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Fix your Google Business Profile

92 guides, last checked 13 Nov 2026

Your Business Profile is the panel people see when they search your business name on Google or find you on Maps. It is free, and Google lets the verified owner edit almost everything on it, but the rules about what you can change, and how fast, are scattered across dozens of help pages.

Each guide below answers one task first, then walks you through it as numbered turns with a time estimate, says what usually goes wrong, and links the Google help page it was checked against, with the date. Red pins are problems to fix; green pins are things worth setting up.

Reviews

How to remove a Google review: You can't delete a customer's review yourself. You can report it, and Google removes it only if it breaks one of Google's review policies.
How to report a review on your Google Business Profile: Open the review from your Business Profile or the Reviews Management Tool, select Report, choose the reason that matches a Google policy, and submit. Google usually takes several days to decide.
How to appeal when Google won't remove a review you reported: Once a reported review shows Report reviewed - no policy violation, you can appeal it one time from the Reviews Management Tool. Google emails you the final decision.
How to reply to Google reviews: Once your profile is verified, open your Business Profile, select Read reviews, choose the Reply icon under a review, write your answer and select Reply. Google checks it, then shows it under your business name.
How to edit or delete your reply to a Google review: Go to your Business Profile, select Read reviews, and find your reply. Use the Edit icon to change it and select Update, or the Delete icon and then Delete to remove it.
What to do about fake Google reviews: Report each fake review in the Reviews Management Tool and choose the reason that matches, such as spam or a conflict of interest. If Google keeps them, appeal once. If someone wants money to stop, use Google's extortion form.
Someone left a 1-star Google review with no text: A bare star rating is allowed, so Google won't remove it just because there's no explanation. Report it only if it breaks a policy, like coming from a competitor or fake account, and otherwise leave a short reply.
What to do after a negative Google review: Read it twice, then decide: if it breaks a Google policy, report it; if it's an honest complaint, reply calmly and fix what you can. Google won't remove a fair review because it hurts.
Why a customer's Google review isn't showing up: Google checks new reviews against its policies, which can take a few days. If a review still isn't visible after that, it may have been filtered, the customer's app may be out of date, or posting may be restricted for your profile.
Google reviews disappeared from your profile: Google removes reviews it judges spam or policy-breaking, and sometimes catches genuine ones. Reviewers can also delete their own. If good reviews vanished with no reason you can see, contact Business Profile support.
How to get more Google reviews without breaking the rules: Ask every customer, happy or not, using the review link or QR code from your Business Profile. Don't offer anything in return, don't screen out unhappy customers, and don't pressure people on the spot.
How to find your Google review link: Open your Business Profile on a computer, select Read Reviews, then Get more reviews, and use Copy to grab the link. Paste it anywhere customers will see it after a visit.
How to make a Google review QR code: You don't need a QR generator. On a computer, open your Business Profile, select Read Reviews, then Get more reviews, right-click the QR code and choose Save image as. It can't be made on a phone yet.
Google review cards with NFC and QR: what to know before you use one: Tap and scan review cards are third-party products, not something Google offers. They work by opening a web link, so set them to the review link from your own Business Profile, and use them without pressuring customers on the spot.
Review gating and incentives: what Google allows: Google lets you ask any customer for a review. It bans rewards for reviews, screening out unhappy customers before they reach Google, staff review quotas, asking reviewers to name staff, and pressuring people on the premises.
Someone is threatening bad Google reviews unless you pay: Don't pay and don't negotiate. Save the messages, collect links to the suspicious reviews, and submit Google's merchant extortion report form. Google investigates and tells you the result.
Can you turn off Google reviews for your business?: No. Google doesn't give owners a setting to turn reviews off. Google itself disables or pauses reviews in a few cases, such as schools for ages 6 to 18 or a sudden spike in spam, but that's its decision, not yours.
A Google review meant for a different business: Report it in the Reviews Management Tool, because Google's policy requires reviews to be about an experience at that specific location. Then reply politely so the reviewer can move it, and readers can see the mix-up.

Verification

How to verify your business on Google: Select Get verified on your Business Profile and complete whichever method Google offers you. Google picks the method, and its review can take up to 5 business days.
How to pass Google's video verification: Record one live, unedited clip of at least 30 seconds on your phone, through your Business Profile, that shows your location, your business, and proof that you run it.
Google video verification failed: what to do next: Open Review issues on your profile to read Google's reasons, then record a fresh video that includes everything from the first one plus whatever was missing.
Verify your Google Business Profile by phone, text or email: If Google lists Phone, SMS or Email under Get verified, choose it, receive the code on your business line or the address shown, and enter it. You can't request these methods if they aren't listed.
Verify your Google Business Profile by postcard: Request the postcard under Get verified, then wait. Most codes arrive within 14 days and expire after 30. Don't edit your name, address or category, and don't ask for a new code while you wait.
Google verification pending or under review: what it means: Google is checking the information you sent. Its reviews take up to 5 business days and occasionally longer. Avoid editing key details while you wait, and re-verify only if Get verified comes back.
Google is asking me to verify my business again: It usually means Google couldn't fully verify the business, or that recent edits to your details need checking. Select Get Verified and complete whichever method it offers now.
How to verify a service-area business on Google: Set the profile up as a service-area business with your address hidden, then complete the verification method Google offers. Google still needs an address it can find, even though customers won't see it.
No verification options available on Google: Google chooses which verification methods each business sees, and you can't add one. Check that the business is eligible and the details are accurate, then contact Business Profile support if still nothing works.

Suspensions

My Google Business Profile was suspended: Google suspends profiles it believes break its guidelines. Fix the problem first, then file one appeal with matching documents in the Business Profile appeals tool. Don't make a new profile for the same business.
How to request reinstatement of a suspended Google profile: Reinstatement requests go through the Google Business Profile appeals tool. You choose the decision, attach evidence, explain what you fixed and select Submit appeal. You get one appeal per decision.
How to check the status of your Google Business Profile appeal: Open the Business Profile appeals tool again and select the profile. Each decision shows a status, from Submitted to Approved or Not Approved. Google also emails you the final decision.
Why Google suspends Business Profiles: Google suspends profiles that break its guidelines, such as ineligible businesses, mailbox addresses, padded names, or duplicate listings, and suspends every profile on an account it restricts for repeated violations.
Google restricted or limited features on my profile: Google can limit parts of a profile without suspending it: blocking or hiding reviews after fake engagement, rejecting edits, or restricting photos and posts. Find which one applies, then use that restriction's appeal route.
Google rejected my Business Profile appeal: next steps: A denied appeal isn't always final. Google says it may do an additional review if you can show evidence that wasn't in your first appeal. Businesses in the EEA may also have extra redress options.

Claiming and ownership

How to claim your business on Google: Find your business on Google Maps or Search, select Claim this business (or Own this business?), then Manage now, and finish verification. If the profile is already verified by someone else, you request ownership instead.
How to add your business to Google when it isn't listed: Go to business.google.com/add, select Add your business to Google, fill in your details and complete verification. It's free. Search for your business first, because if a listing already exists you should claim it instead.
How to get your Google profile back from someone else: Start at business.google.com/add, find your business, select Request Access and submit the form. Google emails the current owner, who has 3 days to respond. Service-area businesses without a storefront contact Google support instead.
Google ownership request with no reply: what to do next: Once 3 days pass without an answer, open Google's confirmation email and select View request, then Verify, or look for a Claim or Verify button in your account. If neither shows up, open a support case with Google.
How to hand your Google Business Profile to a new owner: Add the new person as an owner, wait 7 days, make them the primary owner, then remove yourself with Stop managing. Moving the profile this way keeps its reviews and history instead of starting from scratch.
How to manage several business locations on Google: Each location gets its own Business Profile. A few can be added one by one; with 10 or more you can add, verify and manage them in bulk from Business Profile Manager, organized in business groups.

Owners and managers

How to add an owner or manager to your Google profile: Open your profile's People and access settings, select Add, enter the person's email, choose Owner or Manager and select Invite. Pick Manager unless they need to control who else has access.
How to remove someone from your Google Business Profile: An owner opens People and access, selects the person and chooses Remove person. Managers can't remove others. If the person to remove is the primary owner, they must pass that role on before they can go.
How to change the primary owner of a Google Business Profile: The current primary owner opens People and access, selects an existing owner or manager, chooses Edit next to Access, picks Primary owner and saves. The person must already be on the profile and past their first 7 days.

Hours and closures

How to change your business hours on Google: On your Business Profile, select Edit profile, then Hours. Next to Hours choose Edit and Open with main hours, tick the days you're open, set times from the dropdowns and select Save.
How to set holiday hours on Google: Holiday hours are set as Special hours. Go to Edit profile, then Hours, select Edit next to Special hours, pick the holiday (Review confirms a suggested date), enter your hours or tick Closed, and Save.
How to change your Google hours for just one day: Add the date under Special hours instead of editing your weekly schedule. Select Edit profile, then Hours, Edit next to Special hours, then Add a date, set the hours or leave Closed checked, and Save.
How to mark your business temporarily closed on Google: Select Edit profile, then Hours, choose Edit next to Hours, pick Temporarily closed and Save. Use it for closures longer than 7 days, an off-season or an unknown stretch; shorter gaps go in Special hours.
How to mark your business permanently closed on Google: Go to Edit profile, then Hours, select Edit next to Hours, choose Permanently closed and Save. Your profile then shows as Permanently closed. Use it only when the business is gone, not when it's moving or renaming.
How to add delivery, pickup and other service hours on Google: Open Edit profile, then Hours, and under Add more hours choose a type such as delivery, takeout, pickup or drive through, then set its days and times and Save. More hours only show once your regular hours are set.

