Multiple Business Listings on Google My Business: How to Manage Them Effectively

It is indeed possible to have multiple business listings on Google My Business (now known as Google Business Profile) even if they share the same address. However, there are specific guidelines you need to follow to ensure compliance and effective management. This article will explore the process and key considerations for managing multiple business listings at the same address.

Distinct Businesses Requirement

Each business listing on Google My Business must be a distinct entity, offering unique services or products. For example, if you have a coffee shop and a bakery at the same location, you can list both as distinct businesses if they operate as separate entities. This means that:

The coffee shop and the bakery should have different business names. Each should have a unique address within the same location. Each should have its own phone number to avoid any confusion.

Verification and Compliance

While you can manage multiple listings, each business will need to go through the verification process separately. Additionally, all listings must comply with Google’s guidelines. Each profile should accurately represent the business and should not be misleading in any way. This means:

The business description and contact information should be unique for each listing. Each listing must have a unique name, reflecting the specific services it provides. Ensure that the service area is clearly defined and differentiates each business’s operations.

Legally Distinct Businesses

To have more than one listing on Google My Business, you must be operating legally distinct businesses. The businesses must have different legal entities, such as separate legal ownership, licenses, and permits. Here are some points to consider:

Creating a New Business Group

Log in to Google My Business.

At the top left, click Create group.

Name your group and click Create.

Start adding locations for each business in the group.

It's important to note that the number of business profiles you can own is determined by when your profiles were created:

Profiles created before October 2017: You can own up to a maximum of 100 business profiles, including Google brand pages and YouTube channels. Profiles created on or after October 2017: You can own any number of business profiles.

Managed Accounts

Google allows you to manage multiple business profiles within a managed account. This is particularly useful for business owners who operate several businesses at the same location. Managed accounts offer several benefits, including:

Centralized management of business data and insights. Consistent brand representation through shared branding elements. Efficiently managing multiple listings to ensure compliance and accuracy.

Temporary Office Services

In some cases, temporary office services operate from a single address where multiple businesses are registered. These companies often share an office space but operate as distinct legal entities. If you are a temporary office service provider, you can still manage multiple business listings on Google My Business by ensuring each business meets the distinct entity requirement.

Conclusion

While it is possible to have multiple business listings on Google My Business at the same address, it is crucial to maintain clear distinctions between each business’s operations and comply with all relevant guidelines. By doing so, you can effectively manage multiple listings and improve your online visibility and reputation.