’s part of building a reputation that actually ranks.
Your Categories Are Off
When you set up your profile, you choose a primary category and optional secondary ones. These tell Google what you do—and if they’re vague or inaccurate, you won’t show up for the searches that matter.
If you’re a cosmetic dentist but your category is just “Dentist,” you’re missing out on searches for “veneers near me” or “teeth whitening Denver.” If you’re an HVAC contractor but your category is “Home Services,” you’re competing with pest control and landscaping companies.
Take a minute to review your categories. Make sure they reflect your actual services—not just a broad label.
Your Site Has Technical Issues
Even if your content is solid and your GBP is active, technical problems on your website can drag everything down. Slow load times, broken links, poor mobile usability—these are all red flags for Google.
We run every site through a full technical SEO audit to catch issues that might be hurting your rankings. Sometimes it’s a quick fix. Other times, it’s deeper. Either way, it’s worth doing.
If your site isn’t technically sound, your listing won’t perform at its best. Google wants to send users to fast, reliable, mobile-friendly sites. Make sure yours fits the bill.
You’re Targeting the Wrong Keywords
Your Google Business Profile pulls keyword signals from your website, your reviews, your posts, and your business description. If those elements don’t include the terms your customers are actually searching, you won’t show up.
We build keyword strategies around real search behavior—terms people in Denver actually use when they’re ready to hire. That includes neighborhood-based phrases, urgency-driven queries, and service-specific keywords.
If your site and GBP are filled with vague terms like “quality service” or “trusted provider,” it’s time for a rewrite. We handle that through SEO content writing that’s built to rank and convert.
Let’s Fix It
Your Google Business Profile isn’t just a listing—it’s a trust signal. And when it’s backed by a well-optimized website, consistent business info, and active engagement, it becomes one of your most powerful tools for attracting local customers.
If your profile isn’t ranking, don’t guess. Let’s take a look together. We’ll audit your GBP, your site, and your local signals to figure out what’s holding you back—and what it’ll take to fix it.
Request a free local SEO audit and let’s make sure your business shows up where it counts.