Published by the Zolyp team ·
How do you check whether your profile is claimed?
Google says unclaimed locations are more vulnerable to hijacking. To check one on a computer:
- Search for your business name on Google.
- Look at the business panel. If it shows Own this business? or Claim this business, it may be unclaimed.
- Click Own this business? If you see Someone else may manage this Business Profile, it's already claimed. If you see Manage this business to reply to reviews, update info and more, it isn't.
- On Google Maps, Claim this business on the About tab also means it isn't claimed.
- If someone else has claimed your business, request ownership rather than creating a new profile.
Source: Google Business Profile Help: Help protect your Google Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026
How do you limit who can change your profile?
- Give access only to owners and managers who need it. Owners can edit the profile and transfer ownership, so add them with extra care.
- Remove former employees.
- Use an email alias for managers.
- Don't approve emailed requests to become an owner or manager unless you know the person.
- Turn on 2-Step Verification and use a strong password on the Google Account.
Source: Google Business Profile Help: Help protect your Google Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026
How do you tell a real Google call or text from a scam?
Google does call businesses, mostly with automated calls to check details, book appointments or confirm prices and availability. A real call says it's from Google and why.
| Google does | Google doesn't |
|---|---|
| Call from designated numbers, sometimes with a human operator | Ask for payment information over the phone or promise a special spot |
| Say the call is from Google and explain why | Ask you to sign up for a service, pay or give personal information |
| Message from a verified WhatsApp account named Google Maps (or Google Maps plus your country), or an RCS sender named Google with a blue tick | Ask for a one-time password or PIN |
| Stop calling if you ask it to on the call | Charge to verify, keep or reinstate a profile |
Sources: Google Business Profile Help: Help protect against fraudulent calls and texts, checked 15 October 2026; Google Business Profile Help: Help protect your Google Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026; Google Business Profile Help: About automated calls and texts from Google to your business, checked 15 October 2026
What should you do with a suspicious call or text?
- If a caller claims to be from Google and seems suspicious, hang up. Don't press any buttons, even if a recording tells you to.
- Don't click links in an unexpected text. Contact the company through a number or website you already trust.
- Report the message as spam in your messaging app.
- Tell Google about calls pretending to be from Google using the webform on its fraudulent calls help page, with the caller's company and contact details and any follow-up emails.
- In the US, Google also points to the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov or 1-888-382-1222) and ReportFraud.ftc.gov, and says you can forward scam texts to 7726.
Source: Google Business Profile Help: Help protect against fraudulent calls and texts, checked 15 October 2026
What can an agency managing your profile do?
Google's third-party policies set rules for agencies, booking providers and others who manage profiles for businesses:
- You must keep ownership or co-ownership of your profile at all times. Google recommends agencies are added as managers.
- If you end the relationship, the agency must give you back exclusive control within 7 business days.
- An agency that charges a fee must tell you Business Profile is provided at no extra cost.
- Agencies can't claim to be Google, guarantee top placement or claim your profile without your consent.
- Holding a profile hostage for money, threats and phishing are banned. Report a violation through Google's third-party policy page.
Sources: Google Business Profile Help: Business Profile third-party policies, checked 15 October 2026; Google Business Profile Help: Help protect your Google Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026
What if you've already lost access?
Check these:
- Someone else claimed the profile. Use Google's request ownership process.
- An agency won't hand it back. Report a third-party policy violation; agencies must return control within 7 business days of notice.
- Fake reviews arrived with a demand for money. Use Google's review extortion report form.
- The profile was suspended. Follow Google's appeal process rather than making a new profile.
Sources: Google Business Profile Help: Business Profile third-party policies, checked 15 October 2026; Google Business Profile Help: Help protect your Google Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026; Google Business Profile Help: Report negative review extortion scams on your Business Profile, checked 15 October 2026
Once the profile is safe
Disclosure: this is our product. Zolyp doesn't monitor profile access or calls. It writes and designs Google Business updates and events in your brand's style and publishes them to your connected profile once you approve. There's a 3-day free trial, no card required.
Common questions
Does Google call businesses about their Business Profile?
Yes. Google uses automated calls to check business details, book appointments and confirm prices. Real calls say they're from Google and never ask for payment.
Does Google charge to verify or keep a Business Profile?
No. Google says it never asks you to pay to maintain, verify or reinstate a profile.
How do I know if my Google Business Profile has been claimed?
Search your business, click Own this business? and read the message. Someone else may manage this Business Profile means it's claimed.
Should my agency be an owner or a manager?
Google's third-party policies say clients should keep ownership, and an agency should be invited as a manager.
How do I report a fake Google caller?
Hang up, then use the webform on Google's fraudulent calls help page. In the US you can also report to the FTC.