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 on your Business Profile and land directly on 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. Google Help+1
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:
https://blog.dasalon.com/blog/book-salon-appointment-online-ux-flow
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. Google Help
Step-by-step (what to do inside your profile)
Open your Business Profile on Google Search or Google Maps (logged into the account that manages it)
Find the section for managing links/transactions and choose Booking
Select Add link
Paste your booking URL
Save
If you already have a link added, Google allows adding another link in the same section. Google Help
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 means 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 inside your Business Profile under Bookings, where you can choose a provider and complete setup. Google notes that booking providers can appear on your profile within about a week after setup. Google Help
Reserve with Google is not available everywhere and depends on country/region and supported providers. Google explicitly mentions that it’s only available in certain countries/regions and for businesses working with supported scheduling providers. Google Help
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 mentioned that booking options can depend on 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. Google Help
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 reschedule option
A smoother setup checklist is here:
https://blog.dasalon.com/blog/online-salon-appointment-booking-setup-checklist
Use confirmations + reminders to reduce no-shows
Google can help you get the booking, 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:
https://blog.dasalon.com/blog/salon-appointment-reminders-whatsapp-sms
https://blog.dasalon.com/blog/online-appointment-booking-for-salon-reduce-no-shows
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 here: https://www.dasalon.com/business.
