How to Access Google My Business

Trying to access your Google My Business profile can feel like you've been locked out of your own store, but gaining control is simpler than you think. Whether you're a new owner inheriting a business, a manager trying to find the login, or simply launching your first local presence, this guide will walk you through every step. We'll show you exactly how to find your profile, claim an existing one, and request access from a current owner, so you can start managing your business's most important local marketing tool.

Finding Your Google Business Profile

Before you try to create or claim anything, your first step is to perform a quick search to see what already exists online. Creating a duplicate listing can cause major headaches down the road. It confuses Google's algorithm, splits your reviews between two profiles, and can ultimately harm your local search ranking. A few minutes of detective work now will save you hours of cleanup work later.

Here’s how to check:

1. Open Google Maps: Go directly to maps.google.com on your computer.
2. Search for Your Business: Type your exact business name and address into the search bar. This is better than a regular Google search because it’s focused on location-based results.
3. Analyze the Results: One of three things will happen:
   • You find your business, and it looks official. It has reviews, photos, hours, and doesn't have any text like "Claim this business." This indicates someone - a former employee, an old marketing agency, or the previous owner - already has control. Continue to Scenario 2.
   • You find a listing for your business, but there’s a link that says "Own this business?" or "Claim this business." This is great news! It means the profile exists but is currently unmanaged and waiting for its rightful owner to take over. Go ahead and jump down to Scenario 1.
   • You find absolutely nothing. If you search carefully with the right name and address and nothing comes up, you may need to create a new profile from scratch. To do this, simply go to google.com/business and follow the prompts to add your business.

Most established businesses will find they fall into the first two categories. Let’s walk through how to handle each one.

Scenario 1: Claiming an Unverified Business Profile

Finding an unverified profile is the most direct path to gaining access. This often happens when Google automatically creates a listing based on public data, but no one has yet stepped forward to manage it. You’re essentially raising your hand and telling Google, "Hey, that’s mine."

Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming Your Profile

1. Find Your Profile on Google Search or Maps. Following the steps above, locate your business listing.
2. Click “Own this business?” This link will be located directly within the business information panel.
3. Assert Your Ownership. A new screen will appear, displaying the business name and address for you to confirm. You'll then click a button like "Manage now." You'll be prompted to sign in with the Google Account you wish to use for managing the business. Pro tip: Use your professional company email (e.g., yourname@yourbusiness.com) rather than a personal Gmail account if possible. It keeps your personal and business accounts separate.
4. Start the Verification Process. Google needs to confirm you are legitimately associated with the business at its physical address. This is the most critical step. Google offers several verification methods, but not all options are available for all businesses. The most common methods include:
   • Postcard by Mail: This is the default method. Google will mail a physical postcard to your business address containing a 5-digit verification code. It usually arrives within 5-7 business days. Important: Do not make any edits to your business name, address, or category while you wait for the postcard, as this can delay the process.
   • Phone Call or Text Message: Some businesses are eligible for verification via an automated phone call or text message to the business's official phone number. The call or text will provide a verification code immediately.
   • Email verification: This option is only available if you have an email address with a domain that matches the business website (e.g., you@yourcompany.com). A code will be sent to that address.
   • Live Video Call or Video Recording: A newer option where you start a live video chat with a Google specialist or record a video. You'll need to show things like your storefront, your business license, official street signs, or even keys to the building to prove your location and legitimacy.
5. Enter Your Verification Code. Once you receive your code, log back into your Google Business Profile dashboard and enter it. After the code is accepted, your profile will be verified, and you'll have full administrative access. You can now update hours, add photos, respond to reviews, and view performance insights.

Scenario 2: Requesting Access from the Current Owner

This is a very common situation. You find your business profile, but somebody else has already verified it. Don't panic. The process is designed to help rightful owners regain control. First, it helps to figure out who might have access.

