Old agencies, former employees and past freelancers often keep access to a Google Business Profile long after they stop working with the business. That is a real risk: anyone with access can change your phone number, website, hours or photos, and an owner can even delete the profile. If you need to remove a manager from Google Business Profile, this guide shows exactly how, what to do if the old agency is the owner, and how to set up access safely from now on.
Quick answer: how to remove a manager from Google Business Profile
To remove a manager from Google Business Profile, sign in as an owner, open your Business Profile, go to More (the three-dot menu), then Business Profile settings, then People and access. Select the person you want to remove and choose Remove person. Only owners can remove users; managers cannot remove anyone.
Understand the roles first
Google’s help page Manage owners and managers of a Business Profile describes three levels of access:
| Role | What they can do |
|---|---|
| Primary owner | Full control. Only one per profile. Must transfer primary ownership before they can be removed. |
| Owner | Edit everything, add and remove users, and remove the Business Profile. |
| Manager | Edit business info, posts, photos, reply to reviews and see insights, but cannot add or remove users or delete the profile. |
The key point: only owners can remove people. If you are only a manager, you cannot remove the old agency, even if you run the business.
Step by step: remove an old manager or agency
- Sign in to the Google account that is an owner of the profile.
- Search your business name on Google, or open it in Google Maps, to open your Business Profile.
- Select the three-dot More menu and choose Business Profile settings.
- Select People and access to see every owner and manager.
- Select the old manager, agency or ex-employee.
- Choose Remove person and confirm.
The removed person receives an email. Their old posts and review replies stay on the profile, but they can no longer make changes.
What if the old agency is the primary owner?
This is very common: an agency created the profile with its own Gmail and made itself the primary owner. You cannot remove a primary owner directly. Instead:
- Ask the agency to add your business email as an owner.
- Ask them to transfer primary ownership to you. Google explains this in Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile.
- Once you are primary owner, remove the agency or downgrade it to manager if you still work together.
If the agency refuses or cannot be reached, use Google’s Request access process. We explain it step by step in someone else owns my Google Business listing: how to get it back.
The 7-day waiting period for new owners
Google adds a safety delay. New owners and managers cannot do these things for 7 days after being added:
- Delete or undelete the profile
- Remove other owners or managers
- Transfer primary ownership
So if you were just added as an owner, you may need to wait a week before you can remove the old agency. This is normal and protects businesses from sudden takeovers.
What if a manager changed your details before leaving?
- Check your phone number, website link, hours, categories and business name.
- Look for new photos or posts you did not approve.
- Correct anything wrong from your owner account.
- If the profile shows signs of a takeover, act quickly and read our case study on recovering a hacked and deleted Google Business Profile.
Best practice: how to give agencies access safely
- Your business owns the profile. Always keep a business-owned email as primary owner.
- Agencies get manager access. They can do all the marketing work without being able to remove you or delete the profile.
- Never share your Gmail password. A good agency never asks for it. Google’s article on working with third parties says the same.
- Keep a backup owner you trust, such as a partner or family member.
- Review People and access every quarter and remove anyone who no longer needs access.
- Turn on 2-step verification for every owner account.
Checklist when you change agencies
- Confirm you are the primary owner.
- Add the new agency as a manager.
- Remove the old agency’s access.
- Check that website, phone and tracking links are correct.
- Download your performance insights for the record.
- Check linked accounts such as Google Ads and remove old links you no longer use.
Frequently asked questions
Can a manager remove the owner of a Google Business Profile?
No. Managers cannot add or remove any users. Only owners can.
Will removing a manager delete their posts or review replies?
No. Their past posts and replies remain visible on the profile.
Why can’t I remove someone right after I became an owner?
Google applies a 7-day waiting period before new owners can remove other owners or managers, transfer primary ownership or delete the profile.
Does the removed person get notified?
Yes. Google sends an email when someone is removed from a Business Profile.
Should my SEO agency be an owner or a manager?
A manager. That gives them everything they need for optimisation while keeping control with your business.
Want an access audit?
We recommend that any agency, including us, works on your profile as a manager while your business stays the primary owner. If you are unsure who has access to your profile or need help taking back control, our ownership recovery service can help. Contact us for a free access and security check.
