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Using Updates, Q&As, and Reviews to Keep Your Google Business Profile Active

SUGGESTED TIMING: Week 3

  • Add at least 2 commonly asked Q&As
  • Post your first update
  • Ask 2-3 happy customers for reviews

Your Google Business Profile isn’t a “set and forget” thing. Regular updates show Google and your potential customers that your business is active and trustworthy.

Why Staying Active on Your Profile Matters

When you post regularly, answer questions, and collect reviews, a few great things happen:

  • You show up higher in local search results
  • You build trust faster with people who are deciding where to go
  • You stay top of mind for repeat students and referrals
  • You stand out from other driving schools who let their listings go stale

The tools below (Q&As, Updates, and Reviews) are simple but powerful ways to show customers that you’re present, engaged, and running a professional operation.

Using Questions & Answers

Anyone can ask a question about your business on your profile. The trick? Anyone can answer it. Even people who may not know what they’re talking about. If you don’t fill this section in yourself, others may give wrong or outdated info.

To take control, post 2–3 common questions and provide your own answers. These show up publicly and help people feel confident contacting you.

Examples:

  • “Do you offer behind-the-wheel training for teens?”
  • “Can I complete my driving class online?”
  • “How do I sign up for defensive driving?”

Instructions for adding Q&As:

  1. Sign in to the Google account you used to claim your business profile (usually it’s a Gmail address)
  2. Go to Google.com or Google Maps and search for your business name
  3. In your Business Profile panel, scroll to the “Questions & answers” section
  4. Click “Ask a question”
  5. Enter a question you anticipate you might hear from customers, then submit it
  6. Once it’s posted, go back to the profile and click “Answer” underneath your own question
  7. Write a clear, helpful answer (short and sweet is best)

TIP: Don’t wait for customers to ask questions on this platform. Simply supply questions you think they may have or that you get asked frequently. 

Posting Updates

Think of updates like a quick Facebook or Instagram post, except it shows up in search results when someone looks for you.

Posting regular updates tells Google your business is alive and well. It also gives people a reason to act, whether that’s calling you, checking your website, or asking a question.

Ideas for updates to share:

  • Changes to hours (e.g. summer break or holiday schedules)
  • Instructor availability
  • Student testimonials
  • A reminder that you offer online classes via ASI
  • Shout-outs to top-performing students

Posting an update with a fresh photo and a quick message once or twice a month can go a long way.

To post an update:

  1. Sign in to the Google account you used to claim your business profile (usually it’s a Gmail address)
  2. Go to Google.com or Google Maps and search for your business name
  3. In your management panel, click “Add update”
  4. Choose the type of update: “What’s new,” “Offer,” or “Event”
  5. Add a short, engaging message (keep it relevant and timely)
  6. Upload a photo (this makes your update stand out)
  7. Include a clear call to action (like “Call now,” “Learn more,” “Order online”)
  8. Click “Post”

Asking for Reviews

Reviews help your business in two big ways:

  1. Google ranks you higher if you have a steady stream of positive, recent reviews
  2. Customers trust you more, even before they visit your website or give you a call

A review is like a public recommendation. It makes it easier for parents or students to choose you over someone else.

How to build it into your routine:

Ask at the end of a driving lesson or class:
“If you had a good experience, would you mind leaving us a quick Google review?”

Send a text or email after a successful service:
Hi [Name], thank you for choosing [Business Name]! If you have a minute, we’d love for you to leave us a quick Google review. It really helps others find us. [Insert your review link]

TIP: Make review requests a normal part of your process, not an afterthought. The more you ask, the more you get.

What’s Next

When you regularly post, answer questions, and gather reviews, you show Google (and potential students) that your business is active, responsive, and worth checking out. In the next article, you’ll learn how to track what’s working (and what’s not) using Google’s built-in insights dashboard.