Address and service area

How to change your business address on Google: Open Edit profile, choose Location, edit Business location and save. That fixes typos and missing suite numbers. If you have relocated, Google treats it as a move, not a correction.
How to hide your address on Google (service-area business): Go to Edit profile, then Location, and turn off Show business address to customers. Google allows this only if customers don't come to you at that address, and your service area shows instead.
How to set the service area on your Google Business Profile: In Edit profile, open Location and edit Service area. Pick up to 20 cities, ZIP codes or regions you serve, keep them within roughly 2 hours' drive of your base, and save.
Your business moved: what to do on Google: Google's current policy says that if your business has relocated, mark the existing profile permanently closed and create a new profile at the new address. The new one has to be verified.
How to fix your pin location on Google Maps: If you manage the profile, open Edit profile, then Location, edit Business location, select Adjust and drag the map until the pin sits on your business. Then select Done and Save.

Business name

How to change your business name on Google: Select Edit profile, change Business name and save. Google reviews it first. Small changes can be a rebrand on the same profile; a completely new name is treated as a new business.
Google's business name rules: what you can and can't add: Your Google name must match the name customers see on your sign, website and stationery. Extra keywords, locations, slogans, hours or phone numbers are against Google's guidelines.
Google didn't approve my business name change: A Not approved name edit means Google couldn't confirm the new name is accurate. Line up your sign, website and documents, then appeal in the UK or EEA, or contact Google support elsewhere.

Description

How to write your Google Business Profile description: In Edit profile, select the edit icon next to Description, write up to 750 characters about your services and products, and save. No links, no HTML, and no focus on promotions or prices.
Google description rejected or not showing: Check whether the edit is Pending or Not approved. Rejected descriptions usually contain links, HTML, prices or promotions, or run past 750 characters. Fix those and resubmit once.

Photos and videos

How to add photos to your Google Business Profile: Search for your business on Google Search or Maps, select Photos, then Add photos, and pick your files. Use JPG or PNG between 10 KB and 5 MB. Nothing shows until the profile is verified.
How to remove a photo someone else added to your Google profile: You can delete your own uploads, but not photos customers added. Report the photo instead. Google reviews it against its policies and removes it only if it breaks one.
How to set your logo and cover photo on Google: Search your business on Google, select Photos, then Add a logo or Add a cover photo. Use Change logo or Change cover to replace one. Google doesn't promise the cover will be the first image shown.
Google Business Profile photos not showing: Open Photos on your profile and check each item's status. Pending means processing or an unverified profile; Not approved means a policy flag. Live media can take 24 to 48 hours to appear.
How to add videos to your Google Business Profile: Videos go in the same place as photos: search your business, select Photos, then Add photos, and choose the file. Keep it to 30 seconds, 75 MB, and at least 720p.

Posts

How to post updates, offers and events on your Google profile: Go to your Business Profile, select Posts, then Add post, and choose Update, Offer or Event. Google checks each post against its content policy before it shows on Search and Maps.
Google post rejected or not showing on your profile: Open Posts and read the status. Pending means it is still processing or your profile isn't verified; Not approved means it broke a content rule, shown by the question mark next to it.

Products, services and menus

How to add products to your Google Business Profile: Go to your Business Profile, select Edit products, fill in the product form and select Publish. Products must follow Google's Shopping ads policy or they can be rejected.
How to add services to your Google Business Profile: On your Business Profile, select Edit services, pick from the services Google suggests for your category or choose Add custom service, then Save. Custom names with prices, phone numbers or gibberish are rejected automatically.
How to add or fix your restaurant menu on Google: Open your Business Profile and select Edit menu to add sections, items and prices, or upload menu photos. If an old or third-party menu shows, choose your preferred source under the Full menu tab.

Website and links

How to add or change the website on your Google profile: Select Edit profile on your Business Profile, enter the full web address including https://, and select Save. Google reviews the change before it shows.
Your free Google business.site website stopped working: Google no longer runs the free business.site websites made from Business Profiles, so those links lead nowhere. Build or pick a new site and put its full address in your profile's website field.
How to add a booking or appointment link to your Google profile: If your category supports it, open the booking option on your profile, select Add link, paste the page where customers book, and Save. You can add up to ten links per action type and mark one as preferred.
Running a Google Business Profile with no website: what you lose: Your profile still works without a website: it can show on Maps, take calls and collect reviews. What you lose is the Website button, a place to explain more than the profile holds, and the links that build prominence.

