Ramadan, Eid and Public Holidays: Update Your Google Profile in the UAE
Before Ramadan, Eid and UAE public holidays, set special hours on your Google Business Profile so customers see when you’re really open. Wrong hours are one of the most common reasons people skip a business on Google Maps. Add a short post with your holiday timings and any seasonal offers.
How Do I Set Special Hours for Ramadan?
Open your profile, choose Edit profile → Hours → Special hours, add each date with your Ramadan timings, and save. Repeat for Eid and public holidays. Special hours override regular hours only for those dates.
Checklist
| Task | When |
|---|---|
| Add Ramadan special hours | Before Ramadan starts |
| Post your Ramadan timings | First day of Ramadan |
| Add Eid holiday closures/hours | Before Eid |
| Update WhatsApp auto-reply | Same time |
| Check website hours match | Same time |
| Restore regular hours | Automatic after special dates |
Why should I update my Google profile for Ramadan and Eid? Opening hours change for most businesses during Ramadan in the UAE, and many people search late in the evening, after iftar. If Google still shows your normal hours, customers arrive when you’re closed or don’t call when you’re open. Eid holidays add more changes.
How do I add Ramadan hours? 1. Open your Google Business Profile and choose Edit profile, then Hours. 2. Use Special hours for each day of Ramadan if your hours differ from usual, including late-night openings. 3. Add Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha closures or reduced hours separately. Exact dates depend on the moon sighting, so update them as soon as they’re announced. 4. Check your hours on Google Maps after saving.
What else should I post? – A Google post with your Ramadan timings, in Arabic and English – Any iftar or suhoor offers if you’re a restaurant or café – Delivery or booking times for clinics, salons and service companies – Updated timings on your website and WhatsApp Business profile
Does Ramadan affect search behaviour? Yes. Searches for restaurants, food delivery, gifts, clothing and home services often rise in the evenings, and some business-to-business searches slow down during the day. Plan posts and offers for the times your customers are actually searching.
After Eid Remove special hours once you return to normal timings, and ask customers you served during Ramadan for reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Should I change my hours during Ramadan?
Yes. Add special hours in your Google Business Profile so customers don’t arrive when you’re closed.
How do I set holiday hours?
In your profile, go to Edit profile, then Hours, then Special hours, and add the dates.
Will special hours affect my ranking?
Accurate hours help customers and may help Google show you when you’re open.
