What is Google Business Profile?
The University maintains a central Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly Google My Business, account for locations on the Twin Cities campus. Google Business Profile allows you to “Show up when customers search for your business or businesses like yours on Google Search and Maps. Google My Business lets you post updates to showcase what’s new, respond to reviews to build loyalty, and add photos to highlight what makes your business special.” -Google
What Information Does GBP Include?
Google Business Profile allows the University to name locations, categorize them, update addresses, hours, phone numbers, websites, and include a description. A cover photo is displayed in Google Maps and Search results for each location and photos can be added to show what a location looks like. Posts allow us to display timely messages in search results or to announce special events or offer discounts.
University Relations (UR) would like your assistance in consolidating primary ownership of Twin Cities campus locations under UR while distributing secondary ownership and management access to campus communicators to provide more up-to-date information for everyone interested in our campus. Fill out this form for assistance.
Adding/claiming a location:
- You need to be able to receive physical mail and/or direct phone calls without automated answering.
- If it’s already claimed, University Relations will attempt to claim the location from the current owner. If that does not work, we will work with you to prove ownership through either phone or mail.
- If you already own a location on campus, we would also like to work with you to centralize ownership while letting you keep owner/management rights. Please help by making urweb@umn.edu the Primary Owner of your location.
- Private business owners of restaurants and similar businesses on campus are responsible for their own locations.
Note: Health Care Component (HCC) Accounts and departmental accounts created by those users cannot manage GBP locations. A departmental account will need to be created by someone without these restrictions in order for you to manage locations. This departmental account should be used only for GBP management.