(Updated December 14, 2019)
Hide your address from your Google My Business map listings
Small businesses are often turned off to adding their business to the Google map, because they don’t actually have a physical address. Logically, this makes sense. You probably don’t want to show your home address or PO Box number to the public, and Google has accounted for this by allowing you to include “service areas.”
Easy Steps
If you’re adding your business listing to Google My Business, you must add a physical address. Your address can be your home, but you will be hiding this address from the public in the next step. So get started adding your business to the map if you haven’t already. There are several ways to do so, but I prefer to use business.google.com/create – this is the cut and dry version of adding a map listing. There is also www.gybo.com/business, that has a more complete interface, which might be good for some users.
Here are the steps to get started:
- Add a Business Category
- Do you want to add a location customers can visit, like a store or office? Select “No” to hide your address.
- Where do you serve your customers? (optional)
- What region is your business based in?
- What contact details do you want to show to customers? (phone, url)
- Finish
The first screen asks for your business category. Depending on what you choose here you may get different options on the following screens. For example if you type in something that tends to have a physical location like a comedy store, then you’ll get denied when you try to hide your location details.
And that’s it! Well actually, you’ll need to follow through and verify your business next. Once your business is verified, you’ll be published on the map as a service area.
Google is always reiterating this process, but I feel like they have it at a really good point. I think I’ve had to updated this post about 3 or 4 times, but it’s really easy now to hide your physical location from your map listing. Good luck!
Related Reading:
Claim Your Business Locations: Maps
Why You Need to Claim Your Yelp for Business Page
Service-area businesses on Google
8 Responses
Hello!
“…and verify your business next” – what is the verification process? do they still send a letter to the address you provided?
Thank you!
Hi there, Yes, that is correct. Verify via postcard sent to the physical address. There are alternative verification methods (https://support.google.com/business/answer/7107242) available to select businesses, but this is the primary way to verify.
Hi Ryan,
I have a home-based business and I hid my address and verified my business. For a few days my listing was showing up, but then it stopped. I contacted GMB, I actually talked to somebody on the phone and was told that I was not eligible for GMB to show up in search results or a map since I only have a home-based business. This is so disappointing any suggestions? Thank you!
Hi Mary,
I’ve never heard about that issue before. I suggest trying it one more time (perhaps from a different Google account if possible), see if you can get it to go through. Let me know how it goes!
That is correct Mary Beth, unless you have a service area around your business that you deliver goods and services to. If it’s an ecommerce business, then you won’t be eligible.
I was told they can verify you over the phone but it would cost over $300. Is this true or did I call a fake number?
No, Google doesn’t charge for something like that. Either sounds fishy, or someone who might have a special Google My Business partnership status (they can auto-verify a business through a special portal). As far as phone verification goes, Google over the years had this feature and I believe they still might have that available to some users, but might not always be available.
I didn’t realize that you could use a service area to your Google maps page, if you don’t have a physical address. My sister recently started a baking shop out of her home, and wants a way for people to find her. I will have to let her know that this is possible without putting her home address out there for everyone to see.