Start with Google. It is where both Thai and foreign diners check the pin, hours, photos and directions, and your profile feeds Maps. Next, claim Wongnai if Thai diners and LINE MAN delivery matter to you. Add TripAdvisor when tourists are a real share of your guests. All three are free to claim.
By Michael Clarke, trained chef and restaurant marketer. Last updated 14 November 2026.
Quick answer
- Google Business Profile first: it powers Search and Maps, and you control the details.
- Wongnai second for most Thai-facing restaurants, especially if you want LINE MAN delivery.
- TripAdvisor when hotel guests and tourists are a meaningful share of covers.
- Claiming all three is free; the cost is the time to keep them accurate.
- Same name, address, phone and hours everywhere.
I run Markedine, a restaurant marketing company in Bangkok. The free Google audit at the end of this article is a Markedine offer. This article does not contain affiliate links.
Why should Google come first?
Because almost every guest touches Google at some point before they arrive, even if they found you somewhere else. They tap the pin for directions, check if you are open, look at photos and read a few reviews. A wrong pin or old hours on Google costs you guests who already decided to come.
Google also tells you how its local results work: they are “mainly based on relevance, distance, and popularity,” and complete, accurate profiles are more likely to show up. That is work you control.
The strongest results we have published at Markedine are Google results. A French patisserie in a Bangkok mall saw direction clicks up over 500% with its main keywords in the top 3. A Japanese restaurant near Suvarnabhumi got airport searches such as “sushi near airport” into the top 3. A Sukhumvit cafe lifted direction clicks by over 200% in three months. Those are specific restaurants, but they show why I put Google first.
When does Wongnai matter most?
Wongnai is a Thai food platform, and for many Thai diners it is where they browse, read reviews and find restaurants. On its guide for restaurant owners, Wongnai describes itself as Thailand’s number one food platform and says it has more than 8 million users a month; that is Wongnai’s own figure, from a 2020 article.
What makes Wongnai practical is the connection to the rest of the LINE MAN Wongnai group. When you claim your listing, the same form lets you register interest in LINE MAN delivery, Wongnai POS and advertising. If your guests are mainly Thai, or you want delivery through LINE MAN, claim Wongnai early.
How do you claim a Wongnai listing?
- Search for your restaurant in the Wongnai app or on the Wongnai website.
- If it exists, tap “I Own This Business” (เป็นเจ้าของสถานที่นี้) at the bottom of the listing and fill in your business and contact details.
- If it does not exist, add a new place, choose the business type, set the pin on the map and fill in the details.
- Wongnai says a staff member will contact you on the next business day to confirm.
When is TripAdvisor worth your time?
TripAdvisor is a travel review site, so it matters most when tourists and hotel guests are a real share of your covers: near hotels, on the river, in tourist areas, or with a concept visitors look for. Claiming is free. TripAdvisor’s owners page says you can customise your listing, upload photos, respond to reviews and track performance with free tools, and its onboarding guide walks through claiming and confirming your details.
When I managed the rooftop Attitude Bar & Restaurant at Avani Riverside, TripAdvisor and social media were part of the job, because a hotel rooftop on the river serves a lot of travellers. For a neighbourhood noodle shop in Bang Na, TripAdvisor is a lower priority.
Which platform should you prioritise for your type of restaurant?
| Your restaurant | First | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neighbourhood restaurant, mostly Thai guests | Wongnai | Facebook / Instagram | |
| Restaurant that relies on delivery | Wongnai + LINE MAN, GrabFood | Your own ordering link | |
| Mall restaurant | Google (correct pin and floor) | Wongnai | Mall listing and directory |
| Tourist area, hotel or riverside | TripAdvisor | Wongnai | |
| Expat-heavy area (Sukhumvit, Sathorn) | Wongnai | TripAdvisor if visitors come | |
| Near the airport | Google, with airport-intent searches | TripAdvisor | Wongnai |
This is my rule of thumb from working with Bangkok restaurants, not a ranking from any platform. Your own booking and order data is the better guide: ask guests how they found you for a month.
How do you keep three listings consistent?
The biggest problem we see is not missing listings. It is listings that disagree: different phone numbers, old hours, an English name on one and a Thai name on another with a different pin. Google says it may use information it found elsewhere, so mismatches can hurt your profile too.
- Write one master sheet: legal name, name on the sign in Thai and English, address, pin coordinates, phone, hours, website, booking link.
- Update Google first, then Wongnai, then TripAdvisor, from that sheet.
- Set a monthly reminder to check hours, holiday closures and the menu on all three.
- Reply to reviews on each platform, in the language the guest used.
Should you pay for ads on these platforms?
Not first. Fix the free basics on Google, Wongnai and, if relevant, TripAdvisor before spending on ads. Paid placement on a profile with the wrong category, an old menu and three-star photos wastes money. Once the basics are right, test one paid channel at a time with a clear goal, such as bookings or orders, and compare it to the month before.
Frequently asked questions
Is Wongnai or Google more important in Thailand?
For most restaurants, Google comes first because guests use it for directions, hours and photos even when they find you elsewhere. Wongnai is a close second for Thai-facing restaurants and those that want LINE MAN delivery.
Is it free to list a restaurant on Wongnai?
Claiming or adding your restaurant listing on Wongnai is free through its owner registration. Advertising and some services are paid.
Is TripAdvisor still relevant for Bangkok restaurants?
Yes, for restaurants that serve many tourists and hotel guests. For neighbourhood restaurants with mostly local guests, it is a lower priority than Google and Wongnai.
How do I claim my restaurant on TripAdvisor?
Go to TripAdvisor’s owners page, search for your restaurant, choose to claim it and verify that you represent the business. Its free tools let you edit details, add photos and respond to reviews.
Do I need the same details on every platform?
Yes. Keep the name, address, pin, phone, hours and website identical everywhere, and update all listings when anything changes.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help: local ranking
- Wongnai: 2 steps to connect your restaurant (Thai)
- Tripadvisor: Claim your free business listing
- Tripadvisor: Restaurant listing onboarding guide
Free Google audit
I run Markedine, and the free Google audit on this site is a Markedine offer. We look at your live Google profile, Maps presence and reviews, and send back practical fixes. There is no obligation to hire us. If your restaurant is in Thailand or Southeast Asia, the request goes to the Markedine team.