How to write Google Business Profile posts (2026 guide + prompts)

When someone searches for your business on Google, or for something like "bakery near me," your Google Business Profile is often the first thing they see. Posts are short, free updates you add to that profile: a new product, a holiday offer, an event, or your hours. Here's how they work, what makes a good one, holiday ideas for November and December 2026, what to avoid so your post isn't rejected, and three AI prompts to write your posts in minutes.

What Google Business Profile posts are (and why they matter)

Your Google Business Profile is the box with your name, hours, address, photos, and reviews in Google Search and Maps. A post is a little update on that profile, usually a photo, a few sentences, and an optional button like "Learn more" or "Book."

Posts can show up on your profile when people look you up, and they give customers a reason to pick you right now. They're handy for small, time-sensitive news like "Holiday gift boxes are back" or "Open late on Small Business Saturday." They're free, take a few minutes, and show that someone is actually running the business.

Accurate hours, good photos, and recent reviews matter too. If you haven't asked for reviews in a while, see our guide on how to ask customers for Google reviews.

Tip: You can usually add a post by searching for your business name on Google while signed in to the account that manages your profile, or from the Google Maps app. Google moves buttons around from time to time, so if you don't see "Add update," look for a "Promote" or "Posts" option.

The main post types, in plain English

Google has changed the post types and options over the years and may change them again, so treat this as a general picture. As of late 2026, you'll usually see three choices:

• Updates. General news: a new menu item, a new service, a behind-the-scenes photo, a reminder about holiday hours, or a seasonal tip. This is the type you'll use most.
• Offers. A sale or deal, with a title, start and end dates, and optional extras like a coupon code, a link, and terms. Use this when there's a real deal with real dates, like a Black Friday discount.
• Events. Something happening on a specific date or dates, like a holiday open house, a workshop, or extended hours on Small Business Saturday. Events need a title and start and end dates.

Most post types let you add a button. The choices have included things like Book, Order online, Buy, Learn more, Sign up, and Call now. Pick the one that matches the single thing you want people to do.

How long a post stays visible has also changed over time, and older updates may stop showing as prominently. Just post fresh updates regularly and keep dated posts accurate.

What makes a good post

• One real photo. A clear, bright photo you took of your actual product, shop, team, or work. Skip stock photos and images covered in text. Google may crop images, so keep the important part near the middle.
• Short text. Posts allow up to about 1,500 characters, but you don't need that many. Two to four short sentences is plenty. Put the most important words first, since only the start may show before someone taps "More."
• One call to action. Tell people the one thing to do next: book, order, stop by, or learn more. Match it to your button.
• Real details. Dates, times, prices, and what's included. "20% off all candles, Nov 27 to Nov 30" beats "Big savings!"
• Good timing. Post an offer or event a few days to two weeks before it starts, so people have time to plan.
• A steady rhythm. There's no official number, but many small businesses aim for about one post a week, plus extra posts around busy dates. Consistency matters more than volume.

Holiday post ideas for November and December 2026

Mix and match these ideas:

• Early November: an update that your holiday products, menu, or services are here, with one great photo.
• Holiday hours: an update listing your Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year hours. Set special hours on your profile too. Our holiday hours guide walks you through it.
• Black Friday (Friday, November 27, 2026): an offer post with real dates, what's included, and any coupon code or terms.
• Small Business Saturday (Saturday, November 28, 2026): an event or update inviting neighbors to shop local, with any special hours, treats, or freebies. For more ideas, see how to promote Small Business Saturday.
• Holiday events: an open house, a cookie decorating morning, a workshop, or a late-night shopping evening, posted as an event with dates and times.
• Last-minute shoppers (mid to late December): an update about ordering deadlines, pickup times, or gift wrapping before Christmas Day (Friday, December 25, 2026).
• Thank you (late December): a short thank-you update to your customers for the year, with a photo of your team or shop.

