Always make sure to use the same names and categories for all of your establishments. This will allow customers to identify them more quickly on Google Maps and in search results.
All establishments must use the same name, unless it constantly varies from one establishment to another in reality. If they offer the same service, they must also use the same category.
Name consistency
All establishments located in the same country must use the same name, but there are two exceptions to this rule:
- If you operate multiple types of establishments (sub-brands, multiple departments within a company , or different types of business, such as retail and wholesale), each of them can use a separate name, provided that it is applied to all addresses of this establishment.
- If some of your establishments constantly use a different name on their storefront, website or materials, they can use it.
Consistency of categories
You must use the same category for all addresses in your establishment, choosing the one most suited to your type of activity. If you operate multiple types of establishments (sub-brands, multiple departments within a company, or different types of business, such as a retail store, distribution center, and office), this rule does not only applies to each of these subgroups.
Representation of several brands in the same establishment
If your establishment represents several brands, do not combine them in the same file. Instead, choose one of them for your file. If the brands are not associated, you can create a separate file for each of them within an establishment.
If your business sells the products or services of another brand, use only the name of your business, excluding that of the brand sold since it cannot be the subject of a listing for this establishment.
However, if you are an authorized reseller (sometimes called a “franchisee”) of the brand whose products or services you exclusively distribute, you can use the name of the underlying brand when you create your establishment listing.
Redesign of the brand image
If you slightly change the name of your business listing, you may be eligible for rebranding. In other words, you can change your name without having to create another file . This only applies if you have not changed the services and proper names described in your company name or your business category.
If you have multiple establishments and your business name changes, you may also be eligible for rebranding.
If your business meets the rebranding criteria above, you will be able to update its name when you edit its information.
If your establishment changes its name, but does not meet the criteria above, it is considered a new establishment. You must mark the existing establishment card as closed, then create another one with the new name of your establishment. Learn how to mark a record as closed.
If you have any issues with the rebranding, please contact our team or a Google Support member. You can also ask your questions and get expert answers through the Google My Business community.
Tip: To become the owner of a business listing, you must first ask the previous owner to add you as an owner and transfer ownership to you.
Services within a company, university or institution
You can create business listings on Google to display services offered to businesses , universities, hospitals and government institutions. Please note that car dealerships and healthcare providers are subject to separate specific guidelines.
Departments that can accommodate customers and are separate entities of the business should use their own page. The exact name of each department must be different from that of the main establishment and its other departments. Typically, these services have their own entrance to greet customers and must use separate categories. Their opening hours are sometimes different from those of the main establishment.
For each service, the category that best describes its type of activity must be different from that of the main establishment and its other services.
Independent professionals
An independent professional is a specialist who can welcome the public (generally, their own clients). Doctors, dentists, lawyers, financial advisors, insurers and real estate agents can all be independent professionals. Their establishment records may include a professional title or diploma such as doctor, professor, master, etc.
An independent professional must create his own establishment file if he:
- Is in contact with customers. However, administrative staff members should not create their own records.
- Can be reached directly at the validated address, during the opening hours indicated.
Professionals should not create multiple establishment records in order to reflect each of their specialties.
Professional offices
If the professional is part of a firm bringing together several specialists who welcome clients:
- He must create his own establishment file and the firm must create its own.
- The title of the professional's establishment file must only include the name of the professional and not that of the firm.
Professionals practicing alone and representing a brand
If the professional is the only one welcoming customers at this address and if he represents a brand, we recommend that he share an establishment file with the company.
He must create a single file in the following format: [brand/company]: [name of professional].
Illegal activities
Fraudulent or illegal activities are prohibited on Google. They may result in account suspension and removal of business information from search results.
Promotions, marketing actions, games and competitions or any other offer must be clearly associated with the conditions of the activity, and be accompanied by precise instructions and terms of participation. Any commitment, whether express or tacit, must be respected.
Google reserves the right to suspend access to business listings or any other service on the platform for people or businesses that do not comply with these instructions, and to call upon the competent authorities in the event of non-compliance. law.
If you welcome customers to your premises or offer on-site services, you can create a business listing on Google. To prevent it from being suspended, you must:
- Avoid using prohibited content.
- Accurately reflect your business.
- Respect the rules of this article.
To ensure the quality of information available on Google, follow the guidelines for local businesses below. They can help you avoid some common issues (for example, changes made by Google to your business information or, in some cases, even deletion of it).
To manage your establishment’s file as efficiently as possible:
Make sure that your company is represented as it is in reality and as customers know it, both in terms of your signage, your documents and the elements representative of your brand.
Verify that your address or service area is correct and accurate.
Choose as few categories as possible to describe your main activity.
Each business should only have one listing. Otherwise, your information may not display correctly on Google Maps and in search .
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To help you take advantage of the platform and optimize your Google My Business account, we have accumulated a number of tips and tricks in The ULTIMATE Google My Business Guide 2022 to shine the spotlight on your business!
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