Link your Instagram and your Google listing both ways, so customers find you from either side

Many shop owners post on Instagram every day, but their Google listing does not link to it. And their Instagram does not say where the shop is. A customer who finds you on one cannot reach you on the other. Link them both ways. It takes about ten minutes.

Ritu runs a saree shop. Her Instagram has 2,000 followers and new photos every week. Her Google listing has three old photos and no link to Instagram.

A customer searches "saree shop near me", finds Ritu's Google listing, sees three old photos, and moves on. She never sees the 300 photos on Instagram.

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1. Open your Google listing (search your shop name on Google, or open the Google Business Profile app).
2. Tap Edit profile, then Contact, then Social profiles.
3. Add your Instagram link, and your Facebook page if you have one.
4. Save. Google may take a few days to show it.

1. In your Instagram profile, switch to a business or creator account if you have not.
2. Tap Edit profile, then Contact options, and add your shop address and phone. Instagram then shows a "Directions" button.
3. Put one line in your bio: your area and your opening hours.
4. Add your Google Maps link in the links section, so people can see your reviews too.

Use the same shop name, phone number and address on both. When something changes, change it in both places on the same day. When one says one thing and the other says another, customers are not sure which is right.

Every week, add one or two of your best Instagram photos to your Google listing. Google customers see a shop that is open and active.

Ritu now adds two Instagram photos to Google every Monday. Her Google listing finally looks like her shop.

Not sure what customers see? Viabe Pulse checks your Google listing, your website, your listings and your Instagram and Facebook pages where it can find them, next to the shops near you, and tells you what to fix first. Scan your business. Full scan ₹499 + GST.

Sources: Google Business Profile Help.