🔍 Overview
Google Business Profile (GBP) automated posts can include a button, such as Learn more. For a normal automated post, Search Atlas sets that button to Learn more and uses the website URL saved on the GBP location. A prompt cannot change that destination. To use a citation URL, edit the button link on each unpublished post.
❓ Why Updating the Prompt Often Does Not Change the Button
The prompt and the button link are usually two different things:
- AI writing tips (optional) guide the written post, including topic, tone, length, and keywords.
- The button link is the destination URL on that post’s button. It is stored on the individual post, not in Automated Posting settings.
If you tell AI writing tips to use your citation link, the AI may mention that link in the post text. The button URL still comes from the GBP location’s website URL, or from the source blog URL when a post is generated from a blog. This is why changing the writing tips does not change the button.
✅ Before You Start
Gather the following so the change goes smoothly:
- The full citation URL you want to use, starting with https://.
- Confirmation that the citation page is live and opens correctly in your browser.
- You need access to GBP Posts for the business location you want to update.
🛠️ How to Point the Button to a Citation Link
- In the left sidebar, open Local SEO, then GBP Posts, and select the business location.
- Open the post you want to change and select Edit. In the Button dropdown, choose a button such as Learn more. A separate field labeled Button link then appears. This is separate from AI writing tips (optional) in Automate GBP Posting.
- In the post’s Button link field, replace the current URL with the full citation URL. Copy it directly from your browser address bar to avoid typos.
- Save your changes.
- Save the edited post with Update Post. The button label appears in the GBP Posts table, and selecting it opens the saved URL. You can also confirm the button on the published Google Business Profile post.
Automated Posting does not contain a separate button or link setting. If you cannot edit the button on a post, check that the post is not already published. Published posts cannot be edited. Otherwise, contact our team using the steps at the end of this article.
⏱️ Why Existing Posts Do Not Update
Changes to AI writing tips apply only when a new post is generated. They do not change posts that already exist. You can still edit the Button link on a scheduled, draft, or unpublished post. A published post keeps the link it was published with and cannot be edited.
- Review the date of the post you are checking.
- Look at the next post created after your change.
- If a scheduled post still has the old link, open it with Edit, change Button link, and save it with Update Post. You do not need to regenerate or recreate the post.
🔎 Troubleshooting Checklist
- Check the URL format. Use a full URL beginning with http:// or https://. If the URL is incomplete or uses another format, the post cannot be saved until you enter a valid URL.
- Test the citation page. Open it in a private browser window to make sure it loads without a login.
- Confirm you saved. Make sure the save or update button was clicked and a confirmation appeared.
- Check the right location. If you manage several locations, confirm you edited the one that is posting.
- Refresh the page. Reload the platform to make sure you are seeing the latest settings.
- Review Google's rules. Google may reject or remove links that look misleading or lead to unsupported pages. Directory pages generally work, but Google makes the final call.
💡 Tips for Better Results
- Choose the citation page that best represents your business, such as your most complete and accurate listing.
- Keep your business name, address, and phone number consistent between the citation and your Google profile.
- Use the prompt for the post wording, and use the button setting for the link. Keeping them separate avoids confusion.
- After any change, review the first new post before assuming everything is set up correctly.
🙋 Still Need Help?
If the button still shows your home page after following these steps, our team can check your setup. Please have your business location name and the citation URL ready. If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be instantly connected with a member of our team.