How to Change Business Name on Google My Business

Changing your business name on what is now called Google Business Profile can feel like a high-stakes task, but it doesn't have to be complicated. Getting it right helps customers find you, but a misstep can temporarily make you invisible. This guide gives you the step-by-step process for updating your name correctly and explains how to handle the common issues that can pop up along the way.

Why Your Business Name on Google Is So Important

Your business name in your Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business) is often the first interaction a potential customer has with your brand. Think of it as your digital storefront sign. It does more than just identify you, it directly impacts your visibility, credibility, and local search performance.

• First Impressions & Brand Recognition: A clear, professional name builds immediate trust. An inconsistent or spammy-looking name does the opposite, turning potential customers away before they even click on your profile. Your GMB name should perfectly match your real-world branding.
• Local Search Ranking: Your business name is a significant local SEO ranking factor. When a user searches for your brand, Google needs to see a clear match between their query and your profile. Consistency across your website, social media, and Google profile sends strong, positive signals to Google’s algorithm.
• Customer Trust: Accuracy matters. If a customer finds one name on Google Maps, another on your website, and a third on your Instagram page, it creates confusion and erodes trust. A consistent name reassures them that they’ve found the right business.

Before You Change Your Name: A Quick Checklist

Changing your name isn’t just about typing in a new title and hitting "save." Google has strict guidelines to prevent spam and ensure the information on Maps is accurate. Rushing this step can lead to rejections or even a profile suspension. Before you do anything, run through this quick checklist.

1. Review Google’s Business Name Guidelines

This is the most important step. Google wants your business name on your profile to be your actual, real-world business name - the name on your storefront, printed on your business cards, and used on your official website. Violating these guidelines is the fastest way to get your change rejected.

Here’s what you absolutely cannot do:

• Keyword Stuffing: Do not add descriptive keywords. If you own "Oakwood Coffee," your name is Oakwood Coffee, not Oakwood Coffee - Best Lattes & Espresso in Brooklyn. Adding towns, services, or adjectives is a policy violation.
• Adding Taglines: Your marketing slogan is not part of your business name.
• Using ALL CAPS: Unless your legal business name is in all caps (which is rare), use title case.
• Including store codes or symbols: Special characters, phone numbers, website URLs, or anything other than your official name should be left out.

Stick to your registered business name, and you'll be fine.

2. Understand the Potential Risks

While the process is usually smooth, you should be aware of a few possibilities:

• A temporary drop in rankings: SEO is built on consistency. When you change something as fundamental as your name, Google's algorithm may take a little time to recalibrate. Your rankings might dip for a few days to a week while Google verifies the change and re-establishes trust in your updated information. This is usually temporary, as long as your new name is consistent with your branding elsewhere.
• Re-verification might be required: In some cases, especially for a significant name change, Google may trigger a re-verification process to confirm your business is legitimate. This could mean waiting for a postcard in the mail, or verifying via phone or email. During this period, you may lose some ability to edit your profile, so be prepared.

The goal is to make a name change a one-time event, not a regular occurrence. Frequent name changes send major red flags to Google and can easily lead to a suspension.

How to Change Your Business Name on Google: A Step-by-Step Guide

With the prep work done, it's time to actually make the change. The process is straightforward whether you’re on a desktop computer or using the Google Maps app on your phone.

On a Desktop Computer

1. Go to Google and find your profile: Simply search for your full business name on Google. If you’re logged into the Google account that manages the profile, you’ll see an admin panel directly in the search results.
2. Click 'Edit profile': This prominent button will be one of the first options you see. It's usually next to 'Read reviews' and 'Add photo'.
3. Select 'Business information': This is where you can edit your core details like your name, category, and description.
4. Update your Business Name: Click the pencil icon next to your current business name. A field will appear where you can type in your new name. Triple-check it for typos!
5. Hit 'Save': Once you've entered the new name correctly and are sure it meets Google's guidelines, click the "Save" button.

