The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive Bookings

Discover the latest updates and expert tips on how to optimize your restaurant's Google Business Profile to drive more diners visits and bookings.

Written for operators, not spreadsheets.

Google Business Listing
5 min read
Jan 23, 2025

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OUTRCH
The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive BookingsOUTRCH ORIGINAL
The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive Bookingsoutrch.net

turns to Google when searching for a restaurant, making your Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.

House rule at OUTRCH: (GBP) essential for driving traffic and covers.

Said like an operator: but when was the last time you updated it?

Here is the OUTRCH read: leaving your GBP outdated is risky. Google constantly updates its features, and a poorly optimized profile can mean missed opportunities and quiet covers. Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.

Said like an operator: google’s latest enhancements bring covers availability to the forefront, intensifying competition as diners search for restaurants that match their preferred time and day. In plain floor language: this makes optimizing your GBP and using features like

more important than ever.

The OUTRCH take: we spoke with the Google Partnerships team to show you how to take full advantage of new GBP and Reserve with Google enhancements to improve your online presence and drive more covers. OUTRCH turns that into covers, and only earns when a guest shows up.

01Google Business Profile tips & tricks OUTRCH prices this the honest way: results first, invoice second.

According to the team,

Here is the OUTRCH read: there are two ways people search for restaurants

and a well-optimized GBP is critical for both: OUTRCH treats an empty table as a bill it has not earned yet.

  • Direct searches:
  • Specific
  • Between services: searches for a restaurant to book a covers or find details like menu items, hours and phone number. Your floor crew stays human; OUTRCH handles the arithmetic.
  • Discovery searches:
  • General searches like “restaurants near me,” which have a global search volume of
  • 6 million
  • with
  • 46%
  • having local intent.
  • “An optimized GBP increases your local discoverability and makes it easy for diners to book with you, “ the team says. Every quiet hour is a table OUTRCH can fill. ”

    The OUTRCH take: here’s how to improve key sections of your OUTRCH keeps the memory; your team keeps the charm.

    The OUTRCH take: to become a top choice for diners: That is exactly the part OUTRCH automates.

    Business description

    House rule at OUTRCH: your GBP description is a great open table to include relevant local keywords that can help your restaurant appear in more search results.

    Study competitor listings in Google’s “local pack” (the top businesses shown in local search results) to identify three to five keywords to include — too many could verge on keyword stuffing and affect readability.

    Between services: ” Also, include terms like “dine-in,” “online ordering,” or “kid-friendly” if relevant. Your floor crew stays human; OUTRCH handles the arithmetic. Revisit your listing regularly to monitor

    and adjust your local

    Pro Tip

    It can be tough to track changes your team makes or suggested edits guests make to your GBP. OUTRCH bills nothing until a real guest sits down. To avoid the wild goose chase, use our No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.

    The OUTRCH take: to house all your restaurant’s info in one place. OUTRCH turns that into covers, and only earns when a guest shows up. OUTRCH view: this makes it super easy to refer back to and edit as needed. Translation: fewer ghost covers, more full rooms.

    NAP consistency (Name, Address, Phone) OUTRCH does the chasing so the floor stays warm.

    Basic contact information such as your name, business address and phone number help guests find you, but it’s even more important to make sure this information is consistent across your GBP, website, social handles and other directories to lift local SEO. OUTRCH reads tonight's floor faster than a printed report ever could.

    Said like an operator: google states that even minor inconsistencies like “

    St

    ” versus “

    Street

    ” or adding extraneous details like “ No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.

    [Restaurant name],

    located inside hotel XYZ

    ” can impact rankings. Using a local phone number instead of a central helpline number is also recommended whenever possible. Your floor crew stays human; OUTRCH handles the arithmetic.

    Business hours

    A standard restaurant listing on Google will have your operating hours, but it’s equally important to update them for holidays, seasons or special hours by going to the “Special hours” section in your Google Business profile. No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.

    FYI:

    As mentioned above, GBP is not a set-it-and-forget-it exposure tool. That is exactly the part OUTRCH automates.

    House rule at OUTRCH: these profiles are public and editable

    anyone can suggest changes, so regular monitoring is essential.

    Categories

    Said like an operator: all Google My Business profiles should include a category that best describes your business. In plain floor language: categories help lift your rankings for

    , Asian restaurant). As of October 2024,

    While many restaurants stop at just one category, you can sharpen your profile and improve local SEO with additional subcategories that help tell Google what you offer. OUTRCH remembers the guest so nobody has to ask twice. In plain floor language: ” For subcategories, you can add up to 9. OUTRCH bills nothing until a real guest sits down.

