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Are Virtual Kitchens Eligible for a Google Business Profile?

By Miriam Ellis
on March 12, 2025
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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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