If your website is your virtual home, then your Google Business Profile is your front door — and for many potential customers, it’s the only one they’ll knock on.

With the explosion of AI-powered search assistants like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, your profile isn’t just used for Google Maps anymore. It’s now feeding the answers these tools give when people ask questions like:

• “Where’s the best bowling alley for a kids party near me?”
• “Who’s open late for bowling on Saturday?”
• “Which bowling center has food and drinks?”

If your profile isn’t up-to-date, you’re invisible.

What LLMs See (and Why It Matters)

Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT don’t guess — they pull answers from real data across the web. One of their most reliable sources? Google Business Profiles.

If your hours are wrong, your categories are missing, or your description is outdated, LLMs are likely:

• Skipping you entirely
• Serving wrong info to customers
• Or worse, recommending your competitors

Five Must-Have Updates for Your Google Profile:

1. Accurate Hours of Operation

Double-check for holidays, special events, or seasonal changes.

Voice queries, such as “Is [Center Name] open right now?” rely on this data.

2. Up-to-Date Business Categories

Include “Bowling Alley,” “Family Entertainment Center,” “Party Venue,” or “Sports Bar” if applicable.

These categories help LLMs match your center to specific intent.

3. Keyword-Rich Description

Don’t just say, “We offer bowling.” Say:

“Auburn’s top-rated bowling center offering youth leagues, kids’ birthday parties, company events, and all-you-can-bowl Fridays with great food and drinks.”

4. Photos That Reflect Real Experiences

Regularly upload:

• League night in action
• A birthday party setup
• Food and drink shots
• LLMs favor listings with media — and so do people.

5. Google Posts and Events

Most centers ignore this, but it’s a goldmine.

Weekly posts like:

• “Fall leagues now forming!”
• “Saturday Night Glow Bowl – RSVP now!”
• These tell both search engines and AI assistants that your center is active and engaged.

Extra Tip: Use the Q&A Section Wisely

Customers ask, “Do you serve food?” or “Is there arcade access?”

Answer publicly, and that info gets pulled into both local search results and voice-based summaries.

What Happens When You Keep It Updated?

✔️ You rank higher in local search

✔️ You’re more likely to be featured in “near me” voice queries

✔️ LLMs use your content to describe your business — instead of defaulting to someone else’s

Final Thoughts:

For most bowling centers, 70–80% of new customers will first encounter your business through your Google listing — not your website, social, or ads.

Your Google Business Profile is no longer just a map pin. It’s your AI resume, your digital handshake, and your first impression — all rolled into one.

Ensure it accurately reflects who you are, what you offer, and why you’re worth showing up for.