How do I update or remove my business on Google Maps without creating a duplicate?

Which Google Maps action fits my situation?

Google's duplicate-profile guidance says one business can have only one Business Profile. A duplicate may not show on Google Search or Maps, and different services at the same business belong on the existing profile rather than on separate profiles.

How do I correct a business that is already on Google Maps?

Sign in to the Google Account linked to the Business Profile. In Google Search or Google Maps, open the profile, select Edit profile, change the information, and select Save. Google's guide to editing a Business Profile gives the same path for the web and the Google Maps app: Business, Edit profile, then Save.

Google reviews saved changes before updating them live. On a verified profile, a business-name change may require verification again. Google also says that moving a verified business to a new address requires verification again. If the same business offers different services, Google's duplicate-profile guidance says to add those services to the existing profile rather than create separate profiles. Read the guide to merging duplicate Google Business Profiles when more than one record already exists.

What should I do if my business is closed or moved?

Use the closure setting that matches the business's actual status. Google's closure guidance gives these choices:

For a permanent closure, open Edit profile, then Hours, Business hours, Hours, Edit, Permanently closed, and Save. Google's closure guidance says a permanently closed profile may still appear on Search and Maps for people who search for the business, with a clear closed status.

Relocation is different because two current Google help pages give opposite instructions. The Overview of Google Business Profile policies says a relocated business must be marked permanently closed and given a new profile at the new location. Google's duplicate-profile guidance says not to create a new profile for a relocated business and to update its existing address instead. Neither page states a publication or update date that resolves the conflict.

Do not present either relocation instruction as a universal rule. Keep the existing record intact while you establish which Google instruction applies to the particular move. If a different business now occupies the old location, Google says the previous business should be marked permanently closed rather than renamed.

How do I remove a Business Profile from my Google Account?

Only the primary owner can remove the profile's content and managers. Sign in to the associated Google Account, open the Business Profile, and select More, Business Profile settings, Remove Business Profile, then Remove profile content and managers. Google's account-removal guidance says new owners and managers must wait 7 days before they can take this action.

Account removal is permanent. It removes posts, photos, videos, and review replies created by owners and managers, while user-generated content and reviews remain. The removed content cannot be recovered or managed, and removing it does not guarantee that the business stops appearing on Google Maps or Search. If the goal is to show customers that the business closed, mark it permanently closed instead of deleting the account content.

How do I report a fake or ineligible Google Maps listing?

Anyone can request removal of a Business Profile that never existed or is not eligible for Google. In Google Maps, select the business, choose Suggest an edit, choose Place is closed or not here, select the reason such as Doesn't exist here or Offensive, harmful, or misleading, and select Submit. Google's request-removal guidance says Google reviews the request and removes the listing from Search and Maps only if the request is approved.

Google's policy overview says an eligible business must make in-person contact with customers during its stated hours. Google lists online-only businesses and lead-generation companies as examples that do not qualify. For the service-area case, see the service-area business guide.

What should I do if I already created a duplicate profile?

First identify the verified or correct profile. If you created a duplicate by mistake, Google's duplicate-profile guidance says you can remove the duplicate without affecting the verified listing. Check the profile carefully before removing it because Google says all content and linked managers on the removed duplicate are deleted.

If two profiles represent the same business and contain the same information, use Google Maps to request a merge. Google's review process can combine the reviews, but review replies may be lost. The duplicate-profile guide covers the merge path and its review consequence. If another person owns the existing profile, request access to that record rather than creating another one; Google's guidance gives the current owner 3 days to respond, and a claim option may not be offered after that window. If the profile exists but is not visible to customers, use the guide to a business not showing on Google Maps before creating another profile.