How to Remove Your Google My Business Listing?

If you have ever searched for a business on Google, you have likely seen a neat panel on the right side of the screen or a listing that appears in Google Maps. That panel is powered by Google My Business (now officially called Google Business Profile). It shows your business name, address, phone number, hours, photos, and customer reviews.

For most businesses, this listing is a powerful free marketing tool. But there are situations where a business owner may want to remove or hide their listing. Maybe the business has permanently closed. Maybe you are facing unwanted attention or harassment through reviews. Or perhaps you simply want to stop managing the listing altogether.

Whatever your reason, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to remove your Google My Business listing. We will cover your available options, the exact steps to follow, what happens after you remove or mark a listing as closed, and important things to consider before making the decision.

Table Of Contents

Understanding Google My Business (Google Business Profile)

Before we dive into the removal process, it helps to understand what Google My Business actually is and why removing it is not always straightforward.

Google My Business (GMB) – rebranded as Google Business Profile in 2021 – is a free tool offered by Google that allows businesses to manage how they appear across Google Search and Google Maps. When someone searches for your business or a type of business in their area, your Business Profile is what shows up.

Here is the key thing to understand: Google can create a business listing for your company even without your permission. Google pulls data from various sources – websites, directories, and user submissions – to create these listings automatically. This means that even if you never signed up for Google My Business, a listing for your business might already exist.

This has an important implication: you cannot simply “delete” a business from Google the way you would delete a file from your computer. What you can do is:

Mark the listing as permanently closed
Remove your ownership/management of the listing
Request removal of the listing entirely through Google support

Reasons You Might Want to Remove Your Google My Business Listing

People choose to remove or close their Google Business Profile for a variety of reasons. Here are the most common ones:

1. The Business Has Permanently Closed

This is the most straightforward reason. If your business no longer operates, keeping an active listing can confuse customers who try to visit or contact you. Outdated listings can also lead to negative reviews from frustrated customers who showed up expecting the business to be open.

2. The Business Has Moved Online Only

Some businesses that previously had a physical location have transitioned to fully online operations. If you no longer serve customers at a physical address, you may want to remove your listing to avoid confusion.

3. Privacy Concerns

Home-based businesses sometimes end up with their home address publicly visible on Google. If you are concerned about privacy and do not want your home address shown to strangers, removing or adjusting the listing makes sense.

4. Unwanted or Fake Reviews

Some business owners face a flood of negative or fake reviews that damage their reputation. While Google has tools to report fake reviews, some owners feel overwhelmed and wish to remove the listing altogether.

5. The Business Has Been Sold or Transferred

If you have sold your business or transferred it to new ownership, you may want to remove yourself from the listing and transfer control, or remove the listing if the new owner plans to create their own.

6. The Listing Was Created by Mistake

Sometimes, a listing is created accidentally – perhaps during a test or because someone created a duplicate. In these cases, you want to clean it up and remove the incorrect listing.

What Are Your Options? Removing vs. Marking as Closed

Before we walk through the steps, it is important to understand the two main options available to you. Each option serves a different purpose.

Option 1: Mark Your Business as Permanently Closed

This option keeps your listing visible on Google, but it will display a red “Permanently Closed” label. Customers can still find the listing when they search, but they will see clearly that the business is no longer operating.

Best suited for:

Businesses that have shut down permanently
Situations where past customers may still search for you
When you want transparency without full removal

Option 2: Remove Your Ownership of the Listing

This option removes you as the verified owner or manager of the listing. The listing itself may still remain on Google (since Google can keep unmanaged listings), but you will no longer be responsible for it or have control over it.

Best suited for:

Transferring the business to a new owner
Stepping back from managing the listing

Option 3: Request Full Deletion Through Google Support

In some cases – especially for privacy reasons or if the listing contains incorrect information about a business that does not exist – you can contact Google Support and request full deletion of the listing. This is not always guaranteed, but Google does sometimes approve such requests.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Mark Your Business as Permanently Closed

This is the most commonly recommended step for businesses that have truly shut down. Here is how to do it:

Step 1: Sign In to Google Business Profile

Go to business.google.com and sign in using the Google account that is associated with your business listing. Make sure you are using the same email account that you used when you verified your business.

If you manage multiple business locations, select the specific listing you want to close from the dashboard.

Step 2: Go to the Business Information Section

Once you are on your Business Profile dashboard, look for the “Edit profile” or “Business information” option. This is where you can make changes to your business details, including its operational status.

