Google Business Profile Setup Guide

What is Google Business Profile?

Google Business Profile (GBP) is a free listing that Google shows whenever someone searches for your practice by name or searches for "neurofeedback near me," "mental health services near me," or similar terms on Google Search or Google Maps.

It is completely separate from your website. Your website is what people read when they click through to learn more — but your GBP listing is what gets them to click in the first place. Without a listing, your practice does not appear in local map results.

Before you start: you need a Google account

A Google account is a free account that gives you access to Gmail, Google Maps, Google Drive, and — most importantly for this guide — Google Business Profile. You sign in with an email address that ends in @gmail.com.

If you already have a Gmail address, you have a Google account. If you are not sure, think about whether you have ever used Gmail, signed in to YouTube, or used Google Maps on your phone with an account — if yes, that same account works here.

Use this same Google account for everything in this guide. Your Google account is what ties your Google Business Profile listing to you as the owner. If you ever need help from Google support or need to add a helper to manage the listing later, they will ask which Google account owns it — so keep a note of it.

Your old listing — claim this first

There is already a Google listing under the name "Tahoe Neurofeedback Center" — this is your old listing from your previous practice. It currently shows as "Permanently closed," has an outdated address and phone number, and is miscategorized as "Massage therapist" (Google assigned that automatically). It has not been claimed by anyone. Do not create a new listing. Claim and update this one instead — it is faster, and it avoids Google penalizing you for having two listings for the same practitioner.

Choosing a verification method — read this carefully

The listing shows an old phone number, (530) 400-4939, and an old address. You likely no longer have access to either of them. Google may offer several verification options — here is what each one means and what to do:

If none of the available options work for you (for example, Google only offers the old phone number and you cannot receive calls on it), contact Google Business Profile support directly:

• Go to support.google.com/business/gethelp and choose "Contact us."
• Explain that you are trying to claim your old listing but do not have access to the phone number or address shown. They can often provide an alternative path.
• You can also search Google for "claim Google Business Profile without phone access" for the latest guidance — Google's process updates periodically.

After you have claimed the listing

Once you are inside the listing as its owner, you need to update every field. Work through Steps 3 and 4 below to enter all the correct information. When you are done, also do the following:

• Change the business name from Tahoe Neurofeedback Center to Tahoe Neurofeedback (drop "Center" to match your website).
• Find the status setting and change it from "Permanently closed" back to open. This may be under "Business information" → "Opening date" or "Advanced information" depending on what Google's interface looks like when you log in.

Step 1 — Sign in to Google Business Profile

1. Open a web browser and go to:
   business.google.com
2. Sign in with the Google account you set up in the section above.
3. Once signed in, click "Manage now" or "Add your business to Google."

Step 2 — Create your listing

Follow the claiming steps in the section above. Once you have successfully claimed the old "Tahoe Neurofeedback Center" listing, come back here and continue with Step 3. You do not need to create a new listing.

If the claiming process is blocked and Google support cannot help, only then should you create a new listing. To do that: log in to business.google.com, click "Add your business", type Tahoe Neurofeedback, and select "Create a business with this name." Then continue with Step 3 to fill in your information.

Step 3 — Enter your business information

Use the exact information below. Copy and paste where possible to avoid typos — it is important that this information matches your website exactly.

Step 4 — Write your business description

Google gives you up to 750 characters to describe your practice. This description appears on your listing and is read by both patients and Google's search algorithm. Use the text below — it is already written and ready to paste:

This is approximately 530 characters — well within the 750-character limit. Do not add emojis, ALL CAPS, or promotional language (Google may reject descriptions that look like advertisements).

Step 5 — Add photos

Listings with photos get significantly more clicks than listings without. You do not need professional photography. A few clear, well-lit photos taken on a phone are fine.

Add at least these three:

• Logo or cover photo — If you have a logo, use it. If not, a clean photo of the office exterior or signage works well as a cover photo.
• The office exterior — Helps patients recognize the building when they arrive. Include the parking lot entrance from Trout Avenue if possible.
• The office interior — The waiting area or the session room (without equipment visible if you prefer). This helps patients feel comfortable before their first visit.

Photos should be JPG or PNG, at least 720×720 pixels, and well-lit. Avoid photos with text overlays or watermarks — Google may reject those.

Step 6 — After verification arrives

Once Google mails your postcard (usually 5–14 days), you will see a prompt when you log in to business.google.com asking for the verification code. Enter the 5-digit code from the card. Your listing will go live in Google Maps within a few hours after that.

Step 7 — Reviews

Reviews are the single biggest factor in how prominently your listing appears. A listing with 5 reviews at 5 stars will rank far above a listing with no reviews, even if everything else is identical.

Once your listing is verified and live, Google gives you a shareable review link. To find it:

1. Log in to business.google.com.
2. Click on your listing, then look for "Get more reviews" or "Share review form."
3. Copy that link. It looks something like g.page/your-business-name/review.
4. Send that link directly to patients who have completed a course of treatment and had a positive experience. A short, personal message works best — something like: "If you have a moment, I would really appreciate a Google review. Here is the link: [link]. It makes a big difference for people who are searching for neurofeedback."

Do not offer incentives for reviews — Google prohibits this and may remove the reviews or penalize the listing.

Keeping the listing up to date

Once your listing is live, check it every few months for:

• Suggested edits from the public — Anyone can suggest changes to your listing (hours, address, etc.). Google sometimes applies these automatically. Log in periodically to approve or reject any pending changes.
• Google Posts — You can publish short updates to your listing (similar to social media posts). These appear on your profile and can highlight a new service, a note about scheduling, or anything relevant. Optional, but useful.
• Questions & Answers — Patients can ask questions directly on your listing. Check for these and answer them — unanswered questions look neglected.
• Holiday hours — If you are closed on major holidays or for vacation, update your hours in advance so patients do not show up unexpectedly.

Quick reference — correct listing information

Keep this handy. These are the exact details to use everywhere — GBP, Yelp, Psychology Today, any directory: