What Should I Avoid When Naming My Business on Google?

The short answer is that your business name on Google should simply be your actual company name without any additional marketing phrases, codes, or extra information. Avoid including taglines, store codes, trademarks, business hours, phone numbers, URLs, special characters, product or service information, or location details in the business name.

Full Explanation

When setting up your business on Google, the name you use is crucial to ensure clarity and compliance with Google’s guidelines. The name should represent only your official company name. Including extra details such as marketing slogans, codes identifying specific locations, trademark symbols, or any operational information like business hours or phone numbers can lead to confusion and may violate Google’s naming policies.

Additionally, avoid inserting your website URLs or special characters that are not part of your official name, as these can appear unprofessional or cause indexing issues. It is also important not to add product or service specifics or location references within the business name itself. Keeping the name straightforward helps maintain consistency and makes it easier for customers to find and recognize your business.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. Use only your official company name: This is the only content that should appear in your Google business name.
2. Avoid marketing taglines: Do not append slogans or promotional phrases to the name.
3. Exclude store codes and trademarks: These elements should not be part of the public-facing name.
4. Do not add operational information: Business hours, phone numbers, or URLs are not appropriate in the name field.
5. Remove special characters: Stick to standard characters found in your company name.
6. Omit product, service, or location details: These should be communicated elsewhere, not within the business name.

Real Examples

Correct: “Sunshine Bakery”

Incorrect: “Sunshine Bakery – Best Cakes in New York! Open 9AM-9PM – (123) 456-7890 www.sunshinebakery.com”

The correct example uses only the official business name, while the incorrect one adds marketing, hours, phone number, website, and location information – all of which should be avoided in the Google business name.

Common Mistakes

• Adding marketing or promotional taglines that confuse customers about the actual business name.
• Using all capital letters or symbols to make the name stand out unnaturally.
• Inserting phone numbers, URLs, or business hours into the name field.
• Including location or service descriptions in the business name instead of designated fields.
• Using trademarks or codes that are not widely recognized as part of your official business name.

FAQs

Q: Can I add my location to my Google business name?
A: No, location information should be kept separate from your business name.

Q: What if my business name includes a trademark?
A: Only use it if it is legally part of your official company name. Do not add extra trademark symbols unnecessarily.

Q: Why can’t I put my phone number or URL in the business name?
A: These details belong in contact information fields, not in the business name itself.

Key Takeaways

• Your Google business name should be the official company name only.
• Do not include taglines, special marketing language, or extra identifying codes.
• Exclude operational details like hours, phone numbers, website addresses, or location information.
• Keeping the name clean ensures compliance and helps customers find your business more easily.