Step 3: Find the “Close or Remove This Business” Option

Within the business information settings, scroll down until you find the option related to closing or removing your business. Depending on the version of the interface you are seeing, this may appear as:

“Close or remove this listing”
“Mark as permanently closed”
“Business status”

Step 4: Select “Permanently Closed”

Click on the appropriate option to mark the business as permanently closed. Google will likely ask you to confirm your choice. Read the on-screen prompt carefully before confirming.

Once confirmed, your listing will display a red “Permanently Closed” banner. This tells anyone who finds your listing that your business is no longer open.

Step 5: Verify the Change

After making the change, wait a few minutes and then search for your business on Google to confirm the “Permanently Closed” label is showing. It may take a few hours for the change to fully appear in search results.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Remove Yourself as the Owner of a Listing

If you want to remove your ownership of the listing (rather than marking it closed), here is the process:

Step 1: Open Google Business Profile Manager

Step 2: Select Your Business

From the dashboard, select the business listing you want to remove yourself from.

Step 3: Go to “Managers” or “Users”

In the settings menu, find the section labeled “Managers” or “Users.” Here you will see a list of all the Google accounts that have access to the listing – including yourself.

Step 4: Remove Your Account

Click the three-dot menu (or “Remove” button) next to your name, and select “Remove access.” Confirm the action when prompted.

Important note: If you are the primary owner of the listing, you may need to first transfer ownership to another Google account before you can remove yourself. Google requires that a listing always has at least one primary owner.

Step 5: Confirm You Have Been Removed

After removing yourself, sign out and check if you can still access the listing. If access has been removed successfully, you will no longer be able to manage the listing from your account.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Request Full Listing Deletion via Google Support

In some specific cases, you can request that Google remove the listing entirely from its platform. This is a more aggressive option and is not always granted, but it is worth knowing about.

Step 1: Sign In and Access the Listing

Step 2: Click “Support” or “Get Help”

On the dashboard, look for a “Support” or “Get help” option, typically found in the side navigation menu or the top-right corner. Click on it to access Google’s support options.

Step 3: Choose Contact Method

Google typically offers several ways to contact support:

Chat support (available during business hours)
Email support
Phone support (in some countries)

Step 4: Explain Your Request

When you connect with a Google support representative, clearly explain why you want the listing removed. Be specific and honest. Provide:

Your reason for removal (business closure, privacy concern, inaccurate listing, etc.)
Any documentation that supports your request if applicable
The business name, address, and URL of the listing

Step 5: Follow Up If Needed

Google may take several days to process a removal request. If you do not hear back, follow up via the same support channel. Keep records of all communication in case you need to escalate the issue.

How to Remove a Google My Business Listing You Do Not Own

A common and frustrating situation: you find a Google listing for your business, but you did not create it and do not have access to it. This can happen when Google auto-generates listings from third-party data, or when a former employee created the listing on a different account.

Here is what you can do:

Option A: Claim the Listing First, Then Remove It

The most effective approach is to claim ownership of the unmanaged listing, verify it, and then mark it as permanently closed or request its removal.

Search for your business on Google Maps or Google Search
Click on the listing and find the “Claim this business” or “Own this business?” option
Follow Google’s verification process (usually via phone, postcard, or email)
Once verified, go back and follow the steps in the earlier sections to close or remove the listing

Option B: Flag the Listing as Incorrect

If you cannot claim the listing (for example, if someone else already has ownership and is unresponsive), you can flag the listing using Google’s “Suggest an edit” or “Report a problem” tools. This is less reliable but may eventually result in removal if Google’s team reviews the issue.

To flag a listing:

Search for the business on Google Maps
Click on the listing
Scroll down and click “Suggest an edit”
Select “Close or remove” and follow the prompts

What Happens After You Remove or Close a Listing?

Understanding what to expect after your request is submitted can save you from confusion and unnecessary follow-ups.

If You Marked the Business as Permanently Closed

The listing will remain visible on Google with a red “Permanently Closed” label
Past reviews will still be visible
New reviews may or may not be allowed depending on Google’s policy
You can still access and manage the listing from your account
The listing may eventually be removed by Google over time if left unmanaged

If You Removed Yourself as the Owner

The listing will continue to appear on Google as an unmanaged listing
You will no longer be able to edit the information, respond to reviews, or add photos
Anyone could potentially claim the listing and take over management

If Google Approved a Full Deletion

The listing will be removed from Google Search and Google Maps
All associated reviews and photos will be deleted
This process can take several weeks to fully reflect across Google’s systems

Important Things to Consider Before Removing Your Listing

Removing or closing your Google My Business listing is a significant action. Here are some things to think about before you proceed:

You May Lose SEO Benefits

Your Google Business Profile is one of the most powerful tools for local search engine optimization (SEO). If your business is still operating and you remove the listing, you may lose a significant amount of organic traffic. Before removing it, consider whether other options – like updating information or hiding your address – might solve your problem without sacrificing visibility.

