How To Edit Your Google Business Profile

To begin editing your profile directly on Google Search and Maps, follow these simple steps.

Locate Your Business Profile: Find your profile on Google. This can be done by searching for your business name on Google Search or Maps.
Edit Your Profile:
- On Google Search, look for the option to “Edit profile.”
- On Google Maps, choose “Edit profile” then “Business information.”
Save Your Changes: After making the necessary edits to your business information, don’t forget to hit “Save” to apply these changes.

Types of Edits You Can Make

Your Google Business Profile allows for various edits to ensure your potential customers have all the information they need:

Business Name: Ensure your business name matches real-world signage and branding.
Category: Accurately select your business category to help Google better understand and classify your business.
Address and Pin Location: Provide a precise address for your business location or define your service area if you don’t serve customers at a physical location.
Hours: Update your business hours, including special hours for holidays or temporary changes.
Phone and Website: Add up to three contact numbers and your business website, ensuring it’s accessible to Googlebot.
Social Media Links: Depending on your region, you can add links to your business profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Attributes: Highlight the unique aspects of your brand, such as “Wi-Fi” availability or “outdoor seating.”
Photos and Description: Upload photos and provide a concise description of what your business offers and what sets it apart.

Special Considerations

Verification: If you change your business name, address, or category, you may need to re-verify your business.
Quality Review: Google may review your changes for quality before publishing them to ensure accurate and helpful information is displayed.

Contributing to the Community

If you encounter incorrect information on a business you don’t own or manage, Google allows you to suggest edits or report errors through Google Maps. This collaborative approach helps maintain the accuracy and reliability of business information available to the public.

Look for “Suggest an edit” or “Own this business?” on the company profile.

What Happens If You Don’t Verify Your Business on Google?

Failing to verify your business on Google can significantly limit your ability to manage your online presence effectively. Without verification, you won’t be able to do the following.

Edit or Update Business Information: This includes crucial details such as your business hours, location, contact information, and more. Inaccurate or outdated information could lead to a poor customer experience and potentially lost business.
Respond to Reviews: Customer reviews are vital for building trust and credibility online. Unverified businesses cannot respond to reviews, missing out on the opportunity to engage with customers and address their concerns.
Access Insights and Analytics: Google provides valuable insights on how potential customers find and interact with your listing. Without verification, you miss out on this data, which can inform marketing and operational decisions.

How Long Does It Take for Google to Review the Changes You Made in Your Business Profile?

The review process for changes made to your Google Business Profile can vary in duration, typically ranging from a few minutes to several days. The timeframe depends on the type of edit and Google’s current review queue.

Minor changes like updating business hours may be reflected almost immediately. More significant edits, such as changes to your business name or location, might require a more thorough review process. Planning accordingly and making updates well before any significant business changes or events is essential.

What happens if Google rejects changes or edits to your business profile?

If Google rejects your changes or edits, the proposed updates typically do not meet Google’s guidelines for representing your business on their platform. This could happen for several reasons, such as the following.

Inaccurate or Misleading Information: If the changes are deemed inaccurate or misleading, or they do not accurately represent the physical location, services, or products of your business.
Non-Compliance with Google’s Policies: Edits that violate Google’s content policies, such as including promotional content, spam, or inappropriate language, will be rejected.
Insufficient Evidence of Change: For significant changes, such as a business name or location change, Google may require additional verification or evidence that the change is legitimate.

Steps to Take If Your Edits Are Rejected

Review Google’s Guidelines: Familiarize yourself with Google’s guidelines for representing your business and ensure your edits comply with the rules.
Verify the Accuracy of Your Submission: Double-check the information you submitted for accuracy and completeness. Ensure your business details are consistent across online platforms.
Provide Additional Documentation if Necessary: If Google requires further verification, be prepared to provide additional documentation or evidence supporting your edits. This could include photos of your storefront, official documents, or a website URL.
Resubmit Your Edits: After ensuring compliance with Google’s guidelines and verifying the accuracy of your information, resubmit your edits for review.
Contact Business Profile Support: If you’re unsure why your edits were rejected or encounter repeated rejections, consider contacting Google Business Profile Support for assistance. They can provide specific feedback and guidance on how to make acceptable changes.

Contacting Google Business Profile Support

If you’re encountering issues with your Google Business Profile or have specific questions that need direct assistance from Google, contact their support team.

You can do so here: Google Business Support

Importance of Compliance

It’s important to understand that Google’s primary goal is to provide users with reliably accurate and up-to-date information. Compliance with their guidelines will facilitate a smoother verification process and enhance the overall quality and reliability of the information available to Google users.

Ensuring your business information is accurate, and your edits meet Google’s standards can improve your business’s visibility and credibility on the platform.

Other Benefits of Having an Updated Google Business Profile

Beyond providing customers with accurate information, maintaining an updated Google Business Profile offers several additional benefits:

Improved Local SEO: An updated and detailed profile can improve your business’s visibility in local search results.
Increased Engagement: With accurate information and the ability to post updates and offers to your profile, you can engage customers more effectively and keep them informed about what’s happening.
Enhanced Trust and Credibility: A well-maintained profile signals to customers that your business is active and potentially reliable. This can enhance your business’s reputation and increase the likelihood of attracting new customers.
Competitive Advantage: By fully utilizing all features of your Google Business Profile, you can stand out from competitors who may not be as diligent.
Insightful Customer Data: Google provides insights concerning how customers interact with your profile. This includes how they found your listing and what actions they took. Such data helps refine marketing strategies and better understand your customer base.