HOW TO DELETE MY BUSINESS FROM GOOGLE

At Lillian Purge, we specialise in Local SEO Services and have written How to Delete my Business from Google to provide a clear walkthrough for businesses needing to update or remove an outdated listing.

If you’ve closed your business, rebranded, or no longer want it listed online, you may wish to remove it from Google. Deleting a business from Google involves more than just taking it offline—it requires removing or updating your Google Business Profile so it no longer appears in search results or Google Maps. Understanding the correct process helps ensure the information is removed properly and doesn’t confuse customers searching for your business.

Understanding What Happens When You Delete a Business

When you delete your business from Google, it removes your Business Profile from appearing in Google Search and Google Maps. However, deleting or marking a business as permanently closed does not affect your Google account or reviews immediately. Some information may still appear temporarily while Google processes the update.

Before deleting, consider whether you want to remove it completely or simply mark it as closed. If you plan to reopen under a new name or at a different address, updating the listing might be a better option than deleting it.

Step-by-Step: How to Delete Your Business from Google

Step 1: Sign in to Google Business Profile

Go to the Google Business Profile Manager and sign in using the account associated with your business listing. If you manage multiple businesses, select the one you want to remove.

Step 2: Access Your Business Settings

Once inside your dashboard, click on “Settings” from the menu on the left-hand side. This section allows you to control how your business appears on Google.

Step 3: Choose to Remove or Mark as Closed

You’ll see two main options:

  • Mark as Permanently Closed: Use this if your business is no longer operating but you still want to retain access to historical data and reviews. Google will update your listing to show “Permanently Closed.”

  • Remove Business Profile: Choose this if you want to delete your business completely from Google Maps and Search.

If you select “Remove Business Profile,” follow the on-screen instructions to confirm deletion.

Step 4: Verify Removal

After deleting, check Google Search and Google Maps after a few days to ensure the listing has been removed. It can take some time for Google to process the update, especially if your business information is listed on other websites or directories.

Step 5: Remove Data from Other Sources

Even after deletion, your business details might still appear on third-party sites such as Yelp, Yell, or local directories. Use the same email address or contact each platform individually to request removal. Keeping data consistent across the web helps prevent your old listing from resurfacing.

Alternative: Marking Your Business as Permanently Closed

If you plan to reopen under the same name in the future, or if you want your customers to know that your business has stopped trading, marking it as “Permanently Closed” might be a better solution.

To do this:

  1. Log in to your Google Business Profile.

  2. Click “Edit Profile.”

  3. Choose “Close or Remove This Business.”

  4. Select “Mark as Permanently Closed.”

Google will display your business as closed instead of removing it completely, preserving your reviews and insights should you ever want to restore the listing.

What Happens to Reviews and Photos

Deleting your business removes the listing, but reviews, photos, and related content may still appear for a short period while Google’s system updates. If customers uploaded photos or left reviews, those may remain visible until they are removed through moderation.

Google does not allow you to delete individual reviews unless they violate its policies, but marking your business as closed helps reduce visibility over time.

What If You Can’t Access Your Business Account

If you no longer have access to the Google account used to manage your business, you can request ownership verification or report the listing for removal:

  • Search for your business on Google Maps.

  • Click “Suggest an Edit.”

  • Select “Close or Remove.”

  • Choose the reason, such as “Doesn’t exist here” or “Duplicate of another place.”

Google will review your request, and if verified, they will remove or update the listing.

When Not to Delete a Business

It may not always be necessary to delete your business listing entirely. For example:

  • If your business has moved locations, you can simply update your address instead of deleting the profile.

  • If you’ve rebranded, you can change the business name and contact details to reflect the new brand.

  • If your business is seasonal, you can mark it as “Temporarily Closed” instead of removing it.

Deleting the listing removes valuable SEO data and customer connections, so it should only be done when the business is permanently closed or no longer relevant.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

Duplicate Listings: If Google detects duplicate entries, you can merge or remove extras directly from your Business Profile Manager.

Pending Deletion: Sometimes, deleted listings take time to disappear. Clearing cache or reporting outdated information through Google Maps’ “Report a Problem” option can speed up the process.

Old Reviews or Images Reappearing: These may linger if customers uploaded them independently. You can flag inappropriate content or contact Google support for assistance.

Final Thoughts

Deleting your business from Google is straightforward but requires careful attention to ensure all traces are removed properly. Whether you choose to delete the listing completely or mark it as permanently closed, managing your business presence helps maintain accurate and up-to-date information online.

If you’re rebranding or relocating, it’s often better to update your existing Google Business Profile rather than starting from scratch. For permanently closed businesses, removing your listing ensures customers aren’t misled, protecting both your reputation and search accuracy.

We have also written in depth articles on How do I Add my Business to Google and What is Google My Business as well as our Google My Business Hub to give you further guidance.