Businesses that operate mainly through appointments have faced a common Google Business Profile problem for years. Google still does not provide a simple “By appointment only” option inside the regular business hours section.
However, a useful workaround is getting attention after local SEO expert Claudia Tomina highlighted Google Business Profile’s Pickup Hours option as another way businesses can communicate more specific availability to customers.
The idea is simple. Businesses can keep their regular operating hours accurate while using additional service hours, such as pickup hours, to show customers when a particular service is actually available.
Google Business Profile Still Lacks a “By Appointment Only” Option
For businesses like consultants, photographers, specialty service providers, showrooms, studios, and other appointment-based companies, standard opening hours do not always tell the full story.
A business might technically operate from 9 AM to 5 PM, for example, but customers may only be able to visit after making an appointment.
Currently, Google Business Profile does not offer a dedicated regular-hours setting called “By appointment only.” Discussions about this limitation have appeared in the Google Business Profile community for several years.
This can create confusion because customers may see a business marked as open and assume they can simply walk in.
Pickup Hours Can Help Show More Specific Availability
Google allows businesses to add additional service hours through its More Hours feature.
According to Google’s official documentation, businesses can use More Hours when certain services operate at different times from their main business hours. These can include pickup, delivery, takeout, drive-through, and other service-specific hours.
Tomina suggested that businesses dealing with appointment-style availability could make use of the Pickup Hours section to provide customers with clearer timing information.
For example, a business could have:
Regular business hours:
Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 6 PM
Pickup hours:
Monday to Friday, 11 AM to 4 PM
This gives customers another visible signal about when a certain activity is available.
However, businesses should only use pickup hours when pickup is genuinely a service they provide. Google states that business information should accurately represent how the business operates.
How to Add Pickup Hours to Google Business Profile?
Businesses that have the option available can update it directly from their Google Business Profile.
The general process is:
- Open your Google Business Profile.
- Select Edit profile.
- Open the Hours section.
- Find Add more hours.
- Choose Pickup if it is available for your business.
- Add the correct days and pickup times.
- Save the changes.
Google may review profile edits before they become visible publicly.
The company also recommends that additional service hours generally sit within the business’s primary operating hours.
Should Businesses Increase Their Main Business Hours?
Tomina’s LinkedIn post also suggested setting regular hours as wide as reasonably possible while still accurately representing the business. She noted that being open can influence local visibility.
However, businesses should be careful with this part.
Google officially says that complete and accurate business information, including business hours, can help profiles appear for relevant local searches. Google explains that local ranking is mainly based on relevance, distance, and prominence.
Google does not officially state in that guidance that simply extending your listed opening hours will automatically improve rankings.
Therefore, businesses should avoid adding hours when they are not actually available. Accurate information should remain the priority.
Why Accurate Business Hours Matter for Local SEO?
Business hours are more than a small profile detail.
People searching on Google Maps often want immediate information. They may want to know if a company is currently open, when they can visit, or when a particular service is available.
Incorrect hours can create a poor experience.
For example, imagine someone finds a business on Google, sees that it is open until 6 PM, and drives there at 4 PM. They then discover that visits are only available through appointments.
That customer may leave frustrated.
Therefore, businesses should use regular hours, special hours, service hours, booking links, and their business description together to make availability as clear as possible.
Appointment-Based Businesses Can Also Use Booking Links
Pickup hours are not the only useful option.
Google Business Profile also supports booking links for eligible businesses. Companies can add links that take customers directly to a page where they can schedule an appointment.
This can be especially useful for:
- Dentists
- Doctors
- Salons
- Consultants
- Lawyers
- Therapists
- Fitness professionals
- Beauty businesses
- Home service companies
- Other appointment-based services
Adding a booking link can make the customer journey much clearer because people can move directly from Google Search or Maps to the appointment process.
What Should Businesses Do Now?
Businesses that operate through appointments should first review how their current Google Business Profile appears to customers.
Check your regular business hours and make sure they represent the times your business actually operates.
Next, look under More Hours to see which additional hour types Google provides for your category.
If your business genuinely offers pickup, adding accurate pickup hours can help customers understand when that service is available.
Also, add a booking link when appropriate and clearly explain your appointment process on your website.
Most importantly, do not change your hours only for SEO. Your profile should match the real customer experience.
Final Thoughts
Google Business Profile still does not provide a straightforward “By appointment only” setting for regular business hours.
However, features such as More Hours, Pickup Hours, booking links, and accurate business descriptions give businesses more ways to communicate availability.
The Pickup Hours workaround highlighted by Claudia Tomina is another useful reminder that businesses should look beyond basic opening hours when optimizing their profiles.
At the same time, accuracy matters.
Businesses should use each Google Business Profile feature according to the service it actually represents. A well-optimized profile is not just about appearing in Google Maps. It should also give customers clear information about when and how they can do business with you.
