A customer looks you up on Google Maps and calls the number shown. It is an old one, and the person who answers says "wrong number." Another customer trusts the pin on the map, drives there and ends up two streets away, phoning you to ask where you are. You are open on Saturdays, but the listing says "closed", so nobody comes.
This is one of the most annoying problems a business owner can have, and one of the most common. The good news is that it can usually be fixed, often without any expert. In this article I explain where the wrong information comes from, how to correct it, and what to do so it stays correct.
Where does the wrong information come from?
First, know that Google does not take its map data only from you. It also collects and combines information from other sources. Finding where the mistake started is half of the fix. If you notice a wrong address on Google Maps, the cause is usually one of these:
- You never claimed your business profile. Google may have built the listing itself from other sources.
- Old information. You moved, changed your number or never updated your hours.
- Different details on other websites. Directories, social media accounts, old news items.
- Changes suggested by other people. Google lets anyone suggest a correction. That could be a customer, someone who simply has it wrong, or a competitor.
- A pin in the wrong spot. The address may be right while the pin sits on the back street behind your building.
First, take ownership of your business profile
Everything starts with claiming your business profile. This is the box that appears when you search for your business name. If you have not claimed it, you cannot change it. During the process Google asks you to prove the business is really yours. The ways of doing that change over time, so simply follow the instructions on the screen.
If you have already claimed it, open the management screen and check each detail one by one:
- Business name. It should match your sign. Do not stuff keywords into it.
- Address. Complete, clear and matching the number on your door.
- Phone. A number you actually answer.
- Opening hours. Including lunch breaks, weekends and public holidays.
- Website address.
After you correct these, Google may take a while to approve the changes. Be patient, but look again if the old details remain after a week or two.
If the pin is in the wrong place
If the address is right but the pin is elsewhere, you can move the pin to the correct point in your profile. Zoom in and place it where your entrance is. This matters especially if you are inside a large office complex, a shopping center or a shop entered from a side street. Pick the point a customer could reach by car or on foot. If your entrance is on another street, a short description in the profile helps too.
Changes suggested by other people
One day your details may change without you touching them. Google allows users to suggest edits, and suggestions that look trustworthy are sometimes accepted. So:
- Check your profile now and then, for example once a month.
- Look at notifications and suggestions in the management screen.
- If someone made a wrong change, enter the correct details again.
- If one person or competitor keeps spoiling the listing, report it to Google. If that does not help, get expert support.
Phone numbers and opening hours are the two details that go wrong most often, so update your hours before holidays and season changes.
What to do if you moved
If you moved to a new address, changing it in the profile is not enough. Work through this order:
- Change the address in the profile and check the pin.
- Update the address on your website: contact page, footer and about page.
- Update your social media accounts, invoices and business cards.
- Leave a "Our new address" note on your homepage for people who still head to the old one.
- Find the old address in directories and other listings and change it.
If your business is temporarily closed or the move is still in progress, say so in the profile so customers do not travel for nothing.
Why old details on other websites matter
Google does not look only at your profile. It looks at every place online that mentions your business: directories, social media, marketplace pages, old news articles. If the address or phone number differs between them, Google cannot tell which to trust and may show the wrong one on the map.
Make a list of every site and account where your business name appears. Then make sure the name, address and phone number are written identically everywhere. Even small differences, like "St." and "Street", can create confusion. Consistency is the simplest way to earn trust.
| Problem | What to do |
|---|---|
| Old phone number | Update it in the profile and on your site |
| Wrong opening hours | Enter weekends and holidays as well |
| Pin has drifted | Move it to your entrance |
| Address written differently | Use one format everywhere |
| Details changed without you | Re-enter the right ones and check regularly |
Frequently asked questions
How long until the fix shows up?
Some changes appear quickly, others later. When Google reviews a change, the time varies. If it still shows the old details after a while, check the change again.
Can I correct details without claiming the profile?
Anyone can suggest a correction, but whether it is accepted is up to Google. The lasting, reliable solution is to claim the profile.
What if someone keeps changing my details?
Report it to Google and note the history of the changes. If it continues, getting expert help is reasonable.
Conclusion
Sometimes you will need help. If you cannot get into the profile, someone else has claimed it, your business appears twice or the listing has been suspended, a person familiar with the process will usually solve it faster. Bring a document that proves your business (a tax registration or lease, for example), a photo of your sign and the correct address and phone details; this shortens things. I cannot promise a timeline or an outcome, because the decision is Google's, but applying with the right information improves your chances.
In short, wrong information on the map means losing customers at your door, and a simple check usually fixes it. Claim your profile, correct the details, put the pin in the right place and align the listings elsewhere. Checking once a month is enough. If you would like to review how your business appears on the map together, you can reach me through my local SEO page.