How To Merge Google Business Profiles
Learn how to merge duplicate Google Listings in this simple step-by-step guide.
Introduction
Any local business that wants to prioritize its online presence should use the power of the ultimate listing called Google Business Profile to attract potential customers to its doors.
The problem is that this powerful tool is often misused in several ways, the most common of which is duplicate Google business listings.
Thankfully, I’ve encountered this issue numerous times, and I am confident that I can share the solution before it negatively impacts your local rankings and brand reputation.
To fix this, you need to merge two duplicate Google Business pages into one unique profile.
So stay until the end of this article, where I show you my exact step-by-step process on how to merge Business Profiles on Google.
Can You Merge Two Google My Business Pages?
Yes, you can merge Google Business Profiles, but they must be duplicate profiles of the same business that operates in a specific location.
So, for example, a bakery in Los Angeles called ”Mama’s Bread” can not merge with a bakery in New York called “Fresh Bread Champion”.
Based on common logic, that seems obvious, but I want to reiterate it to avoid confusion.
The outcome of this fusion will be remarkable because you will get reviews, photos, videos, and attributes from both listings, although you will probably lose all Google Posts and maybe a small portion of your image gallery. (It is RECOMMENDED that you save the photos and videos to your computer before you begin the merging.)
Why Are There Duplicate Google Business Profiles On Google Maps In The First Place?
Most business owners wonder why there is a duplicate Google business profile listing in the first place, even though they create one for the first time and start its optimization from scratch.
After working with clients from various industries, I have identified six common scenarios that can halt the progress of a Google listing in the local search results:
1) Third-Party Tools
You’ve got options when it comes to creating and handling your GMB with third-party tools. However, keep in mind that these tools might not always get things exactly right or stay updated. This could lead to you accidentally having duplicate listings.
2) Spammy Tactics
Certain individuals create multiple listings to flood Google Maps with their own content. This can be done to either boost their own business or harm a competitor’s reputation.
3) Accidental Creation
This is the most common reason for duplicate GMB listings. Anyone can create a Google My Business page (business owner, staff member, the cousin who told you he knows marketing), so it’s easy for someone to accidentally create a duplicate, especially if the business has multiple locations or departments.
4) Company Changes
When a business changes its name, ownership, or location, it’s possible that the old listing will remain on Google Maps. This is because Google may not be aware of the change, or it may take some time for the change to be processed.
5) Google Glitches
Identical listings may sometimes be created due to glitches on Google’s platform. For instance, a glitch may create two separate listings or generate a listing with the wrong address.
6) Business Listing Aggregators
Listing aggregators like Foursquare or Angies List gather and publish business information from various sources. If the information is not verified, this can create duplicate listings.
How To Merge Google Business Profiles
When someone asks me how to merge duplicate Google Business Profiles, I first explain two crucial details that must be addressed before a solution can be implemented.
First, the procedure for service-based businesses and brick-and-mortar stores is different (not entirely different, though).
Second, the address must be the same for both storefront businesses; otherwise, we are talking about moving a listing, not merging.
Now, get ready to learn how to merge Google Business Pages.
How To Merge Google Business Profiles For Storefronts
- When both listings are verified, and you are the owner, the first thing you need to do is unverify the one you want to combine. After that, all you have to do is to contact Google Business Profile support through their official contact form.
- If you have two Google Business Profiles and one is verified under your ownership, while the other is owned by someone else, you need to claim ownership of the second listing first. Once you have claimed it, become the owner, and unverified it, you can then reach out to the Google Business Profile support team for further assistance. Please refer to this article to learn how to claim ownership of a listing.
- In case the address of the duplicate profile is slightly different, you can suggest an edit on Google Maps before beginning the desired fusion.
- If only one listing is verified, then it’s a piece of cake for you because all you have to do is copy the URLs from the two Google Business Profiles, contact Google Business Profile in the form I mentioned in the first bullet point, and tell them to merge them.
3 Important Things To Keep In Mind
If you want to combine your old listing with the new one because your business moved to another location, then we are not talking about merging Google business profiles. In this case, you move the old listing to the new one.
Do not try to merge an unverified listing with a home-based address, as this is against Google’s guidelines in the first place. Instead, remove it from Google Maps.
Use Google’s verification checker tool to identify duplicate Google Business profiles that are unverified/verified. This will come in handy when you start the merging process.
How To Merge Google Business Profiles For Service Area Businesses
- If both profiles are verified with the same address, you’ll need to contact Google Business Profile support to get ownership of both before they can merge them for you.
- If one listing is unverified and the other isn’t, both with the same address, then you should mark the duplicate as permanently closed. This will remove it from search results and make it easier for Google to merge the remaining profile with your main listing.
- If you encounter a situation where Google won’t merge profiles due to different addresses, you can still take steps to resolve the issue. One way is to claim ownership of both listings and ensure the information on them is as similar as possible. This approach can help increase your chances of successfully merging the profiles.
Why Should You Merge Duplicate Google Business Listings?
I cannot emphasize enough the importance of merging duplicate Google Business profiles. Let me outline some crucial reasons why you should take action on this matter.
1. Increased Consistency: Duplicate business listings can lead to inconsistent information, confusing customers, and making it hard to find your business online. Merging duplicate Google My Business listings ensures accurate and consistent information across the web.
2. Superb Customer Experience: Merge your business listings to give your customers a unified experience. When customers find your business online, they expect to find the same information everywhere.
If they see different information on different websites, it can be confusing and frustrating. Merging your listings ensures that your customers have a positive experience from the start.
3. Improved visibility: Multiple listings for the same business can confuse Google and lead to lower visibility in search results. Merging your GMB pages ensures that Google has a single, accurate listing for your business, which can help you rank higher in search results and get more exposure to potential customers.
4. Improved local SEO: Merging your listings can also help improve your local SEO. Google uses various factors to rank businesses in local search results, including the number of citations a business has.
When you have multiple listings, each one counts as a separate citation. Merging your listings ensures that you have a single, strong citation for your business, which can help you rank higher in local search results.
5. Increased credibility: Having multiple listings can make your business look unprofessional and untrustworthy. Merging your listings shows that you are a legitimate business with a single, accurate listing online, which can help increase your credibility and trust with potential customers.
Key Takeaways
To conclude, always remember this important information which will make you better understand the concept of merging Google business listings and do it the right way.
Duplicate Google Business profiles can be merged, but only if they are of the same business operating in the same location.
The process for merging Google Business profiles is different for storefront businesses and service-based businesses.
There are several reasons to merge duplicate Google Business profiles. This includes improved consistency, local SEO, customer experience, visibility, and credibility.
Merging and Moving Google Business Profile listings are two distinct concepts, each with their own unique processes.
Six reasons for duplicate Google Business profiles are third-party tools, spammy tactics, accidental creation, company changes, Google glitches, and business listing aggregators.