Businesses may consider deleting themselves from Google for a variety of reasons. Doing this can be difficult, and the right steps must be taken to guarantee the business is not hurt.
- Rebranding: If a company changes its name or rebrands, it may want to take the old details off Google.
- Closure: If a business permanently closes, it might choose to take itself off Google.
- Privacy Concerns: Sometimes, companies may desire anonymity or have worries about showing up in search results. They could then decide to remove themselves.
It’s important to remember that taking a business off Google can affect its online presence. It’s suggested that companies evaluate the impact before doing so.
When deleting a business from Google, it’s essential to make sure accurate contact information is still accessible online. This will allow customers and clients to stay informed and connected with the company.
One notable example of a company taking itself off Google is the Detroit Police Department, which was listed as closed on Google Maps after a prankster anonymously said they were out of service.
Necessary Preparations before Removing Your Business
Before erasing your business from Google, take necessary steps: update listings, remove any irrelevant info, and inform customers with the right messaging.
Check all Google My Business & other directory listings before deletion. Also, have access to all accounts related to the business on these platforms.
Update any mentions of the business on external sites to prevent confusion for those searching for info.
Steps to Remove Your Business from Google Safely and Effectively
To safely and effectively remove your business from Google, follow the steps outlined including cancelling and updating your Google My Business account, removing your business from Google Maps, removing your business from Google search results, and removing your business details from Google review sites.
Cancelling and Updating your Google My Business Account
To delete your business from Google:
- Log in to your Google My Business account.
- Click on the location you wish to update/cancel.
- Select the “info” tab on the left-hand menu.
- Click “close or remove this listing” at the bottom right, then choose “permanently closed” or “remove listing”.
- Click the provided link and follow instructions.
Removing Your Business from Google Maps
Want to delete your business from Google Maps? Follow these 4 steps!
- Sign in to your Google My Business account.
- Select ‘info’ tab and click on the 3 dots near top-right corner.
- Choose ‘delete this listing‘ from dropdown menu.
- Confirm you want to remove the listing.
Removing Your Business from Google Search Results
To eliminate your business from Google search outcomes, you must begin a strict process. This involves several steps to be sure your business is entirely removed from Google’s database and won’t show in search queries.
- Step 1: Claim Your Business – Before beginning the de-indexing process, you must claim your business. When done, you will be able to see important info such as reviews, contact details and more.
- Step 2: De-Index Your Site – Use ‘robots.txt’ protocol or add the ‘noindex’ meta tag to stop web pages from being indexed by Google. This means no crawlers will visit your website.
- Step 3: Remove Business Listing on Google Maps – Go to google.com/maps. Find your listing. Choose ‘suggest an edit’ and click on ‘remove this place.’ Submit a request for removal.
- Step 4: Delete Business from Google My Business – Log into Google My Business dashboard. Follow the prompts to remove your business listing permanently.
- Step 5: Confirm Removal – After completing all of the steps above, check if it worked. Search for your business name in Google Search Console or other search engine directory.
Also, when moving or closing business, it’s crucial to update directories & websites with new info. It prevents confusion among customers trying to find a lost or closed business.
Removing Your Business Details from Google Review Sites
If you want to erase your business info from Google review sites, do it safely and effectively. Here are the steps to follow:
- Log into Google My Business.
- Find the business profile to delete.
- Click ‘Remove Listing’ or ‘Delete Location’.
- Confirm Removal: click ‘Yes’.
Make sure to delete all photos and reviews first. Removing business details from Google review sites may be tough. If you face any issues, contact Google customer support.
What Happens After You Remove Your Business from Google
Removing your business from Google can have a huge effect on your online presence and customers. Your listing won’t be visible, so users won’t find you in search results. Plus, all the reviews and ratings associated with it will vanish.
Prior to removal, you should explore other options. Such as updating info or responding to bad reviews. If you still need to remove it, tell customers via social media or email.
It doesn’t mean your business will disappear from the internet. It could still be on other sites or directories where you posted it. So no instant disappearing from the web when you remove it.
Getting rid of your presence from one of the largest search engines may seem intimidating. But sometimes it’s the correct call for businesses having issues out of their control. Don’t wait to take action if needed. Keep communication open with customers during this process.
Frequently Asked Questions about Removing Your Business from Google
Questions about removing your business from Google? Here’s what you need to know:
- Take out all info from Google My Business. Remove listings & profiles connected to your company.
- Check other platforms that might have your info, eg. Yelp & Bing Business. Keep everything consistent.
- Don’t always delete from Google – hide or pause the listing instead. That way you can address any issues first.
- Seek help from an SEO/marketing agency, such as reputation sciences, internet reputation, netreputation, or similar agencies, if needed. They can provide valuable insights on what strategies work best for similar businesses.
Removing from Google needs careful planning & perfect execution. Follow these tips & get expert help to remove business from Google while keeping your online presence intact.