Imagine your business video going viral on TikTok in the blink of an eye — thousands of views, hundreds of comments, and excited new customers eager to visit your shop. But when they type your business name into Google, all that comes up is a blank, outdated information, or an incomplete profile. This is the reality faced by many Malaysian business owners today: viral on social media, but invisible on Google.

Going Viral on TikTok Is No Guarantee Customers Will Find Your Business

TikTok has changed the way Malaysian consumers discover new products and services. Within seconds, a creative video can bring the name of a small business in front of millions of potential customers. However, a surge in popularity on social media platforms does not automatically translate into visibility on Google Search — two separate digital ecosystems that operate independently of one another.

When someone gets excited about a product they saw on TikTok, the next natural step is to search for it on Google Maps or Google Search. If your Google Business Profile (GBP) is not updated, unclaimed, or simply does not exist, that sales opportunity vanishes just like that — even if you just received ten thousand likes within twenty-four hours.

“

Going viral on TikTok without an optimised GBP is like opening your shop's front door but leaving customers lost in the back alley.

— Editorial Perspective, GBPAuditLab.com

Real Data: Malaysian Business GBP Profiles Still Far From Ideal

Based on data collected from 57 audits conducted through GBPAuditLab over the past 90 days, the overall picture of Malaysian business GBP profiles is concerning. The average audit score is just 70.9 out of 100 — a score that is enough to pass, but far from the level needed to compete in an increasingly competitive local search space.

The most alarming figure from the data is that nearly one in four businesses audited has yet to claim their GBP profile. An unclaimed profile cannot be edited, cannot be updated, and gives the business owner no control over the information displayed to potential customers.

Specific Issues Found in GBP Audits

• 77.19% of businesses have no website link in their GBP profile — cutting off the primary path for customers to learn more about their products or services
• 24.56% of profiles have yet to be claimed by the business owner, meaning information is displayed without any real control
• 5.26% of businesses have fewer than 5 photos in their profile — well below the recommended minimum
• 3.51% of businesses have no operating hours listed at all, leaving customers completely in the dark about when they can visit

Why Google Remains the Gatekeeper of Customer Trust

Even as TikTok dominates attention, Google remains the platform that drives purchasing decisions. According to a BrightLocal study (2024), 87% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses before making any decision. This means nearly all customers who discover your business on TikTok will verify your credibility on Google before visiting or contacting you.

Furthermore, according to Moz (2023), GBP signals account for 36% of the ranking factors in the Google Local Pack — the list of the top three businesses that appear in local search results. This is no small figure. Businesses that optimise their GBP profiles stand a far greater chance of appearing right in front of customers who are actively searching for the products or services they offer.

“

87% of consumers use Google to evaluate local businesses — not TikTok, not Instagram, not Facebook.

— BrightLocal Local Consumer Review Survey, 2024

True Story: When Going Viral Is Not Enough

This scenario plays out time and again across Malaysia. A restaurant in Subang Jaya received more than 50,000 views within 48 hours after their TikTok video was reshared by several popular accounts. But when fans tried to find the restaurant on Google Maps, the profile that showed up was an unclaimed one with a different address and no phone number — because the owner had never verified their information on GBP. That massive conversion opportunity disappeared without a trace.

Situations like this are not isolated incidents. It is a recurring pattern among Malaysian entrepreneurs who channel more energy into social media content than into basic digital infrastructure. A presence on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook is certainly important, but it needs to be backed up by a solid GBP profile — especially when Google remains the first checkpoint for the majority of consumers.

Three GBP Mistakes Commonly Made After a Business Goes Viral

1. Not claiming the GBP profile — Many business owners are unaware that Google has automatically created a profile for their business based on public information. An unclaimed profile cannot be updated and often contains incorrect or outdated information.
2. Not updating operating hours — When a customer searches for your shop at 8pm and the GBP profile shows 'Closed', they will not come even if you are actually still open. GBPAuditLab data shows that 3.51% of businesses have no operating hours in their profile at all.
3. Neglecting the photo gallery — With only 5.26% of businesses having fewer than 5 photos, many are still unaware that sufficient, quality images are the first trust factor customers look at before taking any further action.

How to Make Sure Your GBP Is Ready Before You Go Viral

The key to a well-rounded digital strategy is not just about producing compelling content, but ensuring your local search infrastructure is ready to handle a sudden spike in interest. Google itself confirms via its official support page (2024) that complete and accurate GBP information improves rankings in local search — meaning businesses that take their GBP profile seriously are not only easier to find, but also more trustworthy.

A GBP audit is the first step every Malaysian business owner should take, especially those who are actively using social media platforms for marketing. By identifying gaps in your profile — whether it is missing information, too few photos, or a missing website link — you can take the right corrective action before a big opportunity arrives.

Basic GBP Checklist for Businesses Active on TikTok

• Claim and verify your GBP profile through Google Business Profile Manager
• Ensure your business name, address, and phone number (NAP) are consistent across all platforms
• Add an active website link or landing page
• Upload a minimum of 10 high-quality photos showcasing your products, premises, and business atmosphere
• Set accurate operating hours, including special hours for public holidays
• Enable the Messaging and Q&A features to make it easy for customers to communicate directly from Google
• Invite existing customers to leave genuine and positive Google reviews

GBP Audit: A 10-Minute Investment Worth Thousands of Ringgit

What separates Malaysian businesses that successfully convert viral momentum into actual sales from those that do not? More often than not, it comes down to one small overlooked thing: an unoptimised GBP profile. With an average Google rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars based on GBPAuditLab data — a solid figure — Malaysian businesses already have a strong reputation to build on. What is lacking is simply a complete and easily discoverable profile.

A GBP audit is not a complicated process nor does it require deep technical expertise. By using the right audit tool, you can pinpoint exactly which parts of your profile need improvement, with clear priorities that can be acted on immediately. The result is a GBP profile that is not only complete, but optimised to attract the most relevant local customers for your business.