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Are you struggling with outdated or incorrect business listings online? If yes, knowing how to delete a Google Business account can be a game-changer. Whether you are shutting down, changing ownership, or just correcting duplicate listings, removing your Google Business profile ensures your online presence remains accurate. This guide will walk you through every step of the process, providing clear, actionable instructions to help you take control of your digital footprint.
Follow along as we provide a step-by-step process to guide you through this decision. Let’s learn to manage your online presence effectively and explore the details!
Why Do Businesses Delete Their Google Business Accounts?
Businesses might choose to delete their Google Business accounts for various reasons, including:
- Permanently Closed: Deleting the Google Business listing is essential when a business shuts down. This informs customers that the business is no longer operational, preventing confusion and frustration. It also helps clear outdated information from search results, improving the accuracy of local search results.
- Change of Ownership: When a business is sold, the previous owner might delete the old Google Business account if transferring ownership of the listing isn’t possible. It ensures that personal information isn’t linked to the new owner’s business and avoids potential conflicts or confusion regarding its online presence.
- Duplicate Listings: Duplicate business listings can occur from mistakes or multiple attempts to create a profile. Google penalizes businesses with duplicate listings, leading to reduced visibility and customer confusion. To resolve this, businesses merge duplicates or delete one listing to consolidate information and enhance credibility.
What Happens if You Remove Google Business Account?
When you delete a Google Business Profile, Google will eventually remove the listing, but this process takes time. You can expect the following:
- Ownership Loss: Deleting your profile means you lose ownership, yet the listing may still appear in Google search results until Google’s algorithm recognizes its deletion.
- Reporting by Users: Other users can report that the business is closed or no longer exists. Over time, these reports may help Google determine the business’s status.
- Data Retention: Google retains your data for a period after deletion, but this does not allow for profile restoration.
- Permanent Action: Deleting the profile is permanent and cannot be undone.
How To Delete a Google Business Account
Step 1: Open https://www.google.com/business/
- Open your web browser.
- Navigate to Google Business to manage your business profiles and settings.
Step 2: Log in to Your Google Account
- Sign in using your Google account credentials.
- Enter the email address and password associated with the Google account linked to your business profile.
Step 3: Select the Business You Want to Delete
- Click on the business profile you want to delete.
- This action will open the specific profile’s dashboard.
Step 4: Click on “Actions”
- On the business dashboard, locate the “Actions”. This is typically found in the upper-right corner of the screen or within the menu options.
- Click on “Actions” to get dropdown menu with additional options.
Step 5: Select “Remove Business”
- In the dropdown menu, select “Remove Business.”
- You will be prompted with options to confirm the removal. Follow the instructions to finalize the deletion of your business profile.
- After this, Google suggests waiting for at least 24 hours. During this time Google reviews your request to remove the listing.
How Do You Delete a Business from Google Maps?
Step 1: Go to Google Maps
- Open Google Maps on your computer by visiting maps.google.com.
Step 2: Sign in to Your Account
- Ensure you are logged in with the Google account used to create or manage the Business Profile.
- Click the “Sign in” button if you’re not already logged in.
Step 3: Find the Business You Want To Delete
- Search for the business by typing its name into the search bar or locating it on the map.
- Click on the business listing to view its details.
Step 4: Click on “Suggest an Edit”
- On the left-hand side of the business details page, you will find the option “Suggest an edit.”
- Click on it to proceed.
Step 5: Select “Close or remove”
- From the options to edit the business information, choose “Close or remove” to indicate that you want the business to be deleted from Google Maps.
- Complete the required fields as prompted.
- You may need to provide additional information or reasons for the removal.
- Submit your request once all information is filled in.
- Your request goes through a review process. You might also expect to get a follow-up email. On approval of the request, you business will be removed from Google Maps.
Wrapping Up
Knowing how to delete a Google Business account is crucial for businesses wanting to manage their online presence effectively. By following the outlined steps, you can ensure the proper removal of your business listing from Google, preventing outdated information from misleading customers.
FAQs
What happens if you remove a Google My Business account?
Removing a Google My Business account results in the loss of ownership and the eventual removal of the listing from search results. Google retains data for some time but cannot restore the profile.
How do I delete my Google Business Account?
To delete your Google Business account, log in to Google Business, select your business profile, click “Actions,” then choose “Remove Business” and follow the instructions to finalize the deletion.
How long does it take to delete a Google business profile?
Deleting your Google business profile can take up to 60 days or more for it to be fully removed from Google. For a quicker update, consider reporting the business as permanently closed to keep customers informed.
Does removing a Google Business Profile remove reviews?
Removing the Google Business Profile does not delete the reviews immediately. The reviews may persist until Google updates its records.
Why do Businesses delete their Google Business Accounts?
Businesses delete their Google Business accounts to remove outdated information, handle ownership changes, correct duplicate listings, manage negative reviews, or update address details.