What to avoid

Google checks posts against its content policies, and posts that break the rules can be rejected or removed. The policies change, so check Google's current guidelines if a post doesn't go live. Common problems include:

• Phone numbers in the post text. Posts with a phone number typed into the text may be rejected. Use the "Call now" button instead, and keep your number in your profile info.
• Keyword stuffing. Repeating phrases like "best plumber Sacramento plumber near me" reads badly and can look like spam.
• Misleading offers. Don't post a deal you won't honor, or leave out important limits. Put the terms in the offer.
• Off-topic or low-quality photos. Blurry, unrelated, or heavily edited images, or photos you don't have the right to use.
• Bad links. Only link to your own website, booking page, or ordering page. Links to unrelated or suspicious sites can get a post removed.

Tip: Never paste customer names, phone numbers, or other private details into an AI chat. You don't need them to write a post, and you should read every draft before it goes live.

Prompt: write one Google Business Profile post

Copy this into ChatGPT or any free AI chat tool, fill in the brackets, and press Enter.

I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] called [BUSINESS NAME] in [TOWN OR NEIGHBORHOOD]. Write a Google Business Profile post.
Post type: [Update / Offer / Event]
What I want to share: [e.g., our holiday gift boxes are back]
Real details: [e.g., dates, times, price, what's included]
What I want people to do: [e.g., order online / book / stop by]
Write it in 2 to 4 short sentences, under 600 characters, in a warm, local, plain-English voice. Put the most important words first. Don't include any phone numbers, hashtags, or emojis, and don't add any details, prices, or promises I didn't give you. Then suggest a short title (for an offer or event), the best button to use, and one idea for a photo I could take myself.

Prompt: plan a month of holiday posts

Map out the season in one go, then write each post when it's time.

I own a [TYPE OF BUSINESS] in [TOWN]. Help me plan Google Business Profile posts from [e.g., November 2] to [e.g., December 31, 2026].
Things I have coming up: [e.g., Black Friday sale Nov 27, open late on Small Business Saturday Nov 28, gift cards, holiday hours, ordering deadline Dec 18]
How often I can post: [e.g., once a week]
Make a simple list with the date to post, the post type (Update, Offer, or Event), a one-line idea, the button to use, and a photo idea. Keep it realistic for a busy owner. Only use the events and offers I listed; don't invent new sales or dates.

Prompt: check my post before I publish

Use this as a final check, especially if a post was rejected before.

Please review this Google Business Profile post for my small [TYPE OF BUSINESS]: [PASTE YOUR POST]
1) Point out anything that might cause it to be rejected, like a phone number in the text, links, keyword stuffing, all caps, or misleading claims.
2) Tell me if anything important is missing, like dates, times, price, or what to do next.
3) Suggest a shorter, clearer version that keeps every real detail and adds nothing new.
Keep your answer short and use bullet points.

Example posts (made-up business)

These are made-up examples to show the idea. Hollow Oak Bakery is not a real business. Your posts should use your own details, real dates, and real offers.

Made-up example (Update): Holiday cookie boxes are back at Hollow Oak Bakery! Each box has a dozen hand-decorated cookies, baked fresh every morning on Pine Street. Order ahead online and pick up any day this week. Button: Order online. Photo: an open cookie box on the counter.

Made-up example (Offer): Title: Small Business Saturday: free cocoa with any box. On Saturday, Nov 28, 2026, get a free small hot cocoa with any cookie box purchase, while supplies last. Thanks for shopping local! Dates: Nov 28 to Nov 28. Terms: one per customer, in store only. Button: Learn more.

Quick checklist before you post

• I picked the right type: update, offer, or event.
• There's one real, clear photo of my business, product, or team.
• The text is short, with the most important words first.
• Dates, times, prices, and terms are real and correct.
• There's one clear call to action and a matching button.
• There's no phone number in the text and no keyword stuffing.
• I read every word the AI wrote and changed anything that doesn't sound like me.

Related reading: how to ask customers for Google reviews, how to announce holiday hours to customers, how to promote Small Business Saturday, how to write an About Us page for a small business, and how to write product descriptions for a small business. Planning a gift guide to post? See how to write a holiday gift guide for a small business.

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