Duplicates, edits and removal

How to delete or remove your Google Business Profile: A primary owner can select Remove Business Profile in Business Profile settings. That deletes your posts, photos and replies, but the business may still appear on Maps unless you also mark it permanently closed.
Two Google listings for one business: why and what to do: Google allows one Business Profile per business, and a profile it flags as a duplicate is hidden from Search and Maps. The fix depends on who owns the other listing and whether it is the same business.
How to merge or remove a duplicate Google listing: There's no merge button. Report the extra listing on Google Maps as a duplicate, and Google reviews it. If both describe the same business with the same details, reviews are combined, though replies may be lost.
Fix wrong information on Google Maps with Suggest an edit: Open the listing on Google Maps or Search, select Suggest an edit, choose the detail that's wrong, correct it and select Submit. Google reviews every suggestion before anything changes.
Google changed your Business Profile without asking: Google can update your profile when users or other sources report your info as wrong. Open Edit profile, look for details in blue, and correct them. For some user suggestions Google gives you 4 days to accept or reject first.

Showing up on Maps

How to rank higher on Google Maps: Google ranks local results mainly on relevance, distance and prominence, and says there's no way to pay for a better ranking. You improve the parts you control: a verified, complete, accurate profile, reviews you reply to, and a business people link to.
Your business isn't showing on Google Maps: Google says only verified businesses show their info on Maps and Search. If you're verified, check for a suspension notice and incomplete details, and allow time: new businesses can take up to a month, edits up to three days.

Rules and guidelines

Google Business Profile guidelines in plain words: Your business must meet customers in person, use its everyday name, list a staffed real-world address or hide it as a service-area business, and keep one profile per location. Breaking the rules can get a profile edited, removed or suspended.
Virtual offices, coworking spaces and home addresses on Google: A virtual office isn't eligible for a Business Profile. A coworking office qualifies only with clear signage, staff and customers there during your hours. Work from home and visit customers? Hide your address and set a service area.
Google listings for individual doctors, lawyers and agents: A public-facing professional who can be reached at the verified location during set hours can have a profile named only with their own name. A solo practitioner at a branded office shares one profile named Brand: Name.

Everything else

How to change the phone number on your Google Business Profile: Go to Edit profile, then Contact, and select the pencil next to Phone number. Type the new number and save. Google reviews the change before it shows.
How to add attributes like owner identity, accessibility and amenities: Open Edit profile, select More, then Edit next to a group such as Amenities. Set each attribute to Yes or No and save. Your category decides which attributes you get.
Messaging on your Google Business Profile after chat was retired: Google's built-in chat ended on July 31, 2024. In select regions you can now add a text message number or a WhatsApp link so customers message you outside Google.
Where did call history go on Google Business Profile?: Call history was retired on July 31, 2024. Customers can still call you from your profile, and the Performance page still counts how many people tapped the call button.
How to read the performance numbers on your Google Business Profile: Open your profile and select Performance, pick a time period and select Apply. Each metric counts one kind of customer action, and views count each person at most once a day.
Why your Google Business Profile edits aren't showing: Google reviews every edit before it goes live. Pending usually clears within minutes but can take up to 30 days. Not approved means Google couldn't confirm the change, and you may be able to appeal.
What Google's profile strength indicator checks: Profile Strength is a checklist on verified profiles that prompts you to fill gaps like hours and description and add photos and posts. Google doesn't say the score itself affects ranking.
How to add social media links to your Google Business Profile: Go to Edit profile, then Contact, and select the pencil next to Social profiles. Pick the network, paste the link and save. You get one link per network, and only in select regions.

What changed

2 Nov 2026
Google API now reports edit status and rejection reasons per field
Google added new Business Profile API methods (v1alpha) that return the status and source of each field edit and any policy rejection reasons. If you manage listings through a tool or agency, ask whether it can show you why an edit was not published. You can still check edit status yourself in your profile.
1 Nov 2026
Business hours can be set by describing them in your own words
The hours editor now has a Generate hours box where you type your opening times in plain language and Google fills in the hours with AI. You can correct the result by hand before you save. Google says the feature is only available in some regions and languages.
1 Nov 2026
Suspension appeals can only be submitted once
Google's help page for suspended or disabled profiles now states that an appeal can only be submitted once, in both the single and bulk appeal steps. Add your evidence and explanation before you press submit. Do not create a new profile for the same business while you wait.
1 Nov 2026
Restaurants can hide individual ordering providers for pickup or delivery
In your online ordering settings you can switch off a provider for pickup, for delivery, or both, which removes it from your profile. You can also mark a provider as preferred for pickup or delivery. Google says changes usually show on Search and Maps within a few hours.

All changes