October 15, 2026
Google Business Profile Posts: Update, Offer or Event?
Guidance checked on 15 October 2026.
A workshop announcement, a business update and a temporary offer need different details. Before posting, decide what a customer should understand and do next. This practical checklist helps you publish clear information without treating every announcement as a promotion.
Choose the post type that fits
Google provides Update, Offer and Event posts. Updates share business news and can include an action link. Offers require a title and timing information; events use a title, dates and times. [1]
Our suggested test is to finish one sentence: “This post tells customers…” If the main point is a scheduled workshop, start with Event. If it is general business news, consider Update. Use Offer for a genuine promotion only where your business is eligible.
Write the facts before the headline
Prepare the location, what is happening, who it is for, the relevant dates and what the customer must do. For an offer, make conditions easy to understand. For an event, confirm the start and finish with the person running it before copying details into the profile.
Hypothetical example: a pottery studio announces a beginner session. A useful draft explains whether booking is required, what materials are included and where participants should arrive. Do not invent availability, urgency or customer endorsements to make the announcement sound stronger.
Check the policy and the destination
Google’s current policy says posts with unverified contact information may be removed. It suggests a Call now button using the profile’s verified number. Hotels have specific restrictions on promotional posts and offer links. Read the policy for your business before publishing. [2]
If you add an action button, open its exact destination on a phone and a computer. Check that the page agrees with the post’s location, dates and conditions. A customer should be able to understand the next step without hunting through an unrelated homepage.
Use relevant imagery you have permission to publish. Check the visible crop and avoid placing essential dates or conditions only inside the image. Keep those details in the written announcement as well.
Publish, then check the status
Google’s current route is Posts, then Add post. Choose the type and complete the relevant fields. After submission, a Live status means public visibility; Pending and Not approved posts are not public. [1]
Do not use the success of the submission alone as evidence that customers can see it. Open the public profile, find the post and test the action button. Record the post, date checked, result and person responsible. This is our suggested quality check, not a Google requirement.
If the post is not approved, inspect the policy explanation provided with its status. [1] Review the actual wording, image and destination against that explanation before changing the draft; avoid repeatedly submitting the same problem.
Plan the follow-up before you finish
Assign someone to recheck the announcement when a date, venue, condition or availability changes. Keep a copy of the approved wording so the team can see what was communicated. For several branches, verify that each location can honour its own announcement.
Clear posts help customers understand an announcement. They do not guarantee approval, bookings, reviews or rankings. If your announcement links to an appointment page, use the booking-link checklist below for a more detailed customer-journey check.
Check your Business Profile booking links