The first time I tried figuring out how to delete a Google business profile on Google, I assumed it would be one clean button. Delete. Confirm. Done.
Yeah. No.
Google doesn’t really delete things the way we expect. It hides them, removes access, marks them as closed, suspends them, or makes them disappear slowly, depending on the situation. Which is fine, I guess, once you understand what’s actually happening.
This post is for people who are:
- Closing a business
- Moving to a new brand
- Cleaning up duplicates
- Or just tired of seeing an old listing on Google Maps
No corporate tone. No fake simplicity. Just how it actually works.
First, a small but important clarification (this trips people up)
There’s a difference between:
- Deleting a business profile
- Removing yourself as an owner
- Marking a business as permanently closed
Google uses these options differently.
And choosing the wrong one can mean your listing still shows up… just not how you want.
So before clicking anything, ask yourself one thing:
Why do you want to delete it?
Because the steps change slightly depending on that answer.
Scenario 1: Your business is permanently closed
This is the most common case. And honestly, the one Google handles the best.
If your business is shut down and not coming back, you usually don’t need to “delete” it in the traditional sense. You need to mark it as permanently closed.
Here’s how it usually goes.
Steps to mark a business as permanently closed
- Log in to the Google account that manages the profile
- Go to Google Search and type your business name
- Your Business Profile management panel should appear
- Click on Edit profile
- Go to Business information
- Look for Close or remove this business
- Select Mark as permanently closed
That’s it.
The listing doesn’t vanish instantly. It updates over time. Reviews usually stay. The profile becomes inactive.
And yes, this still counts as the correct way for many people asking how to delete a business page on Google.
“But I want it gone, gone.”
I get it. Seeing an old business name pop up can feel weird. Especially if the business failed, or changed direction, or brings back memories you’d rather not revisit.
But Google keeps closed listings for user accuracy. So people don’t drive to locked doors.
That’s the logic.
Scenario 2: You just want to remove yourself as the owner
Maybe you sold the business. Or handed it off. Or someone else is managing it now.
In that case, don’t delete the profile.
Just remove yourself.
How to remove yourself from a Google Business Profile
- Sign in to Google Business Profile
- Select the business
- Click Business Profile settings
- Go to People & access
- Find your email
- Remove your access
Once you do this, the profile still exists. You just don’t control it anymore.
This is often the cleanest option. Especially if the business is still operating.
Scenario 3: Duplicate listings (this one causes the most headaches)
Duplicates happen. A lot.
Different emails. Old addresses. Auto-generated Google listings. It adds up.
If you’re searching how to delete a duplicate business profile on Google, this part matters.
Before deleting anything, slow down
First, confirm:
- Same business name?
- Same address?
- Same phone number?
If yes, it’s likely a duplicate.
If not… deleting the wrong profile can hurt visibility.
How to remove a duplicate Google Business Profile
If you own both profiles:
- Choose the one that’s correct
- Keep it active
- Mark the other as permanently closed
If you don’t own the duplicate:
- Go to Google Maps
- Search the business
- Click the duplicate listing
- Suggest an edit
- Choose Close or remove
- Select Duplicate of another place
Google reviews this manually. Sometimes fast. Sometimes not.
Patience helps here. Not always, but sometimes.
Scenario 4: How to delete a Google business profile on Google Maps (specifically)
A lot of people phrase it this way: How to delete a Google business profile on Google Maps.
Maps is usually where the frustration starts, because the listing feels very public there.
Here’s the truth:
- You don’t delete directly from Maps
- You manage ownership from Business Profile
- Maps reflects the changes later
If you’re logged in and managing the business, edits in Search or Business Profile automatically affect Maps.
If you’re not the owner, Maps gives you the “Suggest an edit” route only.
That’s why deleting from Maps feels indirect. Because it is.
Scenario 5: You never created this profile, but it exists
This one feels unfair, honestly.
Google sometimes auto-creates business listings from:
- Public data
- User suggestions
- Websites
- Directories
And suddenly your old shop, home office, or closed project shows up online.