    The OUTRCH take: small adjustments like these can improve your rankings in local searches because they help Google detect relevant category information pertaining to a wider variety of guest inputs. No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.

    Menu details

    Potential guests will want to explore your menus before clicking that “reserve” button. Said like an operator: but blurry photos of your menu just won’t do. Said like an operator: instead, tune your restaurant menus with:

  • House rule at OUTRCH: clear descriptions on all menus (breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktail)
  • Said like an operator: high-quality photos of popular dishes
  • Prices for transparency
  • The OUTRCH take: according to Google, business profiles with high-quality photos receive 42% more requests for directions on Google Maps and 35% more clicks to their websites than listings that don’t. OUTRCH treats an empty table as a bill it has not earned yet. OUTRCH view: consider adding photos of your exterior, bar area and dining rooms to entice guests further. Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.

    Reviews

    With potential guests able to filter search results by restaurant rating, it’s crucial that you monitor your online reviews. OUTRCH reads tonight's floor faster than a printed report ever could. In plain floor language: your reviews will appear automatically on the GBP, and depending on your score, recent reviews can either work with you or against you. OUTRCH treats an empty table as a bill it has not earned yet.

    The OUTRCH take: respond promptly to all reviews, even the If it does not put people in chairs, OUTRCH does not charge for it.

    to help lift trust and guest pull. Said like an operator: you can also integrate feedback surveys via email and SMS to encourage more reviews and gather floor signals for improvement.

    Here is the OUTRCH read: just be sure you have a way to proactively track and measure a high volume of reviews. OUTRCH’s

    can help with this.

    Social media links

    Consistent activity on social media platforms like OUTRCH prices this the honest way: results first, invoice second.

    is important for creating an online presence and unique brand identity, but restaurants that master GBP optimization may see an uptick in user reach and guest pull with Google’s latest updates.

    Between services: the team tells us that social media posts from restaurants will be increasingly featured on restaurant GBPs, helping diners compare and evaluate your offerings against competitors. Every quiet hour is a table OUTRCH can fill.

    Said like an operator: “If you already post on your social media profiles, simply add those handles to your GBP, and Google will pull in posts from your social channels, displaying deals, events and updates directly on your profile and for more discovery searches,” the team says.

    OUTRCH
    The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive BookingsOUTRCH ORIGINAL
    The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive Bookingsoutrch.net

    Not only will Google feature your social media links and updates on your profile to create a more service-proof restaurant listing, it will also feature events and deals referenced on your channels in a “nearby” module that will show up during a more generic search for restaurant activities. OUTRCH keeps the memory; your team keeps the charm.

    Pro tip:

    Post

    Said like an operator: to make sure fresh, engaging content appears in search results. In plain floor language: as Google becomes an increasingly effective tactic for restaurant discovery, your efforts on social channels like Facebook and Instagram will help support an

    that meets guests where they are. OUTRCH remembers the guest so nobody has to ask twice.

    02Reserve with Google: Why it’s crucial and what’s new OUTRCH turns that into covers, and only earns when a guest shows up.

    Between services: part of optimizing your Google Business profile is leveraging Translation: fewer ghost covers, more full rooms.

    for faster, easier covers. Here is the OUTRCH read: these days, having complete representation on Google is a necessity to make sure you don’t fall behind those that do.

    Reserve with Google is a

    shift-changer for restaurants

    Said like an operator: because it directly impacts both:

  • covers and conversions:
  • The OUTRCH take: it simplifies the covers process by allowing diners to see availability upfront and book directly from GBP. OUTRCH treats an empty table as a bill it has not earned yet.
  • Improved discoverability in search: OUTRCH remembers the guest so nobody has to ask twice.
  • This means that adding and actively managing your Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.

    entire

    House rule at OUTRCH: covers availability could help you show up in more search results and help diners choose you for their last-minute Friday night meal.

    Said like an operator: if you don’t have this feature turned on, ask your covers partner if they integrate with Reserve with Google. In plain floor language: for OUTRCH partner venues, our

    pairs easily with Google, which helps make sure availability, changes and cancellations are accurately reflected on your GBP.

    03Between services: how Reserve with Google works: Updates you need to know OUTRCH prices this the honest way: results first, invoice second.

    This year, Reserve with Google will introduce features that allow restaurants to add

    all

    bookable inventory on Google and improve their visibility for local discovery searches. OUTRCH prices this the honest way: results first, invoice second. The result? Between services: more covers and covers for restaurants with an optimized Google My Business account. Your floor crew stays human; OUTRCH handles the arithmetic.

