How Do You Post Updates, Offers, and Events on Your Google Business Profile?

By Bill Stilwell · Last reviewed October 16, 2026

The short answer

A verified Google Business Profile (GBP) can publish three types of posts: updates, offers, and events. Open your profile, choose Posts, then Add post, pick the type, fill it in, and publish. Google archives posts older than 6 months unless you set a date range, and it can reject posts that break its content policy, such as posts with phone numbers it can’t verify.

What this means

Posts are short news items that show on your profile in Google Search and Maps. They work like a small bulletin board.

The three types Google lists right now:

Update. Text, a photo or video, and an optional button that links to a page. Good for recent jobs, tips, or news.
Offer. Needs a title and start and end dates. Google adds a “View offer” button. You can add a coupon code, a link, and terms.
Event. Needs a title and start and end dates and times. If you leave out the times, Google shows the event as lasting all day.

Say Greenway Lawn Care finishes a big spring cleanup. The owner posts an update with a before and after photo and a “Learn more” button that goes to the spring cleanup page on the website. In April, the owner posts an offer for 10% off first mowing visits, with clear dates and terms.

Why it matters

Shows you’re active. A profile with recent posts tells people someone is running the business.
Gives customers a reason to act. An offer or event gives people a clear next step.
Rejected posts waste time. Google can mark a post “Not approved.” If you don’t check, you’ll think it’s live when it isn’t.
Offers carry legal risk. A discount that isn’t real, or terms that are hidden, can be a truth-in-advertising problem (see 11.3.1 Truthful Advertising Claims).
Old posts disappear. Google archives posts older than 6 months unless you set a date range. Don’t count on one post to stay up forever.

Who this applies to

Any business with a verified profile. Google says posts on an unverified profile stay pending.

Note one exception: Google’s content policy says hotels can’t create offer posts or any post that mentions deals or discounts.

You can skip posting if you truly have nothing to share. A blank posts section won’t break your profile. But most businesses have recent work worth showing.

How to do it

Make sure your profile is verified (see 14.8.1 Google Business Profile Verification).
Open your profile on Google Search or in the Google Maps app and choose Posts, then Add post.
Pick Update, Offer, or Event.
Write a short, plain post. Say what happened or what you’re offering and who it’s for.
Add your own photo or video. Use pictures you have the right to use (see 11.1.12 Photo Permission).
Add a button if it helps. Send people to the matching page on your website, not just the home page.
For an offer, write the real dates and the real terms. If there are limits, say them.
Don’t type a phone number, email, or social handle into the post text. Google’s content policy says it may remove posts with contact details it can’t verify. Use the “Call now” button instead, which uses your verified profile number.
Publish now, or schedule it. Google lets you schedule posts and set some to repeat.
Check the status a day later. “Live” means it shows on Search and Maps. “Pending” means it’s still processing. “Not approved” means it broke a policy. Fix it and post again.
To edit or delete a post, open the menu next to it.

What proof to keep

A simple post log: date, type, topic, link, and status
Screenshots of live posts and any “Not approved” notices
For offers, a copy of the terms and the dates it ran

Keep these with your marketing records. The offer terms matter most if a customer later says the deal wasn’t honored.

Common mistakes

Putting a phone number in the text. It’s one of the most common reasons posts get pulled. Use the call button.
Stock photos. They make a real business look fake. Use photos from your own jobs.
Offers with no end date or fine print. Customers will hold you to what the post says.
Posting once and quitting. After 6 months it’s archived, and the profile looks quiet again.
Never checking the status. A post can sit at “Not approved” for weeks without you knowing.
Copying the same post to many profiles without editing. Google lets you post to several profiles at once. Make sure the details fit each location.
Expecting posts to fix rankings. Posts help people who already found you. They aren’t a ranking shortcut.

When to get help from a pro

Attorney: if you run offers with legal terms, financing, or contests. Questions to ask:

Do my offer terms meet my state’s advertising rules?
What do I have to say about limits, expiration, or financing in a short post?

A GBP specialist: if your posts keep getting rejected and you can’t tell why.

Bill’s note

[Bill: add a short story or lesson here. For example, a client whose posts kept getting rejected because of a phone number in the text, or which kind of post you’ve seen get the most clicks for local service businesses.]

If you’d rather have this done for you, SiteSmarty handles Google Business Profile management, including posts.

How I did this for SiteSmarty

[Date I did this:]
[What I actually did, step by step: the first post type I used for SiteSmarty and what it said]
[What it cost and how long it took:]
[What surprised me or what I’d do differently:]
[Screenshot or photo to add, with private info blurred: the “Add post” screen and one live post with its status]
[Result so far:]

Questions people ask

What types of posts can I make on Google Business Profile? Google lists three: updates, offers, and events.

Why was my Google post not approved? It likely broke Google’s content policy. Common causes include phone numbers or emails in the text that Google can’t verify, misspellings or gimmicky characters, offensive content, and regulated products like alcohol or tobacco.

How long do Google Business Profile posts last? Google archives posts older than 6 months unless you set a date range. Offers and events use the dates you set.

Can I put a phone number in a Google post? It’s better not to. Google may remove posts with contact details it can’t verify. Use the “Call now” button.

Can I schedule Google Business Profile posts? Yes. Google lets you schedule posts and set some to repeat.

Audit check

Question: Does the business publish accurate, policy-safe posts on its Google Business Profile and confirm each one goes live?
Pass looks like: At least one live post from the last 6 months. Real photos. No phone numbers or emails in the text. Offers show real dates and terms. A post log shows the status of each post.
Fail looks like: No posts, or only archived ones. Posts stuck at “Not approved.” Contact details typed into the text. Offers with no end date or hidden limits.
Evidence to collect: Screenshot of the posts section with dates and statuses, the post log, and saved terms for any offers.

Where this fits

Do this first: 14.8.1 Google Business Profile Verification, 14.9.1 Business Description, 14.1.9 Photos

Do this next: 14.9.4 Attributes

Sources

Google Business Profile Help, "Create & manage posts on your Business Profile" (checked October 16, 2026)
Google Business Profile Help, "Business Profile photos, videos & posts content policy" (checked October 16, 2026)
Google Business Profile Help, "Tips to improve your local ranking on Google" (checked October 16, 2026)

This page explains general rules and Bill's own experience. It is not legal, tax, or insurance advice. Talk to a qualified professional about your situation.