You can delete a Google Business Profile in three steps, but the process depends on whether you own the business or manage it for someone else

To delete a Google Business Profile, you sign into Google Business Profile on a computer, find the profile you want to remove, open its settings, and select the delete option. Google will ask you to confirm, then the profile disappears from Google Maps and Search within a few days. If you do not have owner access — if you are a manager or employee — you cannot delete the profile yourself; only the owner can do this.

The timing matters. If you are closing a business, deleting the profile stops customers from finding outdated information. If you are selling the business, you may want to transfer ownership to the new owner instead of deleting it. If you are removing a profile someone created without permission, you will need to prove you own the business before Google will let you delete it.

Key Takeaways

  • Only the owner of a Google Business Profile can delete it; managers and employees cannot remove the profile even if they have editing access.
  • Deletion takes a few days to show across Google Maps and Search, so do not expect the profile to vanish when ready.
  • If you are selling the business, transferring ownership to the new owner is usually better than deleting the profile, because the new owner can keep the review history and customer information.
  • If someone else created the profile for your business without permission, you can claim ownership and then delete it, but you will need to verify you own the business.
  • Deleted profiles cannot be recovered, so make sure you want to remove it before you confirm the deletion.

How to delete a profile you own

Go to google.com/business on a computer and sign in with the Google account that owns the profile. On the left side, you will see a list of all the profiles linked to that account. Click the profile you want to delete.

Once the profile opens, look for the menu icon (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner. Click it, then scroll down and select Settings. At the bottom of the Settings page, you will see a button that says Delete this business. Click it. Google will ask you to confirm that you want to delete the profile. Click Delete again. The profile will be removed from Google Maps and Search within a few days, though it may take longer during busy periods.

What happens after you delete the profile

Once deleted, the profile no longer appears in Google Maps or Google Search results. Customers who saved the business location on their phones will see a message that the business no longer exists. Any reviews customers left on the profile stay in Google's system for a limited time but are no longer publicly visible.

If you change your mind after deletion, you cannot restore the profile through Google Business Profile itself. You would have to create a new profile from scratch, and it would start with zero reviews and no history. For this reason, if you are unsure whether you want to keep the profile, consider suspending it instead of deleting it. To suspend a profile, go to Settings and select Temporarily close this business. This hides the profile from Maps and Search but keeps all the data intact if you want to reopen it later.

If you are a manager or employee without owner access

Managers and employees cannot delete a Google Business Profile, even if they have permission to edit the business name, hours, photos, or posts. Only the owner can delete it. If you need the profile deleted, you have to ask the owner to do it themselves or to give you owner access first.

If the owner is unavailable or the business has closed, contact Google Business Profile support through the help center at support.google.com/business. Explain the situation and provide proof that you have authority to make changes to the business (such as an employment letter or business registration document). Google may be able to help, though the process can take several weeks.

Transferring ownership instead of deleting

If you are selling the business or handing it over to someone else, transferring ownership is usually better than deleting the profile. The new owner keeps all the reviews, photos, and customer information that built up over time. A profile with years of reviews and a strong rating is valuable; starting from zero loses that.

To transfer ownership, go to Settings in Google Business Profile and select Users. Click Invite user and enter the new owner's email address. Set their role to Owner. Once they accept the invitation, they become a co-owner. You can then remove yourself by going back to Users and clicking the remove icon next to your name. The new owner can then remove you entirely if they want to be the sole owner.

If someone created a profile for your business without permission

If you discover a Google Business Profile for your business that you did not create, you can claim ownership of it. Go to google.com/business and search for your business name. When you find the profile, click Manage this business. Google will ask you to verify that you own the business.

Verification usually requires one of the following: a phone call to the business number on the profile, a postcard mailed to the business address, or a video call with a Google representative. Once verified, you become the owner and can delete the profile, edit the information, or keep it and manage it yourself. The verification process typically takes a few days to a few weeks depending on which method you use.

Common reasons to delete versus suspend

Delete the profile if the business is permanently closed and you do not want customers to find it anymore. Delete it if the profile contains incorrect information that you cannot fix and you want a fresh start. Delete it if you are removing a fraudulent or unauthorized profile.

Suspend the profile if you are closing temporarily for renovations, seasonal closure, or a temporary shutdown. Suspend it if you are unsure whether you will reopen. Suspend it if you want to keep the reviews and history but do not want customers contacting you right now. You can always reopen a suspended profile by going to Settings and selecting Reopen this business.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I delete a Google Business Profile from my phone?

No. You must use a computer to delete a profile. The Google Business Profile app on phones and tablets does not have a delete option. Sign into google.com/business on a desktop or laptop browser to delete the profile.

How long does it take for the profile to disappear from Google Maps?

Usually a few days, but it can take up to a week or longer during busy periods. The profile may still appear in some search results or cached pages for a while after deletion, but it will eventually disappear from all Google services.

What if I delete the profile by mistake?

Deleted profiles cannot be restored through Google Business Profile. You would have to create a new profile and start over with zero reviews and no history. For this reason, make sure you want to delete it before you confirm the deletion.

Can I delete a profile if I am not the owner but I have the owner's password?

Yes. If you have access to the owner's Google account, you can sign in and delete the profile. However, only do this if you have explicit permission from the owner. Deleting someone else's profile without permission could be considered unauthorized access.

What happens to customer reviews after I delete the profile?

Reviews are no longer publicly visible after deletion, but Google keeps them in its system for a limited time. If you create a new profile for the same business later, the old reviews do not transfer to the new profile.