In order to properly link your Google Business Profile with Business Center or Marketing Center, it is vital that you have ensured you are the owner of the profile. Just because you are the business owner doesn't necessarily mean you are the owner of the profile, as you must also verify this with Google. This guide will show you how to request ownership of your Google Business Profile.

Note: A Google account is required in order to claim ownership of a Google Business Profile

To start, you'll need to find your existing Google Business Profile, if you have one. There are 2 ways to do so.

Article Contents

• Find your business profile on GBP
• Find your business profile on Google Search
• Requesting Ownership on Google Search
• Requesting Ownership for Service-area Business Profiles
• What to do after you've requested ownership
• What to do after you've gained access
• How to contact Google Help & Support
• FAQ

Find your business profile on GBP

There is a chance that Google has already created a profile for your business, or another user may already own it. Perform the actions below to initiate a profile claim.

1. Visit business.google.com and ‘Sign In’ at the top right corner of the page with your Google account
2. You will be prompted to ’Find and manage your business’
3. Enter your business name
4. Select your business and complete the prompt to initiate your claim

If your business doesn’t populate, select ‘Create a business with this name’ to continue profile creation.

Find your business profile on Google Search

Before visiting www.google.com, we recommend using an incognito window or a different browser other than Google Chrome. Once you’ve done so, try searching the following combinations:

• Business Name
• Business Phone Number
• Business Name + City + State
• Business Name + Full Address
• Business Name + Telephone Number 
• Full Address
• Variation of Business Name (shorten or abbreviate) 

If you’ve found a match but it’s already managed by another user, continue to the next section.

Requesting Ownership on Google Search

If you’ve found a match, but it’s managed by another user, perform the following steps:

1. Click on Own This Business?
2. Sign into your Google account
3. Click Request Access and complete the prompts to share your information with the current profile owner 

Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with additional information and instructions to review.

Requesting Ownership for Service-area Business Profiles

Complete these steps to request ownership of a service-area business profile:

1. Go to https://business.google.com/add
2. Enter your business information, then click Continue
3. Complete the verification process
4. Once verification is complete, you’ll receive an “Owner conflict” dialogue, indicating that your profile has been correctly marked as a duplicate.
5. Click Request Access and complete the prompt

Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with additional information and instructions to review. Make sure to save this email as you will need to return to it later.

What to do after you've requested ownership

Once you’ve requested ownership, the current profile owner will have 3 days to respond. You can check the status of your request by signing into business.google.com or clicking the link in your confirmation email.

If your ownership request is approved, you’ll be notified by email and will be able to manage the Business Profile.

If your ownership request is denied, you’ll be notified by email. You can still suggest an edit to the listing or, in some cases, appeal the denied request directly with Google.

If you don’t hear back from the profile owner, you might have the option to claim the profile yourself. To claim the profile:

1. Return to your confirmation email
2. Sign into business.google.com and look for a “Claim” or “Verify” button on your dashboard.

The option to claim a profile that is already managed may not always be provided.

Note: Google makes the final decision on whether a business profile is eligible for Search and Maps. If Google denies access, please reach out to Google Help & Support. This is not something that Thryv can assist with.

What to do after you've gained access

Google will require you to complete profile verification a second time. Ensure all information within the profile is correct and complete the verification option provided. Should you have trouble with verification, contact Google Help & Support.

How to contact Google Help & Support

Log into the Google account that manages your business profile

Click on the 9-Dot Application Menu in the upper right corner. Then, click on the Business Profile Manager Icon

Click on the tri-dots near the top-middle of the page, then click Help & Support

Scroll down to bottom of page, and click on Contact Us

FAQ

Why is it important to claim ownership of my Google Business Profile?

Claiming ownership of your Google Business Profile ensures that you have control over the accuracy of your business information and can actively engage with customers through reviews and updates.

I already have Online Listing Management through Business Center or Marketing Center, doesn't that mean this is already done?

Not necessarily. While Thryv's online listing management tools make it easier to manage and update your profile, it doesn't automatically claim ownership.

Can't Thryv take care of this for me?

Our support team can be with you every step of the way, but ultimately as the business owner this has to be done by you. Google doesn't allow 3rd parties to do this on business owners' behalf.

Is there a way to expedite the ownership approval process?

The ownership approval process typically takes some time as Google verifies the request. There's no guaranteed way to expedite it, but ensuring that you've provided accurate information and promptly responding to any inquiries can help speed up the process.

What if someone else has fraudulently claimed my business profile?

Unfortunately it is possible for someone who is not the business owner to claim your business profile. This is not something that is under Thryv's control. In order to resolve this, the process is the same. You need to go through the steps in this guide to claim your profile again, and appeal with Google if necessary. Our support team can guide you through this process, but ultimately we can not do so on your behalf. 

Can I request ownership of a Google Business Profile if I don't have a Google account?

No, a Google account is required to claim ownership of a Google Business Profile. It's necessary to have a Google account for verification purposes.

What if I can't find my business profile using the suggested search methods?

If you're unable to locate your business profile through the provided search methods, you may need to explore other options such as using different variations of your business name or contacting Google Help & Support for assistance.

What happens if the current profile owner doesn't respond within 3 days?

If the current profile owner doesn't respond within the given timeframe, you might have the opportunity to claim the profile yourself. Check your confirmation email and dashboard for any available "Claim" or "Verify" options.

Can I still make changes to my business information while waiting for ownership approval?

Yes, you can still suggest edits to your business listing even while waiting for ownership approval. This can help ensure that your information is up to date.

Is there a fee involved in requesting ownership of a Google Business Profile?

No, requesting ownership of a Google Business Profile is typically free of charge. However, keep in mind that there might be charges associated with verification processes, such as postcard verification.

What should I do if I encounter technical difficulties during the ownership request process?

If you face technical issues or difficulties during the ownership request process, you can reach out to Google Help & Support for assistance. They can provide guidance on how to proceed.

Can I transfer ownership of a Google Business Profile to another Google account?

Yes, you can transfer ownership of a Google Business Profile to another Google account, but this process involves specific steps and verification. It's recommended to follow Google's guidelines for transferring ownership.

What if I've forgotten the login credentials for my Google account used for ownership request?

If you've forgotten the login credentials for the Google account used for ownership request, you'll need to follow Google's account recovery process to regain access. This might involve providing additional verification information.