Local AI Agent Readiness Checklist

Google Maps is evolving from a place-search tool into a conversational AI assistant that can help users find suitable businesses and, in supported situations, move towards actions such as ordering, reserving or booking. AI systems such as Ask Maps can narrow a customer's choices before the customer manually compares businesses — which means the accuracy and completeness of your business information is becoming commercially more important.

Stage 1 — Identify

Can Google correctly identify the business?

• □ Correct, exact business name (as the business trades — no keyword additions)
• □ Correct primary category
• □ Accurate secondary categories
• □ Correct address or service area
• □ Google Business Profile claimed and verified
• □ Website URL correct and loading
• □ Business name, address and phone consistent across all platforms (NAP consistency)

Stage 2 — Understand

Can Google understand what you do and offer?

• □ Services clearly described with specific names
• □ Products clearly described
• □ Menu current and accurate (where applicable)
• □ Facilities and attributes documented in Business Profile
• □ Service area defined accurately
• □ Opening hours correct (including special hours and holiday exceptions)
• □ Important restrictions or eligibility criteria explained

Stage 3 — Trust

Is information consistent and supported by credible signals?

• □ Information consistent across Business Profile, website and other directories
• □ Recent genuine reviews present
• □ Business responds to reviews
• □ No duplicate Business Profile listings
• □ Website secure (HTTPS) and mobile-friendly
• □ Structured data (where implemented) matches visible content

Stage 4 — Match

Can AI match the business to a specific customer requirement?

• □ Service descriptions are specific, not generic
• □ Attributes accurately describe relevant characteristics (accessibility, parking, payment methods, etc.)
• □ Photographs show the real current business
• □ Product or menu details are specific enough for comparison
• □ FAQs answer the questions customers commonly ask

Stage 5 — Act

Can the customer take the next step easily?

• □ Booking link works and is current
• □ Ordering link works and is current (where applicable)
• □ Appointment route works and is easy to find
• □ Enquiry form or contact route works correctly
• □ Partner integrations reviewed (check whether booking/ordering system is a Google Actions Center partner)

Stage 6 — Verify

Is information current, not just correct when it was set up?

• □ Opening hours updated after any change
• □ Menu or service list updated after any change
• □ Prices updated after any change
• □ Booking links tested from an external device after any system change
• □ Outdated photographs replaced
• □ Services no longer offered removed from profile and website

Stage 7 — Review

Is business information maintained as an active system, not a set-and-forget task?

• □ Regular review date scheduled (quarterly is a reasonable minimum)
• □ Responsibility for Business Profile assigned to a named person
• □ Process in place to update information after operational changes
• □ New Google features reviewed periodically for relevant opportunities
• □ Duplicate listings checked periodically