How to Remove or Delete a Business from Google Maps (2026)

If you want to remove a business from Google Maps, the correct method depends on what you are trying to achieve. If you own the Business Profile, you can remove its content and managers from your Google account, but that does not necessarily mean the listing immediately disappears from Google Maps and Search. If a business has permanently closed, the better option is to mark it as permanently closed. If you do not own the listing and it is inaccurate or ineligible, you can request its removal through Google Maps.

This distinction matters because many business owners use the words delete, remove and close interchangeably even though Google treats them differently.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly which option to use and the steps to follow.

Remove vs Close vs Delete: What’s the Difference?

Before you make any changes, decide what you actually want to accomplish.

Google specifically states that removing a Business Profile from your account does not guarantee that the business will disappear from Search and Maps.

So, if your business has simply closed, don’t automatically delete everything from your account. Marking the business as permanently closed may be the appropriate option.

How to Remove a Business Profile You Own

If you own or manage the Business Profile and no longer want to manage it, Google provides an option to remove the profile’s content and managers from your account.

Step 1: Sign in to the Correct Google Account

Sign in to the Google Account associated with the Business Profile.

You must have the appropriate ownership permissions to remove profile content and managers. Google states that only primary owners can perform this removal, while managers cannot remove the profile.

Step 2: Open Your Business Profile

Find and open the Business Profile you want to remove.

You can do this through Google Search or Google Maps while signed into the account that manages the profile.

Step 3: Open Business Profile Settings

Select the profile’s settings menu.

Then go to:

Business Profile settings → Remove Business Profile

Step 4: Choose “Remove Profile Content and Managers”

Select:

Remove profile content and managers

Google warns that this action is permanent. Owner-added posts, photos, videos and review replies can be removed, and the content cannot be recovered through the profile.

Step 5: Confirm the Removal

Follow the confirmation steps displayed by Google.

Once the removal is completed, you will no longer manage the profile through that account.

However, remember that the business may still appear on Google Search and Maps.

How to Mark Your Business as Permanently Closed

If the business has genuinely stopped operating, marking it as permanently closed is usually more appropriate than simply removing the profile from your Google account.

Google allows businesses to update their profile to show that the location is Permanently closed.

Step-by-Step

1. Sign in to the Google Account managing the Business Profile.
2. Open the Business Profile.
3. Select Edit profile.
4. Go to the business hours section.
5. Select the option to edit the hours.
6. Choose Permanently closed.
7. Save the change.

The profile may continue to appear in Google Search and Maps when people specifically search for the business, but Google will clearly identify it as permanently closed.

Why You Shouldn’t Delete a Closed Business Immediately

Suppose you operated a restaurant in Accra for five years and then closed permanently.

Customers may still search for the restaurant by name. Keeping the listing and marking it as permanently closed can provide useful information rather than leaving customers wondering whether the business is still operating.

Google says permanently closed businesses may still appear for users who search for them.

How to Remove a Business from Google Maps That You Don’t Own

You don’t need to own a Business Profile to request its removal.

However, Google does not provide a general “delete any business you don’t like” option.

The listing needs to have a legitimate reason for removal, such as being a business that:

• Never existed.
• Is not eligible to appear on Google.
• Is listed at the wrong location.
• Contains misleading or harmful information.
• Violates Google’s Business Profile policies.

Google says users can request removal of a business even if they do not own the Business Profile.

Step 1: Open Google Maps

Go to Google Maps and sign in to your Google Account.

Step 2: Find the Business

Search for the business or locate it directly on the map.

Open the Business Profile you want to report.

Step 3: Select “Suggest an Edit”

Choose:

Suggest an edit

Step 4: Choose the Appropriate Removal Option

Select the option indicating that the business is closed or not located there, or another appropriate option presented by Google.

Google’s current instructions specifically direct users to select “Place is closed or not here” and then choose the applicable reason, such as “Doesn’t exist here” or another listed reason.

Step 5: Submit the Request

Submit your request.

Google may send a status email or ask follow-up questions.

If Google approves the request, the business can be removed from Search and Maps.

What If Someone Created a Fake Business Listing?

If someone created a fake business listing, don’t try to delete it yourself.

Instead, report the listing to Google and explain why it is inaccurate or ineligible.

For example, you may discover a supposed business at an address in Kumasi that does not actually exist.

You can use Google’s removal process to report the listing.

If the problem involves fraudulent business information, Google also provides a business redressal process for certain violations.

