A magnifying glass hovering over a Google My Business profile page with charts and graphs coming out of it.
Google Business Profile

What are Google Business Profile Insights?

Google Business Profile (GBP) Insights is a free tool that provides valuable data about how customers interact with your business listing on Google Search and Maps. It offers a detailed view of customer actions, giving you actionable information to optimize your online presence, attract more customers, and boost your business growth. This data helps you understand what’s working, what needs improvement, and ultimately, helps you make data-driven decisions to improve your business performance.

Why are Google Business Profile Insights Important?

GBP Insights are crucial for any business with a Google Business Profile for several reasons:

  • Understand Customer Behavior: See how customers find your profile, what they search for, and how they interact with your listing. This helps you tailor your content and offerings to better match customer needs.
  • Measure Your Marketing Efforts: Track the effectiveness of your posts, photos, and website clicks. This allows you to refine your strategies and focus on what drives the best results.
  • Gain Competitive Advantage: See how you stack up against competitors in your industry. Knowing how your profile performs against others can help you identify areas for improvement and stand out from the crowd.
  • Improve Local SEO: Use the insights to understand what keywords customers are using to find you. This information can be used to optimize your website and GBP listing for local search, making it easier for potential customers to find you.

Accessing and Using Your Google Business Profile Insights

Accessing your GBP Insights is easy:

  1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account.
  2. If you have multiple locations, choose the location you want to view insights for.
  3. On the left menu, click “Insights.”

Once you’re in the Insights section, you’ll be presented with a dashboard showcasing key data about your profile’s performance.

Understanding the Different Types of GBP Insights

GBP Insights are categorized into several key sections, each providing unique information about your profile:

1. How Customers Search for Your Business

This section shows you how customers discovered your business on Google:

  • Direct Search: The number of customers who searched for your business name directly.
  • Discovery Search: The number of customers who found you by searching for a category, product, or service you offer.

This information helps you understand if customers are actively searching for your brand or finding you through broader search terms. You can then use this data to tailor your marketing efforts. For example, if most customers find you through discovery searches, optimizing for local SEO becomes even more critical.

2. Where Customers View Your Business on Google

This section shows where customers saw your profile:

  • Google Search: Customers who saw your profile in Google search results.
  • Google Maps: Customers who found your profile on Google Maps.

This data helps you understand which platform (Search or Maps) is driving more visibility for your business. You can then focus on optimizing the platform that brings in more customers. For example, if you notice more customers are finding you through Google Maps, ensure your business information, photos, and reviews on Maps are up-to-date and engaging.

3. Customer Actions

This section provides insights into how customers interact with your listing:

  • Website visits: How many customers clicked through to your website from your GBP listing.
  • Direction requests: The number of customers who asked for directions to your business.
  • Calls: How many customers called you directly from your listing.

Understanding these actions helps you measure the effectiveness of your profile in driving desired customer behavior. If you’re aiming to drive more website traffic, but your website clicks are low, you might need to make your website link more prominent on your profile or improve your website’s content to make it more appealing to visitors.

4. Phone Calls

This section provides data about the phone calls your business receives through your GBP listing:

  • Total calls: The total number of calls received.
  • Call time and day: When you received the most calls.
  • Call history: A log of calls received over the past few weeks.

This information is invaluable for staffing and customer service management. If you notice call volumes spike during specific days or times, you can adjust your staffing accordingly. It also helps you understand customer behavior and preferences based on when they are most likely to call.

5. Photo Insights

Photos are a powerful way to showcase your business on GBP. This section provides insights into your photos:

  • Photo views: The total number of times your photos have been viewed.
  • Photo quantity: How many photos you have compared to other businesses in your category (more photos usually lead to better engagement).

This information helps you understand the effectiveness of your photos in attracting customers. If your photos have low views, you might need to improve their quality or upload more photos that highlight your products, services, and customer experience.

6. Questions & Answers

This section tracks customer questions and answers on your profile:

  • Number of questions asked: See how many customers have posted questions.
  • Answer response time: Track how quickly you (or other customers) are answering questions.

This section highlights how engaged customers are with your business and their desire for information. Regularly monitor and respond to questions to show you’re attentive and helpful. Encouraging customers to ask questions and fostering a community around your GBP can also increase engagement and build trust.

