Many business owners feel anxious about sharing their addresses on a public platform like Google, for fear of negative reviews or attracting the wrong clientele.
If this describes how you feel, don’t worry! In just 7 steps, I’ll show you how to delete your address from Google My Business. Although, it’s important to note that hiding your address could do more harm than good.
How to Hide Your Address on GMB Easily
This is a pretty straightforward process. And it won’t take too long.
- Log in to your GMB Profile
This part of the guide assumes you have a GMB profile for your business. Your Google My Business account helps you claim your business online, get it listed on Google Maps, and attract customers.
However, this guide is about hiding your address, so here’s how you can do it.
- Search for the “Info” Tab
Check the left hand side for a couple of options. You will find info just beneath the “Posts” tab.
- Click the Pencil icon to Edit
The pencil icon appears in every editable text field. You need to find the Pencil icon right next to your address listing.
- Select “Clear Address”
Pressing this button will empty the address field. Google says that it will take 3 days for this edit to appear online accurately.
- Apply Changes
Confirm your action by clicking on the Apply button. Google warns that doing so will make it difficult for customers in your service area to find you.
- Confirm that the changes have been made
You can then check the “info” tab again to see whether your address is blank or not.
What Happens When You Delete Your Address on Google My Business
A key factor to contemplate when trying to conceal your business address on Google My Business is if your organization is identified as a Service Area Business or a Hybrid Business. According to Google, If you are classified as service area business, this means: “A type of company that visits or delivers merchandise directly to clients, but does not serve them at the companies’ home base. For example- plumbers or house cleaners would typically be under this category . Service-area businesses may only create one profile for the metropolitan area which they cover .”
Google defines a hybrid business as:
A business that both operates out of a physical storefront and delivers products or services to customers at their home or office. For example, imagine a restaurant that not only has dine-in service but also offers food delivery. Hybrid businesses like this can list their store address on Google, specify the hours when they’re open for walk-in traffic, and set up a designated service area for customer visits or deliveries.
The two business types are entirely different from the physical stores we typically visit. By hiding your business address on Google My Business, prospective customers will see that your organization is a service area or hybrid business.
Keep in mind that If you hide your business address, this could create issues when potential customers tries to find businesses like yours since your profile will still appear but you won’t be visible for the majority of searches. So, it’s important to consider if hiding your address is more beneficial or harmful to your business before taking that step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
Yes, you can hide your business’s address on Google My Business. To do this, go to the Google My Business website and log in to your account. Click on the “Info” tab, then click on the address field and select “Hide this address on the map and search results.”
Why would I want to hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
There may be several reasons why you would want to hide your business’s address on Google My Business, such as:
- Your business does not have a physical location and is only available online
- Your business operates from a location that is not open to the public, such as a home-based business
- Your business operates from a location that is not easily accessible to the general public, such as a warehouse or manufacturing facility.
What are the consequences of hiding my business’s address on Google My Business?
There are several consequences of hiding your business’s address on Google My Business, including:
- Your business may not appear in local search results, as Google’s algorithm uses a business’s address to determine its relevance and ranking in local search results
- Your business may not appear on Google Maps, as Google Maps uses a business’s address to determine its location on the map
- Your business may not be eligible for certain features and services on Google My Business, such as the ability to receive reviews or the ability to set up a booking system
Can I still appear in local search results if I hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
It is possible to appear in local search results even if you hide your business’s address on Google My Business, but it is more difficult. To increase your chances of appearing in local search results, you will need to optimize your Google My Business listing with relevant categories, keywords, and photos, and encourage customers to leave reviews.
Can I still appear on Google Maps if I hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
No, you will not appear on Google Maps if you hide your business’s address on Google My Business. Google Maps uses a business’s address to determine its location on the map, and if your business’s address is hidden, it will not be shown on the map.
Can I still receive reviews if I hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
No, you will not be able to receive reviews if you hide your business’s address on Google My Business. Google My Business uses a business’s address to verify its legitimacy and to enable the review feature, and if your business’s address is hidden, you will not be able to receive reviews.
Can I still set up a booking system if I hide my business’s address on Google My Business?
No, you will not be able to set up a booking system if you hide your business’s address on Google My Business. Google My Business uses a business’s address to verify its legitimacy and to enable the booking feature, and if your business’s address is hidden, you will not be able to set up a booking system.
