Google stores your business address in multiple places, and you need to update all of them
When you search for your business on Google, the address that appears comes from Google Business Profile (formerly Google My Business). This is separate from your search history — it is the public listing that shows up in Google Maps, in search results, and on the Knowledge Panel on the right side of the screen. If you have moved, that old address is still live and sending customers to the wrong location.
You can change it yourself without calling Google or waiting for approval, but the steps depend on whether you own the business or manage it for someone else, and whether Google has already verified your location. The fastest route is through Google Business Profile, which you access by signing into your Google account and searching for your business name.
Key Takeaways
- Your business address on Google comes from your Google Business Profile, not from your website or your search history.
- You must sign into the Google account that owns the business profile to make changes — a manager account has limited permissions.
- If Google has verified your location with a postcard or phone call, you can change the address when ready without re-verification.
- After you update the address, it can take a few days to appear everywhere Google shows your business, including Maps and local search results.
- If you cannot access the account that created the profile, you will need to claim the business under your own account, which requires verification.
Finding and opening your Google Business Profile
Go to google.com/business and sign into the Google account associated with your business. If you own the business, this is usually the account you created the profile with. If you manage the business for an owner, ask them for owner-level access — managers cannot change the address.
Once you are signed in, you will see a list of all businesses linked to that account. Click on the one you need to update. If you do not see your business listed, search for it by name in the search box at the top. When you find it, click on it to open the profile.
If the business does not appear in the list and you cannot find it by searching, the profile may be claimed by someone else, or it may not exist yet. If it exists but you do not own it, you will need to request access from the current owner or claim it yourself (see the section on claiming an unclaimed profile below).
Changing the address in your profile
Once your profile is open, look for the Location section on the left side of the screen. Click on it. You will see your current address displayed. Click the pencil icon next to the address to edit it.
Type in your new address. Google will show you suggestions as you type — select the correct one from the dropdown. Do not type a custom address if Google offers a match, because Google uses the official address to link your profile to Maps and local search results. If your building number or street name is not in Google's database yet, type what you can and Google will verify it later.
Click explore to save the change. If your location has already been verified by Google (you received a postcard, phone call, or email confirmation in the past), the new address will update when ready. You do not need to re-verify.
What happens if your location was never verified
If Google has not verified your business yet, changing the address will trigger a new verification process. Google will send a postcard to the new address with a verification code. This usually arrives within 5 to 7 business days. You will need to enter that code into your profile to confirm you own the location.
Until you verify, your profile will show a "Verification pending" status and may not appear in local search results or on Maps. You can still edit other information like your phone number, hours, and photos while you wait. Once the postcard arrives and you enter the code, your profile becomes fully active at the new address.
If you need verification faster, some business types can verify by phone or email instead of postcard. When you change the address, Google will tell you which methods are available for your business category. Phone verification usually completes within a few minutes.
Updating other places Google shows your address
Your Google Business Profile feeds information to Google Maps, Google Search, and the Knowledge Panel. Once you update your address in the profile, these places should update automatically within a few days. You do not need to update them separately.
However, if you also have a website, make sure your website shows the new address too. Google uses your website as a secondary source to verify business information. If your website still lists the old address and your Google Business Profile lists the new one, Google may flag this as conflicting information and delay the update.
If you have claimed your business on other platforms like Yelp, Apple Maps, or Facebook, update those separately. They do not pull from Google Business Profile — each platform maintains its own listing.
If you cannot access the account that owns the profile
If the business profile was created by a previous owner, employee, or someone else, and you cannot get access from them, you can claim the business under your own Google account. Go to google.com/business, search for your business by name, and click Claim this business (if that option appears).
Google will ask you to verify that you own or manage the business. Verification methods vary by business type, but usually involve confirming your phone number, receiving a postcard at the business address, or uploading a document like a business license or lease. Once verified, you become the owner and can change the address, hours, photos, and all other information.
If the business is already claimed by someone else and you cannot find a "Claim this business" button, you can request access from the current owner through the profile. Click the three-dot menu and select Request access. The owner will receive a notification and can grant you permission.
Troubleshooting: your address changed but Google still shows the old one
After you update your address in Google Business Profile, it can take 3 to 7 days to appear everywhere. This is normal. Google needs time to update its systems, Maps, and search results.
If more than a week has passed and the old address still appears, check these things: First, make sure you saved the change (you should see a confirmation message). Second, clear your browser cache and search for your business in an incognito window — sometimes your browser holds onto the old version. Third, check that you updated the profile in the correct Google account. If you have multiple accounts, you may have edited a different business or a duplicate listing.
If you see multiple listings for your business on Google Maps (one with the old address, one with the new), you may have duplicate profiles. Report the old one as a duplicate through the three-dot menu on that listing. Google will review it and merge the listings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to verify my address again after I move?
Only if Google has never verified your business before. If you received a postcard, phone call, or email confirmation in the past, your verification stays active when you change the address. If you are changing the address for the first time, Google will send a new postcard to the new location.
How long does it take for the new address to show up on Google Maps?
Usually 3 to 7 days. Maps pulls information from Google Business Profile, so once your profile is updated, Maps will update automatically. You do not need to do anything in Maps itself.
What if my business moved but I do not have a Google Business Profile yet?
Go to google.com/business and click Create a business. Enter your business name and new address. Google will ask you to verify the location, usually by postcard. Once verified, your business will appear on Maps and in local search results.
Can I change my address if someone else created the profile?
Not unless they give you owner access. If they will not, you can claim the business under your own account by going to google.com/business, searching for your business, and clicking Claim this business. You will need to verify that you own or manage it.
Will changing my address affect my reviews and ratings?
No. Your reviews, ratings, and photos stay with your business profile when you change the address. Customers will still see all your past reviews at the new location.