Google’s new guidelines for virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses

Google's new guidelines for virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses

Google has recently released new guidelines for virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses to improve their Business Profiles on Google. The guidelines are designed to help businesses that don’t have a physical location, but they repackage and deliver food from local restaurants. These guidelines are meant to provide more specific instructions on how to create a Business Profile that is not only compliant but also optimized to rank high in Google search results. Here’s a look at what these new guidelines have to say:

 

What is a virtual food brand or delivery-only business?

What is a virtual food brand or delivery-only business?

Virtual food brands are businesses that operate without a physical location. They offer their food through online ordering and delivery platforms. These businesses typically operate out of a shared kitchen or a ghost kitchen, and they repackage and deliver food from local restaurants. Delivery-only businesses are similar, but they may have a physical location, such as a kitchen or a warehouse, where they prepare and package the food for delivery.

The importance of Google Business Profile

Having a Business Profile on Google is crucial for businesses to gain visibility and attract customers. This is especially true for virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses, as they rely heavily on online ordering and delivery platforms. A Business Profile on Google helps these businesses to appear in Google search results and Google Maps. It also provides customers with important information such as business hours, address, phone number, and reviews.

Understanding the new guidelines

Google’s new guidelines for virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses are designed to help these businesses create Business Profiles that are compliant and optimized for search. The guidelines are included in Google’s Guidelines for representing your business on Google, under the section Guidelines for chains, departments & individual practitioners.

The guidelines focus on several key areas:

  1. Business name: The name of the business must accurately reflect the business and should not include marketing taglines, store codes, or location information.
  2. Categories: The business should choose the appropriate category that best describes the business, such as food delivery service, virtual restaurant, or catering service.
  3. Service area: The business should accurately define the service area to which it delivers. This information should be based on the actual delivery area and should not include nearby cities or towns that are not served.
  4. Delivery information: The Business Profile should include accurate information on delivery options, fees, and minimum order amounts.
  5. Menu information: The business should include complete and accurate menu information, including prices, descriptions, and images.

Final Takeaway

Virtual food brands and delivery-only businesses can benefit greatly from having a Business Profile on Google. Google’s new guidelines provide specific instructions on how to create a compliant and optimized Business Profile. By following these guidelines, businesses can improve their visibility and attract more customers.

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