Edit the Location field in your Business Profile, either through Google Search or the Google Maps app, and save the change. Google may ask you to re-verify the business after an address edit, so your update can sit as "pending" while Google reviews it. Sensitive fields like address often trigger re-verification, so plan for a short wait.
TL;DR:
- Use the pin when Google cannot locate a real entrance; never use an approximate address, and hide it if customers are not served there.
- Businesses that do not serve customers at their address should hide it and list up to 20 service areas; businesses customers visit can display both.
- Postcard codes expire after 30 days, and changing the address after requesting one can invalidate it, so finalize the address before starting verification.
- Update the existing profile after a move rather than creating another; reviews often transfer automatically, while duplicates or missing reviews require contacting Google.
Table of Contents
- How do you change your address on desktop and in the Maps app?
- Why is my address change pending, and how do you fix errors?
- Should you show your address or hide it?
- What happens to your reviews and duplicate profiles after a move?
- What should you do before editing your address?
- Why does accurate address data matter so much?
- Want us to handle your address update and verification?
- FAQ
- Sources
How do you change your address on desktop and in the Maps app?
You need to be signed in to the Google Account that manages the profile. Google requires that account before you can edit details like your address, and some businesses must verify before making changes. Menu names can differ slightly between Search and Maps and across devices, so follow the closest match on your screen.
Desktop steps (Google Search)
- Sign in to the Google Account that owns or manages your Business Profile.
- Search for your business name on Google, or search "my business." Your profile controls should appear at the top of the results.
- Select Edit profile.
- Choose the Location tab or section.
- Select the edit option next to your address.
- Type the new street address, or move the pin on the map if Google can't find it.
- Click Save, then check whether the change shows as pending.
Mobile steps (Google Maps app)
- Open the Google Maps app while signed in to the right account.
- Tap Business at the bottom right of the screen.
- Tap Edit profile.
- Tap Location.
- Edit the address, or adjust the pin on the map.
- Tap Save.
Google's address documentation confirms the same path: Edit profile, then Location, then Edit. It also confirms that the mobile Maps app supports editing.
When to use the pin instead of typing
Some addresses confuse Google's system. A new industrial park, a rural road or a building with no clear street number can trigger validation errors. In those cases, enter what you can, then drag the pin to the exact spot of your entrance or storefront and save. The pin helps indicate the location on the map.
Do not enter an approximate address just to get past a warning. If you don't see customers at your location, Google's guidelines say to remove the address and use service areas instead, and fake or partial addresses can lead to ranking penalties or suspension. The pin is for a real location that is hard to map, not a workaround for a missing one.
Formatting tips to reduce warnings
- Use the full street address with the street number, street name and city.
- Put suite, unit or floor numbers in Address Line 2, not at the end of line one.
- Use the standard postal abbreviations for your area and your correct ZIP code.
- Match the way your address appears on your website, so Google sees the same details everywhere.
- Skip descriptions like "next to the post office" in the address fields. Those belong in your business description, if anywhere.
If you want a second set of eyes on what else might be off in your profile after the edit, our Google Business Profile audit guide for home services covers the fixes worth prioritizing.
Why is my address change pending, and how do you fix errors?
An address change may remain pending while Google reviews it. Google treats an address as a sensitive field, and verification is tied to its trust in your business identity. After you save, expect a stretch where the old address may still show while Google checks the new one.
How verification works
Google's verification help explains that you may receive a postcard with a code by mail, and that verification options depend on your business type and region. Postcard codes expire after 30 days, and editing the address can invalidate a code that was already sent. That second point catches many owners: if you request a postcard and then tweak the address, the card in the mail may no longer work.
Verification methods you may see include:
- Postcard: a code mailed to the address you entered.
- Phone or text: offered only to some businesses and regions.
- Video: you record a short walkthrough showing your location, signage and equipment.
Our video verification checklist for service businesses walks through what to film so the reviewer can confirm you operate where you say you do.
Common address errors and quick fixes
- Google rejects the address: enter the complete street address and move the pin to the entrance.
- Suite number gets dropped: put it in Address Line 2.
- You used a P.O. box or a mailbox rental: those are not allowed. Google's representation guidelines say virtual offices and mailbox rental locations are not eligible.
- The edit never goes live: wait through the review period, then check for a verification prompt in your profile.
- You edited the address twice after requesting a postcard: request a new code, since the old one may be invalid.
Pro Tip: Make one clean edit with the final, correct address before you request verification. Changing the address mid-process may invalidate a code that has already been sent.
If verification fails
First, double-check that the address is a real, staffed location with signage if customers visit you. Then retry with the verification option Google offers, and if video is available, use it. If you keep hitting a wall after clean attempts, contact Google Business Profile support through the help center and be ready to show proof such as a lease, a utility bill or photos of your signage.
