Google Business Profile hacked: how to get it back

Signs your profile has been taken over

• You can no longer see the profile in your account, or you have lost owner access
• A new user you do not recognise has been added
• Your phone number, website or business name has changed
• Customers tell you they called and reached someone else
• Your calls from Google suddenly stop

Step 1: Secure your Google account

If your own Google account was compromised, fix that first, or anything else you do can be undone.

1. Change the password of the Google account that owns the profile.
2. Turn on two step verification.
3. Check the account's recent security activity and sign out of any devices you do not recognise.
4. Check the recovery email and phone number have not been changed.

If you cannot get into the account at all, use Google's account recovery process.

Step 2: Take back ownership

Google limits what a new owner or manager can do for their first 7 days: they cannot remove other owners or managers, transfer primary ownership or delete the profile. That gives you a window, so act quickly.

If someone else is now the owner of your profile, request ownership through Google. Our guide on what to do when someone else owns your profile walks through it. Contact Google Business Profile support at the same time. Tell them the profile was taken over without permission, list what was changed and when you noticed, and be ready to prove the business is yours.

Step 3: Remove unknown users

Once you have access, open the people and access settings in your Business Profile and remove everyone you do not recognise. Make yourself the primary owner.

Step 4: Put your details back

Check and correct everything: business name, phone number, website, address or service area, hours, categories, services, description and photos. Look at recent posts and review replies too, in case anything was published under your name.

Step 5: Tell your customers if needed

If calls were going to another number, think about who may have been affected. Recent customers who did not hear back may need a call or message from you.

How to stop it happening again

• Own your profile with a business Google account, protected with two step verification.
• Keep the list of users short. Give staff and agencies manager access, never owner.
• Remove access as soon as someone leaves your business or stops working for you.
• Keep notifications on so you hear about new users and changes immediately.
• Check your profile once a month, especially the phone number and website.

Watching for unexpected changes is part of our Google Business Profile management. We check client profiles every week and flag anything that changes without a reason.

Questions owners ask

Why would anyone hijack a business profile?

Usually to steal calls. Changing the phone number on a well ranked plumbing or locksmith profile sends real customers to someone else. Sometimes it is a disgruntled former employee or a scam selling fake services.

Can a hacked profile get suspended?

Yes. Sudden changes to the name, phone number or website can look suspicious to Google, and the profile may be suspended. If that happens, explain in your appeal that the profile was taken over and the changes were not yours.

How do I know if someone changed my details?

Check your profile regularly, and keep notifications switched on for the account that owns it. Google emails owners when users are added or important details change.