How to Schedule Google Business Profile Posts: Free & Paid Methods [2026]
TL;DR - Quick Answer
20 min readTips you can use today. What works and what doesn't.
How to Schedule Google Business Profile Posts: Free & Paid Methods [2026]
Want to keep your Google Business Profile active without daily posting? Here's how to schedule GBP posts to boost local SEO and customer engagement—even though Google doesn't offer native scheduling.
Key stat: According to Google, businesses that post regularly are 2.7x more likely to be considered reputable by consumers.
Why Schedule Google My Business Posts?
Create content, post everywhere
Create posts, images, and carousels with AI. Schedule to 9 platforms in seconds.
Start your free trialSimple answer: Regular GMB posts help your business show up higher in local Google searches and give customers fresh reasons to choose you.
Benefits:
- 📈 Better local SEO - Google loves active businesses
- 👀 More visibility - Posts appear in search results and Maps
- 💬 Direct customer reach - Showcase offers, events, updates
- ⏰ Save time - Set it and forget it (mostly!)
Can You Schedule Google Business Profile Posts?
Bad news: Google doesn't let you schedule GBP posts directly from the Google Business Profile dashboard.
Good news: You have options!
✅ Third-party tools - Planable, Buffer, Hootsuite, OneUp (starting at $11/mo) ✅ Manual reminders - Phone alarms + pre-made content (free) ✅ Local marketing platforms - LocalClarity, BirdEye (specialized for multi-location)
GBP Scheduling Tools Comparison Table
Method 1: Third-Party Tools (Recommended)
Top Picks for 2026:
Best for beginners: Planable - $11/month
- Visual calendar interface
- Free tier available (limited posts)
- Easy approval workflows
- Supports all GBP post types
Best for simplicity: Buffer - $15/month
- Clean, intuitive interface
- Supports What's New, Offer, and Event posts
- Preview exactly how posts will appear
- Mobile app for scheduling on the go
Best for multiple locations: OneUp - $15/month
- Schedule to multiple GBP profiles at once
- Bulk upload via CSV
- Supports all post types including Events
- Good for franchises and agencies
Best budget option: Publer - $12/month
- Free tier with limited posts
- Auto-scheduling feature
- Canva integration built-in
- Supports What's New and Offers
Best for content recycling: SocialBee - $29/month
- Evergreen content categories
- Automatic re-posting of successful content
- AI caption generator
- Good for consistent posting
For budget-friendly multi-platform scheduling, explore basic automation alternatives and campaign schedulers.
Step-by-Step: Scheduling with Planable
- Create account: Sign up at planable.io (free tier available)
- Connect GBP: Go to Settings → Social Media Accounts → Add Google Business Profile
- Authorize access: Log in with the Google account that manages your Business Profile
- Create post: Click "Compose" and select the Google Business Profile tab
- Add content: Write your text, add an image, select post type (What's New, Offer, or Event)
- Add CTA: Choose a call-to-action button (Learn More, Book, Call, etc.)
- Schedule: Click "Select Date and Time" and choose when to publish
- Confirm: Review the preview and save
Step-by-Step: Scheduling with Buffer
- Create account: Sign up at buffer.com ($15/month)
- Connect GBP: Click "Manage Channels" → "Connect a New Channel" → Google Business Profile
- Authorize: Allow Buffer access to your Google Business Profile
- Create post: Click "Create" → Select your GBP profile
- Write content: Add text (up to 1,500 characters), upload image
- Choose post type: Select What's New, Offer, or Event
- Schedule: Use the calendar to pick your date and time
- Save: Click "Schedule Post"
Worth it if: You want to set it and forget it, manage multiple locations, or need team access.
Method 2: Manual Scheduling (Free but Takes Discipline)
The system:
- Sunday prep: Create 7-14 posts for the week
- Set reminders: Phone alarms for posting times
- Easy access: Keep content in phone notes or photos
- Post manually: When the alarm goes off, copy and paste
Organization tips:
- Use Google Calendar with content attached to reminders
- Keep a simple spreadsheet of planned posts
- Prepare images and text in advance
Best for: Small businesses, solo entrepreneurs, tight budgets
GBP Post Specifications (2026)
Before creating your posts, know these requirements:
Pro tip: Posts don't disappear after 7 days—they move to the "Updates" section of your profile. They just lose prominent placement.
What Kind of Posts Work Best?
