Keep Your Business Visible This Holiday Season: Update Your Google Hours
Before the holiday rush hits, make sure your digital doors are open (or closed) when they should be.
As the holidays approach, most small business owners are laser-focused on sales, events, and keeping up with end-of-year chaos. But there’s one quick (and free) update that often gets missed—and it can cost you customers: your Google Business Profile hours.
When people search “coffee near me,” “tree service open now,” or “marketing agency Huntsville,” Google pulls your business info directly from that profile. If your hours are wrong, you could lose a customer before they ever call.
Why Holiday Hours Matter More Than You Think
Your Google Business Profile is often your first impression.
If you’re closed for Thanksgiving weekend or have shortened hours leading up to Christmas, those changes need to show up online. Nothing frustrates customers more than showing up to a locked door after Google said you were open.
Even worse—Google’s algorithm notices when users mark a business as “closed” or “wrong hours.” Too many of those reports, and your local ranking can quietly drop.
In short: updating your hours keeps your reputation clean, your SEO strong, and your customers happy.
How to Update Your Google Business Profile Hours
Log into Google Business Profile Manager (or just search your business name on Google while logged in).
Click “Edit profile” → “Hours.”
Add special hours for holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, etc.).
Double-check your regular hours for accuracy.
Bonus: add a quick post or update announcing your holiday schedule—it signals Google that your profile is active.
It takes less than 5 minutes and can save you from losing hundreds of potential impressions during the busiest shopping season of the year.
The SEO Bonus
Google rewards active, accurate business listings. Every update you make—hours, posts, photos—tells Google your business is alive and well. That’s the kind of signal that helps you stay higher in local search results, especially during competitive holiday months.
So yes, keeping your hours current is an SEO move, not just customer service.
FAQs
What if I don’t have a Google Business Profile yet?
Set one up now—it’s free and one of the most powerful tools for local SEO. You’ll appear in Maps, search results, and voice searches.
Do I need to post on my profile too?
Yes! Even one quick “We’ll be closed Black Friday weekend” post shows Google (and your audience) you’re active and reliable.
Can I schedule these updates ahead of time?
Absolutely. You can add all your special hours for the entire season right now and not think about it again until January.