What If the Business Has Moved to a New Location?

Don’t automatically delete the old listing if the business has simply moved.

The correct approach may be to update the Business Profile with the new information rather than treating the business as permanently closed.

For example, if a salon moves from Osu to East Legon, the business itself still exists. The problem is the location information.

Updating the profile is therefore more appropriate than trying to remove the business entirely.

Google provides tools for owners and managers to edit Business Profile information.

How Long Does It Take to Remove a Business from Google Maps?

There is no single guaranteed removal time for every case.

For a business that you mark as permanently closed, Google says the profile may continue appearing in Search and Maps, particularly for people searching for the business by name.

For a removal request involving a listing you do not own, Google must review the request before deciding whether to remove the business.

Therefore, don’t assume that submitting a request means the listing will disappear immediately.

Why Is My Deleted Business Still Showing on Google Maps?

This is one of the most common sources of confusion.

Removing the Business Profile from your Google account does not necessarily remove the business from Google Maps and Search.

Google explicitly explains that removing the profile’s content and managers from your account does not guarantee that the business won’t continue appearing on Search and Maps.

The profile can remain visible because Google may retain information about the business for search and Maps users.

If the business has permanently closed, mark it as permanently closed rather than assuming account removal will instantly erase the listing.

What Happens to Reviews When You Remove a Business Profile?

Removing your profile content and managers has consequences.

Google states that owner-added content such as posts, photos, videos and review replies can be permanently removed. However, user-generated content and reviews may remain.

This is another reason to think carefully before removing a profile.

If your concern is simply that you no longer want to manage the business, you may not need to remove the profile at all.

What If You No Longer Want to Manage the Business?

You don’t necessarily need to delete the Business Profile.

If another person now operates the business, you can consider transferring ownership instead.

For example, imagine you previously owned a retail shop in Cape Coast and sold the business to another owner.

Deleting the profile could create unnecessary problems for the new owner.

Transferring ownership allows the new operator to continue managing the existing Business Profile.

Google provides separate tools for managing owners and managers.

Can a Manager Delete a Google Business Profile?

No.

Google states that managers have many management permissions, but they cannot remove the Business Profile.

Owners have the relevant removal permissions.

If you’re a manager and need the profile removed, you’ll need to work with the appropriate owner.

Common Mistakes When Removing a Business from Google Maps

Mistake 1: Removing the Profile When the Business Is Still Open

If your business is still operating, don’t mark it permanently closed.

Instead, update incorrect information.

Mistake 2: Removing a Business That Has Only Moved

If the company has moved to a new location, update the address rather than deleting the business.

Mistake 3: Assuming Account Removal Deletes the Listing

It doesn’t necessarily.

Google explicitly warns that removing the profile from your account does not guarantee that it disappears from Search and Maps.

Mistake 4: Reporting Competitors Without a Valid Reason

Don’t use Google’s removal system simply because you don’t want a competitor appearing in search results.

Removal requests should be based on legitimate issues such as ineligibility, non-existence or incorrect information.

Mistake 5: Deleting Before Transferring Ownership

If the business has a new owner, consider transferring the profile instead of removing it.

Quick Decision Guide

Not sure which option to use?

If your business is permanently closed:
→ Mark it as Permanently closed.

If you don’t want to manage the profile anymore:
→ Remove yourself or transfer ownership where appropriate.

If you want to remove your profile’s content and managers:
→ Use Remove Business Profile.

If the listing doesn’t exist or is ineligible:
→ Submit a Google Maps removal request.

If the business has moved:
→ Update the Business Profile instead of deleting it.

Final Takeaway

Removing a business from Google Maps is not always the same as deleting a Google Business Profile.

If the business has permanently closed, mark it as permanently closed. If you simply don’t want to manage the profile, consider removing yourself or transferring ownership. If the listing is fake, nonexistent or ineligible, use Google Maps’ Suggest an edit process to request removal.

The most important point is this: removing a Business Profile from your Google account does not automatically guarantee that the listing disappears from Google Search and Maps.

For businesses that are still operating, avoid deleting a listing just because it contains incorrect information. Updating the profile is usually the better solution.

your Google Business Profile has an incorrect location, duplicate listing, closure issue or another local-search problem, make sure you choose the correct Google process before removing anything. For businesses that need help managing their local visibility, consider speaking with local SEO experts in Ghana who can assess the profile and recommend the appropriate next step.

FAQ’S