GBP Service Area Business: Removing Address and Location Page Optimization Impact?

[Gustavo]

Hello Local search forum members. I have a client who is thinking of updating their business from having a physical address to service area business in GBP, since they are mainly a mobile service. This means hiding the address in GBP and set them up as SAB. What happens if the address is also removed from the specific location page to match what it is in GBP? Would proper optimization for the location page be, to have a paragraph of text about the areas the business is servicing? How does the concept of NAP works here? Thanks in advance.

 

[Gustavo]

On a following note: In terms of SAB, Does Google have restrictions on how many business could operate per state?

 

[Chris Ratchford]

Hello Local search forum members. I have a client who is thinking of updating their business from having a physical address to service area business in GBP, since they are mainly a mobile service. This means hiding the address in GBP and set them up as SAB. What happens if the address is also removed from the specific location page to match what it is in GBP? Would proper optimization for the location page be, to have a paragraph of text about the areas the business is servicing? How does the concept of NAP works here? Thanks in advance.

Hi Gustavo,

Does the client's competitors list their addresses?

Overall, I would say the pros of showing your address generally outweigh the cons but I would not suggest changing a listing once it’s been set up. It might cause the listing to require verification again and possibly trigger a suspension.

On a following note: In terms of SAB, Does Google have restrictions on how many business could operate per state?

Hmm, I haven't heard/read anything about Google restricting the number of locations per state; but hopefully someone else might have some insight.

Hope this helps!

 

[keyserholiday]

Short answer, don’t hide the address. Long answer. Switching from showing the address to a SAB won’t increase your rankings or performance. There a several studies where hiding the address has tanked the rankings.

I know that @JoyHawkins knows the answer to how many listings you can have in one state. I know that as long as your have employees staffed at the location you can have a GBP. If you are using private residences then it has to be the owner and not regular employees.

 

[Gustavo]

Thank you both, @Chris Ratchford and @keyserholiday for your help, much appreciate it.