Are Virtual Kitchens Eligible for a Google Business Profile?
By Miriam Ellis
on March 12, 2025
Yes, virtual kitchens are eligible for a Google Business Profile if they follow Google’s guidelines, including having distinct branding, using separate signage for co-located brands, and hiding their address while adding service areas for delivery-only models.
Variously known as ghost kitchens, cloud kitchens, and virtual kitchens, this business model became such big news a few years back that Google eventually created a special section devoted to it in the main guidelines.
The following information covers both co-location and delivery-only models:
Virtual food brands are permitted with conditions.
Co-located food brands offering pick-up:
Food brands that are co-located must each have permanent separate signage. They should display their address only if they offer pick-up to all customers.
Delivery-only brands (no-pick up option) out of shared kitchens must hide their address and add service areas to that specific brand to avoid confusing their customers.
Delivery-only food brands
Delivery-only brands (i.e. those operating out of virtual kitchens) are permitted if they have distinct branded packaging and a distinct website.
Multiple virtual brands operating out of one location are permitted, but are subject to additional verification steps.
Delivery-only brands must add their service areas and hide the address on their business profile to avoid confusing their customers.
If there is a partnership where a food brand has authorized the virtual kitchen as a verified provider of the food, the virtual kitchen may manage each authorized brand’s business profile once the authorization is confirmed.
The facility that houses the delivery-only brands, i.e. Doordash Kitchens, is permitted to have its own separate business profile. Only someone affiliated with the facility can claim and verify this profile.
We’re on firm ground with this model. If your virtual food business follows Google’s detailed guidelines, it should be eligible for a GBP.
Miriam Ellis is a local SEO columnist and consultant. She has been cited as one of the top five most prolific women writers in the SEO industry. Miriam is also an award-winning fine artist and her work can be seen at MiriamEllis.com.
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