Feb 22, 2017 • 7:59 am |  by Barry Schwartz   | Filed Under Google Maps

Google has updated their Google My Business guidelines specifically to clarify how a business should list their address for service-area businesses and virtual offices. The new section is in the expandable “address” section and titled “Service-area businesses.” The new guidelines clarifies who can use that feature:Service-area businesses – businesses that serve customers at their locations – should have one page for the central office or location and designate a service area from that point. Service-area businesses can’t list a “virtual” office unless that office is staffed during business hours.Some businesses, like pizzerias that have both have restaurant seating and deliver pizza to customers, are hybrid service-area businesses. These businesses can show their storefront address and designate a service area in Google My Business. If you serve customers at your address and want to set a service area, your business location should be staffed by your team and able to receive customers during its stated hours. ​ Google will determine how best to display your business address based on your business information as well as information from other sources. Learn more about service-area businesses. Marissa from the Google My Business team said in a Google My Business Help thread “we were able to get those clarifications added in the help center article with our guidelines.” Forum discussion at Google My Business Help.