{"id":3634,"date":"2025-04-30T13:17:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:17:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/?p=3634"},"modified":"2025-04-30T14:20:49","modified_gmt":"2025-04-30T14:20:49","slug":"how-you-can-remove-a-business-listing-online-from-google","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/how-you-can-remove-a-business-listing-online-from-google\/","title":{"rendered":"How You Can Remove a Business Listing Online From Google"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A bad business listing can hurt more than your pride. It can cost you clients, affect your search rankings, and confuse the public. For service-based professionals\u2014especially attorneys\u2014accuracy and trust matter. If someone finds your name linked to an old address, a duplicate listing, or a totally different firm, it can get messy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news? You can get bad listings removed. It just takes a bit of strategy and the right tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why Bad Listings Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>People trust Google\u2014sometimes too much<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people believe what they see in search results. If your law firm shows up under the wrong name or location, they may assume it&#8217;s correct. That can lead to lost leads, negative reviews, or even missed court appearances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Stat<\/strong>: According to BrightLocal, <strong>68% of consumers would stop using a local business if they found incorrect info online.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is especially dangerous for law firms. An outdated listing on Google Maps could send a client to the wrong office\u2014or worse, to a competitor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What a \u201cBad Listing\u201d Really Means<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Not every error is obvious<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some listings are flat-out fake. Others are just wrong. Common issues include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Duplicate listings<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wrong business name<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Old phone numbers or emails<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Closed offices still appearing live<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A listing created by a third party (without your consent)<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Listings linked to negative reviews from another firm or location<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>: One attorney we worked with had three different Google profiles. One had an old firm name. One was linked to a location he never used. The third one was accurate\u2014but it ranked the lowest. Clients were getting confused, and reviews were spread across all three.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fixing that helped clean up search results and doubled calls to the correct office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 1: Claim and Verify Your Listing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Always take control first<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you can remove or correct anything, you need to claim your business on Google.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Go to Google Maps<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Search for your business<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Click \u201cClaim this business\u201d<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verify ownership (usually by mail, phone, or email)<br><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you\u2019re verified, you can edit the listing: name, address, hours, phone, and website. This prevents others from making unwanted changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Tip<\/strong>: Keep your listing updated every few weeks. Google favors fresh info and active profiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 2: Report a Duplicate or Wrong Listing<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Use the built-in tools<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you find another listing that\u2019s incorrect, go to the listing and click <strong>\u201cSuggest an edit\u201d<\/strong>. Then choose:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u201cRemove this place\u201d<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pick the reason (e.g., \u201cDuplicate of another place\u201d or \u201cDoesn\u2019t exist\u201d)<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If it\u2019s clearly wrong or fake, Google will usually remove it within 3 to 10 business days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example<\/strong>: A small law office in Florida found a duplicate listing created by an old marketing agency. It showed the wrong logo and linked to a site they no longer used. After submitting a removal request and verifying the correct listing, the duplicate was gone in four days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Step 3: Submit a Removal Request to Google<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>When edits don\u2019t work, escalate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes the \u201csuggest an edit\u201d option doesn\u2019t get results. If Google rejects your edit or ignores it, you can file a formal request.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Go to the <strong>Google Business Profile support page<\/strong> and submit a ticket explaining the issue. Be clear. Provide screenshots. Attach links that prove the listing is outdated, fake, or harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be professional. Google isn\u2019t fast with vague or emotional complaints.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What If the Listing Is Fake or Harmful?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Misleading listings can be reported for policy violations<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a listing was created to impersonate your firm or mislead the public, it\u2019s a policy issue. You can file a complaint under <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/support.google.com\/business\/thread\/74929076\/when-i-use-business-redressal-complaint-form-does-google-show-my-name-to-the-one-i-reported-sh?hl=en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Google\u2019s Business Redressal Complaint Form<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is useful if:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A competitor made the listing<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The listing is tied to a negative campaign<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The name or info is intentionally misleading<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s connected to fake reviews or defamation<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In more serious cases\u2014like fraud, impersonation, or brand abuse\u2014you may want to bring in legal help.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some listings qualify for <a href=\"https:\/\/guaranteedremovals.com\/remove-google-search-results\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">google removals<\/a> under legal grounds, such as false representation or defamation. In those cases, showing harm (like lost business) helps build a stronger case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What About Reviews on Bad Listings?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Don\u2019t ignore them\u2014they still count<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even if the listing is fake or wrong, reviews on it still affect your reputation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Step one is to get the listing removed. But while that\u2019s in progress, you can also report specific reviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Click the three dots next to the review and select <strong>\u201cReport review\u201d<\/strong>. Choose a reason like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Not relevant to this business<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spam or fake content<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conflict of interest<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google reviews each report by hand. Be ready to explain why the review doesn\u2019t belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How to Prevent Bad Listings in the Future<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reputation takes work\u2014so protect it<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to stay ahead:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Set Google Alerts<\/strong> for your firm name and attorney names<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Audit your listings<\/strong> monthly across Google, Yelp, Bing, and legal directories<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use consistent info<\/strong> across your website and social profiles<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Don\u2019t let third parties create listings<\/strong> without your knowledge<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Respond to all reviews<\/strong>\u2014even the good ones<br><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Update your listing<\/strong> every 30 days with fresh photos or posts<br><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you see something suspicious, act quickly. The longer a bad listing stays up, the more it spreads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reputation Starts with Accuracy<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Search engines don\u2019t always get it right. But you can.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A bad listing can damage trust before a potential client even calls you. It\u2019s worth the time to clean it up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Take control of your profile. Report what\u2019s wrong. Follow up when needed. And know when to escalate if basic steps don\u2019t work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In law, trust is everything. Don\u2019t let a wrong Google listing get in the way of your next case.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A bad business listing can hurt more than your pride. It can cost you clients, affect your search rankings, and confuse the public. For service-based professionals\u2014especially attorneys\u2014accuracy and trust matter. If someone finds your name linked to an old address, a duplicate listing, or a totally different firm, it can get messy. The good news? You can get bad listings removed. It just takes a bit of strategy and the right tools. Why Bad Listings Are a Bigger Problem Than You Think People trust Google\u2014sometimes too much Most people believe what they see in search results. If your law firm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":3635,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[943],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3634","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-review"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3634","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3634"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3634\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3640,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3634\/revisions\/3640"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3635"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3634"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3634"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thelawyerworld.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3634"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}