How to Temporarily Close My Google My Business

Closing your doors for a bit doesn't mean you have to disappear from Google. Marking your Google Business Profile as temporarily closed is a simple way to keep your customers informed and protect your local search ranking. This guide will walk you through exactly how to do it, what happens next, and how to get everything back online when you're ready to reopen.

Why Mark Your Business as ‘Temporarily Closed’?

You wouldn’t just lock your front door and walk away without a sign - the same principle applies to your digital storefront. The "temporarily closed" status is the digital equivalent of that sign. It tells Google and your customers that you’ll be back, so they shouldn't assume you've gone out of business for good. This small action preserves the trust you've built with your audience and the hard work you've put into your local SEO.

This is different from changing your hours or using the "permanently closed" option. Permanently closing is a final step. It signals to Google that your business has ceased operations entirely, which can severely damage your search rankings if you ever decide to reopen under the same name. On the other hand, editing your hours for a day or two is great for short holidays, but isn’t ideal for longer breaks.

So, when is the right time to use the “temporarily closed” feature? Common situations include:

• Seasonal Closures: Perfect for ice cream shops in the winter or ski lodges in the summer. It lets your regulars know exactly when to expect you back.
• Renovations or Moving: If you're upgrading your space or relocating, this status keeps customers in the loop without making them think you've shut down.
• Extended Vacations: Taking a well-deserved month off? Let your customers know you're just recharging and will be back soon.
• Emergencies: Unexpected events like flood damage or staffing issues can force a temporary shutdown. This status is a clear and professional way to communicate the situation.
• Holiday Breaks: If you're closing for more than a couple of days (like the last week of December), "temporarily closed" is clearer than setting special hours for seven different days.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Temporarily Closing Your Google My Business Profile

The good news is that updating your status is straightforward. Google allows you to manage your profile directly from Search or Maps, so you don't need to hunt for a separate dashboard. Here’s how to do it in just a few clicks.

From Google Search:

1. Find Your Profile:
First, make sure you're logged into the Google account associated with your Business Profile. Open Google Search and type your exact business name into the search bar. Your management panel should appear right at the top of the search results.

2. Open the Profile Editor:
Look for the editing tools, often represented by an icon with a small storefront or graph. Click the button that says “Edit profile.”

3. Navigate to Your Hours:
A new window will pop up with several tabs like "About," "Contact," and "Location." Click on the “Hours” tab. This is where you manage your standard operating times and special closures.

4. Mark as Temporarily Closed:
At the top of the hours section, you'll see a toggle switch or button labeled "Temporarily closed." Click it. This will automatically grey out your regular hours, visually confirming the change.

5. Save Your Changes:
Hit the “Save” button at the bottom. Google might take a few moments to review and apply the change, but it's usually live within minutes.

From Google Maps:

The process is very similar on Google Maps.

1. Search for Your Business:
Open the Google Maps app or website and search for your business name. Again, be sure you are logged into the correct Google account.

2. Access Your Business Profile:
Tap or click on your business name from the map to bring up your full profile. You should see management options available only to you as the owner.

3. Select “Edit Profile”:
Look for an "Edit profile" or "Manage" button on your profile and click it. From there, select the “Hours” section.

4. Toggle to “Temporarily Closed”:
Just like in Google Search, find the “Temporarily closed” option and select it.

5. Save and Confirm:
Click "Save" to apply the update. Your business listing on maps will now show the "Temporarily closed" label to anyone who finds you.

What Happens After You Mark Your Business as Temporarily Closed?

Setting your profile to "temporarily closed" doesn't make it vanish. Instead, it adjusts how your information is presented to the public, focusing on transparency and managing customer expectations.

Here’s what you can expect:

• High Visibility: Your Business Profile remains fully visible on Google Search and Maps. Customers can still find you, read about your services, and see your photos.
• A Clear Label: A prominent red label stating "Temporarily closed" will appear next to your business name. Your regular business hours will be hidden to avoid confusion.
• Reviews and Photos Continue: Customers can still leave new reviews, post photos, and ask questions. Your existing reviews and photo gallery will also remain visible, preserving your social proof.
• You Retain Full Control: You can still access your profile backend to respond to reviews, answer questions, and - most importantly - publish Google Business Posts.
• SEO is Protected: Unlike marking your business as permanently closed, the temporary status has minimal negative impact on your local SEO ranking. Google understands it's a temporary state and won't penalize you for it. When you reopen, you should bounce back to your previous visibility.

Ready to Reopen? Here’s How to Do It.

When your renovations are complete or your vacation is over, switching your status back to "open" is just as easy as closing it. It’s the exact same process in reverse.

1. Log into your Google account and search for your business on Google Search or Maps.
2. Click the “Edit profile” button from your management panel.
3. Navigate to the “Hours” tab.
4. You’ll see that “Temporarily closed” is currently selected. Click on the option above it, which should say “Open with main hours.”
5. Your previous business hours should reappear. Double-check that they are still accurate. If not, update them now.
6. Click “Save.”

The "Temporarily closed" label will be removed, and your regular hours will once again be visible to the public. It’s a good idea to create a new Google Business Post announcing your reopening to generate excitement and inform your followers!

Best Practices to Follow During a Temporary Closure

Simply flipping the switch to "closed" isn't enough. You need to manage communication actively to keep your customers engaged and ready for your return. Here's what you should do.

Use Google Posts to Communicate Clearly

The "Posts" feature on your Google Business Profile is your best friend during a closure. Create an "Update" post immediately explaining the situation.
Don't just say you're closed - tell them why. A little bit of transparency goes a long way.

• Example for Renovations: “We’re temporarily closed for renovations starting October 15! We’re working on an exciting new look we can't wait to share with you. Stay tuned for updates, and look for our grand reopening in mid-November!”
• Example for a Holiday Break: “Our team is taking a much-needed break to recharge! We'll be closed from December 24th to January 2nd. Happy holidays, and we look forward to seeing you in the new year!”

Pin this post to the top of your profile so it's the first thing customers see. You can also publish weekly updates with progress photos to keep your audience engaged.

Broadcast the Message Across All Your Channels

Your Google Business Profile is just one touchpoint. Your loyal followers on Instagram, Facebook, or X also need to know what's going on. Make sure you update the hours and post an announcement on every platform where you have a presence. Pin the announcement to the top of your Facebook page and create a Story Highlight on Instagram so the information is easy to find.

Use "Special Hours" for Short-Term Closures

If you're only closing for a day or two (like for a public holiday or a staff training day), the "Temporarily closed" status is overkill. In these cases, it's better to set “Special hours” instead. You can find this option in the same "Hours" section of your profile editor. It allows you to mark your business as closed on specific dates without altering your primary status.

Final Thoughts

Marking your Google Business Profile as temporarily closed is a smart, strategic move that keeps your customers informed and protects your online presence during a break. It’s a simple tool that offers your business the flexibility it needs to navigate everything from planned renovations to unexpected emergencies.

While you're updating your audience on Google, your community on other social platforms needs to hear the news, too. Managing these announcements across Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can get complicated fast. We built Postbase to streamline this exact process. With our visual content calendar, you can schedule one closure announcement and easily tailor it for every social network at once, ensuring everyone stays in the loop without you having to juggle a dozen different apps.