Updating Business Information Safely

How to change business information on Google: three places

Start with the correct Google Account and a clear view of which business or location is involved. Platform interfaces can change, so use Google’s current Help instructions for sensitive account, policy or verification decisions.

Whichever you use, the changes go to the same profile. If you can't see any editing options, you're probably signed in with an account that doesn't manage the profile. Ask an owner to add you as a user, or claim the profile if nobody manages it.

How to edit Google Business Profile details in Google Search

This is the quickest way for most owners to edit or update a Google business listing, and it works the same on a computer or in a phone's browser.

1. 1

   Sign in

   Sign in to the Google account that owns or manages the profile.

2. 2

   Find your business

   Search for your business name, or 'my business'. Your profile appears with management buttons above it.

3. 3

   Select 'Edit profile'

   Choose 'Edit profile'. Details are grouped into sections such as About, Contact, Location and Hours.

4. 4

   Make your change

   Open the right section, update the field and select 'Save'.

5. 5

   Check the status

   Some edits show straight away. Others are marked as under review until Google approves them.

Some details have their own buttons rather than sitting under 'Edit profile'. Photos, posts, products and services are usually added from the main panel. Google adjusts these labels from time to time, so if a name looks different on your screen, choose the closest match.

How to edit your business listing on Google from the Maps app

1. 1

   Open Google Maps

   Open the app on your phone and check you're signed in with the right account.

2. 2

   Go to your Business Profile

   Tap your profile picture and choose your Business Profile. Some versions show a Business tab instead.

3. 3

   Tap 'Edit profile'

   Choose the section you need, such as hours, contact details or location.

4. 4

   Save

   Make the change and tap 'Save'. The same review rules apply as on a computer.

How to update many locations in Business Profile Manager

Groups, franchises and agencies usually work in Business Profile Manager at business.google.com. Open the location list, select a location and edit it, or select several to apply some changes together. Businesses with 10 or more locations can also add and update locations with a spreadsheet, and can request bulk verification.

Bulk edits save time but carry more risk. One mistake is copied to every location, and many changes at once can attract extra checks from Google. Make one kind of change at a time, then spot-check a few locations afterwards.

Which edits go live fast and which need review

Google checks edits to stop people hijacking listings, so the more a change alters who or where you are, the more scrutiny it gets. As a rough guide:

Google doesn't publish exact timings, and edits can take anything from minutes to several days. Re-verification isn't a penalty: it's Google confirming the change is genuine. Before a major change, have evidence ready, such as photos of new signage or a utility bill for a new address.

Guides for each part of your profile

Each part of a profile has its own rules and quirks. These guides cover them in detail:

• Phone: how to change your business phone number on Google
• Hours: how to change opening hours and holiday hours
• Address: change your business address, hide your address or check whether a virtual address is allowed
• Name: change your business name without breaking the guidelines
• Description: write your business description within 750 characters
• Categories: choose primary and additional categories
• Services: add services to your profile
• Photos: the right profile picture size and cover photo size, and how to delete photos
• Posts: Google Business Profile posts, offers and events
• People: add users or transfer ownership

When your changes don't show, or Google changes them back

If an edit doesn't appear, or reverts later, one of these is usually the reason:

• It's still under review. Wait a few days before trying again. Submitting the same edit repeatedly doesn't speed it up.
• Google rejected it. Edits that break the guidelines, such as keywords added to the name, aren't published. Check your notifications.
• The profile needs verification. Edits to an unverified profile aren't published until you complete verification.
• Google or a customer updated it. Google can update details from other sources and from suggested edits. Review any updates from Google in your profile, then accept or correct them.
• Other sources disagree. If your website or directories still show old details, Google may trust them over your edit. Update them too.
• The profile is suspended or limited. Editing is blocked until the restriction is resolved.

If your business has vanished from results rather than just showing old details, see why a business isn't showing on Google.

How to change a business location on Google Maps if you don't manage it

If you're not an owner or manager, you can't edit the profile directly, but you can still get it fixed:

• Suggest an edit. Open the listing on Google Maps, choose 'Suggest an edit' and correct the details, including moving the map pin. Google reviews suggestions before they appear.
• Claim it or request access. If it's your business, claim the profile or request access from the current owner, so you can make changes directly.
• Company knowledge panels. To change company information in a knowledge panel, rather than a local listing, use the feedback option on the panel. Organisations shown in a panel can also ask Google to verify them so they can suggest changes.