In this article
Google now documents how a site can link to a claimed Search profile using an official badge or a text link. A Search profile gathers web and social content; it is distinct from a Business Profile listing. Official source.
A practical check
Confirm that the claimed profile exists, its URL points to the right organization, and the button does not distract from the main contact action. Follow the asset and touch-target guidelines.
A profile link may fit an article byline but be less useful on a booking page. Google's documentation also provides a plain text option, which may be clearer than another icon in a crowded navigation.
What the evidence supports
Measure clicks to the profile. Do not present the badge as a guaranteed ranking factor or a substitute for accurate local information. Date the check and retain the source documentation so that later changes can be verified.
What the badge does
The badge or text link points to a claimed Search profile. It creates a clear path between a website and that profile; it is neither general business verification nor a replacement for a Google Business Profile. Before adding it, check that the profile belongs to the same person or brand and that the displayed material is material you want associated with the site.
Placement and checks
For a personal or editorial site, an author or About page usually gives the link better context than a badge repeated on every page. Use the official badge or a descriptive text link. Open the page on mobile, follow the link, and check that the destination is accessible and does not point to the wrong account. If the profile name or ownership changes, review the website link too.
Editorial choice, not a ranking trick
A local business may get more value from clearly identifying who writes its advice, how to contact the company, and where its local information lives. The badge does not establish that an article is accurate, and the documentation does not promise extra search visibility. Judge it by usefulness to readers, destination accuracy, and ease of maintenance.
Questions before adding a badge
Who owns the profile? Confirm the account holder and avoid connecting a company site to an employee's personal profile without agreement and a continuity plan.
Does a badge establish trust by itself? No. The page still needs the author, date, sources, and relevant contact routes. A badge to an empty or unrelated profile may add confusion.
How should it be maintained? Add the destination to the external links checked during editorial reviews. Remove the badge if the profile disappears. Do not leave a clickable badge image without alternative text or a clear destination.
