How to Gain 'Owner' Access to Your Google Business Profile (GBP)

Contents: 

1. Overview
2. Step 1: Check Your Current Access
3. Step 2: Request Ownership Access
4. Step 3: After You Request Owner Access
   
5. Additional Information:
   Claiming an Unverified GBP
   Transferring Primary Ownership
   Contacting Google Support

Overview 

Each Google Business Profile can have:

• One Primary owner
• Multiple Owners
• Multiple Managers

To connect your profile to SpotHopper, you need to be listed as an Owner. Becoming the Primary owner is recommended, but regular Owner access is enough to complete the connection.

If you are unsure whether you already have access to the GBP or if you are listed as an Owner or Manager, begin with Step 1. If you already know that the profile is managed by someone you cannot identify or contact, go directly to Step 2 to request Owner access.

Step 1: Check Your Current Access

Try the steps below with any Google accounts that may have been used to manage the business.

1. In Chrome, sign in to a Google account that may be connected to the profile.
2. Search for your business on Google. If the Business Profile management panel appears, that account has access. For additional guidance, see Find your business on Google.

3. Click the three-dot Menu.

   
4. Select "Business Profile settings."
   
   

5. Then choose the "People and access" option.
   
   

6. Review the people listed and the role assigned to your account.
   
   

Continue based on what you find:

• Primary owner or Owner: You already have the access needed to connect the GBP to SpotHopper.
• Manager: If you need to become the main owner, ask the current Primary owner to transfer Primary ownership to you. Otherwise, any Owner can change your role from Manager to Owner. If you cannot contact any owner, sign in with a different Google account (that does not have manager access) and continue to Step 2. 
• The management panel does not appear: Repeat the check with any other Google account you may have used. If the panel still does not appear, you likely do not have access. If you do not know the current owner or cannot contact them, continue with the steps below to request Owner access.

Step 2: Request Ownership Access

If you do not have Owner access and cannot get it directly from a current Owner, you can submit an ownership request through Google. Follow the steps below to find the profile, review the available ownership information, and send your request. 

1. Sign in to the Google account you would like to use to manage the profile.
2. Go to Google Business Profile and search for your business.
   
3. Select the correct business and confirm its details.

4. If someone else manages the profile, Google will display Someone else may manage this Business Profile and a Request Access option. A partially hidden owner email may also appear.
   
   

   Continue based on the ownership information shown:

   • The email belongs to you: Sign in with the Google account connected to that email address. If you cannot access the account, use Google Account Recovery.
   • You recognize the owner: Contact them and ask them to transfer primary ownership to you or add your Google account as an Owner.
   • You do not recognize or cannot contact the owner: Continue with the steps below to request ownership access.
   • No email is displayed: If no preview email is visible but the "Request Access" button is still available, continue with the steps below.

   💡See "Manage now" instead? If Google displays a "Manage now" button instead of "Request Access," skip to Claiming an Unverified Profile.

5. To request ownership access, click the "Request Access" button.
   
   
6. Complete the request form:
   
   • Select Ownership as the requested access level.
   • Enter your name and phone number and make sure to use contact information associated with the business.
   • Click the "Submit" button.
   

7. Review the confirmation page and click "Done."
   
   

8. Look for a confirmation email from businessprofile-noreply@google.com. Save it, as you may need it later for verification.
   
   

 ⏳ What happens next? The current owner has three days to respond. Continue to Step 3 to see what to do if the request is approved, denied, or goes unanswered. 

Step 3: After You Request Owner Access

If Your Request Is Approved

Google will send you an approval email and add your Google account to the profile as an Owner. You can then start managing the profile and connect it to SpotHopper.

If Your Request Is Denied

Google will send you a rejection email, and your account will not receive Owner access. Open the email and follow any available instructions to appeal the decision. If no appeal option is provided, contact Google Support for assistance.

If The Owner Does Not Respond

If the current Primary owner does not respond within three days, Google may still allow you to claim and verify the profile yourself. Follow these steps: 

1. Open the confirmation email from businessprofile-noreply@google.com and click the "View request" button.
   
   

2. On the request status page, select Verify if the option appears. 
3. Complete the verification method provided by Google. Google determines which options are available and may offer phone, text, email, live video call, video recording, or postcard verification. In some cases, more than one method may be required. 
4. Once verification is complete, Google will add your account as an Owner.
   
   Note: The option to claim the profile may not be available in every case. If Verify does not appear, contact Google Support.

Additional Information

Claiming an Unverified GBP

A Google Business Profile may already appear on Google Search or Maps even though no owner has verified it. This can happen when someone adds the business to Google Maps but does not complete verification. Since the profile has no verified owner, you can claim it directly without submitting an ownership request.

You can reach the claim page in two ways:

Option 1: Start from Google Business Profile

1. Go to Google's Find and manage your business page. 
2. Search for the business and select the correct listing. 

Option 2: Start from the Public Business Listing

1. Find and open the business listing.
2. If using Google Search, select Own this business? If using Google Maps, select the Claim this business option.

Both options will take you to the same page. Select Manage now to continue.

Google will then give you the option to Verify the profile. Selecting it will begin the Google verification process.

After you complete the verification steps, Google will review the information provided. This typically takes up to five business days, although it may take longer in rare cases. Once the business is verified, Google will send you a confirmation email. 

Transferring Primary Ownership

Only the current Primary owner can transfer Primary ownership, and it can only be transferred to someone already listed as an Owner or Manager.

• If you do not have access, the Primary owner must first add you to the profile.
• Once you have access, the Primary owner can transfer Primary ownership.

Contacting Google Support

If you cannot gain access, claim the profile, or complete verification:

1. Go to Google Business Profile Support.
2. Follow the prompts to outline your issue, then continue until you reach Step 3: Contact options. 
   
   
3. Choose your preferred contact option - Chat is recommended. Google will then ask you to provide details about the business and the issue.

💡 When describing your issue: Clearly state that you need Ownership access, what steps you have already completed, and what is preventing you from continuing, such as a denied request or a missing Verify option.