Reviews Will Be Lost If Fully Deleted

If your business has positive reviews on Google, those reviews represent social proof that can be valuable even if you are rebranding or reopening under a new name. Full deletion means those reviews are gone permanently. There is no way to recover them.

The Listing Might Reappear

Even after you mark a listing as closed or remove your ownership, Google or other users can suggest edits that re-open it or recreate similar listings. This is a known limitation of the platform. To protect against this, it helps to keep an eye on your business name in Google Search periodically.

Consider “Hiding” the Address Instead of Full Removal

If your concern is privacy – specifically not wanting your address publicly visible – you do not need to remove the entire listing. Google allows you to hide your physical address while still maintaining your profile for service areas. This is ideal for home-based businesses or mobile service providers.

To hide your address:

Sign in to your Google Business Profile
Go to “Business information” and then “Location”
Find the option to “Hide your address” or “Clear address”
Save your changes

Alternatives to Full Removal: Other Options Worth Considering

Before removing your listing entirely, explore whether one of these alternatives might be a better fit:

Update Your Business Information

If you have moved locations, changed your phone number, or adjusted your hours, you do not need to remove the listing. Simply update the details directly from your Business Profile dashboard.

Mark the Business as Temporarily Closed

If your business is going through a renovation, seasonal closure, or a temporary situation, you can mark it as “Temporarily Closed” rather than permanently closed. This tells customers you are not currently open but plan to return.

Report Fake or Misleading Reviews

If your motivation for removing the listing is negative reviews, know that Google provides a formal process for flagging and requesting removal of reviews that violate its policies. This includes fake reviews, spam, off-topic reviews, and content that is inappropriate or harmful. Using this channel may resolve your concern without removing the entire listing.

Transfer Ownership Instead of Deleting

If you have sold the business or stepped away from operations, transfer the listing to the new owner rather than deleting it. This preserves the listing’s history, reviews, and SEO value for whoever takes over.

Common Problems and How to Solve Them

Here are some issues that people frequently run into when trying to remove a listing, along with practical solutions:

Problem: I Cannot Find the Option to Mark as Closed

Solution: The Google Business Profile interface changes periodically. Try accessing your listing directly through Google Search by typing your business name and using the panel that appears. There may be an “Edit” or “Business options” link that leads to the close or remove option.

Problem: I No Longer Have Access to the Gmail Account That Owns the Listing

Solution: Try recovering the Google account through Google’s standard account recovery process. If that is not possible, you will need to contact Google Support with proof of business ownership (such as business registration documents, utility bills, etc.) to regain access.

Problem: Someone Else Claimed My Listing

Solution: You can request ownership of the listing through the “Claim this business” process. If someone else has already verified it, Google will ask you to submit a request. You may need to provide documentation to prove you are the legitimate business owner.

Problem: The Listing Keeps Coming Back After I Remove It

Solution: This usually happens with listings that have strong signals from third-party sources (other websites, directories, etc.). To prevent re-creation, consider claiming the listing, marking it permanently closed, and then removing your information from other online directories so Google does not regenerate the profile from those sources.

A Quick Summary: Which Option Should You Choose?

Here is a simple breakdown to help you decide what action to take based on your situation:

Business is permanently closed → Mark as Permanently Closed
You want to stop managing the listing but it still exists → Remove your ownership
The listing is fake or was created in error → Report to Google Support for deletion
Privacy concerns about address → Hide your address without removing the listing
Business closed temporarily → Mark as Temporarily Closed
Sold the business → Transfer ownership to the new owner

Conclusion

Removing your Google My Business listing is not as simple as clicking a delete button, but it is absolutely doable if you follow the right steps. The key is understanding which option best suits your situation – whether that means marking your business as permanently closed, removing yourself as the owner, or going through Google Support for a full deletion.

Take a moment to think carefully before removing your listing. For businesses that are truly closed, marking the listing as permanently closed is usually the cleanest solution. For businesses still operating, consider alternatives like updating your information, hiding your address, or simply managing negative reviews through Google’s reporting tools.

Whatever path you choose, the steps in this guide give you the knowledge and confidence to take control of how your business appears – or does not appear – on Google. Your digital presence is yours to manage, and now you know exactly how to do 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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How to Remove Your Google My Business Listing: Step-by-Step Guide