Note: This feature is included in select Thryv Business Center accounts. If you do not see it in your product, contact Thryv support to explore your options.
Why Claiming Your Google Business Profile Is Essential Before Using Thryv
To link your Google Business Profile with Thryv Business Center™ and manage your listing from one place, you must first be the verified owner of the profile in Google. Being the business owner in the real world does not automatically make you the owner of the Google Business Profile — ownership must be claimed and verified directly with Google. In some cases, Google may have already created a profile for your business, or another user may already own it, requiring you to request ownership before you can take control.
This article covers three scenarios and what to do in each:
Your business profile exists on Google Business Profile — Find it and initiate a claim directly from business.google.com.
Your business profile appears in Google Search but is managed by another user — Request ownership through Google Search.
Your business is a service-area business — Follow the service-area business ownership request process.
A Google account is required to claim or request ownership of a Google Business Profile. If you do not have a Google account, create one at business.google.com before following the steps below.
How to Find and Claim Your Business Profile on Google Business Profile
Google may have already created a profile for your business, or another user may already own it. Follow the steps below to search for your profile and initiate a claim.
Visit business.google.com and click Sign In in the top right corner of the page. Sign in with your Google account.
After signing in, Google prompts you to Find and manage your business.
Enter your business name in the search field.
Select your business from the results and complete the prompts to initiate your ownership claim.
If your business does not appear in the search results, click Create a business with this name to begin creating a new Google Business Profile.
The screenshot above shows the Google Business Profile search screen at business.google.com. A search field is displayed for entering your business name. Matching business results appear below the search field. The Create a business with this name option is shown at the bottom of the results list for businesses not found in the search. If your business appears in the results, click on it to begin the claim process.
How to Find Your Business Profile Using Google Search
Before searching on Google, open an incognito window or use a browser other than Google Chrome to ensure the most accurate search results. Once you have opened an incognito window, go to www.google.com and try the following search combinations to locate your business profile:
Business name
Business phone number
Business name and city and state
Business name and full address
Business name and telephone number
Full address only
Variation of business name — try shortening or abbreviating
If you find a matching profile but it is already managed by another user, continue to the next section to request ownership.
How to Request Ownership of a Profile Already Managed by Another User
If you found your business profile in Google Search but it is currently managed by another user, follow these steps to request ownership:
Click Own This Business? on the Google Search results panel for your business.
Sign in to your Google account when prompted.
Click Request Access and complete the prompts to share your information with the current profile owner.
After submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information and next steps. Save this confirmation email — you may need to return to it later.
The screenshot above shows the Google Business Profile ownership request screen. The Own This Business? prompt is displayed along with a Request Access button. A form is shown for entering your contact information to submit to the current profile owner. After clicking Request Access and completing the form, the ownership request is submitted to the current owner for review.
How to Request Ownership of a Service-Area Business Profile
Service-area businesses — businesses that serve customers at their locations rather than at a fixed address — follow a different ownership request process. To request ownership of a service-area business profile, follow these steps:
Enter your business information and click Continue.
Complete the verification process as prompted.
After verification is complete, an Owner Conflict dialog appears, indicating that your profile has been correctly identified as a duplicate of an existing profile.
Click Request Access and complete the prompts to submit your ownership request.
After submitting your request, you will receive a confirmation email with additional information and next steps. Save this confirmation email — you will need to return to it later in the process.
What to Do After You Have Requested Ownership
Once you have submitted your ownership request, the current profile owner has 3 days to respond. You can check the status of your request at any time by signing in to business.google.com or by clicking the link in your confirmation email.
There are three possible outcomes after submitting an ownership request:
Your request is approved — You will be notified by email and will be able to manage the Google Business Profile.
Your request is denied — You will be notified by email. You can still suggest edits to the listing or, in some cases, appeal the denied request directly with Google.
The current owner does not respond within 3 days — You may have the option to claim the profile yourself. Return to your confirmation email and sign in to business.google.com. Look for a Claim or Verify button on your dashboard to proceed. The option to claim a profile that is already managed is not always available in every case.
Google makes the final decision on whether a business profile is eligible to appear in Search and Maps. If Google denies access and you are unable to resolve the issue through the ownership request process, contact Google Help and Support directly. Thryv support cannot intervene in Google's ownership decisions on your behalf.
What to Do After You Have Gained Ownership Access
After gaining ownership access, Google will require you to complete profile verification a second time. Review all information in the profile to ensure it is accurate, then complete the verification method provided. If you encounter difficulty with verification, contact Google Help and Support for assistance.
