Short answer: Google pulls business information from many places, accepts suggested edits from the public, and sometimes updates details automatically. If your listing shows wrong information, log in, correct it, and then fix the source, usually an old directory listing or your own website.
You set up your profile correctly, then one day the hours are wrong or an old phone number appears. You did not change it. So who did?
Why it happens
- Suggested edits: anyone can suggest a change to a business listing, and Google may accept it.
- Automatic updates: Google sometimes updates details based on information it finds elsewhere on the web.
- Old listings: an outdated directory, a past website, or an old Facebook page still shows the old details.
- Duplicates: a second listing for your business, sometimes created years ago, has different information.
How to fix it
- Log in to your Google Business Profile and look for notices about updates from Google.
- Review and reject incorrect changes, then edit the field back to the correct information.
- Save, and check again in a day or two to make sure the change stuck.
If you cannot log in because a past employee or agency owns the profile, request ownership through Google’s ownership request process.
Fix the source, not just the listing
If you only fix the profile, the wrong information often comes back. Find where it is coming from:
- Search for your old phone number and old address in Google.
- Update major directories like Yelp, Bing Places, Apple Business Connect, Facebook, the BBB, and Angi.
- Make sure your website shows the same name, phone, and hours as your profile.
Duplicate listings
If you find two listings for your business, do not just ignore the second one. It can confuse Google and split your reviews. Use the option to report it as a duplicate, or contact Google Business Profile support to merge or remove it.
How to stop it from happening again
- Check your profile once a month, especially hours and phone number.
- Turn on email notifications for your profile so you hear about changes.
- Keep your details identical everywhere online.
- Update holiday hours ahead of time, so Google does not guess.
When to contact Google support
Most issues you can fix yourself. Contact Google Business Profile support when:
- Your correct edits keep getting reverted.
- Your profile is suspended or disappeared.
- You cannot get ownership back from a past owner, employee, or agency.
- A duplicate listing will not go away after you report it.
Keep screenshots of your correct information and any documents that prove your business details, like a utility bill or business license. They speed up the process.
Why it matters
Wrong hours send customers away. A wrong phone number sends them to nobody. And inconsistent information makes Google less confident about your business, which can affect how often you show up.
For a full list of what your profile should contain, see what information to put on your Google Business Page.
Related reading
- What Information Should I Put on My Google Business Page?
- How to Optimize Your Google Business Profile for More Calls
- How to Make Sure My Contractor Business Shows in Google Maps
Seeing wrong details you cannot fix? Tell us what is wrong. We will track down where it is coming from and clean up your listings across the web.
Written by
Mardochee Carries
Managing Director | Brandcastl
Mardochee leads Brandcastl, a Worcester, MA marketing agency that helps local businesses get found on Google and turn searches into booked jobs.
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