If someone else has claimed your Google My Business (GMB) listing, you can follow these steps to reclaim ownership:
Go to the Google My Business website:
Visit business.google.com.
Search for your business:
Enter your business name and address in the search bar to locate your business listing.
Select your business:
From the search results, select your business. If it shows that the business is already verified by someone else, proceed to the next step.
Request access:
Click on the “Request access” button that appears. This will start the process of reclaiming ownership of the listing.
Fill out the form:
Complete the form with the required information, such as your name, role in the business, and contact details. Provide as much detail as possible to prove your connection to the business.
Submit your request:
After filling out the form, click “Submit.” Google will send your request to the current listing owner, who will have seven days to respond.
Wait for a response:
The current owner has three options: approve your request, deny your request, or not respond. You will receive an email notification for any of these actions.
Approval: If the current owner approves your request, you will be granted ownership.
Denial: If your request is denied, you can appeal the decision to Google.
No Response: If there is no response within seven days, you may be given the option to verify your affiliation with the business to claim the listing.
Follow up if necessary:
If you don’t receive a response or if your request is denied, you can contact Google My Business support for further assistance. Provide them with any documentation that proves you own or manage the business.
Verification process:
If your request is approved or you are given the option to claim the listing after no response, follow the verification process which may include receiving a postcard, phone call, or email with a verification code to confirm your ownership.
Additional Tips:
Documentation: Be prepared with documents that prove your ownership or managerial role in the business, such as business licenses, utility bills, or any other official documents.
Regular Checks: Regularly monitor your Google My Business listing to ensure there are no unauthorized changes or claims.
Following these steps should help you reclaim ownership of your Google My Business listing and ensure that you have control over the information presented to potential customers.