Why Google Business Profile is Your Secret Weapon for Local Real Estate SEO
When buyers and sellers search for a real estate agent near them, Google is the first place they look.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP) is more than a static business listing. It’s your digital storefront, open 24/7, and it can do the heavy lifting in attracting local clients before you even pick up the phone.
The difference between an average GBP and an optimized one can be the difference between showing up buried in results and owning the top spot in your market.
Why Google Business Profile Matters for Agents
Prime real estate on Google. A well-optimized GBP gives you a chance to appear in the “Local 3-Pack” the coveted map listings at the top of search results¹. Those spots get significantly more clicks than standard organic listings.
Builds trust before the first conversation. Google reports that businesses with complete profiles are 2.7× more likely to be seen as reputable². For real estate, that first impression matters and buyers are making big financial decisions, and trust is everything.
Local intent is powerful. Nearly half of all Google searches are local, and 76% of people who search locally visit or contact a business the same day³. This means your GBP isn’t just visibility. It’s immediacy.
Many agents pour money into paid ads while their GBP sits incomplete or outdated. Optimizing GBP first is like fixing the front porch before hanging the open house banner; It’s the foundation for all other marketing.
How to Optimize Your Profile for Maximum Visibility
a) Claim and Verify Your Listing
Head to Google Business Profile Manager and complete the verification process¹. Without verification, you can’t control what’s shown.
b) Fill Out Everything (and Keep It Updated)
Complete every field:
Business name
Category (“Real Estate Agent” or niche-specific)
Service areas
Hours
Phone and website
Keyword-rich description⁴
If you change your hours, contact info, or offerings, update them immediately—an outdated GBP is a quick way to lose credibility.
c) Add High-Quality Visuals
Listings with photos get 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks⁵. Include:
Professional headshots
Photos of staged listings
Neighborhood highlights
Short video tours
d) Use the “Posts” Feature
Share market updates, open house details, or seasonal promotions directly on your GBP⁶. It’s like social media, but designed to reach active searchers—not casual scrollers.
e) Reviews = Local SEO Fuel
Reviews are a ranking factor for local search. Politely ask satisfied clients for feedback, then respond to every review⁷. Your tone matters—future clients will read how you handle both praise and criticism.
Advanced Strategies That Give You an Edge
Write with Intent. Naturally include local keywords in your description and posts: “Austin luxury real estate,” “Dallas first-time buyer specialist.” This helps Google connect your profile to relevant searches.
Leverage Q&A. Add common buyer and seller questions in your GBP’s Q&A section, then answer them clearly⁸. This preemptively builds trust and can appear directly in search results.
Track and Adjust. Add UTM tracking to your website link so you can see exactly how many leads your GBP drives in Google Analytics⁹.
GBP is not “set and forget.” Profiles that win consistently are treated like active marketing tools, updated weekly, stocked with fresh content, and aligned with your seasonal campaigns.
Why Agents Who Ignore GBP Miss Out
An incomplete or inactive profile can make you look less credible than your competitors—even if you’re the better agent. In many cases, I’ve seen agents spend thousands on social ads but lose leads to competitors with stronger GBPs, simply because local searchers never saw them.
Optimizing your GBP is one of the highest-ROI marketing activities you can do because it targets people already searching for real estate help in your area. You’re meeting intent head-on.
How Anchorelle Can Help
We write keyword-rich descriptions that position you for local dominance.
We design branded images for your GBP posts.
We create monthly post schedules so your profile stays active and relevant.
We implement tracking so you know your exact return from GBP.
References
Search Engine Journal – How to Use Google Business Profile Posts
Search Engine Land – How to Track Google My Business in Google Analytics
Want to see your profile in the Local 3-Pack instead of buried in search results? Download Anchorelle’s “Google Business Profile Optimization Checklist” and start attracting high-intent local leads.