What should a tattoo studio show on its Google Business Profile?

Which category should a tattoo studio choose?

Choose one primary category from Google's current list that most specifically and holistically describes the studio's main business. Google does not allow a custom category. Use additional categories only when they describe a real part of the business, not as a list of every service or keyword.^1,2

These labels were observed in a US-English category response on September 30, 2026:

The category response depends on region and language, so a US-English label is a label to check, not a permanent category list. Edit the profile through Business Profile → Edit profile → Business category → Edit, select the offered primary category, and save. The category guide explains the primary-versus-additional choice in full.^1,4

Which services should a tattoo studio show?

Use Services for the tattoo work customers can actually receive. Services are separate from the studio's category, so do not turn a service name into a category or use categories as a keyword list.^2,5

Open the Business Profile and select Edit services. Select Google's suggested services when they match the studio's work. For an offering that is not listed, choose Add more services → Add custom service. Group different types of work into service categories, then add descriptions and prices where the editor allows them.⁵

Keep custom service names clean and descriptive. Google says custom services that violate policy can be rejected, and specifically says to avoid profanity, gibberish, personal information, prices, and phone numbers in those names.⁵

How should a tattoo studio make appointments easy to find?

Give customers a service-list link when they need to review the menu, and give them a booking link when the studio accepts appointments online. Google allows one link for a menu or service list and up to 10 links per supported transaction category, including booking an appointment.⁶

If the studio uses a booking provider, open Business Profile → Bookings, select the preferred provider, and finish the setup. Google says a provider link can appear on the profile within a week. If the studio does not use a provider, Google allows the business to find available providers through Reserve with Google or add its own link. Check any provider's customer charges before sending customers through that booking flow.⁷

Keep the booking destination aligned with the service list. A customer should be able to tell which work is bookable, which work needs a consultation, and which work is not currently offered from the public profile information.

What tattoo images and videos can a studio publish?

Screen every portfolio image, client image, and video against these boundaries:

• Treat sexualized tattoo photography as a policy risk. Google does not allow sexually explicit or adult-themed content. For content that would otherwise be sexually explicit or adult-themed, Google may allow relevant educational, documentary, scientific, or artistic context when it relates to the point of interest and sufficient information is provided for users to understand the context.³
• Treat procedure scenes cautiously. Google does not allow violent or gory content involving people or animals, including material amounts of blood, serious injuries, death, or animal cruelty.³
• Never upload a client's apparent-minor nudity or any sexual presentation of a child. Google says violations can lead to removal, feature limits, or account disabling.³
• Ask for consent before using a client's face or other personal information. Google lists a face in a photograph or video as personal information, while allowing a merchant to publish contact information for its own business.³

What should a tattoo studio post on its Google Business Profile?

Use Update for a studio announcement or booking path, Event for a dated studio event, and Offer only when the post describes a real offer that fits Google's current rules. An Update can carry an action button that sends a customer to a booking site.⁸

Keep the wording and creative family-friendly. Google says sexually suggestive or explicit material is not allowed. For a tattoo studio, a phone contact in a post description might cause the post to be rejected when Google cannot verify that the contact belongs to the business represented there. Links should lead to trusted sites. Use a date range for a post that needs to stay available past six months; recheck its dates as the offer or event changes.⁸

What review requests can a tattoo studio make?

Ask only for genuine reviews from customers who had an actual experience. Google allows a business to solicit genuine reviews without incentives or attempts to influence the rating or wording.³

Do not pay or reward a customer for a review, revision, or removal of a negative review. Do not selectively ask only happy customers, discourage negative reviews, pressure people to review while they are in the studio, or request a specific rating, number, wording, or staff member's name. Those practices violate Google's review rules.³

What should a tattoo studio check before publishing?

Use this final check for the public profile: