Why Your House Cleaning Business Needs a Strong Google Presence
If you own a house cleaning business in Minneapolis, you're sitting on a goldmine of opportunity but only if potential customers can find you. In today's digital age, 85% of consumers search online for local services before making a decision. When someone in Minneapolis types "house cleaning near me" or "maid service Minneapolis" into Google, you want YOUR business to show up first.
That's where Google Business Profile (GBP) comes in.
Formerly known as Google My Business, Google Business Profile is your free ticket to appearing in local search results, Google Maps, and the coveted "Local Pack" (those three business listings that appear at the top of search results). For house cleaning businesses in Minneapolis, optimizing your GBP isn't just nice to have it's essential for survival and growth.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about optimizing your Google Business Profile specifically for house cleaning services in Minneapolis. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur just starting out or an established cleaning company looking to dominate the local market, this beginner-friendly guide will give you the tools to succeed.
Ready to take your house cleaning business to the next level?
Chapter 1: Understanding Google Business Profile and Its Importance
What Is Google Business Profile?
Google Business Profile is a free tool provided by Google that allows businesses to manage their online presence across Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches for your business or services like yours, your GBP listing displays crucial information including:
- Business name and category
- Address and service areas
- Phone number and website
- Business hours
- Photos and videos
- Customer reviews and ratings
- Posts and updates
- Questions and answers
For house cleaning businesses in Minneapolis, this is your digital storefront. It's often the first impression potential customers have of your business.
Why GBP Matters for House Cleaning Businesses in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a competitive market with over 400,000 households in the metro area. Here's why GBP optimization is critical:
- Local Visibility: 46% of all Google searches have local intent. When Minneapolis residents search for cleaning services, you want to appear.
- Trust Building: A complete, optimized profile with reviews builds credibility instantly.
- Free Marketing: Unlike paid ads, GBP is completely free—perfect for small business budgets.
- Mobile Optimization: 76% of people who search for something nearby on their smartphone visit a business within 24 hours.
- Competitive Edge: Many cleaning businesses still have incomplete profiles. Optimization gives you an advantage.
The Minneapolis Market Advantage
Minneapolis has unique characteristics that make GBP optimization especially valuable:
- Seasonal demand spikes (spring cleaning, post-holiday cleanup)
- High concentration of dual-income households needing cleaning services
- Strong neighborhood communities where local recommendations matter
- Weather-related cleaning needs (salt removal, mud tracking, etc.)
Your GBP allows you to highlight these local advantages and connect with Minneapolis residents searching for exactly what you offer.
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Google Business Profile (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Claim or Create Your Profile
If you haven't already claimed your business on Google, here's how to get started:
- Go to google.com/business
- Click "Manage Now"
- Enter your business name
- Select "House Cleaning Service" as your primary category
- Add your business location (or service areas if you don't have a storefront)
- Add contact information (phone, website)
- Verify your business (usually via postcard, phone, or email)
Pro Tip: If your business already exists on Google but isn't claimed, search for it first and click "Claim this business."
Step 2: Choose the Right Categories
Category selection is CRUCIAL for local SEO. For house cleaning businesses in Minneapolis, use:
Primary Category:
- House Cleaning Service
Additional Categories (if applicable):
- Carpet Cleaning Service
- Window Cleaning Service
- Janitorial Service
- Maid Service
- Office Cleaning Service
Don't stuff irrelevant categories - Google may penalize you. Stick to services you actually provide.
Step 3: Complete Every Section
Google rewards complete profiles with better visibility. Here's what to fill out:
Business Information:
- Business name (use your actual business name, not keywords)
- Address (or service areas)
- Phone number (use a local Minneapolis number if possible)
- Website URL
- Business hours (be accurate!)
Service Areas:
Since many house cleaning businesses serve multiple Minneapolis neighborhoods, specify your service areas:
- Downtown Minneapolis
- Uptown
- Northeast Minneapolis
- Southwest Minneapolis
- Surrounding suburbs (Edina, St. Louis Park, Minnetonka, etc.)
Attributes:
Select relevant attributes like:
- Women-led (if applicable)
- Veteran-led (if applicable)
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Appointment required
- Free estimates
Step 4: Verification
Verification is required before your profile goes live. Options include:
- Postcard (most common, takes 5-7 days)
- Phone (instant verification for some businesses)
- Email (less common)
- Video (newer option)
Don't skip this step! Unverified profiles won't appear in search results.
Chapter 3: Optimizing Your Profile for Maximum Visibility
Crafting the Perfect Business Description
Your business description is prime real estate for keywords and value propositions. Here's how to write one that converts:
What to Include:
- Your business name and location
- Years of experience
- Services offered
- Unique selling points
- Minneapolis-specific references
- Call to action
Example:
"Sparkle Clean Minneapolis has been providing professional house cleaning services to Minneapolis families since 2018. Our trusted, background-checked cleaners serve Downtown, Uptown, Northeast, and surrounding neighborhoods. We specialize in deep cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, and recurring maintenance cleaning. Eco-friendly products available upon request. Book your free estimate today!"
Character Limit: 750 characters - make every word count!
Keyword Optimization (Without Keyword Stuffing)
Include relevant keywords naturally throughout your profile:
Primary Keywords:
- House cleaning Minneapolis
- Maid service Minneapolis
- Home cleaning Minneapolis
- Residential cleaning Minneapolis
- Cleaning service near me
Secondary Keywords:
- Deep cleaning Minneapolis
- Move-out cleaning Minneapolis
- Apartment cleaning Minneapolis
- Eco-friendly cleaning Minneapolis
- Affordable house cleaning Minneapolis
Where to Use Keywords:
- Business description
- Services section
- Posts
- Q&A section
- Photo captions
Warning: Don't overdo it! Google penalizes keyword stuffing. Keep it natural and reader-friendly.
High-Quality Photos That Convert
Photos are one of the MOST important ranking factors for GBP. Here's what to upload:
Minimum Requirements:
- Profile photo (logo or business image)
- Cover photo (showcasing your best work)
- At least 5-10 additional photos
Photo Types That Work Best:
- Before/After Shots: Show the transformation your cleaning provides
- Team Photos: Build trust with faces behind the business
- Equipment Photos: Demonstrate professionalism
- Completed Work: Clean kitchens, bathrooms, living rooms
- Branded Vehicles: If you have them
- Happy Customers: With permission, of course!
Photo Tips:
- Use high-resolution images (minimum 720px)
- Good lighting is essential
- Show Minneapolis landmarks when possible (local connection)
- Update photos regularly (Google favors active profiles)
- Add geo-tags to photos when possible
Pro Tip: Businesses with photos receive 42% more requests for directions and 35% more clicks to their website than those without.
Chapter 4: Managing Reviews Like a Pro
Why Reviews Matter
Reviews are the #1 factor customers consider when choosing a house cleaning service. Here's the data:
- 87% of consumers read online reviews for local businesses
- 79% trust online reviews as much as personal recommendations
- Businesses with 4+ stars receive significantly more clicks
- Each additional star rating can increase revenue by 5-9%
For Minneapolis house cleaning businesses, reviews are your reputation currency.
How to Get More Reviews
Ask at the Right Time:
- Immediately after a successful cleaning
- When a customer expresses satisfaction
- After resolving a complaint successfully
Make It Easy:
- Send a direct review link via text or email
- Provide a QR code on invoices
- Include review requests in follow-up communications
Sample Review Request Message:
"Hi [Name]! Thank you for choosing Sparkle Clean Minneapolis. We hope you're loving your freshly cleaned home! If you have a moment, we'd greatly appreciate a review on our Google Business Profile. It helps us serve Minneapolis families better. [Review Link] Thank you!"
Incentives? Be careful! Google prohibits offering incentives for reviews. Instead, focus on providing exceptional service that naturally encourages reviews.
Responding to Reviews (Good and Bad)
Positive Reviews:
- Thank the customer by name
- Mention specific services they used
- Reference Minneapolis/neighborhood
- Invite them back
Example Response:
"Thank you, Sarah! We're thrilled you loved our deep cleaning service for your Uptown apartment. Our team takes pride in making Minneapolis homes sparkle. We look forward to serving you again soon!"
Negative Reviews:
- Respond within 24-48 hours
- Stay professional and calm
- Acknowledge the issue
- Offer to resolve privately
- Don't argue publicly
Example Response:
"Hi Jennifer, we're sorry to hear about your experience. This doesn't meet our standards. Please contact us at [phone] so we can make this right. We value all our Minneapolis customers and want to ensure your satisfaction."
Pro Tip: Responding to reviews shows Google you're active and engaged, which can improve rankings.
Building a Review Generation System
Create a systematic approach to collecting reviews:
- After each cleaning, send a follow-up text/email
- Track review requests in a spreadsheet or CRM
- Set monthly goals (e.g., 10 new reviews per month)
- Monitor and respond to all reviews weekly
- Celebrate milestones (50 reviews, 100 reviews, etc.)
Need help boosting your local SEO and review management? Check out professional services that can accelerate your GBP optimization:
Chapter 5: Google Posts and Updates
What Are Google Posts?
Google Posts are like mini social media updates that appear directly on your GBP. They're perfect for:
- Promoting special offers
- Announcing new services
- Sharing cleaning tips
- Highlighting seasonal promotions
- Showcasing before/after photos
Types of Posts for House Cleaning Businesses
1. Offer Posts
"Spring Cleaning Special! 20% off deep cleaning services for Minneapolis homes booked before March 31st. Book now!"
2. Update Posts
"Now serving Edina and Minnetonka! Our trusted cleaning team is expanding to serve more Minneapolis suburbs."
3. Event Posts
"Join us at the Minneapolis Home Show, March 15-17! Visit booth #234 for exclusive discounts on house cleaning packages."
4. Product Posts
"New Eco-Friendly Cleaning Package! Safe for pets and kids, tough on dirt. Available throughout Minneapolis metro."
Best Practices for Google Posts
- Post regularly (at least once per week)
- Use high-quality images (1080x720px recommended)
- Include clear calls-to-action
- Keep text concise (100-300 words ideal)
- Add relevant keywords naturally
- Include expiration dates for offers (creates urgency)
Post Ideas for Minneapolis House Cleaning Businesses
Seasonal Content:
- "Spring Cleaning Checklist for Minneapolis Homes"
- "Post-Winter Deep Clean: Removing Salt and Mud"
- "Holiday Cleanup Special—Book Before December 20th"
- "Summer Vacation Home Cleaning While You're Away"
Educational Content:
- "5 Areas Most Minneapolis Homeowners Forget to Clean"
- "How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Bathroom?"
- "Eco-Friendly vs. Traditional Cleaning: What's Best?"
Community Content:
- "Proud to Support Minneapolis Local Schools"
- "Meet Our Team: Cleaning Professionals Serving Minneapolis"
- "Customer Spotlight: The Johnson Family from Northeast Minneapolis"
Posts expire after 7 days (except offers which can run longer), so consistency is key!
Chapter 6: Managing Questions & Answers
The Q&A Section Explained
The Q&A section on your GBP allows potential customers to ask questions publicly. Anyone can answer - including you, customers, or even competitors!
Common Questions for House Cleaning Businesses
Prepare answers for these frequently asked questions:
Q: "Do you provide your own cleaning supplies?"
A: "Yes! We bring all necessary equipment and eco-friendly cleaning products. If you have product preferences, we're happy to use yours!"
Q: "Are your cleaners background-checked?"
A: "Absolutely! All our Minneapolis cleaning professionals undergo thorough background checks and training before joining our team."
Q: "What areas do you serve?"
A: "We serve all of Minneapolis including Downtown, Uptown, Northeast, Southwest, and surrounding suburbs like Edina, St. Louis Park, and Minnetonka."
Q: "How much does house cleaning cost in Minneapolis?"
A: "Pricing varies based on home size and services needed. Most Minneapolis homes range from $120-$300 per cleaning. Contact us for a free, no-obligation estimate!"
Q: "Do you offer recurring cleaning services?"
A: "Yes! We offer weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly cleaning plans with discounted rates for recurring customers."
Proactive Q&A Management
Don't wait for questions! Add your own Q&A:
- Go to your GBP
- Click "Q&A"
- Click "Ask a question"
- Add common questions and answer them yourself
This ensures accurate information is available immediately.
Monitoring and Responding
- Check Q&A weekly
- Respond within 24 hours
- Flag inappropriate or inaccurate answers
- Update answers as services change
Chapter 7: Local SEO Strategies for Minneapolis House Cleaning
Understanding Local SEO
Local SEO is the practice of optimizing your online presence to attract more business from relevant local searches. For Minneapolis house cleaning businesses, this means appearing when people search:
- "House cleaning Minneapolis"
- "Maid service near me"
- "Cleaning service Minneapolis MN"
- "Best house cleaners Minneapolis"
NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone)
Your business information must be identical across all online platforms:
- Google Business Profile
- Your website
- Yelp
- Angie's List
- HomeAdvisor
- Local directories
Inconsistencies confuse Google and hurt rankings.
Building Local Citations
Citations are online mentions of your business. Build them on:
General Directories:
- Yelp
- Yellow Pages
- Bing Places
- Apple Maps
Industry-Specific:
- Angie's List
- HomeAdvisor
- Thumbtack
- Care.com (for housekeeping)
Local Minneapolis Directories:
- Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce
- Twin Cities Business
- Local neighborhood associations
- Nextdoor
Creating Location-Specific Content
If you have a website, create pages for different Minneapolis areas:
- "House Cleaning Downtown Minneapolis"
- "Maid Service Uptown Minneapolis"
- "Home Cleaning Northeast Minneapolis"
This helps you rank for neighborhood-specific searches.
Backlinks and Authority Building
Quality backlinks from reputable local websites boost your GBP rankings:
- Local news sites (Star Tribune, Minneapolis Business Journal)
- Community blogs
- Local business associations
- Sponsorships (local events, schools, charities)
- Guest posts on local websites
Want to build high-quality backlinks to boost your local rankings? Professional SEO services can help:
Minneapolis-Specific Optimization Tips
- Use Minneapolis neighborhoods in your content (Lyn-Lake, Tangletown, Nokomis, etc.)
- Reference local landmarks (Chain of Lakes, Mississippi River, etc.)
- Mention Minneapolis seasons and related cleaning needs
- Participate in local events and document them on your GBP
- Partner with complementary businesses (real estate agents, property managers, etc.)
Chapter 8: Tracking Performance and Making Improvements
Google Business Profile Insights
GBP provides valuable data about how customers find and interact with your listing:
Key Metrics to Track:
- Search Queries: What terms people used to find you
- Views: How many times your profile was seen
- Actions: Calls, website clicks, direction requests
- Photos: Which photos get the most views
- Reviews: Review count and average rating over time
How to Access Insights
- Go to your Google Business Profile
- Click "Insights" in the left menu
- Review data for different time periods (7 days, 28 days, 90 days)
Setting Goals and KPIs
Establish measurable goals for your GBP:
Monthly Goals Example:
- Increase profile views by 20%
- Gain 10 new reviews
- Achieve 4.5+ star average rating
- Generate 15 phone calls from GBP
- Get 25 website clicks from GBP
Making Data-Driven Improvements
Use your insights to optimize:
Low Views?
- Improve your photos
- Add more posts
- Optimize your description with keywords
- Encourage more reviews
Low Clicks?
- Add clearer calls-to-action
- Update your website landing page
- Post special offers
- Respond to all reviews
Few Calls?
- Ensure your phone number is prominent
- Add click-to-call functionality
- Post time-sensitive offers
- Highlight your Minneapolis local presence
Competitor Analysis
Regularly check competitor GBP listings:
- What categories do they use?
- How many reviews do they have?
- What photos are they posting?
- What offers are they running?
- How do they respond to reviews?
Learn from their successes and gaps!
Chapter 9: Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake #1: Incomplete Profile
An incomplete profile signals to Google (and customers) that you're not serious about your business. Fill out EVERY section.
Mistake #2: Ignoring Reviews
Not responding to reviews - positive or negative - makes you look unengaged. Respond to all reviews within 48 hours.
Mistake #3: Keyword Stuffing
Over-optimizing with keywords can get your profile penalized. Keep it natural and customer-focused.
Mistake #4: Inconsistent Business Information
Different phone numbers or addresses across platforms confuse Google and customers. Maintain NAP consistency everywhere.
Mistake #5: Low-Quality Photos
Blurry, dark, or irrelevant photos hurt your credibility. Invest in good photography.
Mistake #6: Not Posting Regularly
Inactive profiles rank lower. Post at least once per week.
Mistake #7: Fake Reviews
Never buy fake reviews or write reviews for yourself. Google can detect this and will penalize or remove your profile.
Mistake #8: Ignoring Mobile Optimization
Most local searches happen on mobile. Ensure your profile and website are mobile-friendly.
Mistake #9: Not Using All Features
GBP offers posts, Q&A, messaging, booking buttons, and more. Use them all!
Mistake #10: Giving Up Too Soon
GBP optimization takes time. Expect to see significant results after 3-6 months of consistent effort.
Chapter 10: Advanced GBP Strategies for Growth
Google Messaging
Enable messaging on your GBP to allow customers to text you directly:
- Go to your GBP dashboard
- Click "Messaging"
- Toggle it on
- Download the Google Business app to respond quickly
Response time matters! Aim to respond within 1 hour during business hours.
Booking Buttons
Integrate booking software to allow customers to schedule cleanings directly from your GBP:
- Set up online booking through your website
- Use compatible booking platforms
- Add the booking link to your GBP
This reduces friction and increases conversions.
Product/Service Catalog
Create a detailed service catalog on your GBP:
- Standard Cleaning
- Deep Cleaning
- Move-In/Move-Out Cleaning
- Post-Construction Cleaning
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning
- Apartment Cleaning
- House Cleaning
Include starting prices and descriptions for each service.
Seasonal Campaigns
Create GBP campaigns around Minneapolis seasons and holidays:
Spring (March-May):
- Spring cleaning specials
- Allergen reduction cleaning
- Window cleaning add-ons
Summer (June-August):
- Vacation home cleaning
- Post-event cleanup
- Outdoor space cleaning
Fall (September-November):
- Pre-holiday deep cleaning
- Gutter cleaning partnerships
- Fireplace cleaning prep
Winter (December-February):
- Post-holiday cleanup
- Salt and mud removal
- Indoor air quality cleaning
Video Content
Add short videos to your GBP:
- Team introductions
- Before/after transformations
- Cleaning tips
- Customer testimonials
- Behind-the-scenes content
Videos under 30 seconds perform best!
Chapter 11: Building a Sustainable GBP Management System
Creating a Weekly GBP Routine
Monday:
- Check and respond to new reviews
- Monitor Q&A section
- Review insights from previous week
Wednesday:
- Create and schedule Google Post
- Upload new photos (if available)
- Check competitor profiles
Friday:
- Respond to any pending messages
- Update service offerings if needed
- Plan next week's content
Monthly GBP Audit
Once per month, conduct a comprehensive audit:
- All business information is accurate
- Photos are current and high-quality
- Reviews are responded to
- Posts are being published regularly
- Insights show positive trends
- Competitor analysis completed
- New citations built
- Website GBP integration working
Tools to Streamline Management
Free Tools:
- Google Business Profile app
- Google Analytics
- Google Search Console
Paid Tools (Optional):
- BrightLocal (review management)
- Yext (citation management)
- Hootsuite (social media integration)
- Canva (photo editing)
Outsourcing GBP Management
As your business grows, consider outsourcing:
- Review monitoring and responses
- Post creation and scheduling
- Photo management
- Insights analysis
- Citation building
Professional help can accelerate your results:
Chapter 12: Success Stories from Minneapolis House Cleaning Businesses
Case Study 1: Sparkle Clean Minneapolis
Starting Point:
- 12 reviews (3.8 stars)
- Incomplete profile
- No posts or photos
- Ranking page 3 for "house cleaning Minneapolis"
Actions Taken:
- Completed all profile sections
- Uploaded 25+ high-quality photos
- Implemented review generation system
- Posted weekly Google Posts
- Responded to all reviews
- Built 15 local citations
Results After 6 Months:
- 87 reviews (4.8 stars)
- Ranking #1 in Local Pack
- 340% increase in profile views
- 215% increase in phone calls
- 180% increase in website clicks
Case Study 2: Twin Cities Maid Service
Starting Point:
- New business, no online presence
- Zero reviews
- No website
Actions Taken:
- Created and verified GBP immediately
- Focused on getting first 10 reviews
- Built simple website with GBP integration
- Posted before/after photos regularly
- Joined local business associations
Results After 4 Months:
- 34 reviews (4.9 stars)
- Ranking #2 in Local Pack
- Fully booked 3 weeks in advance
- Expanded to 2 cleaning teams
Key Takeaways from Success Stories
- Consistency beats perfection - start now, improve over time
- Reviews are critical - make collection systematic
- Photos matter - invest in quality imagery
- Local focus wins - emphasize Minneapolis connections
- Patience pays off - results compound over months
Chapter 13: The Future of Google Business Profile
Emerging Trends to Watch
AI-Powered Features:
Google is increasingly using AI to match searches with businesses. Optimize for natural language queries.
