How do I remove a duplicate profile in Google Business?

How To Remove Duplicate Google Business Profile

Step 1: Sign in to Google My Business

1. Open Your Web Browser:
   • Launch your preferred web browser (e.g., Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge) by clicking its icon on your desktop or from your application menu.
2. Navigate to Google My Business:
   • In the address bar at the top of your browser window, type https://www.google.com/business/ and press Enter.
   • This will take you to the Google My Business homepage.
3. Sign In:
   • Click the “Sign In” button at the top right corner of the page.
   • Enter your Google account email address in the field provided and click “Next”.
   • Enter your password and click “Next”.
   • If you have two-factor authentication enabled, you will be prompted to complete the authentication process. This could involve:
     • Receiving a text message with a code and entering that code.
     • Receiving a phone call to verify your identity.
     • Using a security key or an authentication app.
     • Follow the specific instructions provided by Google to complete the process.

Step 2: Access Your Business Profiles

1. View Your Dashboard:
   • Once logged in, you will be directed to the Google My Business dashboard.
   • The dashboard displays an overview of your business profiles and their statuses.
2. List of Profiles:
   • You should see a list of all the business profiles associated with your account.
   • If you manage multiple locations, each location will be listed separately.
3. Identify Duplicates:
   • Carefully examine the list to identify profiles that have the same or similar names, addresses, phone numbers, or categories.
   • It can be helpful to open each suspected duplicate profile in a new browser tab for easy comparison.
     • To open in a new tab, right-click on the profile name and select “Open link in new tab” (or the equivalent option in your browser).

Step 3: Choose the Duplicate Profile to Remove

1. Select a Profile:
   • Click on the profile you believe is a duplicate. This action will take you to that profile’s management page where you can view and edit its details.
2. Verify Details:
   • Review the business name, address, phone number, category, and any other identifying information on the profile.
   • Ensure this profile is indeed a duplicate and not just a separate location or a different aspect of your business.
   • For thorough verification, you might want to check:
     • Business hours.
     • Photos and videos.
     • Reviews and ratings.
     • Website URL.
     • Any other business information that could help distinguish whether it is a duplicate or a unique listing.

Step 4: Request Removal

1. Navigate to Info:
   • On the left-hand side menu of the profile management page, find and click on “Info”.
   • The “Info” section contains all the detailed information about your business profile, including name, address, phone number, hours, and more.
2. Scroll to Find “Remove Listing”:
   • Scroll down the Info page until you find the “Remove listing” option.
   • This option might be located under sections such as “Business Information” or “Settings”.
   • If you have trouble finding it, you can use the browser’s find function by pressing Ctrl + F (Windows) or Cmd + F (Mac) and typing “Remove listing”.
3. Initiate Removal:
   • Click on “Remove listing”. A confirmation dialog box will appear.
   • The dialog box may ask you to confirm that you want to remove the listing, provide a reason for removal, and possibly re-enter your account password.
     • Possible reasons for removal could include:
       • Duplicate profile.
       • Business closed.
       • Business moved.
       • Other reasons specific to your situation.
   • Provide the necessary information and reason for removal.
4. Confirm Removal:
   • Follow the prompts to confirm the removal.
     • This may include clicking “OK”, “Confirm”, or a similar button to finalize the removal request.
   • Google may ask for a brief reason for why you are removing the listing (e.g., “Duplicate profile”).

Step 5: Verify Removal

1. Wait for Processing:
   • Google typically reviews and processes removal requests within a few days.
   • During this time, the profile might still appear in your dashboard.
2. Check Back:
   • After a few days, log back into your Google My Business account.
   • Look through the list of your business profiles to ensure the duplicate has been removed.
   • If the duplicate is still present, it might be pending review, or there might have been an issue with the removal request.
3. Email Confirmation:
   • You might receive an email from Google confirming the removal of the duplicate profile.
   • Check your email’s inbox (and spam/junk folder, just in case) for any communications from Google regarding the removal.

Additional Steps if “Remove Listing” is Not Visible:

1. Contact Google My Business Support:
   • At the bottom of the left-hand menu, click on “Support”.
     • This option is usually found at the bottom of the menu and can be accessed by scrolling down.
   • Choose “Contact Us”.
     • This will take you to a page where you can select the type of support you need.
2. Get Help:
   • Select the appropriate category that best describes your issue, such as “Manage Locations”, “Report Duplicate”, or “Remove Profile”.
   • Follow the prompts to either chat with a support representative, request a call, or send an email.
     • Provide detailed information about the duplicate profiles, including the business names, addresses, phone numbers, and any other relevant information to expedite the process.
     • Be prepared to answer questions and provide further verification if needed

If you are finding it hard to manage your Google Business Profile, drop us a message and let us know how we can help you with your Google Business Profile.