SEO News: Google Tightens Business Link Policies for Google Business Profiles

SEO News: Google Tightens Business Link Policies for Google Business Profiles

Google has significantly expanded its Business Links Policies & Guidelines for Google Business Profiles, adding critical new rules that Dallas businesses should be aware of. The document has doubled in size, with brand-new sections on dedicated landing pages, direct action completion, social media restrictions, and link crawlability.

Key Updates

1. Dedicated Landing Pages

Business Profile links must now lead to a specific landing page for the business. For multi-location brands, each location must link to its dedicated page, not a general homepage or another location’s page.

For Dallas businesses with multiple branches (for example, restaurants or retail chains), this means each store needs its own unique landing page to remain compliant.

2. Direct Action Completion

Action links (like “order” or “reserve”) must allow users to complete the intended action directly. Google clarified that links cannot point to:

• Social media sites

• Messaging links

• App store listings

• Link shorteners

This ensures customers can actually finish the action (such as placing an order) without being redirected.

3. Restrictions on Social Media Links

Google explicitly stated that social media profiles cannot be used as substitutes for a business website.

Dallas-area businesses should take note: if your Google Business Profile is pointing to Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, it’s time to switch to a proper website.

4. Business Links Crawlability Policy

Perhaps the most technical update is around link verification and crawlability:

• Google will send automated crawlers daily (at most) to verify that links are valid and accessible.

• Links must return a valid 200 OK response (no 404, 403, 500 errors).

• Links must not block Google’s crawlers via CAPTCHAs, IP restrictions, rate limiting, or cloaking.

• Pages must fully load all content, including CSS, JS, and images.

• Geo-blocking is not allowed.

If Google cannot crawl and verify your link, it may be removed from your Business Profile.

Why It Matters for Dallas Businesses

For local Dallas companies, this means:

• No more relying on Facebook pages or Instagram profiles to serve as your main website link.

• Multi-location businesses (restaurants, healthcare practices, retail stores) must ensure every Dallas location has its own dedicated landing page.

• Your web hosting setup must allow Google crawlers full access otherwise, your profile could lose its primary link.

These changes highlight Google’s push for accuracy, trust, and user experience in local search. Dallas businesses that adapt early will maintain stronger visibility on Google Maps and in local results.