Anvi
Sameer Staff answered 5 months ago
Yes, other users can suggest changes to your Google My Business (GMB) listing, and in some cases, those changes can go live without your immediate approval. This system is designed by Google to keep business information as accurate and up-to-date as possible, leveraging user contributions. However, it also opens the possibility for unauthorized or incorrect changes.
Possibilities of Unauthorized Changes
Public Edit Suggestions: Anyone with a Google account can suggest edits to your business listing. This includes changes to business hours, contact information, address, and more. These suggestions might be implemented automatically or sent to you for approval, depending on Google’s confidence in the suggestion’s accuracy.
Competitors or Malicious Actors: Sometimes, competitors or malicious individuals might suggest incorrect changes to mislead customers or harm your business’s reputation.
Automated Updates by Google: Google may automatically update your listing based on data it gathers from various sources, including user suggestions, other online references, and its own data. These updates can sometimes be inaccurate.
Monitoring and Managing Changes
To safeguard your listing and ensure the accuracy of your business information, here are steps to monitor and manage changes:
Regularly Check Your GMB Dashboard:
Log into your Google My Business account frequently to review any suggested edits and changes. Google often sends email notifications about changes, but it’s good to verify directly within the dashboard.
Set Up Notifications:
Ensure that notifications are enabled for your account. This way, you will receive alerts via email when changes are suggested or made to your listing.
Respond to Suggested Edits:
When you receive notifications of suggested edits, review them promptly. If the edits are incorrect, you can reject them. If they are accurate, you can accept them to keep your information up-to-date.
Audit Your Listing Regularly:
Perform regular audits of your GMB listing to ensure all information is correct. This includes checking the business name, address, phone number, website, hours, and categories.
Use the Google My Business Mobile App:
The GMB app allows you to manage your listing on the go. It can be a useful tool for quickly responding to changes and updates.
Report Incorrect Changes:
If you notice unauthorized changes that have gone live, you can report them to Google. You can do this through your GMB dashboard or by contacting Google My Business support.
Leverage GMB Support and Community:
Utilize the Google My Business Help Center and Community forums to seek advice and support if you encounter issues with unauthorized changes.
By staying vigilant and proactive in managing your GMB listing, you can minimize the risk of unauthorized changes and ensure that your business information remains accurate and reliable for customers.