How Do I Connect My Google Business Profile?

To connect your Google Business Profile to SoTrustworthy, log into your account, navigate to Settings > Integrations, click Connect Google, and authorize the Google account that manages your profile. SoTrustworthy automatically pulls your verified business location and direct Google review link in under two minutes. Once connected, your automated SMS review requests will route happy customers straight to your Google review page.

What You Need Before Connecting

Before linking your profile, make sure your account meets Google’s administrative requirements:

• Owner or Manager access: You must log in using the exact Google email address that holds Primary Owner, Owner, or Manager permissions for your Google Business Profile. If an agency or employee created your listing, confirm your email is listed as an owner/manager in your Google Business Profile settings.
• A verified Google profile: Your business must be fully verified by Google (via phone, postcard, video, or instant verification). Unverified listings cannot generate third-party API review links or accept public customer reviews.
• Active listing status: Ensure your profile is not currently suspended, disabled, or marked as permanently closed on Google Maps.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Linking Google Business Profile

Whether you are in your 14-day free trial or setting up a new location on an active plan, follow these steps to connect your profile:

1. Log into your SoTrustworthy Dashboard.
2. Click Settings in the main navigation menu, then select Integrations.
3. Locate the Google Business Profile section and click Connect Google Account.
4. A secure Google sign-in window will open. Select the Google account that manages your business listing.
5. Review the permissions screen. SoTrustworthy requests standard OAuth access to view your business profile details and review links. Click Allow.
6. Select your business location from the dropdown menu. If you manage multiple profiles under one Google account, pick the specific branch or service area business for this workspace.
7. Click Save Location.

Once saved, SoTrustworthy automatically generates your direct Google review link. This link bypasses unnecessary search steps and opens the "Write a Review" pop-up box directly on your customer's smartphone screen when they tap your text message.

Why SoTrustworthy Asks for Google Permissions

During setup, Google prompts you to grant permissions to SoTrustworthy. We use official Google APIs and strict OAuth encryption to protect your data.

SoTrustworthy uses these permissions exclusively to:

• Generate direct review links: We fetch your profile’s unique place_id from Google so your SMS review links open the review input box immediately on mobile devices.
• Monitor incoming Google reviews: We check for newly published reviews so your SoTrustworthy dashboard reflects your live review count and star ratings in real time.
• Sync business information: We verify your official business name, address, and phone number so your automated SMS templates fill in accurate details.

SoTrustworthy never posts updates to your Google profile, edits your business hours, alters account settings, or accesses private Google data like Gmail or Google Drive files. You can manage or revoke access at any time through your Google Account Permissions.

Managing Multiple Locations Across Plans

If you run a multi-location home-service business—such as an HVAC company with three regional branches or a salon group with multiple shops—how you link profiles depends on your subscription tier:

• Starter Plan: Supports 1 connected Google Business Profile location. Ideal for solo contractors, local plumbers, or single-location shops.
• Growth Plan: Supports up to 3 connected locations under one account, allowing you to trigger location-specific review texts depending on which branch completed the job.
• Pro Plan: Supports unlimited locations with centralized performance reporting, location routing, and multi-user access for dispatchers or branch managers.

To add extra locations on Growth or Pro plans, go to Settings > Locations, click Add Location, and select or connect the corresponding Google Business Profile for that branch.

Google Policy Compliance and Review Gating

SoTrustworthy is engineered to fully comply with Google's Prohibited and Restricted Content policies.

Google strictly prohibits "review gating"—the practice of asking customers if their experience was positive before deciding whether to show them a review link, or funneling unhappy customers to a private contact form while pushing happy customers to Google. Violating this rule can result in Google deleting your business reviews or suspending your profile entirely.

To protect your business from penalties:

• SoTrustworthy sends 100% of your automated SMS review requests directly to your official Google review form.
• All customers receive equal access to leave authentic feedback on Google.
• Your account stays compliant with search engine guidelines, safeguarding your local search engine rankings.

How Google Integrates with Your Job Workflows

Connecting your Google Business Profile unlocks the core automation features inside SoTrustworthy:

• SMS-First Delivery: Text messages achieve up to a 98% open rate. By attaching your direct Google link to automated texts, customer response rates jump significantly compared to traditional email requests.
• Jobber & HubSpot Triggers: Once your Google profile is linked, connect your CRM. When a technician finishes a job in Jobber or marks a deal as "Closed Won" in HubSpot, SoTrustworthy instantly sends an SMS with your Google review link to the customer.
• Smart Request Throttling: SoTrustworthy enforces automated throttling so repeat customers aren't spammed with multiple text messages if you service their home multiple times in a short window.
• A2P 10DLC & TCPA Compliance: Every outbound text message adheres to carrier rules and federal privacy laws, featuring built-in opt-out management (such as automatic unsubscribe processing when a customer replies "STOP").

Troubleshooting Connection Issues

If your business listing isn't appearing or you encounter an error screen during setup, check these common fixes:

"No locations found" or wrong profile showing up

• Cause: You authorized a personal Gmail account instead of the Google account assigned to your Google Business Profile.
• Fix: Click Disconnect, click Connect Google Account again, and select the exact email address listed as an owner/manager in your Google Business Profile settings.

Profile appears as "Unverified"

• Cause: The profile exists on Google Maps, but verification hasn't been completed in Google Business Profile Manager.
• Fix: Log into Google Business Profile Manager and complete postcard, phone, or video verification. Once verified by Google, return to SoTrustworthy to complete the connection.

Connection disconnected or authorization expired

• Cause: Google automatically expires API connections if you change your Google Account password, enable two-factor authentication, or perform security resets.
• Fix: Navigate to Settings > Integrations in SoTrustworthy, click Reconnect, and re-authorize access. Your historical data, customer lists, and campaign settings will remain intact.

Next Steps

• Customize Your Review Request Templates: Edit your SMS text messages under campaign settings to reflect your company's tone and branding.
• Connect Your CRM Integration: Link your Jobber or HubSpot account so completed jobs trigger review texts automatically without manual data entry.
• Send a Test SMS: Use the dashboard test tool to send a sample text to your own mobile phone and test how smoothly the Google review pop-up opens.