Google Business Profile Posts That Drive Action: Types, Templates, and Examples

Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) posts appear directly in search results when people look for your business—prime real estate that most local businesses underutilize. While competitors leave their profiles stale, you can use posts to showcase what makes your business worth visiting.

This guide covers the post types that drive the most action, with templates and examples you can adapt for your business.

Why GBP Posts Matter for Local Businesses

When someone searches for your business or your category, your Google Business Profile often appears before your website. Posts show up in this profile, giving you additional space to:

• Highlight current offers and events
• Showcase your products and services
• Share updates and news
• Stand out from competitors with stale profiles

The visibility advantage: Posts can appear in Google Search, Google Maps, and the Google Maps app—reaching customers at the exact moment they’re looking for businesses like yours.

The freshness signal: Regularly posting signals to Google that your business is active and engaged, which can positively influence local search rankings.

Understanding GBP Post Types

Google offers several post formats, each suited for different purposes.

Update Posts

Best for: General announcements, tips, behind-the-scenes content, company news

Specifications:

• Up to 1,500 characters (but first 100 are most visible)
• One photo or video
• Optional CTA button

When to use: Weekly updates to keep your profile active and show customers what’s happening at your business.

Offer Posts

Best for: Promotions, discounts, special deals

Specifications:

• Requires start and end dates
• Can include offer code
• Can include terms and conditions
• Up to 1,500 characters

When to use: Any time you have a special promotion. These posts feature a prominent “View offer” button.

Event Posts

Best for: Workshops, classes, sales events, community events

Specifications:

• Requires event title, start date, and time
• Optional end date
• Up to 1,500 characters

When to use: Any scheduled happening at your business that customers might attend.

Product Posts

Best for: Showcasing specific products or services

Specifications:

• Product/service name
• Category
• Price (optional but recommended)
• Description
• Photo

When to use: Highlight your best-sellers, new arrivals, or services you want to promote.

High-Converting Post Templates

Use these templates as starting points, then customize with your specific details.

The Limited-Time Offer Template

[OFFER NAME] - [DISCOUNT %] OFF

[Brief description of the offer - 1-2 sentences]

Limited time only: [Start date] - [End date]

[Include any terms or restrictions]

Mention this post OR use code: [CODE]

CTA: Learn more / Get offer / Call now

Example:

Spring Cleaning Special - 25% OFF

Get your home sparkling for spring! Our deep cleaning package includes all rooms, windows, and baseboards.

Limited time: March 1-15

Valid for new customers. Must book by March 15.

Mention “SPRING25” when booking.

The Event Promotion Template

[EVENT NAME]
[Date] at [Time]

[What attendees will learn/experience - 2-3 bullet points]

[Space limitations or RSVP requirement]

[How to sign up or learn more]

CTA: Sign up / Learn more / Call now

Example:

Free Wine Tasting Night Friday, January 20 at 6 PM

Join us for an evening of local wines:

• Sample 5 Oregon pinot noirs
• Meet the winemaker from Valley Vineyards
• Light appetizers included

Space limited to 30 guests. RSVP required.

Call us or reply to reserve your spot!

The New Product/Service Template

NEW: [Product/Service Name]

[What it is and why customers want it - 2-3 sentences]

[Key features or benefits - 2-3 bullet points]

[Price or "starting at" if applicable]

[Availability]

CTA: Learn more / Book now / Order now

Example:

NEW: Express Lunch Menu

Get a delicious lunch in 15 minutes or less—perfect for your busy workday.

• 6 chef-crafted options under $15
• Ready when you arrive with online ordering
• Includes side and drink

Available Monday-Friday, 11 AM - 2 PM

Order online for pickup!

The Social Proof Template

[Headline featuring achievement or recognition]

[Brief context about what this means]

[Quote or specific detail]

[Thank you to customers]

CTA: Book now / Visit us / Learn more

Example:

Voted #1 Pizza in Portland - 3 Years Running!

Portland Monthly readers have chosen us as the city’s best pizza again!

“The crispy crust and fresh ingredients make all the difference” - Portland Monthly

Thank you to everyone who voted and supports local. See you soon!

The Behind-the-Scenes Template

[Hook - something interesting about your business]

[The story or detail - 2-3 sentences]

[Why this matters to the customer]

[Invitation to visit/experience]

CTA: Visit us / Learn more

Example:

Ever wonder how we get our bread so fresh?

Our bakers arrive at 4 AM every morning to bake everything from scratch. By the time we open at 7, the smell of fresh bread fills the shop.

No preservatives, no shortcuts—just the real thing.

Stop by and smell (and taste) the difference.