Common Scenarios for "Owned" Profiles

Often, the "owner" is someone with a legitimate past connection to the company. Think about:

• A Former Employee: Someone from your marketing team or an assistant might have set up the profile years ago using their work email. When they left the company, access wasn't transferred.
• A Digital Marketing Agency: Many agencies will set up or manage a GMB profile for clients. If you've parted ways, they might still be listed as the primary owner.
• The Previous Business Owner: If you recently purchased the business, the old owner likely still holds the keys to the profile.
• Yourself, with a Forgotten Email: It's possible you set it up a long time ago with a personal email address (like an old Hotmail or Yahoo account) and simply forgot.

How to Officially Request Ownership

Google has an official process for requesting a change of hands. Here’s what you do:

1. Find the business profile on Google Search. Search for your business by name and city.
2. Click the “Own this business?” link. Even though it's already owned, this is where you start the request process.
3. Identify the Current Owner’s Email Hint. You'll see a different message this time. It will state that the profile has already been claimed by another user and will show a heavily redacted email hint, like `sa***@*****.com`. This hint might be just enough to jog your memory or help you figure out which former employee or agency it might belong to.
4. Click 'Request Access' and fill out the form. A form will appear asking for some information. You'll need to provide:
   • Your desired access level: You can request either "Full management" (Ownership) or “Profile management” (Management). If you are the business owner, always request Ownership. A Manager can do most things, but an Owner can add and remove users.
   • Your name and phone number: Google needs a way to contact you.
   • Your relationship to the business: State clearly that you are the Owner, Manager, or an authorized employee.

Once you submit the form, an automated email is sent to the current profile owner. They now have 3 days to respond to your request.

If Your Request is Approved

Hooray! The current owner sees your request and approves it. You'll receive an email notification letting you know that you now have access. Log in, and you can start managing the profile immediately. If they granted you Ownership status, it's a good practice to then gently remove them as a user if they are an old agency or former employee, just to keep your profile secure.

If Your Request is Denied

You'll receive an email saying your request has been denied. This isn't the end of the road. You can appeal Google's decision. An appeal typically involves providing proof that you're the rightful owner of the company, like a business registration document, a professional license, a utility bill in the company's name at that address, or photos of your permanent storefront signage.

If You Don't Hear Back After 3 Days

This happens most of the time. The current owner has long since forgotten about the account, and the email from Google sits in an unmonitored inbox. After three full days of no response, Google recognizes this and opens up a new path for you. You should receive a follow-up email, or you can go back to your Google Business Profile dashboard, where you may now see an option to verify yourself. At this point, the process works just like in Scenario 1. You'll likely need to complete a postcard verification or another method to prove you are physically present and in control of the business location.

Lost Your Password? How to Recover Your Account

Sometimes the issue isn't knowing *who* owns the profile, but just being unable to log in to the account that does. If the email hint that Google shows looks familiar, but you just can't remember the password, the process is straightforward.

1. Go to the Google Account login page.
2. Enter the email address associated with the account.
3. Click "Forgot password?"
4. Follow the recovery steps. Google will offer ways to verify your identity, like sending a code to a recovery phone number or a backup email address that you previously set up.

The account recovery process's success depends almost entirely on how much recovery information you set up beforehand. This is a great reminder to always add a recovery phone and email to any important accounts.

When All Else Fails: Reaching Out to Google Support

If you've followed the steps, appealed a denial, and are still hitting a wall, your final step is to contact Google Business Profile support directly. Don't go here first, as they will direct you to follow all the standard processes initially. But if you are truly stuck, they are your last resort.

You can find the support options through the Google Business Profile Help Center. Before contacting them, gather all your proof of ownership. Have these documents scanned and ready to go:

• A copy of your official business license.
• Utility bills (gas, electric, water) in the business name and at the business address.
• Clear photos of your storefront showing your permanent signage from different angles.
• A photo of a street sign on your corner, proving the location exists.

The more proof you can supply, the faster and smoother the manual review process will go.

Final Thoughts

Getting into your Google Business Profile is a foundational step for any local business, and it’s completely manageable once you know the pathways. By checking for an existing profile first and then following the correct steps for claiming it or requesting ownership, you position your business to attract local customers and build genuine trust online.

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