The screenshot above shows the Google Business Profile verification screen that appears after gaining ownership access. Available verification methods are displayed along with a prompt to confirm that your business information is accurate before proceeding. Complete the verification method shown on this screen to finish securing ownership of your profile.
How to Contact Google Help and Support
If you need assistance from Google directly, follow these steps to reach Google Help and Support from within your Google Business Profile account:
Log in to the Google account that manages your business profile.
The screenshot above shows the Google account sign-in screen. Enter the email address and password for the Google account that owns or manages your business profile. Use the account that is associated with your Google Business Profile — signing in with a different Google account will not give you access to your business profile settings.
Click the 9-dot application menu in the upper right corner of the screen, then click the Business Profile Manager icon.
The screenshot above shows the 9-dot application menu open in the upper right corner of the Google account interface. The application menu displays icons for all available Google applications. The Business Profile Manager icon is visible among the listed applications. Clicking the Business Profile Manager icon opens the Google Business Profile management screen.
Click the three-dot menu icon near the top center of the Business Profile Manager page, then click Help and Support.
The screenshot above shows the Google Business Profile Manager screen with the three-dot menu dropdown open. The Help and Support option is visible in the dropdown. Clicking Help and Support opens the Google Business Profile help center.
Scroll to the bottom of the Help and Support page and click Contact Us.
The screenshot above shows the bottom of the Google Business Profile Help and Support page with the Contact Us button displayed. Clicking Contact Us opens the options for reaching a Google support representative. The Contact Us button is located at the bottom of the Help and Support page — scroll down past the help articles to find it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this article cover?
This article covers how to find your Google Business Profile, how to claim a profile on Google Business Profile, how to request ownership of a profile already managed by another user, how to request ownership of a service-area business profile, what to do after submitting an ownership request, what to do after gaining ownership access, and how to contact Google Help and Support. This article does not cover how to verify your Google Business Profile after claiming it — for verification instructions, see How to Verify Your Google Business Profile with Thryv. This article does not cover how to manage your Google Business Profile after verification.
Why is it important to claim ownership of my Google Business Profile?
Claiming ownership gives you full control over the accuracy of your business information on Google Search and Google Maps. It also allows you to respond to customer reviews, post updates, and connect your profile to Thryv Business Center for centralized listing management. Without verified ownership, you cannot make changes to how your business appears in Google Search results.
I already have Online Listing Management through Thryv. Does that mean my Google Business Profile is already claimed?
No. Thryv's online listing management tools help you manage and update your profile once ownership is established, but they do not automatically claim ownership on your behalf. Ownership must be claimed directly with Google by you or an authorized representative of your business.
Can Thryv claim my Google Business Profile for me?
No. Google does not allow third parties to claim a Google Business Profile on behalf of a business owner. Thryv support can guide you through every step of the process, but the claim must be completed by you or an authorized representative of your business directly with Google.
What if someone else has fraudulently claimed my business profile?
It is possible for someone who is not the business owner to claim a Google Business Profile. Thryv cannot resolve this situation on your behalf — it is handled entirely through Google. Follow the steps in this article to request ownership and, if the request is denied, appeal directly with Google. Thryv support can guide you through the process, but the resolution must come from Google.
What happens if the current profile owner does not respond within 3 days?
If the current profile owner does not respond within 3 days, you may have the option to claim the profile yourself. Return to your ownership request confirmation email and sign in to business.google.com. Look for a Claim or Verify button on your dashboard. The option to claim a profile that is already managed is not available in every case.
Can I suggest edits to my business listing while waiting for ownership approval?
Yes. You can suggest edits to your business listing on Google while your ownership request is pending. Suggesting edits can help ensure your business information is accurate even before ownership is transferred.
Is there a fee for claiming or requesting ownership of a Google Business Profile?
No. Claiming or requesting ownership of a Google Business Profile is free. Some verification methods, such as postcard verification, may involve indirect costs such as waiting time, but Google does not charge a fee for the ownership request or claim process itself.
What if I cannot find my business profile using the suggested search methods?
If you cannot locate your business profile using the search combinations listed in this article, try additional variations of your business name or address. If the profile still cannot be found, contact Google Help and Support for assistance. Follow the steps in the How to Contact Google Help and Support section of this article to reach a Google support representative.
Can I transfer ownership of a Google Business Profile to a different Google account?
Yes. Google allows ownership of a Google Business Profile to be transferred to a different Google account. The transfer process requires specific steps and verification. Follow Google's official guidelines for transferring ownership to complete the process correctly.
What if I have forgotten the login credentials for my Google account?
If you have forgotten the email address or password for the Google account associated with your business profile, use Google's account recovery process to regain access before attempting to claim or manage your Google Business Profile. Google's account recovery process may require additional identity verification.
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