How to get your business on Google Maps.
If you have been asking how to get my business on Google Maps, the answer is a Google Business Profile. These are the steps as Google's own help pages describe them today, each with the page it comes from.
The steps
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Add your business to Google Maps, or claim it
If there is no profile for your business, create one at business.google.com/add. If an unverified profile already exists, find your business on Google Maps, select Claim this business, and choose a verification method. If someone else already owns the profile, you can request ownership; Google emails the current owner, who has 3 days to respond.
Official page: Add or claim your Business Profile Request ownership of a Business Profile
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Use your real business name
Google asks that your name reflect your business's real-world name, as used consistently on your storefront.
Official page: Guidelines for representing your business on Google
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Choose your category
Select the primary category that best describes your business. Additional categories can name special departments or services; Google asks you to use as few as possible.
Official page: Manage your business category Guidelines for representing your business on Google
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Set your location or your service area
If customers come to you, give your address. If you go to them, set up to 20 service areas by city, postal code, or area, and remove your address from the profile if you don't serve customers there.
Official page: Manage your service areas for service-area and hybrid businesses
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Add your hours
Set your main hours. Special hours change them for a holiday or a short period without changing your regular hours.
Official page: Edit your Business Profile How to set Special hours
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Add your phone number
Enter your primary business phone number; you can add up to 2 more. Google asks for a local number instead of a central call center line whenever possible.
Official page: Edit your Business Profile Guidelines for representing your business on Google
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Add your website
Enter the full address of your site, including https://.
Official page: Edit your Business Profile
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Google Business Profile verification
Verify the business. The methods Google lists are phone or text, email, video recording, live video call, and postcard, and the ones offered to you depend on your business type, public information, region, and hours. Customers can only find your profile on Google after you complete verification.
Official page: Verify your business on Google Sign up for Business Profile
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If your Google Business Profile is suspended
Google may suspend or disable profiles that don't follow its guidelines. If you believe yours should be reinstated, you can submit an appeal through Google's appeals tool.
Official page: Fix suspended or disabled profiles
Each step was checked against the official page linked beside it on November 3, 2026. Rules change; the linked page is the final word.
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Questions
- How do I get my business on Google Maps?
- Create a Business Profile at business.google.com/add, or claim the one that already exists, then verify it. Customers can only find your profile on Google after you complete verification.
- How do I claim my business on Google Maps?
- Find your business on Google Maps, select Claim this business, choose a verification method, and follow the instructions. If someone else already owns the profile, you can request ownership; the current owner has 3 days to respond.
- How long does verification take?
- Google says verification reviews take up to 5 business days, and most postcard codes arrive within 14 days.