How to Get Access to a Google My Business Account

Gaining access to a Google Business Profile for your company can feel like trying to find a key you lost years ago. Whether you're a new marketing hire, a business owner taking over your online presence, or an agency working with a new client, you’ve probably hit the frustrating roadblock: someone else already owns the profile. This guide provides a clear, step-by-step walkthrough for every scenario, so you can stop searching and start managing your presence on Google.

First, Confirm You Don't Already Have Access

Before you start a potentially lengthy recovery process, it’s worth taking a moment to confirm you - or an account you own - aren’t already the owner. This happens surprisingly often, especially if the profile was set up a long time ago with a personal email.

Here’s how to check:

1. Open a new browser window and make sure you're logged out of all Google accounts.
2. Go to the Google Business Profile Manager sign-in page.
3. Methodically sign in with every Google account you can think of that might be associated with the business. This includes:
   • Your primary personal Gmail account.
   • Any older personal email addresses.
   • The business’s main email address (like info@yourcompany.com or sales@yourcompany.com).
   • The email addresses of founders or long-term employees who might have set it up.

If you see your business name appear in a dashboard after signing in, you’re in luck! You already have access. If not, it’s time to move on to the next steps.

Scenario 1: You Know the Current Profile Owner

This is the best-case scenario. If you know who currently manages the profile - maybe a former employee, the business founder, or a previous marketing agency - the easiest way to get access is to simply ask them to add you as a user.

You can guide them through the process with these simple instructions.

Instructions for the Current Owner

First, they'll need to figure out which account manages the profile. If they're not sure, tell them to follow the steps in the section above. Once they're logged into the correct Google Business Profile, they can add you with these steps:

1. On the left-hand menu, click "Users."
2. In the top right, click the blue "Add users" button.
3. Enter your email address (make sure it's a Google account).
4. Under "Choose a role," select the appropriate level of access. For most situations, "Owner" is the right choice, but here’s a quick breakdown:
   • Primary owner: The ultimate owner. This role can't be removed by anyone but themselves. There can only be one.
   • Owner: Has all the capabilities of the primary owner, including adding/removing users and editing all business information.
   • Manager: Can manage day-to-day activities like responding to reviews and publishing posts, but can't add or remove users or delete the profile.
5. Click "Invite."

Once they send the invitation, you’ll receive an email. Simply click the link in the email to accept, and you'll have immediate access to manage the profile. The person who invited you might also want to transfer primary ownership to you or remove themselves entirely, which are both straightforward options within the "Users" menu.

Scenario 2: An Unknown Person or Agency Has Claimed Your Profile

This is the most common and often most frustrating situation. You've found your business on Google, but a user account you don't recognize has ownership. This could be a long-gone employee, an agency you no longer work with, or in rare cases, someone who mistakenly claimed it.

Don’t worry, Google has a clear process for this. Here’s how to request access.

Step 1: Find Your Business and Initiate the Request

1. Go to Google Maps or Google Search and search for your exact business name and location.
2. In the knowledge panel that appears (the box with your business details), click the link that says "Own this business?" or "Claim this business." If it's already claimed, a dialog box will appear.
3. You'll see a message that says the profile has already been claimed and managed by another user. Crucially, it will show a heavily redacted hint of the owner's email address (e.g., j***@g****.com). Sometimes, this clue is all you need to realize which old account it might be.
4. Click the "Request access" button.

Step 2: Fill Out and Submit the Ownership Request Form

You will now be directed to a form. You need to provide some important details about your request:

• Level of access: You can choose Owner or Manager. Always request Owner access.
• Your relationship to the business: Explain your role (e.g., "Owner," "Marketing Director").
• Contact info: Provide your name and a phone number where you can be reached.
• Submit: Click the "Submit" button to send your request.

Step 3: Wait for a Response (But Prepare for the Next Step)

Once you submit the request, an automated email is sent to the current profile owner. That person has 3 days to respond to your request. From here, a few things can happen:

• Scenario A: Your request is approved. You'll get an email confirming you've been granted owner access. This is the ideal outcome. Hooray!
• Scenario B: Your request is denied. You'll receive an email stating your request was rejected. The current owner has actively said "no." If this happens, your only option is to file an appeal with Google. We'll cover how to handle that below.
• Scenario C: The current owner doesn't respond. If 3 days pass with no response, you'll receive an email giving you the chance to verify ownership of the business yourself. This is the most common path forward when the original owner's account is lost or abandoned.

Scenario 3: The Current Owner is Unresponsive (How to Verify Ownership)

When the current owner doesn’t respond after 3 days, you get your chance to prove you’re the rightful owner. Click the verification link in the email you receive from Google (or return to your Google Business Profile dashboard) to begin the verification process.

Google provides several methods to verify your business, and the options available can vary based on your business type and location. The goal is to prove you are physically located at the address listed. Common verification methods include:

• Postcard by Mail: This is the most traditional method. Google will mail a physical postcard to your business's address with a unique verification code. It usually arrives within 5-14 days. Once you get it, you log back in and enter the code.
• Phone Call or Text: Some businesses are eligible to receive an automated call or text message to the business's official phone number. The message will contain a verification code.
• Email: Similar to the phone method, some businesses can receive a code at an official business email address (e.g., admin@yourdomain.com). Generic emails like Gmail or Yahoo aren't usually eligible.
• Live Video Call: This involves a scheduled video call with a Google representative. You'll need to use your smartphone to show them things like your business location (signage), equipment, and proof you have access to official documents like a business license.
• Video Recording: You may be prompted to record a continuous video showing your location, branding, and proof of management from tools or documents. You’ll then upload this to the dashboard.

Once you successfully enter your verification code or complete a video verification, ownership of the profile will be transferred to your Google account. You will become the primary owner, and the previous owner will be downgraded to a manager (you can remove them in the "Users" setting if necessary).

What to Do if Your Access Request is Denied

Getting your request outright denied can be a shock, but it happens. This means the current owner is still active and has explicitly rejected your request. If you are the legitimate owner, your next step is to file an appeal.

When you file an appeal, you're reporting an ownership dispute to Google's support team. You'll need to provide compelling evidence that proves you are the authorized representative of the business. This isn't a quick process, so be prepared with your documentation from the start.

Have these items ready to upload:

• Business License: A copy of your official, government-issued business registration showing the business name and address.
• Utility Bills: A recent gas, electric, or water bill with the business name and address clearly visible. Phone or internet bills often work too.
• Interior and Exterior Photos: Clear photos of your storefront showing permanent signage, your entrance, and interior shots of your workspace.
• A Short Explanation: A concise paragraph explaining the situation. For example, "A former employee who no longer works here controls our profile and is unresponsive," or "Our previous marketing agency has not given us access after our contract ended."

Final Thoughts

While recovering a Google Business Profile can take a few steps, remember that there is always a path forward. The key is to be methodical: first, check if you already have access, if not, try contacting the known owner, and if that fails, begin Google's access request process with confidence. Being prepared to verify your business is the most powerful tool you have to resolve ownership issues quickly.

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