When someone searches “salon near me”, they’re not browsing. They’re ready to take action.

That’s why adding a booking link on your Google Business Profile is one of the simplest, highest-impact changes a salon can make. It turns discovery into bookings by giving customers a direct “Book” path from Google Search and Maps.

In this guide, you’ll learn how booking links work on Google Business Profile, how to add them correctly, and how to avoid the common mistakes that stop the button from showing up.

What is a Google Business Profile booking link?

A booking link is a URL that sends customers straight to your online appointment page. When it’s set up properly, customers can tap the booking option in your Business Profile and go directly to your booking flow instead of calling or messaging first.

Google supports booking in two main ways:

• Bookings through a supported provider (Reserve with Google ecosystem, depending on availability)

• Adding a booking link directly to your Business Profile (when the option is available)

Google’s own help docs explain both approaches: you can set up bookings through a provider from the “Bookings” section, and Google also lets businesses add links (including booking links) to their profile.

Before you start: what you need ready

Have these ready, so setup takes minutes:

• Your salon’s booking page URL (the page where customers select service + slot)

• Correct business category and details on Google Business Profile

• A working booking flow that loads fast on mobile

If your booking experience needs tightening, this flow breakdown can help.

Option 1: Add a booking link directly on your Google Business Profile

Google allows you to add links to your Business Profile, including booking links, through Search and Maps in the Business Profile editor. The steps are straightforward: select the transaction type (like Booking), add the link, and save.

Step-by-step (what to do inside your profile)

1. Open your Business Profile on Google Search or Google Maps (logged into the account that manages it)

2. Find the section for managing links/transactions and choose Booking

3. Select Add link

4. Paste your booking URL

5. Save

If you already have a link added, Google allows you to add another link in the same section.

What link should you add?

Use the most direct booking URL possible:

• Good: a page that opens straight into service → slot selection

• Not ideal: a homepage or a generic “Contact us” page

The goal is to reduce steps. Fewer steps usually mean more bookings.

Option 2: Set up bookings through a provider (Reserve with Google ecosystem)

Some businesses can connect a supported scheduling provider so booking happens through Google surfaces. Google’s instructions show this setup in your Business Profile under Bookings, where you can select a provider and complete the setup. Google notes that booking providers can appear on your profile within about a week after setup.

Reserve with Google is not available everywhere and depends on country/region and supported providers. Google explicitly states that it’s available only in certain countries/regions and only for businesses that work with supported scheduling providers.

Google also describes Reserve with Google as a platform where users can reserve services through Search and Maps (and in supported cases, pay through Google), depending on the provider and availability.

Why your “Book” option may not show up

If you add a link and still don’t see a booking option, these are the usual reasons:

Your category doesn’t support bookings

Google has noted that booking options may vary by industry/categories.

For salons, correct categories and accurate profile setup matter more than people think.

Your booking URL isn’t suitable

If the link:

• redirects multiple times

• requires login before showing slots

• doesn’t load on mobile…customers drop off, and the experience suffers.

You’re expecting “Reserve with Google” without a supported provider

Reserve with Google availability is limited to certain regions and supported providers.
If you’re not eligible, adding a booking link directly is still powerful because it creates a clear booking path from Google.

Best practices to get more appointments from Google

Make the booking link visible everywhere else too

Google works best when it matches your other discovery channels. Put the same booking link on:

• Instagram bio

• WhatsApp Business profile

• your website header

This keeps the experience consistent across platforms.

Keep your booking flow short

The booking page should ideally:

• show services grouped by category

• Show the next available slots quickly

• ask for only name + phone (notes optional)

• Confirm clearly with a reschedule option

A smoother setup checklist is here: Online Salon Appointment Booking Setup Checklist

Use confirmations + reminders to reduce no-shows

Google can help you book, but reminders help you keep it. A simple reminder system (confirmation + 24 hours + 2–3 hours) cuts no-shows and improves punctuality.

You can use: Salon Appointment Reminders Whatsapp sms

Final words

Your Google Business Profile is often your highest-intent traffic source. Adding a booking link turns that intent into action by giving customers a direct way to reserve an appointment the moment they discover you.

Once the link is live, the results compound when your booking flow is smooth, confirmations are clear, and reminders reduce no-shows.

If you’re a salon owner who wants to set up online booking and grow through da Salon, you can start onboarding at partner.dasalon.com and explore the business workflow.