How to Add Business Hours in Google Business Profile?

A Google Business Profile (GBP), formerly known as Google My Business (GMB), is one of the most valuable free tools for any local business. It helps you showcase your brand, connect with potential customers, and appear in Google Search and Google Maps results. One crucial element of your GBP is your business hours — the exact times your customers can visit, call, or expect service.

Adding accurate business hours ensures your customers know when you are open, helps avoid missed opportunities, and improves customer satisfaction. It also signals to Google that your business is active and trustworthy, which can positively impact your local SEO rankings.

In this guide, you will learn how to add business hours to your Google Business Profile step by step, along with best practices, common mistakes to avoid, and tips for special and holiday hours. By the end, you’ll be able to keep your business hours accurate and visible to every potential customer.

Why is adding hours important for your business listing?

Adding hours to your business listing is crucial because it tells customers exactly when they can visit, call, or expect service, which builds trust and prevents confusion. Accurate hours make it easier for people to plan their visits and reduce the chances of missed opportunities due to uncertainty. 

From a marketing perspective, complete and up-to-date hours also help improve your local SEO, as Google prioritizes well-maintained profiles in search and map results. This increased visibility can lead to more foot traffic, calls, and inquiries. 

Additionally, clearly stated hours reduce the likelihood of negative reviews from customers who arrive during closed times. In short, adding hours to your business listing ensures transparency, enhances credibility, and helps attract more potential customers.

What is the add more hours feature on Google My Business?  

The “Add More Hours” feature on Google My Business (now Google Business Profile) allows businesses to set specific operating times for certain services that may differ from their regular business hours. This is especially useful for businesses that offer multiple service types, each with unique schedules. For example, a restaurant may have standard dine-in hours but offer delivery or drive-through services later into the night. Similarly, a retail store might have separate pickup times outside of normal opening hours.

With this feature, you can list hours for:

• Delivery services
• Pickup or takeaway
• Drive-through
• Senior shopping hours
• Online service availability

By adding these extra hours, you provide customers with precise information about when each service is available, reducing confusion and improving customer satisfaction. It also helps your business appear in relevant searches when people are looking for specific services at specific times.

Why updating your business hours on Google matters?

Updating your business hours on Google is essential for maintaining customer trust, improving visibility, and avoiding missed opportunities. When people search for your business on Google Search or Google Maps, your hours are often one of the first details they notice. 

Accurate hours ensure customers know exactly when you are open, preventing frustration from arriving to find the doors closed. Regular updates also signal to Google that your profile is active and reliable, which can help boost your local SEO ranking. This increased visibility can drive more traffic to your business, both online and in person. 

Additionally, updating special and holiday hours shows customers you care about their convenience, making them more likely to choose your business over competitors with outdated or incomplete profiles. In short, keeping your business hours current is a simple but powerful way to enhance your online presence and improve customer satisfaction.

How to edit business hours on Google?

1. Sign in to Your Google Business Profile

• Go to Google Business Profile Manager and log in using the account connected to your business.

2. Select Your Business Location

• If you manage multiple locations, choose the one you want to edit.

3. Click on “Edit Profile”

• From your dashboard, find and click the Edit Profile button.

4. Go to the “Hours” Section

• Select Business Information → Hours and adjust your opening and closing times for each day.

5. Save Your Changes

• Click Save to update your profile. Your new hours will appear on Google Search and Maps within minutes.

Adding Special and Holiday Hours in Google Business Profile

Special and holiday hours in Google Business Profile allow you to set different operating times for specific dates, such as public holidays, seasonal events, or one-off occasions. This ensures customers always see accurate information, even when your schedule changes temporarily. For example, if your store opens later on New Year’s Day or closes early on Christmas Eve, setting special hours will prevent confusion and avoid disappointing visitors.

To add special or holiday hours:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile.
2. Select your business and click Edit Profile.
3. Go to the Hours section and choose Add special hours.
4. Select the specific date, adjust the opening and closing times, or mark the day as Closed.
5. Save your changes to update your profile instantly.

Keeping these hours updated shows professionalism, improves trust, and can boost customer satisfaction, especially during busy holiday seasons.

Optimizing Business Hours on Google for Local SEO

Optimizing your business hours on Google is an often-overlooked strategy that can significantly boost your local SEO performance. Google rewards complete and regularly updated profiles, and accurate hours are a key part of that completeness. 

When your hours are correct, Google can confidently display your business in “Open Now” search results, increasing your visibility to customers who are ready to buy. Additionally, using features like “More Hours” for services such as delivery, pickup, or drive-through can help you appear in more specific searches, targeting customers with immediate needs.

 Regularly reviewing and updating your hours — especially before holidays or seasonal changes — signals to Google that your listing is active and trustworthy. This not only improves your rankings in local search results but also enhances user experience, leading to higher click-through rates, more foot traffic, and better conversion rates.

Reasons to List Google Business Hours as 24/7

1. Capture Customers Searching at Any Time
Listing your business as 24/7 ensures you appear in “Open Now” search results regardless of the time. This can attract late-night or early-morning customers who might otherwise choose a competitor.

2. Show Continuous Availability for Services
If your business offers support, delivery, or emergency assistance at all hours, displaying 24/7 hours communicates that customers can rely on you anytime they need help.

Conclusion

Keeping your business hours accurate and optimized on Google Business Profile is more than just a small update — it’s a critical step in building trust, improving customer experience, and boosting your local search visibility. Whether you’re setting standard operating times, adding special holiday hours, or taking advantage of the “More Hours” feature, providing precise information ensures customers always know when they can reach you. Regular updates not only prevent missed opportunities but also signal to Google that your profile is active and reliable, which can positively influence your rankings. For businesses offering around-the-clock services, listing as 24/7 can capture more searches and give you a competitive edge. In short, accurate business hours are a simple yet powerful way to enhance your online presence, attract more customers, and drive growth.

FAQS

1. Can I set different hours for different locations of my business?
Yes, if you manage multiple locations in Google Business Profile, you can set unique operating hours for each one. This ensures customers see accurate timings for the specific branch they plan to visit.

2. How can I temporarily close my business without deleting my listing?
Google Business Profile allows you to mark your business as “Temporarily Closed” while keeping all your details and reviews intact. You can reopen the listing anytime by updating the status.

3. Will customers be notified when I change my business hours?
While Google does not send direct notifications to customers, updated hours appear immediately on Search and Maps, ensuring anyone looking you up sees the latest schedule.

4. Can I schedule future changes to my business hours?
Yes, you can set special hours in advance for holidays or planned schedule changes. Google will automatically update your listing on the specified date without further action from you.