Updating your Google Business Profile (GBP) hours and information is essential for maintaining customer trust, improving local search visibility, and ensuring accurate business representation. The process can be completed directly through Google Search, the Google Maps app, or the Google Business Profile dashboard, with most changes reflecting within minutes. Businesses can update regular operating hours, special holiday hours, temporary closures, and even split hours for breaks—all of which help customers find you when they need you.

Key takeaways from the sources:

• Access points: Updates can be made via Google Search, Google Maps app, or the GBP dashboard after signing in with the linked Google Account ^[1][4].
• Types of updates: Regular hours, special holiday hours, temporary closures, and 24/7 operations can all be adjusted ^[2][5].
• Verification requirements: Some changes (like business name or address) may trigger re-verification, but hour updates typically do not ^[1].
• Impact of accuracy: Correct hours improve customer satisfaction, SEO rankings, and trust, while outdated information can lead to frustration and lost business ^[6][7].

How to Update Google Business Profile Hours and Information

Step-by-Step Process for Updating Hours

Updating your Google Business Profile hours is a straightforward process that can be completed in under five minutes. The steps are consistent whether you’re using a desktop or mobile device, though the interface may vary slightly. Begin by ensuring you’re signed into the Google Account associated with your business profile—this is critical, as edits can only be made by verified owners or managers.

To start, search for your business name on Google or open the Google Maps app. Your business profile should appear in the search results or on the map. Click on it to open the profile, then select "Edit profile" (on desktop) or tap the "Edit" pencil icon (on mobile). From there, navigate to the "Hours" tab, where you’ll see your current operating hours listed by day. Here’s how to proceed:

• Adjust regular hours: Click on the pencil icon next to each day’s hours to edit the open and close times. You can set different hours for each day of the week, including marking days as "Closed" if applicable ^[1][4].
• Example: If your business opens at 9 AM and closes at 5 PM Monday through Friday, input these times for each weekday.
• For businesses with split shifts (e.g., closing for lunch), you can add multiple time slots per day by selecting "Add hours" ^[2][5].
• Set special hours: For holidays, events, or temporary changes, scroll to the "Special hours" section and add the date range along with the adjusted hours. This ensures customers see accurate information during exceptions ^[3][8].
• Example: If closed on Christmas Day, add December 25 with hours marked as "Closed."
• Mark as temporarily closed: If your business is closed for renovations, emergencies, or other short-term reasons, select "Temporarily closed" in the Hours tab. This prevents customers from visiting during the closure ^[8].
• Save changes: After making adjustments, click "Save" or "Apply." Most updates are reviewed automatically and appear within 10 minutes, though some may take up to 3 days for verification ^[4].

For businesses with multiple locations, the process is similar, but you’ll need to select the specific location you’re editing from the GBP dashboard before making changes. Tools like EmbedSocial can streamline this for chains or franchises by allowing bulk updates ^[5].

Best Practices for Accuracy and Optimization

Maintaining accurate and optimized business hours on your Google Business Profile goes beyond simply inputting the correct times—it directly impacts customer experience, search rankings, and trust. Google prioritizes businesses with up-to-date information, especially during peak search times, which can improve your visibility in local results ^[6][7]. Here’s how to ensure your hours are working for you:

• Consistency across platforms: Your Google Business Profile hours should match those listed on your website, social media, and other directories (e.g., Yelp, Facebook). Inconsistencies can confuse customers and harm your SEO ^[2][7].
• Example: If your website states you close at 6 PM but Google lists 5 PM, customers may arrive to find you closed, leading to negative reviews.
• Use special hours proactively: Plan ahead for holidays, events, or seasonal changes by setting special hours in advance. This prevents last-minute updates and ensures customers are informed ^[3][8].
• Example: Retail stores should update hours for Black Friday or New Year’s Eve well in advance.
• Avoid misleading 24/7 listings: Unless your business genuinely operates around the clock (e.g., emergency services, some convenience stores), marking it as "Open 24 hours" can backfire. Customers may arrive late at night expecting service, leading to frustration ^[6].
• Example: A restaurant listing 24/7 hours but closing at midnight risks negative reviews from customers arriving after hours.
• Communicate changes: If you update hours, announce the change via a Google Post, social media, or email newsletter. This reinforces transparency and keeps customers informed ^[7].
• Example: "Starting June 1, our new hours will be 8 AM–6 PM Monday–Friday. Thank you for your support!"
• Regular reviews: Set a quarterly reminder to review your GBP for accuracy, including hours, contact details, and business description. Outdated information is a common cause of lost customers ^[7].

For medical practices, restaurants, and service-based businesses, accurate hours are particularly critical. Patients relying on urgent care or diners planning a meal will likely check Google first—incorrect hours can lead to missed appointments or lost reservations ^[8]. If Google rejects your hour updates (a rare issue), you may need to verify your profile again or contact Google Support with documentation like utility bills or business licenses ^[9].