Google Updates 25 October 2026 2 min read

Google Bans Promotional Content in Business Profile Listings — Posts Still Allowed

What happened

Google has updated the advertising and solicitation section of its Maps and Business Profiles "Prohibited & restricted content" policy, as reported by Search Engine Roundtable on 6 October. The change was first spotted by local SEO specialist Hiroko Imai.

The updated policy now explicitly states that contributions to Google Maps should "reflect genuine experiences or define a business's permanent identity" and should not be used for advertising or solicitation purposes.

Google has split the rules by where content appears:

In your listing (business description, services, attributes): you cannot include promotional or commercial content that contains time-bound promotions, pricing, or direct calls-to-action.

In your Posts: you cannot include email addresses, phone numbers, social media links, or links to websites unrelated to your business. However, offers and updates that may be seen as promotional are still permitted in Posts.

The distinction is important — Google is drawing a clear line between your permanent listing information and your Posts, which are designed for timely updates.

What this means for tradespeople

If you've been adding seasonal promotions or discount pricing directly into your business description or services list, that content now explicitly violates Google's policy. Examples that could get flagged:

"20% off all boiler servicing this winter" in your business description
"Call now for a free quote — limited time only!" in your services section
Direct pricing like "From £50 per hour" in listing fields that aren't designed for it

Posts are still the right place for offers. If you're running a seasonal promotion or want to highlight a special offer, use a Google Post — that's exactly what they're for. Just don't include unrelated links or contact details for other businesses.

For most tradespeople who keep their listing straightforward — describing their trade, service area, and qualifications — nothing changes. But if you've treated your business description like an advert, it's worth reviewing it now before Google's automated enforcement catches up.

What to do about it

Review your Google Business Profile description and remove any time-limited offers, pricing, or direct calls-to-action
Use Google Posts for promotions, seasonal offers, and updates instead
Keep your listing focused on what you do, where you work, and your qualifications — that's what Google wants there
Make sure your contact details are in the designated fields, not embedded in your description text

Source: Search Engine Roundtable

What happened

What this means for tradespeople

What to do about it

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