How to Remove Your Business from Google

How to Remove Your Business from Googled-tags
07 October 2024
Google Business Profile is a free tool from Google that helps businesses show up on Google Maps and in search results. It's an essential part of local SEO. If you want to remove your business from Google, we can help! Here's a simple guide on how to remove a business listing from Google, whether you have not you're the owner.

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How to Remove Your Google Business Profile: Step-by-Step Guide

Surprisingly, deleting your Google Business Profile takes more time and effort than setting it up – it’s a much more complex process. The steps you need to take depend on whether you have full access to your account and manage the profile or if you are someone looking to suggest an edit – e.g. report a non-existent business.

Let’s see how to remove your business from Google considering the access level you have.

I’m a Business Owner and I Want to Remove My Business from Google

Did you close your business and want to remove it from Google Maps to prevent confusing users? If you have access to a Google Business Profile for your business, the process is much easier because you have a verified profile that – simply put – Google trusts. You can delete your business listing from Google in 7 simple steps:

Step 1: Log in to the Google Business Profile manager using the following link: business.google.com/locations.

Step 2: After logging in, you see a list of profiles that you manage. Select the profile you want to delete and click View Profile.

how to remove bussines from google step1

 

Step 3: Click the three dots in the right-side panel and select Company Profile Settings.

 

how to remove bussines from google step2

Step 4: If you are the owner, you see the Remove Business Profile button. Click it.

Step 5: Select Mark this business as closed.

how to remove bussines from google step3

Step 6: In the Hours section, check Permanently closed

how to remove bussines from google step6

Step 7: Click Save.

Will marking your business as Permanently closed cause it to disappear from Google altogether?

The answer is no.

Like I said earlier, removing a business listing from Google is neither quick nor easy. While the business still appears in Google searches, you can expect its visibility to decrease significantly.

Additionally, users will be notified that the business has been permanently closed, clearly indicating that it no longer provides services.

 

permanently closed bussines on google

TIP: Before marking a company as permanently closed, remove the most important information, such as address, phone number or photos. This will further reduce its visibility on Google Maps.

Now let’s see how to remove your business from Google if you are an owner, but you don’t have access to your account.

I’m a Business Owner But I Don’t Have Access to My Google Business Profile

If you are a business owner, but you don’t have access to the Company Profile Manager, things may get  a bit complicated, but no worries – there’s always a way to do it! Here’s what you need to do to remove your business listing from Google:

Step 1: Find your Google Business Profile in search results.

Step 2: Click Own this business? 

how to remove my business from google are you the owner

Step 3: Select Request Access.

how to remove my business from google are you the owner 2

Step 4: The person who currently manages the profile (owner) can grant you access.

Step 5: After gaining access, remove the your business from Google by following the steps above.

I’m a User and I Want to Remove Google Business Profile

Wondering how to remove the Google Business Profile of a company you don’t own or manage?

Step 1:  Select the profile you want to delete.

Step 2: Click  Suggest an edit.

suggest an edit google business profile

Step 3: Select Place is closed or not here.

place is closed google business

Step 4: Select the reason for the suggested edit.

how to remove business from google when youre not an owner

Step 5: And that’s it. Your suggestion has been submitted to Google for review.

How much time it will take Google to review your edit suggestion? Unfortunately, you need to wait – the process may take up to a whole month.

TIP: You can support the suggested change by adding a photo that clearly shows the company has closed and is no longer in that area.

When Shouldn’t You Remove Your Google My Business Profile ?

Do you always need to remove your Business from Google? Spoiler alert: no.

In fact, there are several situations where removing your Google Business Profile isn’t necessary. There are effective alternatives you can consider instead of taking this quite drastic step.

Negative Reviews

Low product or service ratings are one of the most common reasons the business owners ask, How do I remove my business from Google? But will creating a new profile really solve the issue?

Absolutely not.

Instead of removing your Google Business Profile, consider responding to the reviews, especially if you find them hurtful. If you believe the reviews are truthful, address them as well.

Additionally, think about how you can improve your business to rebuild trust with potential customers and encourage positive reviews instead of negative ones.

Location Change

You can easily change your address, so this isn’t a reason to remove your business from Google.

Additionally, the amount of time your business profile is active is a major ranking factor that helps improve its visibility in search results. There’s no reason to risk a lower ranking when you can update your location in less than a minute.

Temporary Shutdown

If you’re closing your business temporarily due to an extended vacation, illness, or another situation, you don’t need to remove your business profile from Google.

Simply select the Business temporarily closed option in your Company Profile Manager. This way, when you’re ready to resume operations, you can easily reopen your business.

Temporarily Closed google my business profile

Can I Delete My Competitor’s Business Profile?

Hey, why do you even look here?

Again, as I showed you earlier, you can suggest an edit and report a business as closed, but it takes more than that. Google is thorough in its verification process and won’t remove the profile of a business that is still operating.

There is a way better solution: Instead of trying to undermine your competitors, focus on optimizing your own Google Business Profile and outperform them in search results!

Don’t have the time for that? Let us handle that for you – just contact me directly at: w.wojciak@delante.pl.

Summary: Removing Business Profile from Google

If you’ve made it this far, you know that there a few ways to remove your business from Google Maps. If you have access to your profile, you can mark your business as permanently closed in just a few minutes. However, if you’re a regular user trying to suggest an edit, it will take you more time.

Fortunately, you don’t always need to remove your business listing from Google – take a moment to reconsider if that’s truly the solution you’re looking for.

I specialize in Google Business Profile optimization and SEO on a daily basis. If you have any questions or need assistance, feel free to contact me via email at w.wojciak@delante.co.

 

 

Author
Wiktoria Wójciak SEO Specialist
Author
Wiktoria Wójciak

SEO Specialist

She joined the Delante team in 2021, specializing in local SEO and managing Google My Business Profiles.

A graduate in Information Management from Jagiellonian University, she analyzes and optimizes service and e-commerce websites in her daily work. She feels comfortable working in any industry, as long as client communication is based on mutual understanding and cooperation. She believes that good relationships and shared goals are key to achieving satisfying results.

At Delante, she is responsible for processes such as Google My Business optimization and listing positioning. She believes that SEO success lies in understanding the client’s needs and taking a flexible approach to the specifics of each industry.

Author
Wiktoria Wójciak SEO Specialist
Author
Wiktoria Wójciak

SEO Specialist

She joined the Delante team in 2021, specializing in local SEO and managing Google My Business Profiles.

A graduate in Information Management from Jagiellonian University, she analyzes and optimizes service and e-commerce websites in her daily work. She feels comfortable working in any industry, as long as client communication is based on mutual understanding and cooperation. She believes that good relationships and shared goals are key to achieving satisfying results.

At Delante, she is responsible for processes such as Google My Business optimization and listing positioning. She believes that SEO success lies in understanding the client’s needs and taking a flexible approach to the specifics of each industry.

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