Google My Business (aka Google Business Profile) is one of those tools most wedding photographers know they should use—but often don’t. And it’s not because they’re lazy. It’s because GMB is notoriously confusing, glitchy, and designed for brick-and-mortar businesses… not creatives with remote workflows and a camera bag for an office.

Still, here’s the truth: your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful tools you can use to get found by local clients—especially couples who are just starting their venue search, planning a destination wedding, or looking for someone nearby to shoot their engagement session.

If you’ve set up your profile but feel like you’re shouting into the void, don’t stress. We’re breaking down the real reasons your GMB listing might be underperforming—and exactly how to fix them.

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⚠️ Challenge 1: “My listing isn’t showing up when people search for wedding photographers in my city.”

This one stings—especially if you’ve already claimed your profile, uploaded photos, and even collected a few reviews. So why aren’t you on page one when someone Googles “Charleston wedding photographer”?

The fix:
You’re likely missing relevance, distance, or prominence—Google’s three main ranking factors.

Here’s what to do:

→ Refine your business description + services.

Use the kinds of phrases your dream client would type into Google at 11 PM while researching vendors. Instead of just “wedding photographer,” use:

• “Luxury wedding photographer based in Charleston SC”
• “Candid wedding photography for Lowcountry venues”
• “Elopement + Super 8 videography in Charleston + Savannah”

→ Add detailed service areas.

Even if you don’t have a storefront, you can list up to 20 surrounding cities or service regions. This tells Google where to show your business—especially helpful for destination photographers.

→ Upload geo-tagged images with SEO-rich captions.

Each time you shoot at a new venue, add a photo to your GMB profile with the venue name in the image title and description. Google crawls that text to determine location relevance.

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⚠️ Challenge 2: “Google suspended my business listing. I don’t even know why.”

Suspensions are frustrating—and weirdly common for photographers because of how often we travel, shift locations, or forget to verify small details.

The fix:

1. Review Google’s guidelines: Make sure you’re not violating policies. For photographers, common red flags include:
   • Displaying a residential address (if you don’t accept clients at home)
   • Keyword stuffing your business name (ex: “Charleston Wedding Photographer | Jane Doe Photo”)
   • Using a virtual office or PO box
2. If you’re mobile or service-based, select “I deliver goods and services to my customers” and hide your address.
3. Start the reinstatement process here.

When you submit a reinstatement request, include:

• A link to your official website
• Proof of business (like an LLC registration or client invoice)
• Links to social profiles or directories showing you’re legit

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⚠️ Challenge 3: “I claimed my profile, but it feels dead. I don’t know what to post.”

Most photographers think of GMB like a second Instagram—and immediately abandon it when it doesn’t feel creative or “on brand.”

But think of it as mini-blogging for Google.

The fix:

Treat GMB posts like little content crumbs that lead Google (and clients) to your website.

Here are some easy post ideas:

• 📸 Portfolio Spotlight: “Sneak peek from Megan + Josh’s Charleston wedding at Cannon Green—golden hour never looked better.” (link to blog)
• 💬 FAQ Answer: “What should you wear for your downtown engagement session? Here’s our go-to tip…”
• 🗓 Availability Update: “Now booking Fall 2025 weddings—limited travel dates for Tulum + Charleston.”
• 📍 Location Tag: “Shot this dreamy ceremony at Magnolia Plantation—always a favorite Charleston venue.”

Best practice: Post once a week. Even short updates count, and consistency keeps your profile active in Google’s eyes.

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⚠️ Challenge 4: “My clients say they left a review, but it’s not showing up.”

If reviews aren’t appearing, it could be due to Google’s spam filters. Sometimes, it’s as simple as the reviewer using a new account—or mentioning something that triggers a flag.

The fix:

1. Use a direct review link (you can generate this in your GMB dashboard) so clients don’t have to search.
2. Send a prompt like:

“If you have a minute to leave a Google review, I’d be so grateful! Here’s a direct link: [link]. Feel free to mention anything you loved—like how we worked together on timeline planning, or how you felt during portraits!”

3. If a review gets removed: Ask the client to re-post it with different wording, or try again from a desktop browser logged into their Google account.

🚫 Don’t:

• Offer discounts or incentives for reviews
• Ask everyone at once (Google flags review spikes)

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⚠️ Challenge 5: “I set it up a year ago… and haven’t touched it since.”

A stale GMB profile is a dead one. Google rewards businesses that stay active with updated photos, descriptions, and regular posts.

The fix:

• Add new photos at least once a month—especially from different venues or styled shoots.
• Update your FAQs, booking calendar, or travel dates as seasons change.
• Reply to every review, even just with a simple thank you. Engagement = activity = higher visibility.
• Audit your profile quarterly to ensure:
  • All links work
  • Your phone number + email are current
  • Your services + pricing ranges are accurate

Pro tip: Create a recurring calendar reminder called “GMB touch-up” the same week you send out your newsletter or blog your latest session.

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You’re Not Alone — And You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Solo

Google Business Profile wasn’t built with creative professionals in mind. But with a little intentional setup and consistent updates, it can become a key piece of your SEO strategy and inquiry funnel.

Need help beyond this blog post? Google now offers free 1:1 support through their Business Advisor program. You can book a 30-minute session with a certified expert here.

Whether you’re troubleshooting a suspension or just want someone to confirm your listing is optimized, it’s a fantastic (and free!) resource.

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TL;DR: Your GMB profile is worth reviving.
Start with small updates. Make it part of your workflow. And when in doubt, remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be active.