Table Of Contents
Introduction
Imagine a customer deciding to visit your store. They quickly pull out their phone, search for your business on Google, and check your hours. If your listed hours say you are open but your doors are actually closed, that customer just wasted their time – and you just lost a sale, and possibly a loyal customer for good.
This is why keeping your business hours up to date on Google is one of the most important things you can do as a business owner. Google is often the very first place people look when they want to know when a business is open. If your hours are wrong or outdated, it creates a poor experience for your customers and damages your reputation.
In this article, you will learn exactly how to change your business hours on Google – step by step, quickly, and correctly. Whether you are updating your regular weekly schedule, adding special holiday hours, or making a temporary change, this guide has you covered.
What Is Google Business Profile and Why Does It Matter?
Google Business Profile (formerly known as Google My Business) is a free tool provided by Google that allows business owners to manage how their business appears on Google Search and Google Maps. When someone types in your business name or searches for a type of business near them, your Google Business Profile is what shows up on the right-hand side of the screen – or prominently in the map results.
Your Google Business Profile displays essential details such as your business name, address, phone number, website, photos, customer reviews, and – most critically – your business hours. These details help potential customers decide whether to visit or contact you.
Why Accurate Business Hours Are So Important
Here are some key reasons why you should always keep your hours correct and current:
- Customer Trust: When your hours are accurate, customers can rely on the information Google shows them. This builds confidence in your business.
- Avoid Negative Reviews: Nothing frustrates customers more than showing up to a closed store. Incorrect hours are a leading cause of negative Google reviews.
- Better Local SEO: Google tends to rank businesses higher in local search results when their profile information is complete and accurate, including business hours.
- More Foot Traffic: An accurate “Open Now” status on Google encourages nearby customers to visit your business right away.
- Professional Image: A business with complete, correct information looks more professional and trustworthy than one with missing or wrong details.
What You Need Before You Start
Before you can change your business hours on Google, make sure you have the following:
- A Google Account: You need to be signed in to the Google account that is linked to your Google Business Profile.
- Ownership or Management Access: Only the owner or an authorized manager of the business profile can edit the hours. If you created the profile, you are likely the owner.
- A Verified Business Profile: If your profile has not been verified yet, you may not be able to make changes or they may not appear publicly. Google requires verification to confirm that you are the legitimate owner of the business.
- A Device with Internet Access: You can make changes from a computer, smartphone, or tablet.
How to Change Your Business Hours on Google: Step-by-Step
There are two main ways to change your business hours: through Google Search directly, or through the Google Business Profile Manager website. Both methods are explained below.
Method 1: Changing Hours Directly Through Google Search (Easiest Method)
This is the quickest and simplest way to update your business hours. You do not need to navigate to any separate dashboard – you can do it right from the Google search results page.
Step 1: Open Google and Sign In
Open your web browser and go to www.google.com. Make sure you are signed into the Google account that manages your business profile. You can check this by looking at the profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.
Step 2: Search for Your Business Name
Type your exact business name into the Google search bar and press Enter. Your Google Business Profile should appear in the search results – usually on the right side on a desktop computer, or prominently at the top on a mobile device.
Step 3: Click on “Edit Profile”
Inside your business profile panel, you will see a set of options. Look for the button that says “Edit Profile” or “Edit your business information.” Click on it to begin editing.
Step 4: Find the “Hours” Section
A panel will open with various business details you can edit. Scroll down or look for the section labeled “Hours.” Click on it to expand the hours settings.
Step 5: Set Your Opening and Closing Times
You will see a list of the seven days of the week. For each day, you can toggle it as open or closed. For the days your business is open, enter the opening time and closing time. Make sure your times are accurate. You can also set multiple time periods per day – for example, if you close for a lunch break and reopen in the afternoon.
Step 6: Save Your Changes
Once you have entered all the correct hours, click the “Save” button. Your changes will be submitted to Google. In most cases, updates appear live within a few minutes to a couple of hours, though occasionally it can take up to three days for Google to process and display the changes.
Method 2: Changing Hours via Google Business Profile Manager
If you manage multiple business locations, or if you prefer using a dedicated dashboard, you can also update your hours through the Google Business Profile Manager website at business.google.com.
Step 1: Go to business.google.com
Open your browser and visit business.google.com. Sign in with the Google account linked to your business profile.
Step 2: Select Your Business Location
If you manage more than one location, you will see a list of all your businesses. Click on the name of the business whose hours you want to update.
Step 3: Click on “Info” in the Left-Hand Menu
Once you are inside the business dashboard, look for the “Info” option in the menu on the left side of the screen. Click on it.
Step 4: Edit the Hours Section
On the Info page, scroll down to the section showing your current business hours. You will see a pencil icon (edit icon) next to the hours. Click that icon to open the hours editor.
