Let’s get right to it: if you’ve been using a Facebook page—or any social media page—as the “website” on your Google Business Profile, it’s time to change that. Google’s policies have shifted, and what might have worked before can now get your link removed… or worse, (not to be dramatic) removed from Google.

And hey, if you’re thinking, “Wait, that’s my only page right now,” you’re not alone. A lot of small businesses start out with a Facebook page and use it as a stand-in for a website. Totally understandable. But here’s the thing—Google just drew a hard line, and it’s worth knowing what’s okay, what’s not, and what to do about it.

So, what changed?

In September 2025, Google quietly updated its policies for Business Profile links. One big rule stood out:

You can no longer use a social media page (like Facebook or Instagram) as your main website link on your profile.

That means if you’ve got facebook.com/yourbusiness listed in the “Website” field on your Google Business Profile (GBP), it’s against policy now. Google will either remove the link automatically or, in some cases, flag your listing—no longer showing you GBP in search results.

But… why not?

Fair question. A few reasons:

• Google wants your link to go to a real website—something that belongs to you, with your content, and your business details.
• Social pages don’t always load cleanly, especially for search engines. Some are behind login walls. Others are a mess of posts, buttons, and pop-ups.
• They can’t be easily crawled or verified, which makes them unreliable as a business’s primary presence.

This isn’t about Google being picky—it’s about trust. And when you’re a small business, trust is everything.

What can you link?

Here’s what Google is looking for:

✅ A secure website that you own (https://yourbusiness.com)
✅ A page where customers can take action (like booking or ordering)
✅ A site that actually opens, isn’t broken, and doesn’t block search engines

That means no redirects, no short links, and definitely no “link in bio” setups.

“But I don’t have a website yet…”

Totally get it. If your Facebook page is all you’ve got right now, don’t panic.

Instead of using it as your main website link, add it to your Social Profiles section. Google gives you a separate place to list Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and more.

This is the right place for social links—and you can still show up strong in local search while you’re building a real website.

Real Talk—This Isn’t About Being Fancy

This isn’t about having a flashy, five-page website. Even a simple one-page site with your services, hours, and contact info will do the job. You just need a dedicated place online that you control—because that’s what Google wants to see.

Think of it this way: your Google Business Profile is the front door. Your website? That’s the home. Social media is the neighborhood chatter—it helps, but it can’t do all the heavy lifting.

TL;DR – What to Know

• Facebook ≠ your business website (not anymore)
• Use your actual domain—or get one (even a basic site works)
• Social links go in the Social Profiles section only
• If you don’t have a site, this is a great time to get one
• Google’s watching—daily—and noncompliant links may be removed

If you’re not sure whether your link is okay, or if you’re ready to build something better than a Facebook page, I can help. No upsell. No tech jargon. Just real, affordable help to get your business showing up the right way.