Google Business Profile access: add a manager, transfer or request ownership

Google Business Profile access: what to remember in 30 seconds?

A Google Business Profile belongs to whoever created or verified it, and only an owner can add or remove other people. When that person is an agency that has closed, an employee who left or the previous owner, the business is stuck: no replying to reviews, no changing hours, no adding photos.

The good news is that Google has a procedure for each case. The bad news is that it can take a few days. It is worth tidying up access before you need it.

Owner or manager: who can do what on a Google Business Profile?

Google has three levels on a Business Profile. “Manager” replaces the older “site manager” label.

The safest rule is simple: the business owner stays primary owner, with an email address they will keep (the business’s, not an employee’s). Staff, a partner who runs social media or a contractor get the manager role: they can do the day-to-day work, but cannot remove you or delete the profile.

Google also says Google Groups (a shared mailing list) cannot be added as owners or managers: each person must be invited with their own address.

How do you add a manager or an owner to your Google Business Profile?

You must be an owner to invite someone. It is done from a computer, on business.google.com:

1. Open business.google.com with the owner account and select your business.
2. Select More, then Business Profile settings, then People and access.
3. At the top left, select Add.
4. Enter the person’s email address (linked to a Google account).
5. Under Access, choose Owner or Manager.
6. Select Invite. The person receives an invitation; you get an email when they accept.

Until they accept, the invitation appears under “Pending” on the People and access page, where you can cancel it. To change someone’s role later, select them, choose “Edit” next to their access, then save.

The 7-day wait

A new owner or manager must wait seven days before they can delete the profile, remove other users or receive primary ownership. This is Google’s protection against takeovers. If you are preparing a sale or handover, plan for it.

How do you remove a former employee or contractor?

When someone leaves the team or an agency contract ends, remove their access the same day. Only an owner can do it:

1. Open People and access (same path as above).
2. Select the person.
3. Select Remove person.

The person gets an email and can no longer act on the profile. Their past review replies and posts stay online: nothing is deleted. If you can’t select a user, you are a manager, not an owner: ask the owner to do it, or to make you an owner.

How do you transfer primary ownership of your profile?

Transferring primary ownership is useful when you sell the business, when you want the profile on the business email rather than your personal one, or when you retire.

1. First invite the future owner as an Owner (see above) and wait for them to accept.
2. Wait until the 7-day period after they joined is over: before that, Google refuses the transfer.
3. In People and access, transfer primary ownership to them.
4. If you are leaving, then choose Stop managing on your own line and confirm.

Google points out that a primary owner cannot leave without transferring ownership first. When a business changes hands, put the profile on the handover list along with the keys: the profile and its reviews are part of what the business is worth.

Someone else manages my profile: how do I get it back?

This is the most common case: the profile was set up by an agency, a former employee, a well-meaning customer or the previous owner. Start by asking directly: a short email is often enough (template below). If nobody answers, Google offers an official access request:

1. Go to business.google.com/add.
2. Enter your business name and address, then select it from the list. A warning says someone else may manage the profile.
3. Select Request access, fill in the form, then Submit.
4. You get a confirmation email. The current owner is emailed and has 3 days to respond.

If the owner doesn’t respond

According to Google’s help, you may be able to claim the profile once that time has passed: open the confirmation email for your request, select View request, then Verify, and follow the instructions (Google then asks you to verify the business). You can also sign in and look for a “Claim” or “Verify” button. Google says this option isn’t always available.

If you have no premises (tradesperson, mobile service)

For a service-area business with no public address, Google asks you to contact its support: in the help form, enter “Transfer ownership of listing” and choose that issue.

If the request is denied

You get a rejection email. You can still suggest edits to the profile (fix hours or a phone number) from Google Maps, and Google says you may be able to appeal. Keep a document in the business’s name and address to hand (registration, utility bill).

What should you send an agency or former owner to get the profile back?

Before the official procedure, ask politely. Most agencies and former owners agree when the request is clear and easy to carry out.

Hi [Name], I’m [your name], owner of [business name], [address]. You set up (or managed) our Google Business Profile. Could you add me as an owner using [email]? The path is: business.google.com › More › Business Profile settings › People and access › Add › Owner. Once the 7-day period has passed, please transfer primary ownership to me. Happy to help if needed. Thanks in advance, [Name], [phone]

Hello, our contract ends on [date]. Could you remove your access to our Google Business Profile after transferring primary ownership to me ([email])? Your past replies will stay online. Thanks for your work, [Name], [business]

Why does it matter for replying to reviews and connecting tools?

Without access to your profile you can’t reply to reviews, fix your hours or add photos: you live with whatever others put there. And every tool that works on your profile (booking calendar, review software, scheduling tool) asks you to sign in with a Google account that manages it.

Voxtya works the same way: you connect your profile by signing in with Google, using the owner or manager account. Your Google reviews then arrive in Voxtya and your replies are published from there, automatically or after you check them, as you prefer. If you don’t manage your profile yet, start with this guide: it is the step that unlocks everything else.

The steps at a glance

The steps to request ownership of a Google Business Profile when another person manages it.

1. Ask directly. Email the agency, former employee or previous owner asking them to add you as an owner.
2. Open business.google.com/add. Enter the business name and address and select it from the list.
3. Request access. Select “Request access”, fill in the form and submit it.
4. Wait 3 days. The current owner is emailed and has 3 days to respond.
5. Claim if offered. With no response, open the confirmation email, “View request”, then “Verify”, if Google offers it.
6. Tidy up. Once you are an owner, remove unnecessary access and keep primary ownership in your name.

This guide for your trade

• Restaurant
• Bar, café
• Hair and beauty salon
• Tradesperson
• Hotel and B&B
• Shop

Go further

• Google Business Profile: set up and optimise
• Google Business Profile suspended
• Business not showing on Google Maps
• How to reply to Google reviews
• Google Business Profile insights
• Google Business Profile: definition