If you’re a business owner with a Google Business listing, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to increase visibility, attract more customers, and improve your rankings. One simple yet powerful tactic that often gets overlooked? Marking your business as open 24 hours on your Google Business Profile.
Now, before you think, “But I’m not actually open 24/7,” hear us out. In many cases, especially for service-based or online businesses, being listed as always available can boost how your listing appears in search and even how customers engage with your business.
This article will walk you through the benefits of using this feature, how it works, and what to watch out for. If you’re ready to make your Google Business Profile work harder for you, keep reading.
Want help managing your Google listing?
Check out Bruce Jones SEO’s Google Business Profile Management Services to get started.
What Is a Google Business Profile?
Your Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is your online storefront. It shows up in local searches, Google Maps, and mobile searches whenever someone looks for services like yours. It includes your business name, hours, reviews, location, and more.
This free tool is one of the most important parts of local SEO. Whether you’re a plumber, law firm, bakery, or eCommerce store, optimizing your Google Business Profile can help you attract more clicks, calls, and customers.
Why Being Open “24 Hours” Might Help
Now let’s get to the juicy part, why would you want to mark your business as “open 24 hours” if you’re not technically open all day and night?
Here are a few solid reasons.
1. You’re Always Reachable (Sort Of)
Even if you don’t operate 24/7, customers might still be able to call, fill out a form, or send a message through your Google Business Profile. If you’re a service provider or you offer digital products, having your profile listed as open all the time signals availability, even if it just means you’re ready to take a message.
For example, a towing company or locksmith might not have someone answering every second of the night, but being listed as “open” increases the chance they’ll show up when someone urgently needs help.
2. More Visibility in Search Results
One of the key factors in Google Business Profile rankings is availability. If someone searches for a service “near me” in the middle of the night and your profile says “Closed,” you may not appear as prominently or at all. But if your business is marked “Open 24 hours,” it increases your chance of being found.
This is especially true in industries where availability is a big deal: auto repair, pest control, home services, legal, medical, or IT support. Even if your actual response time is delayed, customers may still be more likely to click your listing.
3. It Helps AI and Voice Search
AI tools and voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant often pull data straight from Google Business Profiles. When someone says, “Find an open business near me,” your 24/7 listing is more likely to be included.
That’s why smart Google Business Profile Management services are now suggesting this setting as a growth strategy, even if it’s just for lead capture.
4. It Sends a Message: “We’re Here for You”
Perception matters. When your business appears as “always open,” it sends a subtle but powerful message of reliability and commitment. For service-oriented businesses, this alone can help win over more leads, even if the actual work happens during regular hours.
It creates a sense of convenience, and in today’s fast-paced world, that goes a long way in customer decision-making.
5. You Can Always Add Notes
Worried about misleading customers? Don’t be. Your Google Business Profile allows you to add service descriptions, FAQs, and posts where you can clarify your true hours of operation or response time. This way, you can keep the 24-hour label but manage expectations at the same time.
A great Google Business Manager strategy includes using the Posts feature weekly to share updates and make your listing more interactive. It’s all about visibility and communication.
When “24 Hours” Might Not Be the Best Fit
Of course, there are cases where marking your business as always open could cause issues. For example:
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- If you’re a brick-and-mortar shop that people drive to at 2 AM expecting you to be open, you might get bad reviews.
- If you have strict customer service hours and no after-hours support, this could lead to frustration.
- If your industry is regulated with specific hours (like healthcare or legal services), accuracy might matter more than availability.
- If you’re a brick-and-mortar shop that people drive to at 2 AM expecting you to be open, you might get bad reviews.
In these cases, it’s better to use your real hours and ensure your Google Business Profile is kept up to date through trusted Google Business Profile Management services.
The Algorithm Loves Activity
Google rewards businesses that appear active and engaged. By updating your profile, adding posts, responding to reviews, and yes, even tweaking hours, you’re signaling to Google that your listing is relevant and trustworthy.
If your Google Business Profile sits untouched for months, you’ll probably lose ranking. But if you show consistent updates, like setting 24-hour availability and publishing helpful posts, your visibility improves.
Need help keeping your profile fresh?
Let Bruce Jones SEO handle it for you with professional Google Business Profile Management services.
How to Set Your Business as “Open 24 Hours”
It’s easy to update your Google Business Profile hours:
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- Go to your profile via Google Search or the Google Maps app.
- Click “Edit profile” then “Business information.”
- Under “Hours,” choose “Open 24 hours.”
- Make sure to save and check that your profile reflects the change.
- Go to your profile via Google Search or the Google Maps app.
You can always switch back later or set specific hours for certain days.
What About Online-Only or Home-Based Businesses?
If you don’t have a storefront, don’t worry. You can still show up in local results using Google My Business features. You just need to hide your physical address and instead set a service area.
In these cases, listing your business as “open 24 hours” makes even more sense, especially if you offer services by appointment or online ordering.
For example:
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- Freelancers
- Virtual assistants
- Digital marketers
- Tech support teams
- Legal consultants
- Health coaches
- Freelancers
These professionals may not have a physical location, but being listed as available 24/7 helps boost visibility and increase leads.
Real-Life Example: The After-Hours Boost
Let’s say you run a mobile auto glass repair service. Most of your work happens between 9 AM and 5 PM. But you still get late-night calls from people with emergencies or next-day requests. By listing your Google Business Profile as “open 24 hours,” you show up when people need you the most, even if you schedule the actual job the next morning.
This small change alone could lead to more leads, calls, and conversions. It’s a simple tweak with powerful results.
Don’t Just Set It and Forget It
One common mistake? Updating your profile once and never looking at it again. Your Google Business Profile needs regular care. That includes:
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- Adding new photos
- Posting updates weekly
- Responding to reviews
- Updating business info
- Adding new photos
This is where a good Google Business Manager or SEO service makes a big difference. Managing your online presence takes time, and many business owners don’t have the hours to spare.
That’s why more people are turning to experts like Bruce Jones SEO for help with long-term visibility and strategy.
Should You Mark Your Business as “Open 24 Hours”?
If your business depends on visibility, convenience, and lead generation, then yes, listing your business as open 24 hours on your Google Business Profile can be a smart move.
It helps you:
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- Show up more often in local and mobile searches
- Appeal to late-night or emergency clients
- Build trust and a sense of availability
- Feed the algorithm with profile activity
- Capture more opportunities without working overtime
- Show up more often in local and mobile searches
Just make sure you’re honest about what people can expect and use tools like FAQs, posts, and review responses to stay clear and helpful.
Whether you do it yourself or work with professionals offering Google Business Profile Management services, this small change could lead to big results.
Ready to make your Google Business Profile stand out and start getting more leads, day or night?
Visit Bruce Jones SEO and let us help you manage your listing like a pro. From setting hours to writing posts, we do the heavy lifting so you can focus on your business.