Are the two profiles describing the same operation?
Compare the real businesses before comparing the screens. Similar names can belong to separate branches, while slightly different names can describe the same shop. Write down the street address, phone number, services, and any relocation history. Ask the owner which location currently receives customers.
Do not create another profile simply because neither existing result looks right. You would still have the original uncertainty, plus another entry to explain. Google’s business representation guidelines are the starting point for checking whether separate profiles are appropriate.
Which situation looks like yours?
Choose the closest description to see a sensible next step. This helps you prepare; Google decides the outcome of requests.
Your next step
Record both links first
Confirm each profile’s real operation, address, contact details, and authorised account before choosing a correction route.
Review the duplicate-profile route
Check that both profiles describe the same business. Google reviews merge requests; do not choose a profile to remove just by its review count.
Check the existing profile and move history
For a relocation, Google says to update the existing profile’s address rather than create another profile. Record both links and the move date.
Confirm eligibility for each operation
A matching address or similar name alone is not enough to establish a duplicate. Compare real-world operations and eligibility.
Use the ownership request process
Identify the business’s authorised Google account and follow the official ownership request route. Creating another profile does not resolve access.
If the facts are uncertain, collect evidence before requesting a merge or removal.
What should you record before requesting changes?
Make your comparison
Fill in the public details below. Your notes stay in this page; download them before closing it. Do not enter passwords or private account information.
See the comparison reference table
| Compare | Listing A | Listing B |
|---|---|---|
| Public link and business name | Record here | Record here |
| Current address and phone | Record here | Record here |
| Real operation represented | Main shop, branch, or uncertain | Main shop, branch, or uncertain |
| Authorised access | Confirmed or unknown | Confirmed or unknown |
| Specific inaccurate detail | Describe it | Describe it |
If this is the part you want help with, you can request a free listing check after working through the guide.
Save the links and date your notes. Screenshots can help explain conflicting details, but avoid including private account information. Keep the issue specific: “This profile shows our previous address” is more useful than “Google is wrong.”
Which action fits what you found?
If the issue is inaccurate information, investigate the correction route. If the profile represents your business but someone else controls it, consult Google’s ownership request guidance. If you cannot establish what the second profile represents, gather evidence before requesting removal.
A shop moves: what would you check first?
Illustrative example, not a client audit or a real customer result.
The old address
The shop name matches, but the address points to the premises the owner has left.
Record: public link, visible details, move date.
The new address
The shop name matches and the owner confirms that this is where customers now visit.
Record: public link, visible details, account access.
Establish whether this is one relocated shop or two distinct eligible operations. Keep the evidence with the request; do not assume either profile should simply be deleted.
How can you put this into practice?
Use the worksheet or template as a working record. Replace bracketed fields with confirmed information before using a template publicly; blank spaces are for your own notes. The examples are illustrations, not findings from a client engagement.
- Record both public profiles. Save both URLs and the visible name, address, phone, and date so your concern refers to identifiable profiles.
- Confirm the real business locations. Ask the owner whether these represent a move, separate eligible operations, or two descriptions of the same business.
- Choose the appropriate correction route. Use the official route for the established issue; retain the record and check the resulting public information afterward.
Not sure which listing needs attention first?
Unsure which public listing represents your business accurately?
Start with a free check of one business location. We’ll review the publicly visible listing details, identify up to three priorities, and explain what you can act on yourself. If the basics are accurate, we’ll say so.
On the contact form, choose “Not sure yet — tell me what to fix first”. When we get in touch, share the business name, area, and the issue you want to discuss.
What the free check covers
- A check of publicly visible listing details
- Up to three priorities to discuss
- What you can act on yourself
Frequently asked questions
Does the same address mean the profiles are duplicates?
No. Distinct eligible businesses may share an address. Check the names, signage, and real operations against Google’s business representation guidelines.
Should I create a third profile with the correct details?
Avoid adding another entry while the existing profiles are unresolved. Start with the records and access checks above, then consult Google’s duplicate-profile guidance.
Will removing a profile from my account remove it from Maps?
Not necessarily. Removing account content and managers does not guarantee the listing disappears publicly. Review Google’s account-removal guidance before taking that step.
What happens to reviews when profiles are merged?
Google says merged profiles combine reviews, but review replies may be lost. Requests are reviewed. Read the official merge guidance before acting.
What if someone else controls the correct profile?
Use the official ownership request process. The current owner has three days to respond; a later claim option is not always available.
How can Lokal Tayo help me prepare?
We can check the publicly visible listing details and help identify up to three priorities. Share the business name, area, and the specific conflict through the footer contact form. Google reviews changes and requests.
About the author
Lokal Tayo publishes practical guides for local business owners on business listings, Facebook content, websites, and marketing decisions. Our guides focus on clear information, useful tools, and actions owners can discuss with their teams. Learn about Lokal Tayo.
Related guides
- Google Maps business checklist: 7 checks and what to fix first
- Google Maps points to the wrong entrance: a storefront location check
- What to fix yourself—and when to ask for marketing help
Sources and method
- Google: business representation
- Google: ownership requests
- Google: duplicate profiles and ownership issues
- Google: removing a profile from your account
Prepared from the stated sources where applicable and an original editorial worksheet. No first-hand client test, professional review, or measured conversion improvement is claimed. Examples and numerical illustrations are labelled beside their use.