To handle this:
- Claim the business first
- Verify ownership
- Then mark it closed or remove it
You usually can’t delete something you don’t control.
Annoying, but that’s the system.
What “Remove business profile” actually does
When you click Remove business profile, Google gives you options like:
- This business doesn’t exist
- I’m no longer managing this business
- Remove profile content and managers
Choosing “remove” usually means:
- It’s removed from your account
- Not necessarily removed from Google
That difference matters more than Google explains.
A small but important warning
Deleting or closing a Google Business Profile does not:
- Automatically delete reviews
- Instantly remove it from Maps
- Erase it from Google history
Some traces remain. Especially if users searched for it often.
That’s normal. And frustrating. But normal.
How long does deletion actually take?
Short answer: it varies.
Sometimes:
- 24–48 hours
Other times:
- A week
- Two weeks
- Longer
Google reviews changes manually. Especially for removals.
Refreshing the page 20 times won’t speed it up. I’ve tried.
Common mistakes people make (easy to avoid)
- Deleting the main profile instead of the duplicate
- Removing owner access and thinking it’s deleted
- Marking a business closed when it’s still operating
- Trying to delete without verification
- Using different Google accounts and getting confused
If something feels off, stop. Double-check. Google rarely asks “Are you sure?” properly.
Does deleting a business profile affect SEO?
Yes. Obviously.
If you delete:
- Rankings drop to zero
- Visibility disappears
- Calls stop
If you mark closed:
- Visibility reduces
- But the listing still exists
This matters if you’re planning a rebrand or relocation.
Sometimes it’s better to update than delete.
What if Google won’t let you delete it?
It happens.
In those cases:
- Use “Suggest an edit”
- Contact Google Business Profile support
- Provide proof (photos, documents, website updates)
Support replies aren’t instant. Or emotional. Or detailed. But they usually help eventually.
Location-specific issues (especially in India)
In India especially, you’ll often see:
- Duplicate profiles at same address
- Old phone numbers attached
- Listings created by third-party sites
Cleaning these takes time.
Don’t rush it. One wrong deletion can cost months of local visibility.
A small personal opinion (take it or leave it)
If the business is just rebranding, don’t delete.
Update the name. Update the category. Update the website. Keep the reviews.
Deleting throws away trust. Google trust is slow to rebuild.
Quick checklist before you delete anything
Ask yourself:
- Is the business actually closed?
- Is this the correct profile?
- Do I own it?
- Should I remove access instead?
- Is this a duplicate?
Five questions. Saves a lot of regret.
So… what’s the “right” way?
There isn’t one universal method.
How to delete a business profile on Google depends on:
- Ownership
- Status
- Reason
- Duplication
- Location
Google gives options. You choose the least damaging one.
I’ll stop here. Mostly because this is already longer than most help articles, and still closer to reality than them.
Deleting a Google Business Profile isn’t dramatic. It’s quiet. Slow. A little confusing. Sometimes irritating.
But once it’s done, it’s done.
And you can finally stop seeing that old listing pop up when you search your name at 1 a.m. wondering why it’s still there.
That alone feels worth it.
Related Blogs :
What Is Google Business Profile and How Does It Work?
Local SEO Audit Guide: Checklist, Tool, and Template
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I permanently delete my Google Business Profile?
Yes, you can permanently delete your Google Business Profile by removing the business from your Google account. Once deleted, the profile will no longer appear on Google Search or Maps, and this action cannot be undone.
2. What’s the difference between removing a business and marking it as permanently closed?
Removing a business deletes the profile entirely from your account, while marking it as permanently closed keeps the listing visible with a “Permanently Closed” label. Choose removal only if the business no longer exists or was created by mistake.
3. Will deleting my Google Business Profile remove reviews?
Yes. When you delete a Google Business Profile, all associated reviews, photos, and insights are permanently removed and cannot be recovered later.
4. Why can’t I see the option to delete my Google Business Profile?
You may not see the delete option if you’re not listed as an owner or primary owner. Only users with proper ownership permissions can remove or delete a business profile.
