Google Business Profile for Hotels in Tanzania
— A Step by Step Guide
When a traveler opens Google and searches "hotels in Zanzibar" or "lodges near Serengeti," the first thing they see is a map panel with three properties highlighted. Those three properties get the most clicks. Getting into that panel — and keeping your listing complete enough to compete — is what Google Business Profile does. This guide walks you through every step.
Why Google Business Profile matters more than most Tanzania hotels realise
Your Google Business Profile is often the first thing a potential guest sees — before your website, before Booking.com, before any review platform. It shows your property on Google Maps, displays your photos, shows your rating and reviews, and gives guests a direct path to call you, visit your website, or send a WhatsApp message.
A complete, well-maintained profile significantly increases the chance of appearing in local search results. An incomplete or unclaimed profile — which is the case for the majority of Tanzania hotels — leaves you invisible at the exact moment a guest is ready to make a decision.
Step by step: setting up your Google Business Profile
Claim or create your profile
Go to business.google.com and sign in with a Google account. Search for your property name — it may already exist as an unclaimed listing created by Google from public data. If it does, click "Claim this business." If it does not exist, click "Add your business to Google." Choose the correct business category — for a hotel, use "Hotel" or "Lodge." For safari camps, use "Resort" or "Bed and breakfast."
Complete every field — no shortcuts
Google rewards complete profiles with better visibility. Fill in: your exact address (or service area if you do not have a street address), your phone number, your website URL, your WhatsApp number, your opening hours, your price range, and your amenities. Do not leave any field blank. Each completed field is a signal that your business is active and legitimate.
Write a compelling business description
The business description (750 characters) is your chance to tell Google and potential guests what makes your property unique. Include your location, property type, standout features, and the types of guests you serve. Naturally include keywords like "hotel in Zanzibar," "lodge near Serengeti," or "city hotel Dar es Salaam" — whatever matches how travelers search for properties like yours.
Upload at least 20 high-quality photos
Properties with more photos get significantly more clicks than those with few or none. Upload photos of: the exterior, reception, all room types, the restaurant or dining area, the pool or outdoor spaces, and any unique features. Use landscape orientation, good natural light, and real photos — not renders. Add new photos regularly; Google favors active listings.
Add your rooms and services
Google Business Profile for hotels allows you to list your room types with descriptions and photos. Fill this in — it appears directly in Google Search when guests look at your property. Also add your services and amenities: free WiFi, parking, airport transfer, restaurant, room service, and so on. These appear as filters in Google hotel search.
Ask every guest for a Google review
Reviews are one of the strongest signals Google uses to rank local businesses. After every checkout, send guests a direct link to leave a review on Google — not TripAdvisor, not Booking.com. You can get your review link from the "Get more reviews" section of your profile. Include it in your checkout WhatsApp message or email. Respond to every review — good and bad — within 48 hours.
Post updates regularly
Google Posts allow you to share updates, offers, and events directly on your profile. Post at least once a month — a seasonal offer, a new room, an event, or a direct booking incentive. Posts appear on your profile and signal to Google that your business is active, which improves ranking over time.
What a complete profile looks like in practice
A fully optimised Google Business Profile for a Tanzania hotel should have: a verified address or service area, full contact details including WhatsApp, 20 or more photos, all room types listed, amenities complete, a business description with relevant keywords, a minimum of 10 Google reviews with responses, and at least one Google Post in the last 30 days.
Most Tanzania hotels have fewer than five photos, no room listings, and no recent posts. This is not a disadvantage — it is an opportunity. Any hotel that invests 2–3 hours in completing their profile properly will appear significantly more often in local search than competitors who have done nothing.
Google Business Profile is free, takes a few hours to set up properly, and is one of the highest-return investments a Tanzania hotel can make in its direct booking strategy. Most competitors have not done it properly — which makes it an easy win.
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