If you’ve logged into your Google Business Profile dashboard, you’ve probably noticed two similar-looking tabs: Products and Services. They sound interchangeable, but Google treats them very differently, and using the wrong one (or skipping both) means you’re leaving free real estate on your Google listing empty.
Table of Contents
This guide walks through exactly how to set up each tab, which one fits your business, and the small details — categories, pricing, photos — that make the difference between a listing that converts browsers into customers and one that just sits there.
Quick Answer
In your Google Business Profile, go to Business Profile > Edit Profile, then choose Products to list individual items you sell (with name, price, category, and photo) or Services to list what you do (a text-based menu of offerings, often with pricing). Retailers typically use Products, service businesses like plumbers, salons, or agencies use Services, and some businesses reasonably use both.
Products vs. Services: Which One Do You Need?
The Products tab works like a mini digital storefront. Each entry gets its own name, category, optional price or price range, description, and photo, and it’s meant for tangible items you sell — think baked goods, retail merchandise, or specific inventory pieces. These products can surface in your Business Profile’s Knowledge Panel on desktop, in a dedicated Products tab on mobile search results, and on Google Maps.
The Services tab is simpler and text-based. It’s designed to list what you do rather than what you sell — haircuts, HVAC repair, bookkeeping, web design, legal consultations, and similar offerings. Each service can include a short description and a price or starting price, but there’s no dedicated photo per service the way there is with products.
Availability of the Services tab depends on your business’s primary category — it’s built for service-area and service-based businesses, so not every profile will see it. If your business sells physical goods, stick to the Products tab. If you perform work or offer expertise, use Services. Some hybrid businesses (a bakery that also does custom cake consultations, for example) can reasonably use both.
How to Set Up the Products Tab
Sign into the Google account that manages your Business Profile and go to business.google.com. If you manage more than one location, select the correct one first.
From your profile, choose Edit Profile, then find the Products section and select Add product (Google’s interface sometimes labels this ‘Edit products’). Fill in the product name using its real, recognizable name — avoid keyword-stuffing or promotional language, since Google reviews these against its shopping ads content policies and can remove your entire product catalog for violations.
Assign the product to a category, either from Google’s suggested list or a custom one you create, so it’s grouped logically with similar items. Add a price or a price range if the cost varies, write a short, factual description, and upload a clear photo — listings with a real product photo perform noticeably better than blank placeholders.
Click Publish to submit. Changes can take a little time to appear on Search and Maps. If your profile is linked to a Google Merchant Center account, product editing happens through Merchant Center instead of the Business Profile dashboard directly, and you’ll be redirected there.
To edit or remove a product later, return to Edit Products, select the item, make your changes and republish, or use the menu icon next to it to delete it.
How to Set Up the Services Tab
From your Business Profile dashboard, select Edit Services. Google will typically suggest a list of common services based on your business category — check the ones that apply to you.
If a service you offer isn’t on the suggested list, select Add custom service and type it in. Keep custom service names plain and descriptive; Google automatically rejects entries containing profanity, gibberish, personal information, prices, or phone numbers in the name field itself.
Click into an individual service to add more detail — a short description of what’s included and a price or starting price if you want to display one. This helps set expectations before a customer ever calls.
If you offer more than one type of service, you can group them under additional business categories for organization (for example, a spa offering both massage and skincare services). Select Add a new business category and start typing — Google will show a list of matching categories to choose from. You have to pick one of Google’s existing categories; you can’t type in a category name of your own. Once selected, add the relevant services underneath it.
Select Save after each round of changes. As with products, updates aren’t always instant on the live listing, so give it a little time before checking how it looks on Search or Maps.
Tips / Common Mistakes
Don’t leave prices vague if you can help it — even a starting price or ‘from’ range builds trust and filters out mismatched inquiries before they reach your phone.
Use real photos for products, not stock images or logos. A blurry or generic photo undercuts the credibility the feature is meant to build.
Keep names and descriptions accurate and free of promotional fluff (‘best,’ ‘cheapest,’ excessive emojis) — Google’s policies are stricter here than they look, and violations can wipe your whole product list rather than just the one listing.
Revisit both tabs periodically. Seasonal products, discontinued services, and outdated pricing are easy to forget, and an out-of-date listing can create friction with customers who show up expecting something that’s changed.
If you don’t see a Services tab option at all, it’s likely tied to your primary business category rather than a setup mistake — double-check that your profile’s category accurately reflects what you do.
Explore more: More Digital Strategy guides for small businesses.
Google Business Profile Products and Services tabs FAQs
Can I use both the Products and Services tabs on the same profile?
Yes. If your business genuinely sells physical items and also offers a service (like a retailer that does in-store repairs or custom orders), you can populate both tabs as long as each entry is accurate and relevant.
Why don’t I see a Services tab on my Google Business Profile?
The Services tab is only available for certain business categories, generally service-based and service-area businesses. If your profile’s primary category doesn’t qualify, you won’t see the option — check that your category selection matches what your business actually does.
Can I create my own custom category name for grouping services?
No. When you add a business category to organize your services, you have to select from Google’s existing list of categories — you can’t type in a brand-new category name of your own.
Do I have to list prices for my products or services?
No, pricing is optional, but adding at least a starting price or range tends to build more trust with potential customers and can reduce unqualified inquiries.
How long does it take for new products or services to show up on Google Search and Maps?
It varies, but updates are not instant. Give it some time after publishing before you check your live listing, and recheck if changes still haven’t appeared after a day or two.
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Photo by Ali Mkumbwa on Unsplash.