On the Google Maps App (Mobile)

1. Open the Google Maps app: Make sure you are signed into the correct Google account.
2. Access your Business Profile: Tap your profile picture or initial in the top-right corner. A menu will appear. Select "Your Business Profiles" and choose the one you need to edit.
3. Tap 'Edit profile': Just like on desktop, you'll see this clear button on your profile management screen.
4. Choose 'Business information': In the editing screen, tap on this option to access your core details.
5. Edit your name: Tap your current business name, enter the new one, and then tap 'Save' in the top right corner.

And that’s it! Your part of the job is done. Now, you wait for Google's review.

What Happens Next? The Google Review Process

Your change won't appear live instantly. Every edit to a primary field like your name or address goes through a short review process. This is typically an automated check to catch obvious guideline violations.

• How long does it take? Most name changes are approved within minutes, but Google states it can take up to a few business days. Don't panic if it's not immediate.
• How can you check the status? If you go back into the "Edit profile" section, you’ll usually see a note indicating your edit is "pending," "under review," or something similar.
• What happens if it's rejected? You'll receive a "Not approved" status. This almost always means you’ve violated a guideline mentioned earlier - likely by adding extra keywords or a tagline. Go back and fix it to match your real business name.

Troubleshooting Common Problems After a Name Change

Sometimes things don't go as planned. Here are some of the most common issues you might run into and what to do about them.

Help! My Name Change Was Rejected!

If your update is "Not approved," don't just resubmit the same text over and over. Go back to the guidelines. The problem is almost certainly one of these:

• You added keywords: Remove any words that describe services or location (e.g., "Best HVAC in Phoenix").
• You used a tagline: Remove that catchy marketing slogan.
• Your new name doesn’t match your website: Google's algorithm often cross-references your profile name with the one in the header of your linked website. Make sure they match.

Correct the name to what it actually says on your front door and resubmit. It should go through.

My Business Profile Was Suspended!

This is a scarier situation, but it's usually fixable. A suspension can be triggered by major changes that make Google's system think you're attempting to game the rankings or misrepresent yourself. A name change combined with a change in category or address, for example, might flag the system.

If you're suspended, you will need to file a reinstatement request through your Google Business Profile dashboard. You will be asked to provide proof of your business name and address, so have it ready. A business registration document, a utility bill, or clear photos of your permanent storefront signage can all work as proof.

After the Change: Update Your Brand Identity Everywhere Else

Once Google approves your new business name, your work isn't finished. Now you have to ensure that your new name is consistent across your entire digital footprint. This is non-negotiable for good SEO and clear branding.

1. Your Website: Update the name in your website's header, footer, contact page, and any other relevant mentions.
2. Your Social Media Profiles: Your business name needs to be updated on Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, and anywhere else you have a presence. A mismatch between your Google profile and social accounts creates confusion.
3. Online Directories: Think Yelp, Yellow Pages, and any industry-specific directories. Inconsistent Name, Address, and Phone number (NAP) data across the web can hurt your local search rankings.
4. Email Signatures & Marketing Materials: Finally, update all your company materials, from email signatures to digital brochures, to reflect your new brand.

Consistency is everything. It makes you look professional and sends clear, strong signals to search engines about who you are and what you do.

Final Thoughts

Changing your business name on Google is a straightforward process when you stick to their guidelines. Be precise, patient during the review process, and be prepared to update all of your other online profiles to match. Maintaining that brand consistency is what will help you avoid search ranking issues and keep customers finding you without any confusion.

Once your Google profile is set, updating every social media channel to match can feel like another huge chore - manually logging in and out of each platform is tedious. That's exactly why we built Postbase. I wanted a way to manage everything about my brand's social presence from one clean dashboard. Instead of jumping between apps, we can plan content, schedule posts, and make sure our branding is consistent everywhere, all at once. It helps you save a ton of time while keeping your image sharp across the board.