How to Merge Google Business Profiles: A Complete Guide for Business Owners

In today’s competitive digital landscape, managing your online presence effectively is crucial for local businesses. One of the most common challenges many face is having duplicate or conflicting Google Business Profiles (formerly Google My Business). Multiple listings can confuse potential customers and impact your local search rankings. Fortunately, merging your Google Business Profiles is a straightforward process that can help streamline your business information and boost your visibility. In this blog post, we’ll walk you through the steps to successfully merge your Google Business Profiles, ensuring your business stands out in local search results.

9/13/20243 min read

Why You Should Merge Google Business Profiles

Before we dive into the steps, it’s essential to understand why merging duplicate profiles is important. Here are a few reasons:

Improve Local Search Rankings: Google values consistency and accuracy in business information. By merging your profiles, you consolidate reviews, business data, and other factors that contribute to better search engine rankings.
Avoid Confusion for Customers: Duplicate profiles can confuse potential customers who might find conflicting information about your business. Merging ensures that people can easily find accurate details about your location, contact information, and services.
Manage Reviews Efficiently: Merging your profiles consolidates all reviews into one listing, giving you a clearer view of customer feedback and making it easier to respond promptly.

Steps to Merge Google Business Profiles

Merging your Google Business Profiles involves a few simple steps, but it's important to note that Google only allows merging for profiles representing the same business in the same location.

1. Identify Duplicate Listings Start by identifying the duplicate Google Business Profiles for your business. You can do this by searching for your business name or address on Google Maps or the search engine results page (SERP). If there are multiple listings for the same business and location, they’ll show up.

2. Claim Both Listings If you haven’t claimed all of the listings, make sure to claim them first. To claim a listing:

Search for the business on Google.
Click on the listing and select "Own this business?".
Follow the verification steps by phone, email, or postcard.

3. Request Profile Merge Once you've claimed the duplicate listings, follow these steps:

Log in to Google Business Profile Manager.
Select the profile you want to keep as the primary one.
Navigate to the “Support” option at the bottom left of the menu.
Choose “Contact Us” and select the option for Merging Duplicate Listings.
Follow the instructions provided by Google Support.

After submitting your request, Google will verify the information and, once approved, merge the duplicate listings into one primary profile. Note that all reviews will be automatically combined after the merge, which may take up to 7 days. Also, merging listings is a permanent action and cannot be undone, so we highly recommend taking screenshots of each listing for your records before proceeding.

4. Monitor Your Profile Once your profiles are merged, regularly check your Google Business Profile for accuracy. Make sure your business hours, address, and contact information are correct, and review any feedback or reviews that might have been consolidated.

What to Do if the Merge Request is Denied

In some cases, Google may deny a merge request. This usually happens when:

The profiles represent different businesses or locations.
One of the profiles was created for a specific department within the business.
The addresses on the profiles don’t match.

If your request is denied, double-check the details of both listings and make any necessary corrections. You may also reach out to Google Support for further assistance.

Benefits of Merging Google Business Profiles

Merging duplicate profiles provides numerous benefits:

Enhanced Visibility: A single, consolidated profile means better local SEO and higher chances of appearing in Google’s Local Pack.
Improved Customer Trust: A consistent, well-maintained business profile helps build trust with potential customers.
Streamlined Management: You can more easily manage updates, posts, reviews, and insights from one dashboard, simplifying your local marketing efforts.

Final Thoughts

Merging Google Business Profiles is an essential step for businesses looking to maintain a clean and accurate online presence. It not only improves your visibility in local searches but also creates a better user experience for potential customers. By following the steps outlined above, you can merge your profiles quickly and effectively, setting your business up for success in the digital world.

If you need assistance with managing your Google Business Profile or have questions about local SEO, feel free to contact Skore Digital. Our team of experts is here to help you boost your local visibility and grow your business.