Introduction
A Google Business Profile (GBP) is a key tool for businesses to show up on Google Search and Maps, making it easier for customers to find them. Sometimes, you might want to hide, suspend, or even remove your Google Business Profile. Whether it's due to a temporary closure, a change in operations, or another reason, knowing your options is important.
Key Takeaways
- Google does not provide a straightforward “hide” option for your Google Business Profile. Instead, you can only mark it as temporarily or permanently closed.
- If your business is temporarily closed, you can mark it as such in the profile settings. This keeps your profile visible but indicates that your business is not currently operating.
- For businesses closing permanently or if you want to remove the profile completely, you can mark it as permanently closed or delete all content and manager access.
- Consider updating your business information to reflect the current status or unpublishing your website if you wish to lower visibility without removing your profile entirely.
- Removing or closing your profile affects your online presence and SEO. Be mindful of the potential loss of traffic and customer engagement when choosing to hide or remove your profile.
1. Understanding the Limits of Hiding a Google Business Profile
Google doesn’t offer a simple “hide” option for Google Business Profiles. This can be frustrating if you just want to reduce your online presence temporarily. Instead, you can mark your business as temporarily or permanently closed, which we’ll explain below.
2. How to Temporarily Hide or Suspend Your Google Business Profile
If you’re dealing with a short-term situation—like renovations or seasonal closures—you might want to suspend your Google Business Profile without making any permanent changes.
Temporarily Close the Business
Marking your business as temporarily closed can be a practical solution. Here’s how:
1. Go to Your Business Profile: Find your profile on Google Search.
2. Edit Business Information: Click on "Edit profile" and then "Business information."
3. Set Temporary Closure: In the "Hours" section, select "Permanently closed" but choose the temporary option.
This choice is reversible, so you can open your business profile again when you're ready. Your business will still show up on Google, but it will be marked as temporarily closed.
3. How to Permanently Remove or Close Your Google Business Profile
If your business is closing down for good or you no longer want to manage your profile, you can either close or remove your Google Business Profile.
Mark as Permanently Closed
To mark your business as permanently closed:
1. Access Your Profile: Search for your business on Google.
2. Edit Profile Information: Click on "Edit profile," then go to "Business information."
3. Permanently Close: In the "Hours" tab, choose "Permanently closed" and save.
After marking it as permanently closed, your business will still show up in search results but will be clearly labeled as closed. This can be helpful for past customers but might deter new ones.
Remove Content and Managers
If you want to completely remove all content from your Google Business Profile, follow these steps:
1. Access Business Profile Settings: Go to your profile and click "More."
2. Remove Profile Content: Click "Remove Business Profile" and select "Remove profile content and managers."
WARNING: Only proceed if you are absolutely sure you would like to do this. This process is irreversible.
This action is permanent. All photos, posts, and manager access will be lost.
Removing Multiple Profiles
If you manage several business locations, you can remove multiple profiles at once using the Business Profile Manager:
1. Sign In: Log in to the Business Profile Manager with your account.
2. Select Profiles: Choose the profiles you want to remove.
3. Remove: Click "Actions" and then "Remove businesses."
4. Requesting the Removal of a Business from Google Maps
There are times when you might need to request the removal of a business from Google Maps—like when the business never existed, has moved, or is no longer eligible.
When and Why to Use This Option
If your business is listed incorrectly or never existed at the given address, you can ask Google to remove it from Maps.
Step-by-Step Process
To request removal:
1. Go to Google Maps: Log in with the account linked to your business profile.
2. Suggest an Edit: Click on the business and select "Suggest an edit."
3. Remove the Business: Choose "Close or remove" and follow the steps.
5. Alternatives to Hiding Your Google Business Profile
If hiding or removing your Google Business Profile seems too drastic, consider these alternatives.
Update Your Business Information
Instead of removing your profile, update it to reflect your business's current status. For instance, if you’re relocating, update the address and contact info rather than hiding the profile.
Unpublish the Website Linked to the Profile
If your profile is connected to a website, you might choose to unpublish or disconnect the site. This can lower your visibility without completely removing your profile.
6. Impact of Removing or Hiding a Google Business Profile on SEO and Visibility
Taking steps to hide, remove, or temporarily close your Google Business Profile can affect your local SEO and visibility. Here’s what to consider:
- Loss of Online Presence: Removing your profile means your business won’t appear in local searches or on Google Maps, which can lead to fewer customer inquiries and traffic.
- Reduced Engagement: Temporarily closing your business will show users that you’re not available, which might discourage them from contacting you.
- Alternative Visibility: If you’re still open but want to reduce visibility, consider maintaining a basic online presence through other channels like social media or a simple website.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Can I hide my Google Business Profile instead of deleting it?
Hiding isn’t an option, but you can mark your business as temporarily or permanently closed.
What happens when I mark my business as permanently closed?
Your business will still show up in searches but will be labeled as closed, which can deter new customers but keep past customers informed.
How long does it take for Google to remove a business from Maps?
Requests to remove a business from Maps typically take a few days to process and show up.
Can I recover my Google Business Profile after removing it?
No, once a profile is removed, it cannot be recovered. You would need to set up a new profile from scratch.
What if my business reopens after being marked as permanently closed?
You can update your status to "open" again, but it may take some time for the change to appear across all platforms.
Can I turn off my Google Business Profile?
Marking your profile as temporarily closed is the closest you can get to turning it off. It will still be visible but not as an open business.
Can I pause my Google Business Profile?
Yes, pausing your profile by marking it as temporarily closed is an option. This doesn't delete any data and allows you to reopen it when you're ready.
How do I temporarily remove my business from Google?
Marking your business as temporarily closed effectively removes it from appearing as open.
How do I make my Google Business Profile private?
You can’t make a profile private in the traditional sense, but marking it as permanently closed or requesting removal from Maps are your closest options.
Is Google getting rid of Google My Business?
No, Google My Business has been rebranded as Google Business Profile, and the service continues to be available.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to hide, suspend, or remove your Google Business Profile is an important decision that affects your business’s online presence. Think about your options carefully and choose the one that fits your needs best. Whether you’re temporarily closing, permanently shutting down, or just reducing visibility, Google offers several tools to manage your profile effectively.