Who Owns Your Google Business Profile?
Who is the primary owner of your Google Business Profile? We often meet owners who are not sure. The listing was set up years ago by a former employee, a relative, a web designer or an old agency, and nobody has looked since. Conqueror Capital recommends one simple setup: the business keeps ownership, and agencies, including us, get manager access. Here is how Google's roles work and how to put control back where it belongs.
AT A GLANCE
By Conqueror Capital · Published
The short answer: A Business Profile can have several owners but only one primary owner, plus managers. Owners can add and remove users and even delete the profile; managers can do most daily work but cannot add or remove users or remove the profile. The business itself should hold primary ownership on an account it controls, and everyone else, including agencies, should be a manager.
THE THREE ROLES
Google's help page "Manage your Business Profile owners & managers" describes the roles:1
- Primary owner. "A Business Profile can have multiple owners but only one primary owner." Only the primary owner can hand that role to someone else.2
- Owners. "Full control over the profile. You can add or remove users, manage profile info, and even delete the profile."
- Managers. They have "mostly the same access to the profile as owners," except that "they can't add or remove users or remove the profile." They can edit information, respond to reviews and manage posts.
Google also says each person needs their own Google Account, so nobody has to share a password.1
HOW TO CHECK IN TWO MINUTES
- Sign in with the Google Account you use for the business and open your Business Profile.
- Select More, then Business Profile settings, then People and access.1
- Read the list. Note who is primary owner, who are owners and who are managers. Look for former staff, personal email addresses and agencies you no longer work with.
- If you cannot open People and access, or cannot remove anyone, you probably have manager access only. Ask the current owner to upgrade you.1
If you find nothing at all because someone else controls the listing, Google has a request process: go to business.google.com/add, find your business and select Request Access. Google says the current owner is notified and has 3 days to respond, and if they don't, you may get the option to claim the profile. Service-area businesses without a shop contact Google support instead.3
PUT CONTROL IN THE RIGHT PLACE
- Primary owner: a Google Account the business controls, ideally one tied to a company email address rather than one person's personal account.
- A second owner: a trusted partner or senior manager, so the business is never locked out if one account is lost. Google notes a profile needs at least one other owner or manager before primary ownership can move.1
- Managers: staff who post and reply, and any agency, including us.
- Remove people who have left. Google says removed users can no longer change business info, though their past replies and posts stay on the profile.1
New owners and managers wait 7 days before they can delete the profile, remove other users or transfer primary ownership, so plan changes ahead of a staff departure.1 If you sell the business, Google advises transferring primary ownership to the new owner so information such as reviews is kept.2
SMALL, MID-SIZE AND ENTERPRISE
Small businesses: one owner account you control, one backup owner, and managers for everyone else. Write down which account is primary and keep it with your domain and website logins. Our post on who owns your domain name covers the same question for your website address.
Mid-size businesses: review People and access every quarter and whenever someone leaves.
Multi-location and enterprise brands: keep primary ownership in a central business account and give location staff manager access only. Our guide to managing Google Business Profiles for multiple locations covers business groups and bulk tools.
FAQ
What is the difference between an owner and a manager on Google Business Profile?
Owners have full control, including adding or removing users and deleting the profile. Managers can edit information, reply to reviews and post, but cannot add or remove users or remove the profile.
Should my agency be the owner of my Google Business Profile?
No. The business should hold primary ownership on an account it controls. Agencies, including Conqueror Capital, should be added as managers.
How do I see who has access to my Google Business Profile?
Open your profile, select More, then Business Profile settings, then People and access. The list shows owners, managers and pending invites.
What if someone else owns my business listing?
Request access at business.google.com/add. Google says the current owner has 3 days to respond, and if they don't, you may have the option to claim the profile.
How do I transfer primary ownership?
The primary owner opens People and access, selects an existing owner or manager, edits Access and chooses Primary owner. New users must wait 7 days before they can transfer primary ownership.
SOURCES
- Google Business Profile Help, Manage your Business Profile owners & managers.
- Google Business Profile Help, Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile.
- Google Business Profile Help, Request ownership of a Business Profile.
Platforms change often. Check the sources for the current version before acting.
KEEP READING
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Not sure who controls your listing? Book a 15-minute call and we will check it with you, or ask for a free Google listing and website check.