Here are the topics that are covered in this article.

1. Search the Business on Google maps & GMB account
2. Request ownership of an existing duplicate business listing
3. Create a new GoogleMyBusiness listing
4. Verify your Google MyBusiness listing
5. Claim your existing business - That has not been claimed by anyone yet.

Search the Business on Google Maps & GMB account

Before adding a location to the account, one has to be sure that there is no GMB listing previously available in Google. You can search by Business Name, Address, Pin code, and Contact number to avoid duplication by any aspect.

There are two ways to locate a listing that is already present on Google.

1. Search the Business on Google Maps
2. Search the Business on GMB account

Requesting ownership of a Duplicate Listing

If a Business Profile/Listing on Google has already been verified and you're authorized to manage the profile, you can request ownership from the current profile owner. If you try to access a claimed chain Business Profile, you can also verify as a site manager.

What to do after you've requested ownership

Once you've requested ownership, the current profile owner will have 3-7 days to respond. You can check the status of your request by signing in to Google My Business or clicking the link in your confirmation email.

If your request is approved: You'll be notified by email and will be able to manage the Business Profile in Google My Business.

• If your request is denied: You'll be notified by email, and you can still suggest an edit to the profile. Also, you might be able to appeal the denied request.
• If you don't hear back: If you don't get a response after 3-7 days, you might have the option to claim the profile yourself. Sign in to Google My Business, and look for a "Claim" or "Verify" button on your GMB dashboard.
• If you don't see an option to claim the profile, that means you're not able to transfer the profile.

Create a new GoogleMyBusiness listing

1. On your computer, sign in to Google My Business.
2. Sign in to your Google Account or create one. Then, click Next.
3. Sign up with your business email domain since this account will be for your chain.
4. Select Add new Location and Enter the name of your Business or chain. You can also select your chain from the suggestions that appear as you type (if applicable).

5. Enter your business' address. You may also be asked to position a marker on the location of your chain's branch on a map. If your business doesn't have a physical location but works in a service area, you can list the area instead. Then, click Next.
6. Choose if you want your business location to appear on Google Maps.

If you serve customers at your business address:

1. Enter your business address.
2. Click Next.

Note: If you also serve customers outside your business address, you'll have the option to list your service areas as well.

If you don't serve customers at your business address:

1. Enter your business address.
2. At the bottom, click I deliver goods and services to my customers Next.
3. List your service areas, then click Next.

7. Search and select a business category. You can also choose a more specific category as appropriate. Then, click Next.

8. Enter a phone number or website URL for your Business, and Click on Finish and Manage this listing after the above is completed.

Verify your business

Make sure your business information is accurate and that only you, the business owner or manager, have access to it by verifying your business. Most local businesses verify by mail. Some businesses, like service area businesses, have other verification options like verification by email or phone.

Before starting the verification process, claim a Google My Business listing. You may see one or several verification types depending on the kind of business listing you manage:

1. Verify Business listing by Mail
2. Verify a business listing by phone (available for select businesses)
3. Verify a business listing by email (available for select businesses)
4. Bulk verification (available for businesses with 10+ locations)

Learn more about the verification process in our GMB verification article.

Note: You can't update your business name until you've completed the verification process.

Add a Claim for an existing business listing.

Why do you need to claim your Business?

You should claim/own your business listing on Google My Business and make sure that your business information, as displayed on Google products and services, is always up to date and accurate.

How to claim your Business(Single Location)?

1. On your computer, open Google Maps.
2. In the search bar, enter the business name.
3. Click the business name and choose the correct one.
4. Click Claim this business   Manage now.

5. To choose a different business, click I own or manage another business.
6. Select a verification option, and follow the on-screen steps.

To claim your Business(Multi-Location Business)

Note: due to the nature of the internal processes of Google My Business we cannot claim or verify businesses on someone’s behalf.

Mandatory information without which bulk verification cannot be completed:

• We need the Business email id, that is hosted at the primary domain as the main website.
• We need all the Locations data including office locations and practitioner listings for all eligible businesses.
• We need the GMB bulk sheet completed with location data & images for each location.
• All eligible businesses and practitioners should be available on the website. They can be available in their store locator, store/practitioner specific landing pages, or if that is not possible create ONE page with a listing of all locations/practitioners that includes complete NAP in the same format that is being submitted for bulk verification. This is a good time to rebrand any new locations that have been acquired but not rebranded. (The GMB team will not search through the information one by one, the client, or we will need to provide them individual URLs for each business location/practitioner). GMB team will NOT proceed without this.
• At least 10-11 locations should be added to the GMB account while making the bulk verification request. Bulk uploads usually fail so they need to be added manually.
• Name, Official Email, Title & Phone # for the SPOC at the business for communication during the process.
• Understanding that Synup does not own Google and cannot bypass their internal processes or data requirements.