What happens if I change the address directly on the GMB before changing it on the website, social media, and citations?

Short Answer: Changing your business address directly on Google My Business (GMB) before updating it on your website, social media profiles, and business citations will trigger a new verification process by Google. During this re-verification period, you run the risk of losing your valuable reviews.

Full Explanation

When you update your business address directly on GMB without first synchronizing it across your website, social media platforms, and citations, Google treats this as a significant change that requires re-verification. This means Google will ask you to prove your business location again to maintain the accuracy and trustworthiness of your listing. This process is in place to ensure that the information Google displays is correct and consistent across all online channels.

Unfortunately, during this verification period, your existing reviews may be at risk of being lost or temporarily hidden. Reviews are a crucial part of your online reputation, so maintaining consistent and verified information is critical to keep them intact.

Step-by-Step Breakdown

1. You change the address directly on your Google My Business profile.
2. Google detects the change and requires you to verify your business address again.
3. You proceed with the re-verification process as requested by Google.
4. During this verification phase, your reviews may be removed or not shown until verification is complete.
5. Once verified, your new business address is reflected, and reviews may reappear if they were temporarily hidden.

To avoid this disruption, it is best practice to update your business address on your website, social media, and all citations first, ensuring consistency. Only then should you update your GMB listing to prevent triggering the re-verification process.

Real Examples

While no specific examples are provided here, the key lesson is clear: businesses that update GMB addresses before other platforms often face verification delays and risk losing reviews temporarily. This can negatively impact their online presence and customer trust.

Common Mistakes

• Changing the GMB address first without updating other platforms, leading to re-verification.
• Ignoring the importance of consistency in business information across the web.
• Underestimating the impact of re-verification on customer reviews and business credibility.

FAQs

Will I lose all my reviews if I change the address on GMB first?

You may lose your reviews temporarily during the re-verification process, but they can reappear after successful verification.

How long does the re-verification process take?

The exact duration is not specified here, but it involves Google reviewing and confirming your new address.

Can I skip updating my website and social media before changing GMB address?

It is not recommended because skipping those updates causes Google to re-verify your listing, which can risk reviews and listing downtime.

Key Takeaways

• Always update your business address on your website, social media, and citations before making changes on GMB.
• Directly changing the GMB address first triggers a re-verification from Google.
• During re-verification, your reviews may be at risk of being lost or temporarily hidden.
• Maintaining consistent business information online is crucial for verification and reputation.