How to Change the Google Business Profile Name

How to change the Google Business profile name?​

1. Sign into your Google Business Profile account.
2. Search for “my business” in the search bar or go to google.com/business
3. Click on “Edit Profile” at the top left.
4. Click the pencil icon next to “Business name” in the “About” tab.
5. Add your updated business name.
6. Click “Save”.

Can I change the Google Business Profile name?​

Yes, you can change the name of your Google Business Profile. The name is one of the most significant factors that affect local search rankings.

Including relevant keywords in your profile name can help it rank higher for those terms. However, your profile name must comply with Google’s search guidelines. If it doesn’t, your profile could be suspended.

Why Should You change the Google Business name​

Rankings​

This is likely one of the most important factors. Since the Google My Business name significantly affects rankings on Google search and Google Maps, changing the company name to include more relevant keywords can greatly improve local search visibility.

Potential customers are more likely to click on listings that match their search query than on those that don’t. If you want to improve your rankings, you should seriously consider changing your Google business name.

Data Inaccuracies​

If your business name on your Google Business page is different from the name you use on your signage, stationery, website, and so on, consider changing it to match. Inconsistencies in your business name can negatively affect your visibility if you’re using a different name on online business directories and other sites like social media platforms.

Your online business information should always match your real-world information. If you change information on one platform, you should update it on the others as well.

Rebranding​

Rebranding is one reason you might need to change your display name on Google. When you rebrand, changing the name helps keep things consistent across all directories and platforms and prevents confusing your customers.

There are many other reasons to change your business name, but these three are the most common. Ultimately, we all want better rankings and higher conversion rates, right?

How can I change the Google Business Profile name?​

You can go two ways when changing the Google My Business name.

1. Change the Business name from your backend​

Visit your Google Business Profile, click on edit profile and change your business name.

2. Suggest an edit to your profile Name on Google Maps.​

For the “suggest an edit” feature to work you need go to your business listing on Google Maps and click the ‘Suggest an edit’ button, and select ‘Change name or other details.’

You can do this from any Google profile, including your own. This method isn’t 100% effective, but it can help prevent your profile from getting suspended when you want to change the name. Google can’t suspend a profile for changes suggested by others.

After you suggest a name change, you’ll need to wait for Google to verify it. If Google approves, they will change the name, which can take from a few minutes to a few days or weeks. If you don’t want to wait and have all the necessary documents like a business license and DBA ready, you can simply change the name in your dashboard.

5 Things to Consider When Changing the Google Business Profile name​

1. Google Business Profile name guidelines​

Google has strict guidelines for naming your business. Use the exact business name as it appears on your signs, stationery, website, logo, and other branding materials in the real world. If you decide to change your business name after requesting verification, you’ll usually need to reverify your business.

Always follow Google’s guidelines when changing sensitive information like your name, business address, phone number, or website on your profile. Facing a suspension due to Google policy violations can be very frustrating. The process can take anywhere from a few hours to many months, and for most small businesses, that could mean bankruptcy.

2. Ranking impacts​

Changing your GBP name can either positively or negatively affect your local search engine rankings. For example, removing specific keywords can reduce visibility, while adding them can increase it.

The ranking impact will only affect the keywords you add to your name, not others. So if you want to improve rankings for multiple keywords, you’ll need to add them too.

However, stuffing your business name with keywords might decrease click-through rates and relevancy.

Customers prefer specialists. If your local business offers a wide range of services, it might be better to focus on a niche and remove some services from your core offer. You can still provide these services, just don’t include them in your Google business name.

3. Conversion Rate Optimization​

While adding relevant keywords to your Google My Business name can improve rankings, you shouldn’t keyword-stuff it. Your business name is part of your marketing strategy and should reflect a professional brand presence online.

To achieve higher conversion rates, remember that keyword stuffing or other redundant naming tactics can ruin your incoming lead stream. Ranking well is great, but converting visitors into paying customers should also be a priority.

Keyword-stuffed Google Business Profile name

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4. Customer Recognition​

The new business name should reflect your business type and brand. If customers can’t recognize your business after the name change, it might negatively impact your local online visibility.

Make sure to communicate the name change clearly so that existing customers and brand advocates aren’t confused. In some cases, it can make sense to accept short-term recognition losses for long-term visibility improvements (rank increases).

5. Accurate Information & NAP Consistency​

If you change your Google Business name, you should also change it on all other sites and directories where you want to be found.

This isn’t just for name recognition but also for data consistency across sites like Yelp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, BBB, and Foursquare. Accurate information is essential in local search. Ideally, you want to use the same NAP (name, address, phone number) and website URL on every platform.

Can my Google business account get suspended due to a name change?​

Yes, your business profile on Google can get suspended if you change your name. This usually happens if Google’s algorithm and spam systems see the change as suspicious activity or violations of the Google guidelines.

If your profile is suspended due to a name change, you can file for reinstatement to recover it. The process is straightforward. To recover the profile, be sure to provide evidence like a business license or a DBA (doing business as) certificate. These can help speed up the reinstatement.

Sometimes, Google might just reject your name change request. In that case, you would either need to try again or contact Google support.

Frequently Asked Questions​

How to name my business profiles if I have multiple locations?​

You can add business location modifiers to your Google business names to differentiate the listings from each other. This can help improve rankings for those specific geographic terms.

If someone searches for a product or service in an area included in your business name, Google might show your listing higher for those terms. Just make sure it actually increases relevancy.

If you’re outside a certain city and add that city name to your Google local listing, you might benefit from higher rankings at first as Google A/B tests your listing for geographic queries. However, you might end up losing visibility because users won’t want to do business with you or may leave negative reviews due to the confusion.

Why does Google keep changing my business name?​

Google can change your Google business title to keep general information up to date.

There are 4 reasons why Google would change your name:

1. Google finds conflicting information on your website and changes it on the profile accordingly.
2. You’re using third-party applications to manage your profile.
3. Another owner or manager of the profile changes information.
4. Public users can suggest edits on Google Maps to correct information.

You can review any changes on your Google dashboard and either accept or decline them. Sometimes, you might only be able to accept the changes and then change the information back to what it was before.

How can I Prevent Google from changing my business name?​

There are a couple of things you can do to prevent Google from changing your business name:

• Keep your name, address, and phone number consistent across all online platforms including your website.
• Don’t change the Google Business Profile name too frequently. Google might perceive this as unnatural activity on your profile and will just undo your changes.
• Sign up with a local marketing tool like Whitespark’s Local Platform. It allows you to quickly revert any changes and set up auto-change so that every time your business information is altered, the system automatically undoes the changes.

Whitespark's Local Platform screenshot

Why can't I find my business name on Google?​

The most common reason you can’t see your business profile on Google is that it hasn’t been verified or it has been suspended. Before you can use the Google Business Profile and all its features and benefits, you must verify it.

Summary​

You can always change your Google Business Profile name, but make sure it complies with Google’s local search guidelines to avoid suspensions.

A name change can significantly boost your rankings. If your business name is consistent across all online platforms, you’re likely to attract more customers and gain Google’s trust in your listing.

In most cases, it’s worth accepting short-term recognition decreases for long-term visibility benefits. Either way, don’t be afraid to change the name. Nothing in business comes without risk.

If you want to improve your Google Business Profile, you should definitely check out my Local SEO Bible. It’s the ultimate guide to help you rank higher in local searches and on Google Maps. Plus, when you sign up, you’ll receive a newsletter filled with super useful information.

 

[Tim Kahlert]

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