If your store offers pickup or click & collect, you might be wondering:
Do we need a separate Google Business Profile (GBP) for the pickup location?
This guide will help you make the right decision and avoid common mistakes that can lead to listing removals or account issues.
The Short Answer
In most cases: No.
Pickup locations are usually considered a service of your main store — not a separate business — and should not have their own Google Business Profile.
Why This Matters
Google requires every Business Profile to represent a real, distinct, customer-facing business location.
If you create listings for areas that are not separate businesses (like pickup counters or kiosks), you risk:
Listing removal
Duplicate merging
Split or lost reviews
Account suspension
It’s always better to structure your profiles correctly from the start.
How to Decide: 4 Questions to Ask
For a pickup location to qualify for its own Google Business Profile, it must meet all four of the following criteria.
If even one answer is “No,” it should not have a separate listing.
1️⃣ Is it a completely separate physical location?
The pickup point must be:
A standalone building or premises
Not inside your main store
Not attached to the main store
Not just a counter, desk, locker, or kiosk
If it shares the same building or compound as your store, it usually does not qualify.
2️⃣ Does it have separate branding and signage?
The location must operate under its own brand identity.
For example:
❌ “[Store Name] Pickup” counter inside your supermarket
❌ A sign in the parking lot that says “Pickup Area”
✅ A separately branded facility with its own name and permanent signage
If it’s clearly just an extension of the main store, it should stay under the main profile.
3️⃣ Can customers access it independently?
Customers must be able to:
Visit it directly
Access it without entering the main store
See its own opening hours
If it only operates during the store’s regular hours or requires entering the store first, it likely does not qualify.
4️⃣ Does it function as a standalone business?
A separate listing is only appropriate if the location:
Has dedicated staff
Operates independently
Has its own customer journey and processes
If it’s simply a handoff point for online orders placed through your main store, it should not have its own profile.
Common Scenarios (And What To Do)
Here’s how most grocery pickup setups should be handled:
Scenario | Separate Google Business Profile? |
Pickup counter inside the store | ❌ No |
Locker or kiosk in the parking lot | ❌ No |
Dedicated pickup zone within the store | ❌ No |
Separate pickup building on the same property | ❌ No (same compound) |
Standalone warehouse at a different address, independently operated | ⚠️ Possibly (only if all 4 criteria are met) |
A second full grocery store location that also offers pickup | ✅ Yes (it’s its own store) |
What You Should Do Instead
You don’t need a second profile to highlight pickup services. Instead, optimize your main store’s Google Business Profile.
Here’s how:
✅ Add Pickup Attributes
In your Google Business Profile, enable:
In-store pickup
Curbside pickup
Click & collect
This clearly communicates availability to customers.
✅ Use “More Hours”
If pickup hours differ from store hours:
Add separate pickup hours under “More hours”
Keep everything clearly listed in one profile
✅ Update Your Business Description
Explain:
Where customers should park
How the check-in process works
Any instructions they should follow
This reduces confusion and improves customer experience.
✅ Use Google Posts
You can promote:
Pickup promotions
Holiday pickup changes
Temporary service updates
All from your main store profile.
When in Doubt
If you’re unsure whether a location qualifies, don’t guess. Incorrect listings can cause long-term issues with visibility and account health.
Our team can review your specific setup and guide you on the best structure for your business.
If you need help, you can contact Mobal support anytime via the chat or by emailing [email protected] — we’re happy to help.