If you’re in the car dealership game, your Google Business Profile (GBP) isn’t just another digital tool—it’s a lifeline. According to Mediahawk’s latest Automotive Trends Report, GBP generates 64% of dealership calls, making it your top lead magnet. But with great power comes great responsibility. If your GBP isn’t protected, it can quickly turn into a liability.
Dont just ‘Set and forget’
Managing your dealership is already a juggling act. Between leading your team, serving customers, and tweaking your marketing strategy, adding GBP upkeep to your to-do list can feel like too much. But trust us—leaving it unchecked is not an option.
In this guide, we’ll break down what makes your GBP so valuable, why it’s a target for scammers and spammers, and how to safeguard it with simple, practical steps.
Who Sees Your Google Business Profile—and What They Think of It
Your Google Business Profile might seem like just another online listing, but it serves very different purposes depending on who’s looking:
To You
Your GBP is your online showroom. It’s where leads are captured, your reputation shines, and customers connect with your dealership. It’s your go-to tool for sharing updates, replying to reviews, answering questions, and showing off your brand with eye-catching images and videos.
But while it feels like your asset, it’s actually owned by…
Google
Surprise—your GBP belongs to Google. They can tweak, suspend, or even remove it at their discretion. To Google, it’s just content for their search and maps platforms, which ultimately serve their advertising empire. Your listing fuels their ecosystem, but it’s also an open resource for…
The Public
To everyday users, your GBP is a community noticeboard. They can suggest edits, flag incorrect details, and ask questions. While some of this input is helpful, it’s also where things can go sideways. Imagine:
- Someone accidentally marks your business as closed.
- A well-meaning user posts incorrect answers in the Q&A section.
- A random person moves your map pin to the wrong location.
These errors can harm your business, but there’s an even bigger threat lurking…
Spammers
For scammers and unethical competitors, your GBP is a goldmine. They exploit Google’s open-source design to hijack listings, post fake reviews, and even sabotage your profile to steal traffic or damage your reputation.
What Could Go Wrong?
Spammers have a bag of dirty tricks, and here’s what they might pull on your GBP:
- Hijacking: Changing your contact info to divert leads.
- Fake Closures: Marking your business as permanently closed.
- Map Sabotage: Relocating your pin to throw off customers.
- Review Bombing: Flooding your profile with fake 1-star reviews or subtle low-star ratings to erode trust over time.
- Photo Misrepresentation: Uploading unflattering or misleading images.
- Bogus Listings: Creating fake businesses at your address to confuse your customers.
These tactics don’t just hurt your GBP—they hurt your bottom line. Worse, the damage often goes unnoticed until it’s too late.
How to Keep Your GBP Secure
You don’t need to babysit your GBP 24/7, but you do need to take a few smart steps to protect it. Here’s how:
Set Up Alerts
Notifications can help you catch changes before they spiral into problems. Some handy tools include:
- PlePer: Tracks updates like address or contact info changes.
- Localise Reputation Management: Alerts you to new reviews so you can handle any negative feedback quickly within the platform.
- Google Alerts: Keeps you in the loop on changes, though it’s not always foolproof.
Stick to a Maintenance Schedule
Alerts are helpful, but regular check-ins are a must. Follow this schedule to keep your GBP running smoothly. And remember, security is just one piece of the puzzle—don’t forget to post regular updates and offers to keep your profile engaging!
- Daily: Monitor and respond to reviews within 24 hours. Flag anything suspicious.
- Weekly: Review key details like your address, phone number, and business hours. Check for updates to your services and Q&A section.
- Biweekly: Look out for inappropriate photos uploaded by others.
- Quarterly: Check competitor listings for spam tactics (e.g., fake keywords) and flag them.
Avoid Internal Mishaps
If multiple team members have access to your GBP, mistakes can happen. Limit access to trusted staff, and regularly review key details to ensure accuracy.
Add recovery details
Back up, Back up, Back up. If you forget your password or someone else is using your account, having a recovery email and phone number set up could be a lifesaver. Choose an email address that you use regularly and one that’s different from the one you use to login to your Google account. Adding a recovery phone number means that Google can alert you to any suspicious activity and makes it easier to prove that you own the account if you’re locked out.
- Why Active Management is Worth It
Taking an active role in managing your GBP does two big things:
Keeps Your Profile Accurate
No matter how much public input or spam comes your way, staying proactive ensures your profile reflects the real you.
When your GBP is clean and accurate, you’re not just helping your business—you’re helping your customers find reliable information. That builds trust and loyalty in the long run.
Supports Your Community
When your GBP is clean and accurate, you’re not just helping your business—you’re helping your customers find reliable information. That builds trust and loyalty in the long run.
Let Us Handle the Hard Stuff.
Focus on your dealership while we secure and manage your Google Business Profile. Contact us now to get started!
