How to Make Your School's Google Business Profile Show Up in a Shared Building

What do you do with your Google Business Profile when your school shares a building with another business? 

I had a great question from a charter school client recently. Their school is co-located with a church, and they’ve been experiencing some issues with their Google Business Profile (GBP).

Specifically, their school’s GBP isn’t showing up, causing confusion when people try to get directions to their campus.

They’re concerned about their visibility, and they don’t want to remove or change the church’s listing — just ensure their school shows up too.

Boxed Content: A school Google Business Profile is like an online business card for your school that shows up when people search for you on Google (below). It helps parents find important details like your location, contact information, and reviews, making it easier for them to choose your school.

This is a common issue for charter schools just starting out, especially when they are co-located with an existing business.

If you find yourself in this situation, where multiple entities share the same address, managing your GBP can indeed be tricky.

However, with the right approach, you can ensure that all businesses or organizations at your location are visible and easily found by those searching for them.

Here are a few tips on how to handle multiple GBPs at one location effectively.

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1. Understand Your Category

Google uses categories to differentiate between businesses at the same address.

For instance, if your school is listed under School and the church under Religious Institution, it helps Google recognize them as separate entities. Make sure that your school’s GBP is accurately categorized. If you’re not sure which category to choose, try to be as specific as possible.

For example, “Private School” might work better than just “School” if it applies to your situation.

2. Use Unique Descriptors

Adding a unique descriptor to your business name can help distinguish your school from the other entity. Google allows businesses to include additional details, like the neighborhood or the building name.

For example, if your school is “Sunrise Academy,” you could list it as “Sunrise Academy at First Baptist Church” if the church allows this type of branding. This not only helps Google but also makes it clearer to those searching for your school.

3. Separate Phone Numbers and URLs

Ensure your school has its own dedicated phone number and website. This information should be consistent across all platforms, including your GBP, website, and any other online listings.

Google uses these details to verify and differentiate businesses, so if your school and the church share a phone number or URL, it could lead to confusion or even suppression of one of the profiles (aka, your school’s Google Business Profile might not show up at all).

4. Address Google’s Criteria for Multiple GBPs

Google considers multiple factors when determining if businesses at the same address are distinct entities. It’s important that each business has:

• A unique entrance
• Permanent signage
• Different categories

Businesses like schools and churches can coexist on a single address without issue if they follow these guidelines, so ensure your school’s profile clearly indicates these distinctions to avoid being suppressed in search results.

5. Add a Suite or Room Number

Even if your school and the church share the same street address, adding a suite or room number can help Google recognize them as separate locations.

For example, listing your address as “123 Main Street, Suite 1” instead of just “123 Main Street” provides a unique identifier for your school’s GBP. This small detail can make a big difference in how your profile is displayed in search results.

6. Verify Each Listing Separately

If you haven’t done so already, make sure each entity has its GBP verified separately. You might need to cooperate with your co-location partner to make sure this happens.

This involves receiving a postcard from Google at your address, answering a phone call, or doing a business video with Google, which you then use to confirm your location. Google will tell you which action you need to take for your school.

Even if it seems redundant, this step is crucial in ensuring that Google recognizes each entity as a distinct business.

7. Fix Duplicate Listings

Check for and resolve any duplicate listings. Duplicate entries can confuse search engines and negatively impact your visibility.

Tools like PinMeTo can help manage and merge these listings to ensure consistency across platforms.

8. Use the Located Within Feature

Google offers a feature where you can indicate that your business is located within another establishment. This is particularly useful for schools in churches, community centers, or other shared spaces. By using this feature, you ensure your GBP accurately reflects your location, making it easier for visitors to find you without overriding the other business’s profile.

The easiest way to get started with this is to Google your school and, on the GBP, follow these steps:

• Select [Suggest an Edit]
• Select [Location]
• Fill out the [Located Within] field

9. Regularly Monitor Your Listing

Once your GBP is set up, keep an eye on it. Google may automatically update listings based on user suggestions or data from other websites.

Regularly check that your school’s information is accurate, and make any necessary adjustments promptly. This helps maintain the integrity of your listing and ensures that your school remains visible.

By following these steps and adhering to Google’s guidelines, you can optimize your school’s Google Business Profile to ensure your school is visible alongside other entities at the same location.

If you’re a new or small charter school sharing a location with a non-school entity, this is key to helping new families find you so that they can learn more and enroll!

Are you a new school looking for help with your school marketing efforts?

Setting up your school’s Google Business Profile is one of the best things you can do to get your school on the map.

The next best thing you can do is sign up for SchoolMint Enrollment Academy, where we house a variety of templates, training videos, social media resources, webinars, and so much more to save you time with your new school marketing efforts.