Best Practices for Leveraging GBP Insights

To get the most out of your GBP Insights, consider these best practices:

  • Regularly Check Your Insights: Make it a habit to review your GBP Insights at least once a week. This allows you to spot trends, identify areas for improvement, and track the impact of your marketing efforts.
  • Set Goals and Track Progress: Define specific goals for your GBP, such as increasing website traffic or phone calls. Use the Insights data to track your progress toward those goals and make adjustments as needed.
  • Focus on Customer Actions: Pay close attention to the Customer Actions section. This data directly reflects how your GBP listing is influencing customer behavior. Prioritize strategies that drive the desired actions you want from your customers.
  • Optimize for Local SEO: Use the search insights to understand the keywords customers are using to find you. Incorporate those keywords into your GBP listing and website to improve your local SEO and attract more customers.
  • Engage with Reviews: Respond to customer reviews, both positive and negative, to show you value their feedback. Address any concerns and thank customers for their positive comments. Actively managing your reviews can improve your reputation and attract new customers.
  • Experiment and Iterate: Don’t be afraid to try new things with your GBP listing. Experiment with different types of posts, photos, and offers to see what resonates best with your audience. Use the Insights data to analyze the results and iterate on your strategies over time.

Conclusion

Google Business Profile Insights is an invaluable tool for any business looking to maximize its online presence, understand customer behavior, and boost its local SEO. By regularly monitoring and leveraging these insights, you can make data-driven decisions to optimize your GBP, attract more customers, and ultimately, grow your business. Take the time to explore the various sections of GBP Insights, experiment with different strategies, and watch as your business thrives in the online world.

Note: Zing Business Systems provides done-for-you solutions for Google Business Profiles or provides ideas and solutions for the DIY business owner.

Experience the future of business AI and customer engagement with our innovative solutions. Elevate your operations with Zing Business Systems. Visit us here for a transformative journey towards intelligent automation and enhanced customer experiences.

Author: Matt Kallunki

Background and Experience Born in North Carolina and raised in a military family that moved frequently across North America, Europe, and Hong Kong, Matt Kallunki learned the values of adaptability and resilience from an early age. He enlisted in the Army National Guard at 17, bringing dedication and commitment to his service—a trait he has carried through every opportunity since. His education at Utah Valley University and later at Utah State University, along with diverse roles in technology, hospitality, and marketing, has shaped a career marked by innovation and leadership. As a veteran, Kallunki proudly leads Zing Business Systems, a veteran-owned and operated business. Inspiration and Innovation The constant throughout Kallunki’s career has been the importance of effective marketing—an insight first gained while running his initial restaurant. This understanding guided him through various entrepreneurial and consulting roles, eventually leading to the foundation of Zing Business Systems. Here, Kallunki has harnessed emerging technologies to provide small businesses with smart, scalable communication solutions. Zing Business Systems: Bridging Technology and Opportunity Zing Business Systems turns everyday challenges into growth opportunities. The company's flagship service, the Missed Call Text Back, ensures that small businesses never miss out on potential customer engagements. Kallunki equips his clients with tools that streamline communication, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—their core business and customer relationships. Customer Impact Kallunki's technology revolutionizes how businesses interact with customers. From automotive to professional services, he helps business owners centralize operations and automate routine tasks, significantly enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Looking Ahead Dedicated to continuous innovation and expansion, Zing Business Systems is committed to empowering more businesses with effective communication tools. With over two decades of marketing experience and a lifelong passion for service, Kallunki is redefining standards in business engagement and management. More About Matt In addition to his professional pursuits, Matt Kallunki is a lifelong motivated learner with a diverse array of hobbies and interests that span both creative and technical fields. From open boat sailing and spear fishing to ham radio operation and gardening, Matt's activities reflect his broad interests and relentless curiosity. A Cold War to present military enthusiast and avid reader, he also indulges in audiobooks, constantly seeking new knowledge and adventures. As a certified scuba instructor and divemaster, Matt takes his passion for exploration below the water's surface, teaching others and enjoying the serene beauty of the underwater world. His love for hands-on creation is evident in his skills in woodworking and metalworking, while his technical acumen shines through in his interests in cybersecurity and networking. Photography is another passion, capturing moments from his ventures and everyday life, showcasing his artistic eye and attention to detail. Whether it’s running marathons, launching high-powered rockets, or nurturing his garden, each hobby Matt engages in reflects a facet of his dynamic personality and relentless pursuit of growth and excellence. Connect with Matt Kallunki You can connect with Matt and learn more about his work and Zing Business Systems through various platforms: Visit https://blog.zingacp.com/about-us-page for social and medial links.