How to Handle Duplicate Listings in Google My Business

In today’s digital-first world, maintaining a consistent and accurate online presence is essential for local businesses. One of the most common yet overlooked issues that can hurt your online visibility is having duplicate listings in Google My Business. These duplicates can create confusion for potential customers, disrupt your local SEO efforts, and even lead to profile suspensions. Whether you’re managing a single location or multiple branches, understanding how to identify and resolve duplicate profiles is key. In this blog, we’ll guide you through how to fix a duplicate Google Business Profile, explain what to do with a duplicate Google Business Profile, and show you how to remove duplicates from your Google business listing step by step.This blog is a part of our Service Page GMB Optmization.

What Are Duplicate Listings in Google My Business?

Duplicate listings occur when two or more Google Business Profiles represent the same business location. This often happens unintentionally but can cause serious issues if left unchecked. For example:

  • A previous owner created a listing before you took over
  • You accidentally created multiple profiles for one location
  • Google auto-generated a listing based on online data
  • The business moved but the old profile still exists

Each duplicate may show slightly different contact information, opening hours, or even customer reviews.

Why Are Duplicate Listings a Problem?

Duplicate listings in Google My Business can confuse customers and mislead them with outdated or incorrect details. Additionally, it can:

  • Weaken your local SEO by splitting your traffic and reviews
  • Lower your ranking in Google Maps and local search results
  • Lead to customer frustration and loss of trust
  • Increase the chance of your listings being flagged or suspended

Having a clean, accurate profile is essential to appear credible and trustworthy online.

How Do I Remove Duplicates from Google Business Listing?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to remove duplicates from Google business listing:

Step 1: Search for Your Business

Go to Google or Google Maps and search your business name. List down all listings that point to your business, especially with similar addresses, names, or phone numbers.

Step 2: Compare the Listings

Check for differences or outdated information such as:

  • Old business name
  • Incorrect phone number
  • Past locations
  • Unverified profiles

Step 3: Claim or Verify the Listing

If the duplicate profile is not claimed, sign in to your Google account and claim it. This gives you control over editing or deleting the profile.

Step 4: Report a Duplicate

  • Open Google Maps and select the duplicate listing
  • Click “Suggest an edit”
  • Choose “Close or remove”
  • Select “Duplicate of another place” and submit your suggestion

Step 5: Contact Google Support (If Needed)

If the duplicate listing still appears after reporting, visit Google Business Support and request assistance directly. You may need to provide business documents.

How to Fix a Duplicate Google Business Profile

If you’re wondering how to fix a duplicate Google Business Profile, here are options depending on the situation:

If You Own Both Listings:

  • Request Google to merge the profiles so your reviews and data remain intact.
  • Ensure both profiles have the same name, address, and category to avoid confusion.

If One Listing Is Outdated:

  • Mark the profile as “Moved” or “Permanently Closed”
  • Include updated information in your primary profile

If You Don’t Own the Duplicate:

  • Suggest edits through Maps or report it
  • Use the “Claim this Business” option if it’s unverified

Fixing duplicates helps consolidate your online presence and makes it easier for customers to find and contact you.

What Can I Do With a Duplicate Google Business Profile?

When you find a duplicate Google Business Profile, your actions will depend on who controls it:

  • If You Own It: Update or delete it from your Google Business dashboard
  • If It’s Auto-Generated by Google: Suggest edits or request support to merge or remove it
  • If It’s Claimed by Someone Else: Request ownership or report it as duplicate

Never leave a duplicate profile unattended—it can mislead customers and compete with your main listing in local search.

How to Prevent Duplicate Listings in the Future

Prevention is better than cure! Here’s how to avoid duplicate listings in Google My Business going forward:

  • Always verify your business listing as soon as it’s created
  • Keep consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone) details across all directories
  • Avoid creating new listings for rebrands or small updates—edit the existing one
  • Check regularly for duplicates using Google Maps and search
  • Only assign listing access to authorized users to avoid multiple profiles

How Duplicate Listings Affect Multi-Location Businesses

If your business operates in more than one location, managing profiles can be tricky. Ensure that:

  • Each location has its own separate, verified profile
  • Address, phone number, and operating hours are location-specific
  • Use bulk verification and profile management tools for easier tracking

Google allows multiple listings for different physical locations but does not tolerate duplicates for the same one.

Do Duplicate Listings Affect Reviews and Ratings?

Absolutely. Reviews can be split across multiple profiles, reducing the total number of reviews your main listing receives. This weakens your social proof and impacts customer decision-making. That’s why it’s important to merge or remove duplicates promptly.

Cleaning up duplicate listings in Google My Business is a crucial step in maintaining a strong local presence. From understanding how to fix a duplicate Google Business Profile to knowing what to do with a duplicate Google Business Profile, every action you take contributes to a more accurate and trusted online identity.

Take time to regularly audit your Google Business listings and report or merge any duplicates you find. Knowing how to remove duplicates from Google business listing isn’t just a technical fix—it’s a business growth strategy.

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