Someone changed your Google Business Profile: how to get it back

Two ways it happens

• Suggested edits. Anyone can suggest changes to a business on Google Maps, and Google sometimes accepts them, especially for profiles nobody manages actively. Competitors and lead-generation companies have been known to change phone numbers this way.
• Taken-over ownership. Someone requested ownership of a profile you never verified, or got into the Google account that owns it, usually through a phished or reused password.

What to do

1. Check who owns itSign in to your Business Profile and look at the managers and owners. Remove anyone you don’t recognize.
2. Fix the detailsCorrect the phone, website, name and hours. If the profile shows edits from Google, review and reject the ones that are wrong.
3. Request ownership if you’ve lost itOn Google Maps, choose to claim the business and request ownership. Google contacts the current owner and gives you a way to escalate if they don’t respond.
4. Secure the Google accountChange the password, turn on two-step sign-in, and check its recovery email and phone.
5. Tell your customersIf calls went elsewhere, a post on your site and social channels saying “our only number is…” helps.

Stop it happening

• Verify and actively manage your profile; Google trusts owner edits more than suggestions.
• Check the profile every week or two for “Google updates” waiting for review.
• Keep at least two owners, both with two-step sign-in.
• Use the same phone number on your website and listings, so changes stand out.