You can add a location to Google Maps in two ways: create a business listing if you own a business, or add a missing place marker if the location simply doesn't exist on the map yet

The method you use depends on what you're adding. If you own a business — a restaurant, salon, repair shop, or any commercial operation — you'll create a Google Business Profile, which puts your location on the map along with hours, photos, and customer reviews. If you're marking a location that isn't a business (a park, landmark, or residential address), you'll use the "Add a missing place" feature instead. Both are free and take about 10 to 15 minutes.

Google reviews these submissions before they appear on the map, which usually takes a few days to a week. During that time, the location won't show up for other people searching, but you can see it on your own account.

Key Takeaways

  • Business owners create a Google Business Profile through Google Search or Google Maps, which requires you to verify ownership by phone, email, or postcard.
  • Non-business locations use the "Add a missing place" button on Google Maps, which takes you through a short form with the address, category, and phone number if applicable.
  • Google reviews all new locations before they appear publicly, a process that typically takes three to seven days.
  • You can add photos, hours, and a website to your business listing after it's approved, and you can edit or remove it anytime from your Google Business Profile dashboard.

Adding a Business Location Through Google Business Profile

If you own a business, the fastest route is to go to google.com/business and click "Create your Business Profile." You'll enter your business name, address, phone number, and the category that best describes what you do (restaurant, plumber, dental office, and so on). Google will show you suggestions as you type — pick the closest match to avoid duplicates.

After you fill in the basic information, Google asks you to verify that you actually own the business. You have three options: verify by phone (fastest, takes minutes), verify by email, or verify by postcard (takes one to two weeks). Most people choose phone verification — Google calls you with a code you enter on the website, and your listing goes live immediately. If you can't answer the call, you can request a callback at a specific time.

Once your listing is live, you can add photos, business hours, a website, and a description. You can also respond to customer reviews and update information like holiday hours or temporary closures. All of this happens in your Google Business Profile dashboard, which you access by signing in with the same Google account you used to create the listing.

Adding a Non-Business Location or Missing Place

If you're marking a location that isn't a business — a hiking trail, a community center, a street corner, or any other place that should be on the map — use the "Add a missing place" feature. Open Google Maps on your computer or phone, search for the general area where the location should be, and look for a button or link that says "Add a missing place" or a plus sign icon. On mobile, this is usually at the bottom of the screen.

Click that button and a form appears. Enter the name of the place, the exact address or location (you can drag the map pin to position it precisely), and select a category from the dropdown menu. If the place has a phone number or website, add those too. Then submit the form. Google will review it and add it to the map if it meets their guidelines — usually within a few days.

You won't be able to edit the listing after you submit it, but you can report it as incorrect if Google approves something you didn't intend. If your submission is rejected, Google sends you an email explaining why, and you can try again with different information.

What Happens After You Submit Your Location

Google's review team checks every new location to make sure it's real, the address is correct, and the category matches what the place actually is. They're looking for spam, fake businesses, and duplicate listings. This review usually takes three to seven days, but can take longer if Google needs more information.

While your location is under review, you can see it on your own Google Maps account, but other people won't see it yet. If you're adding a business location, you can still add photos and information during this time — it all goes live together once Google approves it.

If Google rejects your submission, they'll tell you why in an email. Common reasons include: the address doesn't match any real location, the category doesn't fit what you described, or a listing for that place already exists. You can resubmit with corrections, or if you think Google made a mistake, you can request a manual review.

Editing or Removing a Location You've Added

If you created a business listing through Google Business Profile, you can edit or remove it anytime from your dashboard. Sign in with the same Google account, click on the listing, and you'll see options to update the address, hours, phone number, photos, and description. Changes usually appear on Google Maps within a few hours.

If you want to remove the listing entirely, go to the dashboard, click the three-dot menu next to your business name, and select "Close or remove this business." You'll be asked to confirm, and then the listing disappears from Google Maps. You can reopen it later if you change your mind.

For non-business locations you added through "Add a missing place," you can't edit them directly. If you need to change something, you'll have to report the listing as incorrect and suggest the correction. Google reviews these reports and makes the change if it's valid. If you want to remove a location you added by mistake, contact Google through the Maps help center and explain the situation.

Troubleshooting Common Problems When Adding Locations

If your location won't appear on Google Maps after a week, the most common reason is that Google rejected it without sending you a notification email. Check your spam folder first. If you don't find a rejection email, sign in to your Google Business Profile dashboard — if your listing isn't there, it was rejected. You can try submitting again with a different address format or category.

If you see a duplicate listing already on the map (someone else created one for your business), you can claim it instead of creating a new one. Search for your business on Google Maps, click on the existing listing, and look for a "Claim this business" button. Google will ask you to verify ownership the same way as creating a new listing. Once you claim it, you can edit all the information and remove any incorrect details the previous owner left behind.

If your phone number or address keeps getting changed by other people, you can lock your listing so only you can edit it. This is done through your Google Business Profile settings under "Access and permissions." You can also turn off customer suggestions, which prevents other people from proposing edits to your listing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for my location to show up on Google Maps?

Google usually reviews and approves new locations within three to seven days. During that time, you can see it on your own account, but other people won't see it yet. Business listings sometimes appear faster if you verify ownership by phone instead of waiting for a postcard.

Can I add a location for someone else's business?

You can create a listing, but Google will ask you to verify ownership before it goes live. If you don't own the business, you won't be able to complete verification. The business owner will need to claim the listing themselves using their own phone number or email address.

What if my address isn't showing up correctly on Google Maps?

When you create your listing, type the address exactly as it appears on your lease or business license. If Google's autocomplete suggests a different address, click on the suggestion to confirm it's correct before submitting. If the address is still wrong after approval, you can edit it in your Google Business Profile dashboard.

Do I need a website or phone number to add a location?

No. For a business listing, you need a name and address, but phone number and website are optional. For non-business locations, you only need a name and address. You can add a phone number or website later if you have one.

Can I add multiple locations for the same business?

Yes. If you have multiple branches or locations, create a separate Google Business Profile for each one. Each location gets its own listing with its own address, phone number, and hours. You manage them all from one dashboard if you link them to the same Google account.