So I had this great question from a client yesterday. I am at the point where I need to incorporate as LTD and sort a bank acc. If i initially register it using a virtual office address (eg: central London) with companies house, I understand that might have an negative impact on when I come to want to build a Google business profile, but could I set up using a virtual address initially and then later change address to my home but setup on Google as a Service Area Business (SAB) to keep my personal home address hidden, but still be able to build an effective profile? Well the answer is Yes! But you have to be aware of the dangers and the safest way to do it: 1. For Companies House: Use your virtual office address. This keeps your legal records private. 2. For Google Business Profile: Use your REAL home address to verify, but set yourself as a Service Area Business. Google will hide your home address from the public, but you still get to rank in your local area! ⚠️ Rule of Thumb: NEVER put a virtual office address into your Google Profile. It almost always triggers an instant suspension. latest info: https://support.google.com/business/answer/9157481?sjid=6141797203193627313-EU&visit_id=639166729210149703-2768073796&rd=1#

Hi folks, I have been out of action for a while due to various reasons. I am now back, and I have opened up my email earlier this morning to find a one-star review, which I think is not true and a very damaging one. This chap has not used his business address, but only a name, which I think is fictitious. However, I clicked on his name and it brought up other reviews in my area—one-star reviews. I feel that this person or his business, which I don’t know yet, is a notorious one-star reviewer in the area. I have checked my email system to find this supposed customer, and nothing has come up with his name. I’m going to let you into a little secret, guys. My business runs without me, and I am now retired. However, I am an active pensioner, and I have set up a Facebook page called “Peter Out and About,” and it deals with local issues, events, fire scenes, etc., dealing with everything in life, and I’m becoming like an unofficial councillor. It is my plan to track this person down after speaking to the other businesses in the area with regards to the one-star reviews, and I’m going to confront him, because I will not use my business name. I’m going out as, if you like, a reporter to challenge him and just say, I believe you put up a lot of one-star reviews in the area, and the local business community have asked me to come and have a chat with you. I will find out who he is. What are your thoughts so far? Now, the problem I have is I can’t trace his name, and I’ve been doing investigations to find out from other companies if they know who he is. But at the moment, I’m left with a horrible one-star review. I did look at the advice given by Zane and I did make a comment, but I’ve now withdrawn it until I go further. I don’t know if it’s a fake review, and I don’t know if it’s a genuine review, but I very much doubt it’s genuine because he said he had spoken to 20 people who all think the same.

It is incredibly frustrating to feel like you’ve checked every box, only to have Google’s "Profile Strength" meter treat you like you’re still a work in progress. In 2026, Google has made that percentage indicator more of an "Optimization Score" than a simple checklist. If you are stuck at 74%, it usually isn't because of a missing phone number or address—it’s because of the dynamic features Google wants you to use continuously. Here is the likely "missing" 26% and how to fix it: 1. The "Hidden" Sections Even if you think you’re done, double-check these specific areas that often stall the meter: • Attributes: These are small tags like "Identifies as Black-owned," "Wheelchair accessible," or "Free Wi-Fi." Google adds new ones frequently. If you haven't clicked into the "More" section of your Edit Profile menu lately, there are likely 5–10 new attributes waiting for a "Yes" or "No." • Secondary Categories: You have a primary category (e.g., "Plumber"), but you can add up to 9 secondary ones (e.g., "Drainage service," "Emergency service"). Adding 2–3 highly relevant ones often bumps the score. • Services with Descriptions: Many people list their services but leave the description for each service blank. Google’s 2026 AI weighs these descriptions heavily. 2. The "Active" Requirements Google no longer considers a profile "100%" if it is static. To get that last chunk of percentage, you often need to trigger activity signals: • Google Updates (Posts): If you haven't posted an update (like an offer or a "What's New") in the last 30 days, Google may deduct points from your "strength." • Unanswered Q&As: Check the "Questions & Answers" section. If there are questions from customers you haven't answered, or if you haven't posted your own "Frequently Asked Questions," the meter will stay lower. 3. The "Ad" Trap (The Most Common Culprit) Sometimes, Google subtly keeps the meter below 100% to encourage you to claim your "Free Credit" for Google Ads. Note: If the only task remaining in your "Next Steps" is "Claim your $500 advertising credit," then your profile is technically fully optimized for SEO. You can safely ignore the 74%—Google is just trying to upsell you on Ads.

My green circle is staying at 80% even after l have done everything google suggests. It tells me l have nothing else to do. BAFFLED

Recently l have made some videos to help the public drive in to my city centre as it has an LEZ zone. I have put this on Facebook, l have done a few more in the centre as it is a mess at the moment due to upgrading. My first video gained 50k views and many followers. My phone pings at all hours. The point of the post is that l wish that profile could make it easy to videos as for me it is a disaster.