Step 5: Update Your Hours
Just like in Method 1, you will see a list of the days of the week. Toggle each day open or closed and enter your operating hours. Double-check that everything looks right before saving.
Step 6: Click “Apply” or “Save”
When you are done, click the “Apply” or “Save” button to submit your new hours. Your updated hours will go through a brief review process by Google and will appear on your profile shortly.
Method 3: Updating Hours from the Google Maps App
If you are on the go and prefer using your phone, you can also update your business hours directly from the Google Maps app.
- Open the Google Maps app on your phone and make sure you are signed in.
- Tap on your profile picture in the top-right corner, then tap “Your Business Profiles.”
- Select the business you want to update.
- Tap “Edit Profile,” then scroll to the “Hours” section.
- Make your changes and tap “Save.”
This method is ideal when you need to make a quick change while you are away from your computer.
How to Add Special Hours for Holidays and Events
Regular business hours only tell part of the story. If your business has different hours on public holidays, special occasions, or seasonal periods, you need to add “Special Hours” to your profile. This feature allows you to set custom hours for specific dates without permanently changing your regular schedule.
Why Special Hours Matter
Google often shows a warning banner on your profile if it suspects your hours may be different on an upcoming holiday. If you do not update your special hours, Google may display a message like “Hours might differ” to users, which can cause confusion and uncertainty.
Setting special hours prevents this confusion and shows customers exactly when you will be open or closed on those specific days.
Steps to Add Special Hours
- Sign in and search for your business on Google (or go to business.google.com).
- Click “Edit Profile” and navigate to the “Hours” section.
- Look for a sub-section called “Special Hours” or “Add special hours” and click on it.
- You will see a list of upcoming public holidays suggested by Google. Toggle each one to indicate whether you will be open or closed. If your hours are different from your regular schedule on that day, enter the specific open and close times.
- You can also click “Add a date” to manually add any custom date that is not listed as a public holiday.
- Click “Save” or “Apply” when you are done.
How to Set “More Hours” for Specific Services
Some businesses offer services that operate during different hours than the main business. For example, a restaurant may have separate hours for its kitchen (food orders), bar service, and delivery. A gym may have different hours for its swimming pool versus general floor access.
Google Business Profile allows you to add “More Hours” for these different service types. Here is how:
- Go to the “Hours” section in your profile editor as described above.
- Look for a section called “More hours” below your main hours.
- Click on it and you will see a list of service types relevant to your business category (for example: Delivery, Takeout, Drive-through, Happy hour, Kitchen, Online service hours, and more).
- Select the service type you want to add hours for, then enter the specific operating hours.
- Save your changes when you are done.
Note: The service types available to you depend on the category your business is listed under. Not all categories will have the same options.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Updating Business Hours
Even though changing your hours is a simple process, there are some common mistakes that many business owners make. Knowing what these mistakes are will help you avoid them.
Mistake 1: Forgetting to Update Hours After Seasonal Changes
Many businesses have different hours in summer versus winter, or during a busy holiday season. Forgetting to revert your hours back to normal after a temporary change is a surprisingly common error. Set a reminder in your calendar to review and update your hours at the start of each new season.
Mistake 2: Not Marking Your Business as Temporarily Closed
If your business is temporarily closed – for renovation, vacation, or another reason – do not simply leave your normal hours in place. Google allows you to mark your business as “Temporarily Closed.” This is much better than leaving incorrect hours up, and it signals to Google and your customers that you will be back.
Mistake 3: Using the Wrong Time Format
Make sure you are entering times in the correct AM/PM format. A business that accidentally sets its closing time as 8 AM instead of 8 PM will look closed for most of the day on Google.
Mistake 4: Ignoring Google’s Suggested Edits
Google allows users and other sources to suggest edits to your business information, including your hours. If someone suggests a change and you do not review it, Google may apply that change automatically. Make it a habit to log in and check your profile regularly to make sure your information is still correct.
Mistake 5: Not Updating Hours on All Platforms
Google is not the only place customers look for your hours. Make sure you also update your hours on your website, Facebook page, Yelp listing, and any other online directory where your business appears. Consistent information across all platforms builds trust.
How to Temporarily Close Your Business on Google
If your business is temporarily closed but will reopen in the future, follow these steps to mark it properly:
- Sign in and find your business profile on Google or in Business Profile Manager.
- Click “Edit Profile.”
- Scroll down to find the option that says “Mark as temporarily closed.”
- Click on it and confirm your choice.
- When your business reopens, go back to the same settings and remove the “Temporarily Closed” label.
This approach keeps your profile accurate and shows customers that your business will be returning, rather than making them think you have permanently shut down.
How Long Does It Take for Google to Update Business Hours?
Most of the time, changes to your business hours on Google go live within a few minutes to a few hours. However, in some cases, it can take up to three business days for the update to appear publicly.
