How to Gain Control of Your Google My Business Profile Registered Under Someone Else’s Email Address

Google My Business (GMB) is an essential tool for businesses to manage their online presence and connect with potential customers. However, if your GMB profile is registered under someone else’s email address, it can be challenging to gain control and update your business information. Follow these steps to take control of your GMB profile and ensure your business is accurately represented on Google.

Step 1: Contact the Current Profile Owner

The first step in gaining control of your GMB profile is to identify and contact the person who currently owns the profile. This could be a former employee, marketing agency, or webmaster who set up the profile on your behalf.

Reach out to them via email or phone and request that they transfer ownership of the GMB profile to you. If they agree, have them follow these steps:

1. Sign in to their Google My Business account.
2. Select the business in question.
3. Click on the gear icon or three-dot menu, then choose “Manage users.”
4. Click the “Invite new users” button (represented by a plus icon).
5. Enter your email address and select the “Owner” role from the dropdown menu.
6. Click “Invite.”

Once they’ve sent the invitation, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to accept the invitation and become the new owner of the GMB profile.

Step 2: Request Ownership from Google

If you’re unable to reach the current profile owner or they refuse to transfer ownership, you can request control of the GMB profile directly from Google. Here’s how:

1. Visit the Google My Business website and sign in with your Google account.
2. Search for your business using its name and address.
3. Click on the name of your business when it appears in the search results.
4. You will see a message indicating that someone else has already claimed the listing. Click “Request access” to proceed.
5. Fill out the request form with your contact information and business details.
6. Choose the level of access you’d like to have (e.g., owner, manager, or site manager).
7. Click “Submit.”

Google will then send an email to the current profile owner, requesting that they transfer ownership to you. The current owner has seven days to respond to this request. If they don’t respond within that time frame, Google may grant you control of the GMB profile.

Step 3: Verify Your Business

Once you’ve gained control of your GMB profile, it’s crucial to verify your business to confirm its legitimacy and gain access to all GMB features. Follow these steps to verify your business:

1. Sign in to your Google My Business account.
2. Select the business you want to verify.
3. Click “Verify now.”
4. Choose your preferred method of verification: by mail, phone, email, or instant verification (if eligible).

After completing the verification process, you’ll have full control over your GMB profile and can update your business information as needed.

Step 4: Update and Optimize Your GMB Profile

Now that you have control of your GMB profile, take the time to review and update all relevant information, including your business name, address, phone number, website, hours of operation, and more. Add high-quality photos, respond to reviews, and create engaging posts to optimize your profile and attract more customers.

Gaining control of your Google My Business profile is crucial for managing your online presence and connecting with potential customers. By following these steps, you can ensure your business information is accurate and up-to-date, helping you build trust and credibility with your audience.