Have you found your business unexpectedly caught up in a couple of Google Maps duplicates?
Whether in Google Maps or Google Search, you’re not the only business owner who has experienced the trouble of a duplicate Google Business Profile (GBP).
This technical difficulty can be confusing not only for you, but also for potential customers. Thankfully, it’s easier to fix than you may think.
In this 2026 guide, we’ll explore why a duplicate Google Business listing can hurt your business, how to identify one, and how to fix and merge profiles with ease.
Why Duplicate Google Business Listings Matter
First, what is a duplicate Google Business Profile (GBP), and why does it matter?
A duplicate Google Business Profile is exactly what it sounds like: a single business that has more than one business profile listed on Google.
This error can confuse customers, undermine your business’s credibility, and violate Google’s guidelines on accurate representation. And if Google recognizes a profile as a duplicate, it may stop showing your business to users altogether.
So how do you know what to look for?
How to Identify Duplicate Listings
Google explains that there are a few reasons your Google Business Profile may be marked as a duplicate:
- Existing verified profile: A separate verified Google profile exists for the same business.
- Same address: The same profiles share an address.
- Different services: The same profiles share a business, but offer differing services.
Once you identify the duplicate Google listing, we can move on to the main reasons your business was identified as a duplicate.
Common Causes of Duplicate Google Business Profiles
You wouldn’t be alone in experiencing the duplicate Google Business Profile problem. But the good news is that we know what tends to cause duplicates.
Some of the most common causes of duplicate listings include moving locations, verification issues, or changes to business information.
In some cases, you or someone else may have accidentally created a separate Google Business Profile.
Understanding the reasons behind your duplicates can help you prevent them from recurring.
5 Steps to Fix Duplicate Google Business Profiles
Finally, the most important part of this process will be actually fixing your duplicate Google Business Profile. Here’s how:
1. Identify the Duplicate Profile
This should be easy now that you’re familiar with how the duplicate problem looks.
Search for your business on Google Maps and Google search, identify each duplicate, and decide which profile is the most accurate to keep as the main one.
2. Request Ownership of the Duplicate Profile
If you haven’t already claimed ownership of the Google Business Profile in question, you’ll need to request ownership.
Requesting ownership of your GBP is simple:
- Go to business.google.com/create.
- Type in the name of your business and its address.
- Choose your business from the list.
- Click “claim this business” and request access.
If another owner of the Google Business profile exists, they will be notified and asked to contact you. You’ll receive an email confirmation, and both parties will be responsible for resolving the issue.
3. Merge or Delete the Duplicate Google Business Profile
Next, you’ll have to decide whether or not to merge the duplicates or delete them.
How do you know which is best? Well, to successfully merge Google Business Profiles without losing data, consider that they should have the same:
- Business name
- Address
- Business details
Assuming all of this information overlaps and is accurate, merging your Google Business listing duplicates is often the best choice. This way, you can consolidate your local ratings and reviews into one profile.
Otherwise, press “Remove” on the duplicate from your Google Business dashboard.
4. Merge Listings Without Losing Data
If you do intend to merge your Google Business Profile listings and you qualify, here’s how to merge those duplicates without issue:
- Log in to your Google account.
- Open the listing you wish to merge.
- Click the three-dot menu in the top right and select “Business Profile Settings”.
- Click “Advanced settings”.
- Copy the Business Profile ID listed at the top.
- Open Google Support at the Help Centre.
- Input “Merge duplicate Business Profiles” and follow the prompts.
- Provide the Business Profile IDs when prompted and request a merge.
Going through these steps thoroughly ensures that Google has the right information for merging profiles without data loss. Be patient as Google reviews your request in the meantime.
Note: adding the profile IDs is the most secure way to guarantee that all information is merged properly. But some users have also reported that not all review responses will transfer, so be prepared to reply once more if necessary.
5. Prevent Future Duplicates
Mistakes are bound to happen with technology and the digital space. Most issues, like this one, can always be fixed.
But you can best prevent this issue from recurring by consistently providing accurate business information, choosing the correct business categories, and following Google’s content guidelines.
Just make sure to monitor your Business Profile regularly and update it frequently to uphold your online credibility and reputation.
Keep Your Google Business Profiles Clean
Ultimately, maintaining your Google Business Profile isn’t just about this singular factor.
Duplicates can be a problem, but they aren’t the only thing that contributes to your business’s credibility, customer trust, and local SEO.
Make sure you also take routine steps to maintain the quality of your GBP, such as responding to user feedback and updating business details as things change.
This way, it’s easier to merge Google Business Profile duplicates should the problem arise again. Plus, it’s the best way to ensure your business’s online reputation is pristine!