For example, a cleaning company can describe its recurring home-cleaning service in its business description. A limited autumn discount belongs in a separate Offer post, subject to Google's policies. That separation gives customers a clear picture of the business without leaving an expired deal in its permanent introduction.
What the October clarification means
October 6 reporting drew attention to the distinction between merchant listing content and posts. Google's current Maps policy restricts promotional listing content containing limited-time deals, pricing, or direct calls to action. It separately permits promotional offers and updates in posts, within the wider content rules. Read the current Maps policy.
The practical move is to review where your message appears. A description that says "Book today for 20% off this week" mixes permanent business information with a short-lived sales pitch. Move the promotion into an appropriate post and let the description explain the service itself.
The listed sources do not announce a new enforcement deadline. They also do not establish a ranking boost for making this change. Treat the clarification as a reason to tidy your profile, rather than a promise that posting an offer will move you higher in search.
Choose the right place for your message
Think of your listing as the business introduction and your posts as timely customer messages. This is a useful editing habit: someone reading either should understand what you offer without having to untangle old promotions.
Check category restrictions before posting. Hotels and regulated categories need special care.
Use an Offer post for a specific deal
Google's post guide says Offer posts require a title and a date-and-time range, and include a View Offer button. They can also contain a coupon code, link, and terms. Check Google's post types and requirements.
For a cleaning company's introductory discount, explain which service qualifies, who can use it, and when it ends. If it applies only to first-time customers in a particular service area, make those conditions easy to find. Clear conditions are a practical way to avoid customers expecting a discount you cannot honor.
Use an Update for business news
An Update can explain a new service or another relevant announcement. Its action button can lead to a page where customers complete the next step, such as learning more or making a booking.
For instance, a repair shop announcing Saturday appointments could send customers to its own booking page. Open that page on your phone first: the hours, service, and available appointments should match the message. This recommendation helps keep the customer journey consistent; it is not a guarantee of Google approval.
Check contact details and special restrictions
The Google Business Profile post guidelines need a careful reading when it comes to contact information. The dedicated posts policy says Google may remove unverified phone numbers, email addresses, and social handles. It recommends a Call now button using the verified profile phone number. Review the posts content policy.
The general Maps policy also addresses contact details and destinations unrelated to the business. These pages use different wording, so avoid treating them as a blanket ban on legitimate business links. Use a relevant destination and the built-in contact option when it fits, then check that the profile's number reaches your business.
A plumbing company, for example, should check whether its call button reaches the current office rather than an old employee's mobile. Accurate contact details matter to the customer even when no post has been rejected.
Offers are not suitable for every category
Hotels face an explicit exception: Google's dedicated posts policy bars hotel Offer posts and posts mentioning or linking to deals or discounts. The broader rules also limit promotion of regulated goods and services. If your business operates in a restricted category, check the applicable rules before reusing a promotional template.
That is why a discount format suitable for an ordinary cleaning service should not be copied blindly into a hotel or financial-services profile. When the rules are unclear for your category, have the content reviewed before posting.
What to do when a post is rejected
Start with the status Google shows. Its guide distinguishes Live, Pending, and Not approved: a pending post may still be processing or relate to an unverified profile. A not-approved post includes a question-mark indicator identifying the relevant policy. Check that information before guessing at a cause.
Then review the message as a customer would. These four checks give you a manageable starting point:
- Read the stated policy reason and check the text, photo, or video against it.
- Review typed contact details and use the verified Call now option where appropriate.
- Open every destination and confirm it is trustworthy and relevant to your business.
- Check the post type, offer dates, conditions, and any category restrictions before correcting it.
For example, if a shop's offer links to an unrelated promotional site, correct the destination rather than simply changing the headline. If the status is Pending, first investigate processing and verification. A rejection alone does not tell you that your entire profile has been suspended.
If the reason remains unclear, use the help or contact options linked from Google's posts policy. Keep a copy of the message and status so whoever helps can review the actual issue. Corrections can address a problem, but they do not guarantee acceptance.
A manageable routine for your business
Give one person responsibility for checking the description, drafting posts, reviewing links, and checking the result after submission. Keep a small record of each offer's dates and conditions. For a busy owner, that is more useful than producing a stream of posts nobody checks.
At the end of a promotion, review any reusable copy before using it again. A seasonal cleaning offer can become misleading next month if its dates or eligibility rules are copied unchanged. Treat each post as a current customer message, even when you start from a template.
If you want help maintaining accurate business information alongside your wider local visibility work, explore MDM's local SEO services. For an ongoing plan of useful announcements and offers, content marketing support can help connect the message to the page customers visit next.
Get your profile and customer journey working together
A profile review is a good starting point when offers keep getting rejected, contact details are inconsistent, or nobody owns the posting routine. The review should look at the message, the profile information, and the destination together.
Motivated Digital Marketing can help you connect that work with a broader SEO strategy. Tell us what is happening with your profile so we can discuss the support that fits your business.
Sources and review date
Policy checked October 12, 2026. Google can revise its guidance; check the linked pages when preparing a new promotion.