How to change your Google My Business name without losing reviews 

Let’s say your business is undergoing a rebrand. You’ve updated your logo, website, and social media, but now the tricky part is changing your Google My Business name. It seems like a simple task, but one big question looms over the process: Will you lose all the positive reviews you’ve worked so hard for?

You’re not alone if you’re wondering about the impact of changing your Google My Business name. In this blog post, we’ll break down the steps to update your business name on Google, discuss why you might want to make the change and answer the burning question of what happens to your reviews and rankings when you do.

Why should you change your Google business name?

You might need to change your Google business name for several reasons, including rebranding, correcting errors, or aligning with business growth. However, it’s important to understand the impact of such changes on your online presence. 

A name change can affect how your business appears in search results, how customers perceive you, and how your reviews and rankings are handled. So, while a name change might be a great move for your business, it’s essential to approach it with a clear understanding of how it could influence your visibility and customer engagement.

Let’s take a look at the different scenarios where updating your Google business name makes sense:

1. Rebranding your business profile on Google

When your business undergoes a rebranding, you may want to reflect the new identity on your Google profile. Changing the name ensures consistency across all platforms.

2. Business expansion or pivot

As your business grows or shifts its focus, updating your name to reflect better new offerings is crucial for clarity and searchability.

3. Correcting a mistake

If the original business name contained an error, correcting it ensures that your business is represented accurately, which helps build trust with potential customers.

Updating your Google business name is a valuable step in ensuring your online presence accurately reflects your brand, growth, or any necessary corrections, helping to build trust and maintain consistency across all platforms.

Can I change my Google business name and keep my reviews?

A common concern when changing a Google My Business name is whether it will affect your reviews. The good news is that your reviews will remain intact. Google ties ratings and reviews to your business profile, not just the name, so you won’t lose them after making a change.

How do you change your Google business profile name?

Changing your Google business name is a simple process, but there are guidelines you must follow. Let’s break down the steps:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account

Visit Google Business Profile and sign in with your account linked to your business.

2. Click “Edit profile”.

Once logged in, locate and click on the “Edit profile” button in the dashboard.

3. Click the pencil icon next to “Business name.”

In the “Business name” section, click the pencil icon next to your current business name to begin editing.

4. Enter your new business name.

Type your new business name, ensuring it adheres to Google’s guidelines (use your official business name, no extra keywords, etc.).

5. Click “Save”.

After making the change, click Save to apply the new name to your profile.

Will changing my business name affect my rankings?

Changing your Google business name could impact your rankings temporarily. While minor updates don’t typically lead to a significant shift, substantial changes could trigger a ranking fluctuation as Google re-evaluates your business.

1. Short-term ranking effects

Expect some fluctuation in your rankings for a short time, especially if the name change is substantial.

2. Long-term impact

If the change aligns with your branding and accurately reflects your business, it shouldn’t harm your rankings in the long run. Maintaining consistency across your online platforms will also help.

3. Local SEO considerations

If your business name includes location-based keywords, a name change might affect how you appear in local search results. Consider the impact on local SEO and ensure your new name aligns with relevant search terms.

With these additions, you’ll provide a more comprehensive view of how a business name change can affect rankings and offer actionable advice for managing the transition.

How to avoid keyword stuffing when changing your business name

Keyword stuffing, or overloading your business name with irrelevant terms, is a practice you should avoid at all costs. Not only is it against Google’s guidelines, but it can also harm your online reputation and SEO.

Why is keyword stuffing harmful?

Google penalizes businesses for keyword stuffing, which can lead to a drop in rankings or even suspension of your profile. It’s important to keep your business name authentic and representative of your actual business.

How to edit your Google business profile information on Google accurately

You can edit other aspects of your Google profile, such as hours of operation, contact details, and business description, in addition to changing your business name.

1. Edit your business profile information directly in GMB

After signing in, access the “Info” section and update your business address, phone number, website, and other details.

2. Suggest an edit on Google Maps and search

Alternatively, if you notice any discrepancies in the business information on Google, you can suggest an edit to your profile via the Google Maps app.

How many times can I change my business name on Google?

There’s no strict limit on how often you can change your business name, but frequent changes may raise red flags. It’s best to make sure the name change is necessary and reflects your business’s true identity.

What to consider before changing your business name on Google

There are a few important considerations before you change your Google business name. Here are a few of them:

Consistency across all platforms 

Ensure that your business name is consistent across Google, your website, social media, and other platforms to avoid confusion for customers and search engines.

Customer recognition

Changing your business name too often can confuse customers, so choose a name you can stick with for the long haul.

Changing your Google business name

Changing your Google business name can be an important step in your business’s growth or correcting previous mistakes. If you follow Google’s guidelines, your reviews will remain intact, and your rankings may see only temporary effects. Always aim for consistency and avoid keyword stuffing to ensure the best outcomes for your business profile.

Frequently asked questions on how to change Google My Business name

Optimize your Google Business Profile with Birdeye

Changing your Google Business Profile name can significantly impact your online visibility and reputation. Birdeye can help streamline the process and ensure your reviews and business information remain intact throughout the change. With Birdeye’s integrated solutions, you can effectively manage your Google Business Profile and attract more customers, even after changing your business name.

Many businesses rely on Birdeye to:

• Seamlessly update business information: Quickly change your business name, address, and other details while maintaining consistency across platforms.
• Maintain review history: Ensure all existing reviews remain tied to your profile, even after updating your business name or details.
• Manage reviews and ratings: Respond to customer feedback, track ratings, and address concerns to enhance your online reputation.
• Enhance local SEO: Optimize your profile to improve your ranking on Google search results and attract more local customers.
• Monitor performance: Track insights and analytics to understand how your Google Business Profile is performing, helping you make data-driven decisions.
• Increase customer engagement: Interact with customers through messages, photos, posts, and more to keep them engaged and informed.
• Ensure consistency across directories: Automatically sync business information across various online directories to ensure accurate and up-to-date details everywhere.

With Birdeye, you can confidently update your Google Business Profile name while maintaining your reviews, improving customer communication, and optimizing your overall online presence.

Watch a demo today to see how Birdeye can help you grow your business even after a name change!