Getting Started with your Google Business Profile

Create a Profile

If you're a new business or unsure if you have a profile, start with some general searches:

Search for Your Business Name + City: See if you can trigger a branded Knowledge Panel, which is your Google Business Profile.

Complete a few searches in Maps. If you have had previous Business Names, Addresses, or Phone Numbers (NAP) then search using those variations as well. It is possible a profile could exist under past business data.

Business Name + City, or
Phone Number, or
Business Address
Website

You can also go to Google Business Profile, Profile, add a business, and type in the business name to see if anything comes up. Be cautious, as creating a duplicate profile can cause issues.

If you can’t trigger a branded local Knowledge Panel or any Maps results, then you will need to sign up and create a new profile. Follow Google's steps to create and verify your profile. Common verification methods include phone, postcard (mail), video recording, live video call, text, or email. Google may require more than one method for verification. Once verified, your information goes live, and you can start using additional features.

Claim/Verify a Profile

If you find a profile for your business that you don't own, you need to claim it. Profiles can exist without your creation due to other users or automatic additions from existing citations. Claiming and verifying your profile is crucial to control your information and ensure accuracy.

Example of an unclaimed profile:

*If a profile is not claimed, there will be no “Updates” (Google Posts) from the business. However, if Google Posts are present, you’ll see the business logo with a blue shield and checkmark. Unclaimed profiles will display a “Claim this business” badge in the Google Maps app. If it says “Update this business,” it means the profile is already claimed. You can also check by clicking on “Own this business,” which will indicate if someone else manages the profile.

Controlling your business data, appearing in search results, engaging with customers, and increasing leads are the main reasons to have a Google Business Profile (GBP). Additionally, a verified profile grants you access to more features. Without verification, you won’t be able to use Google Posts, direct booking, messaging, products/services, or respond to reviews and questions as the business.

Request Ownership of a Business Profile (Hey, Gimme Back My Business Profile!)

If you discover a verified profile for your business that you don't own and don’t know who the current owner is, you’ll need to take steps to reclaim it. To request ownership, fill out a Google form. Instructions can be found in the help section, categorized by business type (storefront or service area). This automated process is designed to help small business owners manage their profiles more effectively.

You will receive an email confirming your access request. If the current owner does not respond within 3 days, you may be able to verify your ownership to access the profile. After the 3-day wait, you will either be granted access or denied.

If denied, you will receive an email that states:

“Your request to become an owner of the Business Profile on Google for [Business Name] at [address] was not approved.”

At the bottom of the email, there should be an option to “Appeal” the decision. Clicking this link will guide you through steps to verify and reclaim the profile. Usually, this involves phone or postcard verification, but sometimes additional information may be required.

Tip: If you're unsure who owns the profile, retrace your steps from when you first tried to claim ownership. Before filling out the request form, you may see a message indicating that an email address (e.g., X*****.com) owns the profile. If you recognize the email address and it’s associated with your business, contact that address to request access as a Manager.

Suggest an Edit

On all Business Profiles there is a Suggest an Edit link.

This feature allows any searcher to report updates or suggest changes to your business information—ranging from status updates like closures and changes in business hours to suggesting a different primary category. This level of user access can potentially harm your business, especially if you haven't claimed your profile.

Claiming and verifying your Google Business Profile is crucial, as it enables you to manage and correct inaccurate information or potentially harmful updates. The 'Suggest an Edit' option is accessible to all Google users for any business listed on Google Maps. You should receive notifications for suggested edits, but be aware that some changes might be applied immediately. To stay informed, adjust your settings to receive email notifications for updates and routinely check your profile for accuracy.

To modify your notification preferences, go to the top right of your profile settings, click the three dots, and select “Notifications.”

Then set your notification setting preferences:

There is no guarantee you will receive notifications, but it’s still a helpful step to ensure your profile has accurate information. Regularly logging into your GBP, using the available features, and verifying the accuracy of your profile are the best defenses against incorrect user edits.