Should you show your address or hide it?
The answer depends on how you serve customers, and getting it wrong may put your profile at risk of suspension.
Google's guidelines say that if you do not serve customers at your physical address, you should remove the address from the Business Profile and show only the areas you cover. A service-area business is limited to one profile for its central location, with service areas defined by cities, ZIP codes or other regional markers.
- Mobile or home-visit businesses (plumbers, HVAC technicians, roofers, mobile detailers): hide the address and list service areas.
- Storefronts and offices where customers come to you: show your address, and add service areas too if you also travel to customers.
- Hybrid businesses: enter both the address and the service areas.
- Virtual offices and mailbox services: not eligible for an address on your profile.
How to hide your address and set service areas
To hide the address, open your profile, go to Edit profile, then Location, and turn off the option to show your business address to customers. Then open the service areas section. Google lets you add up to 20 service areas by city, postal code or other regional markers, and you can remove them later. Pick the areas you realistically serve, starting with the ones closest to your base.
What happens to your reviews and duplicate profiles after a move?
Do not create a new Business Profile when you relocate. Google advises updating the existing profile with the new address so your reviews transfer automatically in many cases. A new profile leaves you with a blank review history and possibly a duplicate listing competing with your own.
If you already created a second profile, or your reviews didn't follow you, Google's review transfer help says to contact Google. Escalate when:
- A duplicate profile exists at your old or new address.
- Reviews are missing several weeks after the update goes live.
- The old address still appears on a listing you can't control.
After the update goes live, verify these items:
- Your name, address and phone number match exactly across your website, social profiles and directories.
- The footer, contact page and schema markup on your website show the new address.
- Photos of your new signage and storefront have been uploaded.
- Old directory listings have been corrected or removed.
Our Google Business Profile optimization plan covers what to prioritize in the weeks after a move.
What should you do before editing your address?
A little preparation may help you avoid verification headaches.
- Check your paperwork. Confirm that your business license and other official records reflect the new address where required.
- Update your own channels first. Change your website, social profiles and major directory listings so Google sees the same address wherever it looks. Consistency reduces conflicts when the reviewer compares sources.
- Prepare proof. Keep photos of your signage and a copy of your lease or utility bill handy in case Google asks for it or you need video verification.
- Confirm access. Make sure you can sign in to the Google Account that manages the profile, and that someone can receive mail at the new address if a postcard is sent.
- Plan your timing. If you can, edit the address close to your actual move date, so customers are not sent to a closed location or an empty building.
- Set up tracking. A local SEO audit checklist from Maprank shows how to monitor Google Maps visibility, which helps you see whether rankings shift after the change.
Why does accurate address data matter so much?
In my view, most owners treat the address as a one-time field and then forget it, and that's where the trouble starts. When Google can't confidently match your address to your website and your directory listings, your profile can lose visibility just when customers are searching nearby. Customers feel it too: a wrong pin or an old address sends them to the wrong place, and they rarely give you a second chance.
The same logic applies to hiding an address. If you work out of a home or a truck, showing an address you don't staff invites suspensions, and hiding it correctly protects you. We typically recommend managed help for complex moves, repeated verification failures or duplicate profiles, because those problems compound when you fix them piecemeal.
— John
Want us to handle your address update and verification?
If you'd rather not chase postcards, pending edits and mismatched listings yourself, we handle it for you. Our team manages the full Google Business Profile process, including verification support, citation cleanup, review management and tracking how your local visibility holds up after the move. We focus on local service businesses like HVAC, home services, automotive, health and wellness and professional firms, so your profile gets hands-on attention rather than another tool to learn.
Managed help makes the most sense when you're short on time, you've failed verification more than once, or you're moving several locations at once. Tell us where your profile stands and we'll take it from there: start with our Google Business Profile setup and verification help.
FAQ
How do I update my business address on Google?
Sign in to the Google Account that manages your profile, open Edit profile, choose Location and edit the address, then save. You can do the same from the Maps app by tapping Business, then Edit profile. Google may ask you to re-verify before the change goes live.
Why does my address show as pending?
Address is a sensitive field, so Google often reviews it before publishing the change. Edits to sensitive fields can remain pending while Google verifies your business. Complete any verification prompt in your profile to move things along.
Can I keep my reviews if I move?
In many cases, yes. Update your existing profile instead of creating a new one, and Google can transfer your reviews automatically. If a duplicate profile exists or reviews don't follow, contact Google support.
Should I hide my address if I travel to customers?
If you don't serve customers at your physical address, remove it and list service areas instead. Google allows up to 20 service areas by city, postal code or other regional markers. If customers also visit your location, show both.