You search for your own business on Google, try to claim it, and see a message that someone else already manages it. It might be a former employee, an old agency, a relative who set it up years ago, or in the worst case, a stranger. If someone else owns my Google Business listing is the problem you are facing, the good news is that Google has a clear process for getting it back. This guide explains that process step by step, what to do if the owner does not respond or refuses, and how to protect the profile once it is yours again.
Quick answer: someone else owns my Google Business listing, what now?
Use Google’s Request access option. Go to business.google.com/add, search your business, select it, and choose Request access. Google emails the current owner, who has 3 days to respond. If they approve, you get access. If they do not respond, you may get the option to claim the profile yourself by verifying it. If they deny the request, you can still suggest edits and appeal the decision.
Why someone else may own your listing
- A former employee or manager created the profile with their personal Gmail and then left
- An old marketing agency set it up and kept ownership
- A family member or previous business partner claimed it years ago
- The previous owner of the business never transferred it after a sale
- A stranger or competitor claimed it without permission, sometimes to change your details
In the first four cases, the simplest fix is to contact that person and ask them to add you as an owner and then transfer primary ownership. If that is not possible, use Google’s formal process below.
Step 1: Try to contact the current owner directly
If you know who set up the profile, ask them to add you. Owners can go to their Business Profile, open Business Profile settings and then People and access, and add your email as an owner. After that, they can transfer primary ownership to you. Google explains this in Manage owners and managers of a Business Profile.
This is always the fastest route. Keep the request polite and in writing (email or WhatsApp) so you have a record.
Step 2: Submit a Request access form
If you cannot reach the owner, follow Google’s official request ownership process:
- Sign in with the Google account you want to manage the business with. Use a business email you will keep, not a personal account of a staff member.
- Go to business.google.com/add.
- Enter your business name and address, and select the correct business from the results.
- When Google shows that the profile is already managed, select Request access.
- Fill in the form with your name, contact details, your role in the business and the level of access you need.
- Submit the form and keep the confirmation email.
Step 3: Wait for the owner’s response (3 days)
Google notifies the current owner by email. They have 3 days to respond. You can check the status by signing in to your Business Profile account or using the link in the confirmation email.
- If they approve: you receive an email and can manage the profile.
- If they do not respond: you may see the option to claim the profile yourself. Select Verify in the confirmation email and complete the verification steps.
- If they deny: you receive a rejection email. You can still suggest edits to the profile and try to appeal the decision.
Step 4: Complete verification
When you claim a profile, Google usually asks you to verify it, often by video recording, phone, text or email. Have your signage, business documents and address details ready. If video verification is requested, follow our guide on passing Google Business Profile video verification.
What if the owner denies the request?
- Appeal the decision using the option provided in the rejection email or in your Business Profile.
- Gather proof that you own the business: GST registration, shop and establishment licence, utility bill at the address, photos of permanent signage and your premises.
- Contact Google Business Profile support with this evidence and a short, factual explanation.
- Suggest edits to correct any wrong details the current owner may have added, such as phone number or website.
Google also notes that service-area businesses (those without a storefront shown on the map) may need to contact support directly rather than using the standard request flow.
What if the profile was hijacked and changed?
If a stranger took control and changed your phone number or website, act quickly. Document every change with screenshots, file the ownership request, and contact support with proof. In more serious cases, the profile may even be deleted. Read how we handled one such case in recovering a hacked and deleted Google Business Profile.
Mistakes that make ownership recovery harder
- Creating a new profile instead of recovering the old one. This creates a duplicate, splits reviews, and can lead to suspension.
- Submitting many requests in a row. Wait for each one to complete.
- Using a staff member’s personal Gmail for the new ownership, which repeats the same problem later.
- Arguing publicly through reviews or posts instead of using Google’s process.
After you get it back: protect your profile
- Make a business-owned email the primary owner
- Add a second trusted owner as backup
- Give agencies and staff manager access, not owner access
- Turn on 2-step verification for the owner Google account
- Never ignore Google emails about ownership requests
- Review the People and access list every few months
Google’s page Help protect your Google Business Profile covers more security steps. To clean up old access, read how to remove an old manager or agency from your Google Business Profile.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the current owner have to respond to my request?
According to Google’s current help page, the owner has 3 days to respond after being notified by email.
What happens if the owner does not respond?
You may get the option to claim the profile yourself by selecting Verify in the confirmation email and completing verification.
Can I get my listing back without the old owner’s help?
Often yes, through the Request access process, verification, and if needed an appeal with documents proving you run the business.
Will I lose my reviews when ownership changes?
No. Reviews stay with the profile. This is why recovering the original listing is better than creating a new one.
Should I create a new listing if recovery is slow?
Almost never. A new listing starts with no reviews and can be treated as a duplicate of the original.
Need help recovering your listing?
Ownership disputes are common and usually recoverable with the right evidence and process. Our Google Business Profile ownership recovery service handles the request, verification and appeal for you. Contact Rank on Maps for a free assessment.