Video-First Content:
Short-form video is becoming more prominent on GBP. Start building a video library now.
Voice Search Optimization:
More people use voice search ("Hey Google, find house cleaners near me"). Optimize for conversational queries.
Integration with Google Services:
GBP is becoming more integrated with Google Maps, Search, and Assistant. Stay updated on new features.
Sustainability Attributes:
Eco-friendly and sustainable business attributes are gaining importance. Highlight green cleaning practices.
Staying Ahead of the Competition
Continuous Learning:
- Follow Google's official GBP blog
- Join local SEO communities
- Attend digital marketing webinars
- Test new features as they launch
Adaptation:
- Be ready to pivot strategies based on algorithm updates
- Monitor competitor moves
- Listen to customer feedback
- Invest in ongoing optimization
Conclusion: Your Path to GBP Success Starts Now
Optimizing your Google Business Profile for your Minneapolis house cleaning business isn't a one-time task - it's an ongoing commitment to excellence. But the rewards are worth it:
✅ More visibility in local search results
✅ Increased trust from potential customers
✅ Higher conversion rates from searches to bookings
✅ Competitive advantage over businesses with poor profiles
✅ Free marketing that works 24/7
Your Action Plan
Week 1:
- Claim and verify your GBP
- Complete all profile sections
- Upload 10+ high-quality photos
Week 2:
- Write optimized business description
- Set up review generation system
- Create your first Google Post
Week 3:
- Respond to all existing reviews
- Add Q&A proactively
- Build 5 local citations
Week 4:
- Review insights and adjust strategy
- Plan next month's content calendar
- Set monthly goals and KPIs
Month 2-6:
- Maintain weekly posting schedule
- Continue review collection
- Monitor and optimize based on data
- Build backlinks and citations
- Consider professional help for acceleration
Final Thoughts
The Minneapolis house cleaning market is competitive, but with a properly optimized Google Business Profile, you can stand out and attract more customers than ever before. Remember:
- Start now - don't wait for the "perfect" time
- Stay consistent - regular updates beat occasional perfection
- Focus on customers - every optimization should improve their experience
- Track results - use data to guide your decisions
- Keep learning - local SEO evolves constantly
Your future customers are searching for house cleaning services in Minneapolis RIGHT NOW. Make sure they find YOU.
Ready to Take Your GBP to the Next Level?
If you're ready to accelerate your Google Business Profile optimization and dominate local search results in Minneapolis, professional help can make all the difference.
Get expert assistance with:
- Complete GBP setup and optimization
- Review management strategies
- Local SEO and citation building
- High-quality backlink creation
- Ongoing performance monitoring
Don't let your competitors rank above you! Start optimizing your Google Business Profile today and watch your Minneapolis house cleaning business grow.
Bonus: Free GBP Optimization Checklist
Download this checklist to track your optimization progress:
Profile Setup:
- Business claimed and verified
- Primary category selected
- Additional categories added
- Business hours accurate
- Service areas defined
- Contact information complete
- Website linked
Content Optimization:
- Business description written (750 characters)
- Keywords included naturally
- 10+ photos uploaded
- Services catalog created
- Attributes selected
Review Management:
- Review generation system in place
- All reviews responded to
- Review monitoring scheduled
- Negative review protocol established
Ongoing Activities:
- Weekly Google Posts scheduled
- Q&A monitored weekly
- Insights reviewed monthly
- Competitor analysis quarterly
- Citations built monthly
Track your progress and celebrate wins along the way!
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