You want to show up when someone types your name or brand into Google. There is no magic button but a clear path. Follow the steps below to establish a lasting presence.
You should know that Google has removed its old “Add me to Search” feature which was also known as People Cards. It was shut down on April 7, 2024. It means you can no longer create or edit such cards to appear higher in Google search results.
How does Google really add you?
Google does not add people to search results just because they click a button. Google uses automated programs called crawlers to find pages on the public internet and follow links. It then saves the information it finds in its index.
And Google shows the most helpful results from that index whenever people search online. Your job is to create premium web pages about yourself and ensure they are accessible to the crawlers.
How to Get Added to Google
- If You are A Business: Get a Google Business Profile
A Google Business Profile (GBP) puts your business on Search and on Maps. It is free and helps people find you and read reviews. If you serve a local area, this is the best first step.
How to Set It Up:
- Go to the Business Profile site and choose Start now. Or open Google Maps and tap your profile photo then add a Business Profile.
- Enter details like your business name and website.
- Verify your profile. You may verify by phone or email. Follow the on-screen steps.
- Complete your profile and add hours with photos and post updates. You can also request reviews and respond to them. Google uses these signals to display your profile more effectively.
When you add and verify your profile, you can control how your business info shows up on Search and Maps. Keep it accurate. Keep it fresh.
(b) If You are a Person: Build A Simple Website
You need a home base. And a personal site on your own domain is a great option. Use your real name if you can and add a short tag like your field or city if your name is familiar.
Then create these pages:
- Home Page with a clear intro.
- About Page with a short bio and a photo.
- Work or Portfolio Page with your projects.
- Contact Page with an email form and links to your main profiles.
- Press or Media Page if you have mentions or talks.
Put your name, job title, city, and a summary at the top of your Home and About pages. Link out to your official social profiles and link back from those profiles to your site. This cross-linking helps Google connect the dots.
- Add Structured Data to your Profile Page
Adding structured data to your profile gives Google clear labels. You can add JSON-LD markup for a ProfilePage. It helps Google understand who the page is about by including details such as your name and job title. It doesn’t guarantee a special search result. But it does make it more straightforward to Google what the page is about.
- Get Your Pages Crawled and Indexed
Tip: Use Search Console to get your pages crawled and indexed. It’s a free and vital tool.
Step 1: Verify your Site
Add your domain to Search Console and confirm you own it. It gives you access to reports.
Step 2: Submit your Sitemap
Create or enable your sitemap.xml and submit it in the Sitemaps section of Search Console. It helps Google find all your important pages.
Step 3: Ask for new pages to be indexed
Use the URL Inspection tool and click request indexing for new or updated pages. Use this sparingly for a few critical pages but avoid overusing. Repeated requests will not speed up the process.
Step 4: Don’t block Google
Ensure that you haven’t used a noindex tag and that your robots.txt file isn’t blocking web crawlers. Plus, Google will not be able to index your page if it requires a login.
- Write Credible Content
Google wants helpful content from real people. So make sure to write people first content. Explain your work and show your experience. Use simple words and provide examples and proof. And update your pages when trends change accordingly.
Follow Search Essentials as rules for your entire site and avoid spam and tricks. Be transparent and honest. Follow online guides on creating helpful and reliable content for individual pages. It’s a crucial thing for you to follow.
- Build Website Authority
Your goal is control of page one for your name or brand. Build a set of high-quality profiles that often rank well and link them together and to your site.
Some good profiles to create include:
- LinkedIn Profile with a complete headline, summary, and custom URL.
- GitHub or Behance/Dribbble Profile for developers or designers.
- YouTube Profile if you teach or demo.
- X or an Instagram Profile if they fit your field.
- Medium Profile or your own blog for articles.
Use the same photo and username across all your profiles. Ensure that you link back to your website from every profile. You can also add sameAs links to these profiles in your website’s structured data. It sends a clear signal to Google about your identity.
(c) If You are a Local Brand: Master the Basics of Local SEO
- Keep your Name, Address, and Phone number the same across your website, GBP, and directories.
- Pick the most accurate primary category in GBP. Add a few relevant secondary categories.
- Add quality photos. Add services or products.
- Ask happy customers for honest reviews. Reply to each one.
- Post updates for offers, events, or new work.
These steps help Google understand your business and show it on Search and Maps.
What About Knowledge Panels?
Knowledge Panels are created automatically by Google’s systems. You can’t just make one yourself. You can claim it to suggest changes and add links if a panel for you or your brand already exists.
And continue building your online presence if there is no panel for your brand. It might appear over time if there is enough public information about you but there’s no guarantee.
Common Issues with Solutions
- “I searched my name and saw nothing.”
It can happen if your site is new or has very few backlinks pointing towards it. You should check Google Search Console and request that your essential pages be indexed. You should also share your site on your social media profiles.
- “Google shows someone else with my name.”
Add a descriptive tag to your titles. For example, “Rahul Dutta | Photographer, Mumbai.” Use that in your title and on-page headings. Maintain consistency across your profiles and publish content that showcases your expertise and credibility in your field.
- “My page says ‘Indexed, not submitted in sitemap’ or ‘Crawled, not indexed.’
Improve your page and link to it from your main navigation menu. You can add a summary at the top. Ensure that it’s unique and valuable through quality content. Then request that the page be indexed just once and wait.
- “I changed my site but Google still shows the old one.”
Use the URL Inspection tool to request that Google reindex the updated pages. Plus, ensure that the old URLs redirect users to the new ones automatically.
Conclusion
Getting yourself or your brand to show up on Google isn’t a simple task. But it’s definitely possible. The key here is to create a basic website that clearly tells your story. You need to make sure this site is easy for Google’s search engine to find and understand. You must create a free Google Business Profile if you own a local business.
Use structured data to help Google understand your site and Search Console to track performance. Your presence will grow by regularly posting fresh and helpful content. It is the best way to rank high on Google in 2025.
FAQs
Q1. Is the People Card feature still available?
No. The People Card feature ended on April 7, 2024. New cards can no longer be created or updated.
Q2. How can I ensure my name appears in Google search results?
Create a public website or profile and make sure it’s crawlable. Use Google Search Console and link your social profiles to boost your rankings.
Q3.What does Google Search Console do for my visibility?
It helps in many ways like
- Submit your site
- Monitor indexing
- Spot errors
- Submit sitemaps
- Inspect URLs
- Optimize performance
Q4. Why isn’t my page indexed even after submitting it?
Google might take longer to index your site because of problems like:
- Low-quality or duplicate content
- Crawl restrictions
- “Noindex” tags or robots.txt blocks
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