Promoted Pins & Map Search Ads

Start With a Profile That Can Carry the Ad

A homeowner searches Google Maps for “roof repair near me,” sees several companies, and taps the one with a clear location, working phone number, recent project photos, and strong reviews. If your profile shows an old address, a disconnected phone line, or no proof of recent work, the paid placement cannot fix that problem. The customer may see you, but still choose someone else.

This checklist is for contractors and local service businesses starting with an incomplete or unverified Google Business Profile. The profile is the business listing Google uses to show your name, address or service area, phone number, services, photos, reviews, and Maps location. It also supplies information for Google Ads location assets, which allow an advertisement to use your Business Profile details.

Rank the work in this order:

1. Verify ownership and eligibility. Google must know the business is real and that you are allowed to manage the listing.

2. Correct the location and phone details. A paid Maps placement is wasted if customers cannot find or call you.

3. Complete the services and service area. These details help Google match your business with nearby searches.

4. Add proof of real work. Photos, reviews, and accurate business information give customers a reason to contact you.

5. Connect the profile to Google Ads only after the first four items pass inspection.

The goal is not to make every field look complete for its own sake. The goal is a verified, accurate profile that can support a Map Search Ad or Promoted Pin when a nearby customer is ready to call.

The Complete Profile Readiness Score

Use The Complete Profile Readiness Score when you are preparing a new profile, correcting an old listing, or getting ready to connect Google Business Profile to Google Ads. It gives you a simple pass-or-fail check before you spend money on local advertising.

Score the profile out of 100:

Do not run Maps advertising until the profile scores at least 90 out of 100, with no failed item in ownership, location, or phone information. Those three areas are more important than having a perfect photo gallery.

Darnell Ortiz, a 39-year-old roofing contractor, used this order after discovering that his profile still displayed an office address from a previous location. His phone number worked, but the map marker sent customers to the old building. Darnell corrected the address, confirmed the service area, checked his business hours, and replaced outdated photos before connecting the profile to Google Ads. The important result was not merely a higher score. Customers could now call, understand where Darnell worked, and recognize the type of roofing jobs he handled.

To execute the strategy, assign one person as the owner of the checklist. That person should have access to the Google account managing the Business Profile, the business phone, the correct address or service-area information, current service details, project photos, and access to the Google Ads account. Keep a record of the date each item was checked. If a marketing company helps, the business owner should still retain ownership of the profile.

Complete the Checklist in Order

1. Confirm the correct Google account and claim the profile.

Time estimate: 20 to 30 minutes. Search Google Maps for your business name, phone number, and address. Look for duplicate listings, old listings, or profiles controlled by a former employee. Sign in with the Google account that should own the profile and request access or claim the listing. Do not create another profile until you have checked for an existing one.

Checkpoint: Within the first day, the intended business owner can sign in and see the profile management screen. Record the account email and the date access was confirmed. This earns up to 10 points under ownership.

2. Complete Google’s verification request.

Time estimate: 15 minutes to submit, plus Google’s review time. Follow the verification method Google offers. Depending on the business and location, Google may request a video, phone, text message, email, or another method. A video verification may require showing the business location, tools, branded vehicle, business documents, or proof that you manage the operation. Show only what Google requests and keep the information consistent with the profile.

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