How Do I Claim My Business on Google? A Step-by-Step Guide
To claim your business on Google, search for it on Google Maps, open the listing, choose "Claim this business" (or "Manage this business"), sign in with the Google account you want to run it from, and verify that you own it. Claiming is free. If no listing exists, you add one first. If someone else already claimed it, you can ask for ownership. This guide walks through each case, the mistakes that stall a claim, and what to do next.
Words first, because two terms get mixed up. "Claiming" means taking control of a listing that already exists. "Verifying" means proving to Google that the business is really yours, usually with a code or a video. You do both, in that order. If you are starting from nothing, see how to set up a Google Business Profile. This page is for the case where Google already shows your business and you want it under your control.
Why claim your listing at all
Google builds a listing for many businesses from public sources whether or not the owner asks. Until you claim it, you cannot fix the hours, the phone number or the category, you cannot reply to reviews, and you cannot add photos as the owner. Customers still see the listing, and it may be wrong. Claiming puts you in charge of what they see. It is also the first step towards ranking better on the map, because an unclaimed listing has nothing you can improve.
Before you start: three quick checks
- Pick the right Google account. Use an account you will keep. A business email you control is better than an employee's personal address, because the profile will be tied to it. A very common mistake is claiming with whatever account the browser happened to be signed into, then losing access when that person leaves.
- Check that you are eligible. Google's guidelines say a business needs to make in-person contact with customers during stated hours, or travel to customers at their location. Online-only shops, rental listings and unstaffed locations can be refused later.
- Have your details ready. Exact business name as it appears on your sign, address, phone number, website and opening hours. Keep them identical to what you use elsewhere.
Case 1: your business already shows on Google Maps
This is the usual case, and it takes about five minutes.
- Open Google Maps on a computer or phone and search your business name and town.
- Open your listing. Look for "Claim this business" or "Own this business?" in the details panel. Some listings now show "Manage this business" instead.
- Select it and sign in with the account you chose above.
- Google asks you to confirm the business and then to choose a verification method. The options depend on your business, and Google decides which ones to offer.
- Complete the verification. Until you do, you are not the verified owner and edits may not go live.
You can also go through the Business Profile site and search for your business there. The result is the same listing.
Case 2: your business is not on Google yet
Search first. Sometimes a listing exists under an old name, an old address or a slightly different spelling. Search your phone number and street address too. If nothing is there, add the business: go to the Business Profile site, choose to add your business, enter the name and category, say whether customers visit you, and enter the address or the area you serve. Then verify. Skipping the search is how people end up with two profiles for one business, which later causes duplicates and suspensions.
Case 3: someone else has already claimed it
If the listing shows as claimed, the button asks you to request access. Google passes the request to the current owner and gives them time to respond. Practical steps:
- Find out who it is first. An old web designer, a previous owner, a former employee or an agency that set it up years ago are the usual suspects. Ask them to add you as an owner from their side. It is the fastest route.
- Request ownership if they do not answer. Use the request option on the listing and give accurate details. Keep your request factual.
- Use the same business name and phone number everywhere you can, so Google sees the match.
- Be patient and keep records. If the owner never replies, Google may let you continue after the response window, and may ask you to verify. Save screenshots of every step in case you need to contact support.
Do not create a new profile to get around this. A second profile for the same place gets flagged as a duplicate, which can hurt both.
Verification methods and how long they take
Google offers different options for different businesses, so you may not see them all.
| Method | How it works | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Text message or phone call | A code sent to the number on the profile | Within minutes when offered |
| A code or link sent to an address Google shows you | Within minutes when offered | |
| Video | You record the location, signage and proof that you work there | Review can take a few days |
| Postcard | A mailed card with a code, sent to your address | About a week or two, sometimes longer |
| Live video call | A short call with a Google representative | Booked by appointment |
The timings are what owners and Google's own help text describe, not a promise. For the full picture see Google Business Profile verification. If you chose a postcard and it has not shown up, read verification code not received. If you are asked for a video, read what to record for a verification video.
Why you might not see the claim button
| What you see | Likely reason | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| No "Claim this business" at all | Already claimed, or the listing is a different kind of place | Request access, or check you opened the right listing |
| The button leads to a sign-in loop | Wrong account, or a browser with several accounts | Try a private window with one account |
| Google says you cannot manage this | The business may not qualify, or the listing is flagged | Read the message, check eligibility |
| Your business appears twice | A duplicate listing | Claim the correct one, then ask Google to mark the other as a duplicate |
| Wrong address shown | An old address from public data | Claim first, then edit the address |
What to do in the first hour after you claim
A claimed, verified profile that is left bare does little. Do these in order, and make each change once rather than editing repeatedly, because some edits can trigger a review.
- Check the name. It should be your real business name, as on your sign, with no extra keywords added.
- Set the primary category. Choose the one that best describes what customers search for. Add a few secondary ones that are true.
- Add hours, phone and website. Add special hours for holidays you know about.
- Add a few real photos. The front, the inside, the team or the work.
- Write a short, plain description. What you do, where, and for whom. No offers or phone numbers inside it.
- Turn on messages and reviews notifications so you see new reviews quickly.
Then get your review link working. Your reviews are public from the day you claim, and the profile now lets you answer them. If you have a backlog of unanswered reviews, start with review response templates, and set up a way to ask customers for reviews.
Add other people the right way
Do not share your login. In the profile's settings you can add people as owners or managers using their own Google accounts. Add at least two owners, so that one lost account does not lock you out. Remove agencies and former staff when they stop working with you. This one habit prevents most of the "someone else owns my listing" stories.
Scams to avoid
Claiming is free. Be wary of calls, emails or sites saying your listing will be removed unless you pay, or that they can "claim it for you" for a fee. Google's own pages are on google.com. A genuine verification code arrives from Google by the method you picked, and you type it in yourself. Never read a code out to a caller.
Frequently asked questions
How do I claim my business on Google for free?
Search for it on Google Maps, select "Claim this business", sign in and verify. Google does not charge to claim or manage a Business Profile.
How long does it take to claim a business on Google?
The claim itself takes minutes. Verification takes minutes with a code by text, call or email, a few days with video review, and often a week or two by postcard.
What if my business is already claimed by someone else?
Ask the person who set it up to add you as an owner. If you cannot reach them, request ownership from the listing and keep your screenshots. Do not make a second profile.
Can I claim a business I do not own?
No. You must be the owner or authorised to manage it. Verification exists to check this.
Do I need a website to claim my business?
No. A website helps customers, but a profile can be claimed and verified without one.
What happens if I never claim my listing?
It stays visible, but you cannot correct it, answer reviews or manage photos, and others can suggest edits that you never see.
What to do next
Once the profile is yours, your reviews are the next thing customers read. Check how your Google reviews compare with your nearest rivals, free, and get a working review link. The guides page has the rest of the profile, review and ranking guides.
Sources
- Add or claim your Business Profile, Google Business Profile Help, read Nov 6, 2026.
- Guidelines for representing your business on Google, Google Business Profile Help, read Nov 6, 2026.
- Tips to improve your local ranking on Google, Google Business Profile Help, read Nov 6, 2026.
- How to Claim My Business on Google, Podium, read Nov 6, 2026 (as listed in search).
- How to claim a business on Google, LocaliQ, read Nov 6, 2026 (as listed in search).