How to Merge Duplicate Google My Business Listings Without Affecting Your SEO Rankings – WP Reset

If your business appears multiple times on Google Maps, you are not alone. Duplicate Google My Business (GMB) listings are surprisingly common. But they can confuse customers and hurt your local SEO efforts. Don’t worry: putting them together is easier than you think!

TL; DR

Duplicate GMB listings can negatively impact your search results by splitting your reviews, confusing customers, or even getting you flagged by Google. The solution? Claim both entries, check which one is stronger and cleverly merge or remove the weaker one. Always update addresses and contact information accurately and review your listing after merging.

Why duplicate entries are a big problem

Let’s say you have two listings for your coffee shop.

• One has all your reviews and updated opening hours.
• The other was made years ago but has not been touched.

If a customer comes across the old one and sees outdated information, they may end up in a closed store. Even worse, Google could penalize both listings in search results. Yes!

How do duplicate entries happen?

There are a few usual suspects:

• You moved locations and accidentally created a new entry.
• A helpful customer listed before you did.
• You renamed it and created a new page with the new name.

However it happened, the solution starts with identifying all duplicate entries.

Step 1: Search for all your listings

First we go to detective mode. 🕵️‍♀️

Search by your company name, address, phone number and even old company names.

1. Find variants of your business on Google Maps.

2. Open each listing and view the details: address, phone number and company name.

3. Make a note of any variations you encounter.

Can’t find the duplicate? Try tools like White spark, Bright Localor even just ask customers.

Step 2: Find out which entry is the ‘good’ one

Not all entries are equal. One of them can contain all your reviews, verified information and high engagement.

To choose your primary listing:

• Reviews: Does this listing have the most of your reviews?
• Involvement: Do customers interact with it (calls, visits)?
• Accuracy: Has it been verified with the correct hours, name and address?

Once you choose the hero entry, the other(s) should disappear.

Step 3: Claim the duplicate entries

You cannot merge what you do not manage. You must claim any duplicate entries.

To claim a listing:

1. Go to Google My Business.
2. Look for the duplicate.
3. Click “Owner of this company?” and follow the verification process.

Don’t worry if someone else claims it. You can apply for ownership. Google sends the current owner an email requesting that the data be released. If they don’t respond within three days, you can escalate the request to Google Support.

Step 4: Contact Google Support to merge listings

Now that you manage both entries, it’s time to merge them.

But Google doesn’t have a self-service “merge” button. Too bad, right?

Here’s the solution:

• Go to the Google Business Profile support page.
• Select “Remove duplicate” or use the chat/email support option.
• Give them links to both listings and tell them which one to keep.

You can say something like:

“Hello there. I found two listings for my business. One listing is old and I would like to merge its details and reviews into this verified listing: [Insert URL]. Remove the duplicate: [Insert URL]. Thank you!”

Easy peasy.

What happens after the merger?

When Google processes the request:

• The duplicate entry is removed from Maps.
• His reviews be able to be transferred, especially if both entries have the same name and address.
• Your SEO rankings will benefit from consolidated data!

Please note that the transfer of reviews is not guaranteed, but if everything matches (name, address, telephone number), the chances are high.

Step 5: Check for citation accuracy

After merging, check your company details again on the internet.

Search engines like consistency. So inconsistent information on other sites (such as Yelp, Facebook or the Yellow Pages) can still hurt your ranking.

Use a free scanner like Moz Local or Yext to detect incorrect information. Then fix it!

Step 6: Check your primary listing

Congratulations, your listings have now been merged! But don’t run away yet.

Keep an eye on your main GMB listing for a few weeks:

• Are reviews still visible?
• Is your ranking stable or improving?
• Are there any signs of ghost listings making a comeback?

If something looks strange, please contact Google Support again. They are used to this and usually respond quickly if you are clear and polite.

Tips to avoid duplicate entries in the future

Let’s make sure this never happens again, okay?

• Always update your GMB page immediately if you move or get a new brand name. Do not create new ones.
• Check regularly for doppelgängers: set a reminder every quarter.
• Train staff not to make mentions. Keep control in one central account.

Quick question and answer

Can I just delete a duplicate entry?
No. Deleting it won’t remove it from Maps; it still exists and can even be revived by others.

How long does it take to merge?
Usually 24 to 72 hours after you contact Google.

Will I lose my reviews?
Usually not if both entries have matching company details.

Packing 🎁

Duplicate Google My Business listings may seem scary, but it’s really just a clean-up job. Identify them, claim them, contact Google Support, and stay consistent. Your customers (and your rankings) will thank you for it.

And remember: merging listings isn’t just about SEO. It’s also about giving your customers a smoother, trust-inspiring experience when they try to find you online. Have fun merging!