Should you delete your Google Business Profile and start over?
Usually not. Google's page on removing a Business Profile says the posts, photos and review replies of its owners and managers are permanently removed, while customer reviews remain and the business might still show on Search and Maps. Removal fits a copy you created by mistake. For a closure, a sale, a move or a suspension, Google's pages point to a better route, and a fresh profile for the same business can end up treated as a duplicate.
What removing it does, and does not do
Google's removal page says only primary owners can remove a profile, and that removal is permanent for every owner and manager. Posts, photos, videos and review replies by owners and managers go for good, while customer reviews stay, as the related answer on whether you can turn off Google reviews explains.
Nor does removal take the business off Google. Google says it might still show on Search and Maps unless it is considered ineligible, and that managing it again means verifying it again. Taking a listing off Maps is a separate request, which Google describes for a business that never existed or is not eligible. As general advice, deleting usually leaves an unmanaged listing with the old reviews and none of your replies.
The better fix for each usual reason
Google's pages offer a better fix for most reasons:
| Why you want to start over | What Google's pages point to |
|---|---|
| The business closed for good | Mark it permanently closed under Edit profile, then Hours; Google says the profile may still appear for people who search for it, clearly shown as closed |
| You sold it or are handing it over | Add the new owner to the profile, then transfer primary ownership to them, which Google says keeps business info such as reviews |
| You no longer want to manage it | Remove your own account; Google says this does not affect the profile's content or its other owners and managers |
| You moved | Edit the profile you have: Google says not to create a new profile because of a change in location or ownership |
| The profile was suspended | Fix what broke the guidelines and appeal; Google says not to create a new profile for the same business |
When removal is the right call
The clear case is a copy you created yourself; the related answer on duplicate Google listings covers what counts as one and how its owner removes it.
The other is a business that is not eligible at all; the related answer on whether an online-only business can have a Google Business Profile covers who qualifies. Otherwise, fixing the profile you have usually keeps its reviews, verification and history in one place.
Why a fresh start usually backfires
A new profile for the same business is a duplicate in Google's eyes and will not show; the related answers on why a Google Business Profile gets suspended and on changing your business name or address cover the appeal and the move, including how reviews follow a verified move.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help, "Remove a Business Profile from your Google Account"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Request removal of a Business Profile from Google Search & Maps"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Mark your business as closed"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Move your reviews across Business Profiles"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Fix suspended or disabled profiles"
- Google Business Profile Help, "Resolve duplicate profiles & ownership issues"
Related answers
- Can you turn off Google reviews for your business?
- What should you do about duplicate Google listings or a second Google profile for your business?
- Why was my Google Business Profile suspended, and how do I get it back?
- How do you change your business name or address on Google without losing your reviews?
- Can an online-only business have a Google Business Profile?
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