The 4 types Google Business Profile allows:
📢 What's New (most common)
- General updates, new services, team news
- Best for: Weekly updates, behind-the-scenes, tips
- Visibility: 7 days prominent, then archived
🎉 Events
- Workshops, sales events, grand openings
- Requires: Start date, end date, event title
- Best for: Anything with a specific date/time
💰 Offers
- Discounts, deals, limited-time promotions
- Requires: Offer title, start/end dates
- Optional: Coupon code, terms & conditions
- Best for: Driving immediate action
🛍️ Products
- Showcase specific items or services
- Requires: Product name, category, price (optional)
- Best for: Highlighting inventory, services with pricing
When and How Often to Post
Best times: 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM, 5-7 PM on weekdays (when people search for local businesses)
How often: 2-3 posts per week minimum, daily is better
Content mix: Mostly updates and products, sprinkle in offers and events
Images: Use good photos! At least 400x300 pixels, show your actual business/products
Quick Content Ideas
Easy post templates:
- "New this week: [service/product]. Call us at [number] to learn more!"
- "Behind the scenes: [what your team is doing]. We love serving [your city]!"
- "Special offer: [deal details]. Valid through [date]. Visit us at [address]!"
- "Happy [holiday]! We're open today [hours] to serve you."
Content calendar:
- Week 1: New stuff
- Week 2: Customer love (testimonials)
- Week 3: Behind-the-scenes
- Week 4: Special offers
What to Track
The metrics that matter:
- How many people saw your posts
- Clicks to your website
- Phone calls after posting
- Direction requests
Where to find them: Google My Business Insights (it's free and built-in!)
Free Tools to Support GMB Strategy
While you're building your Google My Business presence, use these free tools to enhance your overall local marketing:
- Best Time to Post Calculator - Find optimal posting times for your local audience
- Image Caption Generator - Create engaging captions for your GMB post images
- Social Media Color Palette Generator - Maintain consistent branding across GMB posts
- Hashtag Generator - Find relevant local hashtags for your posts
- How to Schedule Instagram Stories - Learn scheduling strategies for visual content
- Social Media Management Cost Guide - Compare DIY vs professional local marketing management
Frequently Asked Questions About Google My Business Scheduling
Can you schedule Google My Business posts directly on Google?
No, Google doesn't offer native scheduling for GMB posts. You must either post manually or use third-party tools like Buffer, Hootsuite, or specialized local marketing platforms to schedule posts in advance.
How often should I post on Google My Business?
Post 2-3 times per week minimum for best results. Daily posting is even better if you have quality content. Consistent posting signals to Google that your business is active, which can improve your local search rankings.
What are the best times to post on Google My Business?
Post when people typically search for local businesses: 8-10 AM, 12-2 PM, and 5-7 PM on weekdays. However, timing matters less than consistency for GMB posts since they stay visible longer than social media posts.
Do Google My Business posts help with local SEO?
Yes, regular GMB posts can improve your local search rankings. Google views active posting as a signal that your business is current and engaged with customers, which can boost your visibility in local search results.
What types of content work best for GMB posts?
Focus on business updates, behind-the-scenes content, special offers, and local community involvement. Product showcases and event announcements also perform well. Keep content authentic and locally relevant.
Can I use the same content across multiple GMB locations?
While possible, it's better to customize content for each location. Include location-specific details, local events, or area-relevant offers to make posts more authentic and engaging for local customers.
How long do Google My Business posts stay visible?
Most GMB posts remain visible for 7 days, though Events and Offers have specific end dates. After this time, posts are archived but still contribute to your overall business profile activity.
What image size works best for Google My Business posts?
Use images that are at least 400x300 pixels, with 1200x900 pixels being optimal. Photos should be high-quality, well-lit, and showcase your actual business, products, or services for best engagement.
Is it worth paying for GMB scheduling tools?
For single locations, manual posting with reminders works fine. For multiple locations or busy schedules, tools like Buffer ($15/month) save significant time and ensure consistency, making them worth the investment.
Can GMB posts include links to my website?
Yes, you can include links in your GMB posts. Use clear call-to-action buttons like "Learn More," "Book Now," or "Call Now" to drive traffic to your website or encourage specific customer actions.
The Bottom Line
Google My Business posting helps your local SEO, but Google doesn't offer scheduling. Your options: pay for a tool like Buffer/Hootsuite, or set up a manual system with reminders.
For most small businesses: Start with manual reminders and simple templates. Post 2-3 times per week about your business updates, behind-the-scenes moments, and special offers.
For multiple locations or busy teams: Invest in a scheduling tool. Buffer at $15/month is the easiest to start with.
Remember: Consistency beats perfection. Regular, authentic posts about your local business will help more customers find you on Google. Keep it simple, keep it local, and keep it real!
Was this article helpful?
Let us know what you think!