If your changes are not showing up after a day or two, here are a few things you can check:
- Make sure the update was actually saved – sometimes users navigate away before clicking “Save,” and the change is lost.
- Check if your profile is verified. Unverified profiles may have limited ability to push changes to Google Search and Maps.
- Log in and check the profile again to confirm the correct hours are shown in your dashboard.
- Try clearing your browser cache or using a different browser to view your Google profile.
Tips for Keeping Your Business Hours Always Up to Date
Maintaining accurate hours on Google does not need to be a time-consuming task. Here are some simple habits that will help you stay on top of it:
Schedule Regular Profile Reviews
Set a monthly reminder on your calendar to log into your Google Business Profile and review all your information – not just hours. Check that your address, phone number, website, and photos are all still accurate.
Plan Ahead for Holidays
At the start of each year, make a list of all the public holidays and special dates when your hours will be different. Add special hours for these dates on Google in advance. This takes just a few minutes and saves you from receiving frustrated customer calls or reviews.
Enable Google Notifications
Google can send you email or app notifications when someone suggests a change to your profile, when a customer leaves a review, or when Google flags a potential issue with your listing. Make sure these notifications are turned on so you are always aware of what is happening with your profile.
Update Hours Before Any Change Takes Effect
If you know your hours are changing – for example, you are hiring new staff and extending your evening hours next month – update your Google profile before the new hours start, not after. This way, customers always see accurate information.
What to Do If You Cannot Edit Your Business Hours
Sometimes business owners run into problems when trying to edit their hours. Here are the most common issues and what to do about them:
Problem: You Are Not Signed In to the Right Account
Solution: Sign out of Google and sign back in using the Google account that owns or manages the business profile. If you have multiple Google accounts, it is easy to accidentally use the wrong one.
Problem: Your Business Is Not Verified
Solution: You need to verify your business with Google first. Google typically sends a verification postcard with a code to your business address, though phone, email, and video verification options are also available in some cases. Once verified, you will have full control over your profile.
Problem: Edit Options Are Greyed Out or Missing
Solution: This may happen if you are a manager rather than the owner of the profile, and the owner has restricted editing permissions. Contact the profile owner to adjust your access level, or log in as the owner to make the change.
Problem: Changes Are Not Saving
Solution: Try using a different browser or clearing your browser’s cache and cookies. If the problem persists, try on a mobile device. If none of these work, you can reach out to Google Business Profile support through the help center at support.google.com/business.
How Business Hours Affect Your Google Ranking
You might be wondering: does having accurate business hours really affect where I show up in Google search results? The answer is yes – at least indirectly.
Google’s local search ranking algorithm considers three main factors: relevance, distance, and prominence. Keeping your profile complete and accurate – including your hours – contributes to both relevance and prominence.
Here is how accurate hours help your ranking indirectly:
- Lower Bounce Rate: When customers find accurate information and visit your business as planned, they are less likely to leave a negative review or file a correction, both of which can negatively affect your profile’s standing.
- More Positive Reviews: Happy customers who were not misled by wrong hours are more likely to leave good reviews. Positive reviews are a significant ranking factor in Google’s local search algorithm.
- Profile Completeness: Google rewards complete, detailed, and accurate profiles with better visibility. Business hours are a key piece of profile completeness.
- User Engagement: Profiles with correct hours see better engagement metrics (clicks, directions, calls), and engagement signals help boost your local ranking.
A Quick Checklist: Updating Business Hours the Right Way
Before you close the browser after updating your hours, run through this quick checklist:
- Are all seven days of the week set correctly – either as open or closed?
- Are the opening and closing times in the right AM/PM format?
- Have you added or updated special hours for any upcoming holidays or events?
- If your business has multiple service types, are all the “More Hours” entries up to date?
- Did you click “Save” before exiting?
- After a few hours, did you check your profile publicly to confirm the new hours are showing correctly?
Conclusion
Updating your business hours on Google is one of the simplest, fastest, and most impactful things you can do to improve your customer experience and your online presence. It takes only a few minutes, but it can make a significant difference in how customers perceive and interact with your business.
Whether you use Google Search, the Google Business Profile Manager website, or the Google Maps mobile app, the process is straightforward once you know the steps. By updating your regular hours, adding special holiday hours, and keeping your profile complete and accurate, you show customers that your business is professional, reliable, and worth visiting.
Make it a routine habit to review your Google Business Profile every month. A few minutes of attention can prevent a customer from arriving at your closed door, save your reputation, and even improve your ranking in local search results.
Now that you know exactly how to change your business hours on Google, go ahead and log in and make sure everything is up to date. Your customers – and your Google ranking – will thank you for it.
About the Author
Jay Patel is the Founder of XSquareSEO, a full-service SEO agency with experience in on-page SEO, eCommerce SEO, link building, technical SEO, SaaS SEO, and local SEO. For more information, feel free to contact us.
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