What attributes are
Attributes are yes or no descriptors that Google offers based on your category. Some cover accessibility, some payment methods, some service options like onsite services or online estimates, and others describe the identity of the owners.
Which ones you see depends on your category and region. Change the category and the available list changes too.
Choosing the ones to turn on
Select only what is true today, every day. Walk through each option and ask whether a customer could count on it. A wheelchair accessible entrance should be verified against the actual door, step and path.
Features that help a decision are worth the effort: payment types, appointment options, languages, accessibility, and whether you come to the customer. These reduce calls that go nowhere.
Identity attributes
Some attributes describe ownership, such as veteran-led or Black-owned. They are optional and personal. Add them only if they apply and you are comfortable sharing. Google may ask for self-attestation, and false claims can cause problems.
Nothing here is required, and leaving them off has no penalty.
Health and safety or temporary tags
Over time, Google has introduced temporary attributes tied to events or conditions. These vary, may be retired, and should be reviewed whenever they appear in your dashboard.
If a tag no longer reflects your practice, turn it off. Stale features lead to disappointed customers.
How to keep them accurate
Schedule a review whenever you move, remodel, hire, change a policy or add a payment method. Customers can also suggest attribute edits or vote on them, so check for unexpected changes.
If a feature was removed that you do offer, set it again. If you spot one you do not offer, correct it quickly and, if needed, explain it in the description.
Reviewing attributes with a checklist
Set a yearly reminder to walk through each available attribute with a short list of questions. Do we take cards, mobile payments and checks? Can a wheelchair user enter and use the restroom? Do we offer online estimates, onsite service, or delivery? Which languages does the team speak?
For each answer, verify rather than remember. Stand at the entrance and look. Read your latest payment terms. Ask the front desk. Owners often misremember the details of a business they walk through every day.
After updating, ask a trusted customer or friend to look at the listing and tell you what they notice. Accuracy builds quiet trust: when the tags match reality, people are more likely to believe the rest of the profile, including prices, photos and reviews.
Keep a record of when each attribute was last checked. If a customer or inspector ever questions a claim, such as accessibility, a dated note and a photo of the entrance show you acted in good faith. Remember that attributes can also be edited by users, so a quick monthly look at the profile for unfamiliar changes is a small habit that prevents surprises.
Regular customers are good auditors. Ask what they would want to know before visiting, and compare their list with the attributes you have turned on. Gaps often point to useful details to add to the description instead.
Common questions
Do attributes affect rankings?
There is no firm evidence of a direct effect, but they influence customer choices, which matters more.
Why can I not see an attribute I want?
Attributes depend on your category. If a relevant one is missing, it may simply not be offered for that category.
This guide is general information. Search engines change how they work and their guidelines; check Google's current documentation for your situation. Nobody can guarantee a ranking.