Google My Business Guidelines Updated For Service-Area & Virtual Offices

Feb 22, 2017 - 7:59 am 3 by
Filed Under Google Maps

Google Business Shopping

Google has updated their Google My Business guidelines specifically to clarify how a business should list their address for service-area businesses and virtual offices. The new section is in the expandable "address" section and titled "Service-area businesses."

The new guidelines clarifies who can use that feature:

Service-area businesses - businesses that serve customers at their locations - should have one page for the central office or location and designate a service area from that point. Service-area businesses can't list a "virtual" office unless that office is staffed during business hours.

Some businesses, like pizzerias that have both have restaurant seating and deliver pizza to customers, are hybrid service-area businesses. These businesses can show their storefront address and designate a service area in Google My Business. If you serve customers at your address and want to set a service area, your business location should be staffed by your team and able to receive customers during its stated hours.

Google will determine how best to display your business address based on your business information as well as information from other sources. Learn more about service-area businesses.

Marissa from the Google My Business team said in a Google My Business Help thread "we were able to get those clarifications added in the help center article with our guidelines."

Forum discussion at Google My Business Help.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google

Google Search Live Now Powered By Gemini 3.8 Live

Sep 15, 2026 - 1:58 pm
Google Ads

Google Chrome User Experience Report (CrUX) With Ad Metrics

Sep 15, 2026 - 12:49 pm
Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: September 15, 2026

Sep 15, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Heats Up This Morning - September 15th

Sep 15, 2026 - 7:52 am
Google Maps

Google Business Profile API Application Delays

Sep 15, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google AI Mode Tests Text Link Ads

Sep 15, 2026 - 7:41 am
Previous Story: Google To Discontinue Google Site Search