The Seasonal/Timely Template

[Timely hook related to season/holiday/event]

[How your business relates to this timing]

[Special offering or reason to visit now]

[Urgency element if applicable]

CTA: Book now / Order now / Visit us

Example:

Tax Season Got You Stressed?

You handle your finances, let us handle your fitness. Our stress-relief yoga classes are perfect for busy season.

Special: First class free for all new students this month.

Your body will thank you.

Optimizing Posts for Maximum Impact

Templates are starting points. These optimization tips increase engagement.

Visual Best Practices

Photo requirements:

• Minimum 720 x 720 pixels (1200 x 900 recommended)
• JPEG or PNG format
• Under 5MB file size
• Well-lit, high quality

What works:

• Photos of real products (not stock)
• Your team at work
• Your space/location
• Customers (with permission)
• Results of your service

What doesn’t work:

• Blurry or dark images
• Stock photos (look generic)
• Too much text in images
• Images without clear subject

Writing for the 100-Character Limit

The first 100 characters are what users see before clicking “More.” Front-load your value:

Weak opening:

“We’re excited to announce that starting this month…”

Strong opening:

“25% off all services this week only. New customers…”

Formula: Lead with the benefit or offer, then add details.

CTA Button Selection

Choose the button that matches your goal:

Button	Use When
Book	Service businesses with appointments
Order online	Restaurants, retail with online ordering
Buy	Direct product sales
Learn more	Complex offerings, more info needed
Sign up	Events, newsletters, memberships
Get offer	Promotions with specific redemption
Call now	Urgent services, consultations

Posting Frequency

Minimum: 1 post per week to maintain profile freshness

Optimal: 2-3 posts per week for maximum visibility

Post lifespan: Update posts stay visible for about 7 days; Offer and Event posts stay until their end date

Scheduling tip: Plan posts around your business rhythm—new arrivals, weekly specials, upcoming events.

Measuring Post Performance

GBP Insights shows how posts perform.

Key Metrics

Views: How many people saw your post

Clicks: Clicks on photos, CTA buttons, or “Learn more”

Actions: Button clicks specifically (calls, directions, website visits)

What Good Performance Looks Like

Benchmarks vary by industry and location, but general guidelines:

• View-to-click rate: 2-5% is average, 5%+ is good
• Click-to-action rate: Depends on your CTA goal

Improving Performance

Low views?

• Post more frequently
• Improve photo quality
• Ensure business info is complete

Views but no clicks?

• Improve headline/hook
• Make offer more compelling
• Test different CTAs

Clicks but no conversions?

• Check landing page experience
• Ensure offer terms are clear
• Verify phone/booking system works

Post Ideas by Business Type

Restaurants & Cafes

• Daily specials or features
• New menu items
• Behind-the-scenes kitchen content
• Chef spotlights
• Customer favorites
• Happy hour details
• Catering services

Retail Stores

• New arrivals
• Seasonal collections
• Sales and promotions
• Gift guides
• Product spotlights
• Store events
• Local delivery options

Service Businesses

• Before/after showcases
• Team introductions
• Service explanations
• Tips and advice
• Seasonal reminders
• Booking availability
• Customer testimonials

Health & Wellness

• Class schedules
• Practitioner spotlights
• Health tips
• New services
• Special packages
• Event workshops
• Results/transformations

Professional Services

• Team expertise highlights
• Industry insights
• Case studies (anonymized)
• Free consultations
• Workshop announcements
• Award/recognition news
• Community involvement

Common Posting Mistakes

Being Too Salesy

Every post doesn’t need to sell. Mix promotional content with genuinely helpful updates.

Inconsistent Posting

Posting 5 times one week then nothing for a month sends mixed signals. Consistency matters more than volume.

Poor Image Quality

Blurry, dark, or generic stock photos hurt credibility. Invest in decent photos of your actual business.

Ignoring Analytics

If you’re not checking what works, you’re guessing. Review performance monthly and adjust.

Missing CTA Buttons

Every post should have an action. Make it easy for interested people to take the next step.

Wall of Text

Long paragraphs get skipped. Use short sentences, line breaks, and bullet points for scannability.

Conclusion

Google Business Profile posts are one of the most underutilized tools in local marketing. While your competitors let their profiles go stale, consistent, compelling posts can help you stand out in local search results and turn searchers into customers.

Start with one post this week. Use the templates above, add a quality photo, and include a clear CTA. Track the results, then iterate.

The businesses winning local search are those who treat their GBP as an active marketing channel—not a set-and-forget directory listing.

Need help managing your Google Business Profile alongside your other marketing channels? Adfluens’ GMB Command Center lets you create, schedule, and track GBP posts from the same dashboard you use for social media. Try it free and see how easy local marketing can be.