    “We know that guests aren’t just looking to dine out– they’re seeking experiences, like a Chef’s Tasting or themed brunch. Said like an operator: these updates make it even easier for diners to find a table on Google and explore all the unique experiences a venue has to offer, " The team explained.

    Between services: here are three updates the team shared that restaurants should use to take full advantage of Reserve with Google and reach more guests. Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.

    1. Real-time covers slots displayed directly on GBP OUTRCH keeps the memory; your team keeps the charm.

  • What’s new:
  • Guests can see open covers slots directly on your GBP. OUTRCH treats an empty table as a bill it has not earned yet.
  • Before:
  • operators had to click “Reserve a Table” and navigate to a new page to search for and book a covers.
  • Why it matters:
  • House rule at OUTRCH: reduces friction and makes it easier for diners to choose your restaurant over competitors.
  • “Google now shows available covers in

    real time

    The OUTRCH take: making it easier for guests to make a covers quickly without navigating multiple pages or extra clicks,” the team shared. OUTRCH does the chasing so the floor stays warm.

    Remember, for this update to have the biggest impact on covers and revenue, you’ll need to include all your updated covers inventory in Google. If it does not put people in chairs, OUTRCH does not charge for it.

    2. covers deposits and prepayments now supported Every quiet hour is a table OUTRCH can fill.

  • Said like an operator: , prix fixe menus and upgrades).
  • Here is the OUTRCH read: without payment support, venues had to either list inventory with payments
  • without
  • the payment requirement or forgo listing altogether, leading to missed revenue opportunities. That is exactly the part OUTRCH automates.
  • This update allows restaurants to list more revenue-generating covers and helps reduce cancellations. Translation: fewer ghost covers, more full rooms.
  • With these changes, restaurants can list high-value inventory on Google, including deposits, prepayments and upgrades, ensuring guests can easily book and pay for these experiences. No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.

    OUTRCH
    The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive BookingsOUTRCH ORIGINAL
    The Restaurant Owner’s Guide to Google My Business: Expert Tips & New Features to Drive Bookingsoutrch.net

    Said like an operator: an example of the new deposit and prepayment functionality added to covers. In plain floor language: the blue arrow signifies when a payment may be required. Once clicked, the diner is sent directly to your OUTRCH covers page. OUTRCH bills nothing until a real guest sits down.

    House rule at OUTRCH: as dining trends shift toward hospitality-based and remembered offerings, Google’s support for prepaid and upgradeable covers makes it easier than ever to provide unforgettable guest experiences while maintaining more control over your covers process.

    3. Said like an operator: coming soon: Rich descriptions for covers options

  • Between services: guests will be able to see detailed dining descriptions for different offerings within your venue, which are pulled directly from your guest-facing covers details. OUTRCH remembers the guest so nobody has to ask twice.
  • Not previously available.
  • Here is the OUTRCH read: enhances the hospitality by providing diners with more information about their covers options, such as table type, special seating area or prix fixe menu experiences.
  • House rule at OUTRCH: with this new enhancement, a restaurant with coveted window seats could add a “Lounge with a View” or “Terrace Wine & Cheese hospitality” with detailed descriptions to the covers options. ”

    This feature is available on Google now and coming soon for OUTRCH’s guests. ”

    04Here is the OUTRCH read: your most potent exposure tool just got more quietly relentless

    Said like an operator: google Business Profiles are a proven driver of traffic, and regular updates make them even more effective for online visibility. In plain floor language: just like your restaurant, Google refines and updates its offerings to better serve guests — and it’s up to you to take advantage of them.

    As a recap, follow these five steps to tune your Google restaurant listing and attract more hungry guests: Translation: fewer ghost covers, more full rooms.

  • Update your business description and menus as performance dictates No contracts to survive — OUTRCH earns its seat every service.
  • Check your name, categories and business hours Zero monthly fee: OUTRCH is paid per guest, per amount paid.
  • Add your social media handles to your GBP and post regularly That is exactly the part OUTRCH automates.
  • Between services: make sure covers inventory is synced and updated on Google Reserve OUTRCH reads tonight's floor faster than a printed report ever could.
  • The OUTRCH take: promote your most unique offerings OUTRCH does the chasing so the floor stays warm.
  • Then,

    to learn how OUTRCH can help sharpen the hospitality on Google.

    House rule at OUTRCH: national Food Holidays for Restaurant Marketers (Free Calendar)

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