Duplicate Google Business listings can quietly hurt your visibility, confuse customers, and weaken your local SEO performance. Whether the duplicate was created by mistake, auto-generated by Google, or added by someone else, cleaning it up quickly is essential.

And in case you want support with the process, Timpson Marketing specializes in complete local SEO optimization, including Google Business cleanup, consolidation, ranking, and reputation management—so you don’t have to worry about missing a detail.

Step-by-Step: How To Remove Duplicate Listings in Google Business

Below is the exact process used by professional local SEO teams, broken down clearly so anyone can follow it.

Step 1: Identify All Duplicate Listings

Start by searching variations of your business name and address directly in Google Maps and Google Search.

  • Try old phone numbers
  • Try previous addresses
  • Try common misspellings

Keep a list of every listing you find.

Step 2: Check Which Listing Is the Primary One

Your primary listing is usually the one that:

  • Has the most reviews
  • Shows as “verified”
  • Connects to your website

You’ll keep the main listing and mark/remove the rest.

Step 3: Claim Ownership of All Duplicate Listings

To remove duplicates, you must be the owner of the listings.

  • Open the duplicate listing
  • Click “Own this business?”
  • Go through the verification options

You may receive a postcard, email, or phone call verification.

Step 4: Request That Google Remove the Duplicate

Once you have access to the listings:

  • Open Google Business Profile Manager
  • Select the duplicate listing
  • Click “Mark as Duplicate” or “Remove Business”

Google may take a few days to process the request.

Step 5: Submit a Report Using “Suggest an Edit”

You can also report duplicates directly from Google Maps.

  • Click “Suggest an edit” on the duplicate
  • Select “Close or remove”
  • Choose “Duplicate of another place”

This method works even if you don’t manage the listing.

Step 6: Monitor Your Profile Until the Duplicate Disappears

Google may ask for clarification or proof.

  • Check your email
  • Review your dashboard regularly
  • Watch for updates or merge confirmations

Staying consistent is key.

How Timpson Marketing Executes This Process for Clients

Here’s the exact process the team uses:

  • Comprehensive scan of all duplicate, hidden, outdated, or conflicting listings
  • Manual verification and access recovery for lost or old profiles
  • Proper submission of duplicate removal or merge documents
  • Correction of NAP (Name, Address, Phone) inconsistencies
  • Optimization of the remaining primary listing for ranking power

This ensures the listing is fixed, Google approves the changes, and your ranking gets stronger instead of weaker.

Ready to Clean Up Your Google Business Presence? Work With Timpson Marketing!

Stop losing customers because of messy listings. Timpson Marketing handles everything. From detecting duplicates to cleaning, merging, optimizing, and boosting your visibility in the local map pack.

Get expert local SEO help today and restore your Google credibility with one click.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. How do I find duplicate Google Business listings?

Search your business name, address, and phone number in Google Maps and Google Search. Look for variations or old versions of your business information. Comparing these side-by-side helps you identify duplicates quickly.

2. Why do duplicate listings happen?

Duplicates can appear from past business owners, auto-generated Google data, or inconsistent citations. They may also form when a business moves or changes phone numbers. Understanding where duplicates come from helps prevent future issues.

3. Do duplicate listings affect SEO?

Yes, they confuse Google’s algorithm and weaken ranking authority. Google may not know which listing is correct or trustworthy. This confusion can push your business lower in local search results.

4. Can I delete a duplicate listing myself?

Yes, you can remove a duplicate listing if you verify ownership. Once inside your Google Business dashboard, you can mark the listing as a duplicate. Google will review and confirm your request.

5. What if I can’t access the duplicate listing?

Use the “Suggest an edit” option directly from Google Maps. You can also file a support request with Google Business support. They will manually review the listing and help you remove it.

6. How long does it take Google to remove a duplicate?

Processing times vary but typically range from 24 hours to one week. Complex cases, such as address conflicts, may take longer. Google sometimes requests additional verification.

7. Should I merge duplicate listings or delete them?

Google merges listings when the information overlaps significantly. In most cases, removing the duplicate is cleaner and faster. Merging is used when two listings both contain valuable reviews.

8. Can I lose reviews when removing duplicates?

If Google merges listings, some reviews may transfer. If the duplicate is fully removed, reviews may not move. Always back up screenshots before submitting removal requests.

9. What should I do if Google recreates the duplicate?

This can happen if third-party directories still show conflicting information. Update all citations to match your correct business details. Consistent NAP data prevents Google from auto-generating duplicates.

10. Why does Google require verification before removal?

Verification ensures the correct business owner is requesting the change. This protects businesses from unauthorized edits. It also helps Google maintain accurate local information.

11. Can duplicate listings affect customer trust?

Yes, customers may get confused by different locations or phone numbers. It can create uncertainty about which listing is accurate. Clean data helps build credibility.

12. Are duplicates more common for multi-location businesses?

Yes, because Google sometimes struggles to separate locations with similar names. Clear labeling and unique NAP data help avoid this issue. Multi-location brands should review their listings regularly.

13. Will removing duplicates improve ranking?

Yes, cleaning up duplicates strengthens your main listing’s authority. Google rewards accuracy and consistency. You may see ranking improvements within weeks.

14. Can I prevent duplicate listings in the future?

Keep your citations consistent across all major platforms. Update old addresses or phone numbers in every directory. Regular audits help prevent Google from generating new duplicates.

15. Do I need to remove duplicates in third-party directories too?

Yes, because those sites feed data back into Google. Old or incorrect listings outside Google can re-create duplicates later. A full citation cleanup ensures long-term stability.

16. What if two listings both have valuable reviews?

You may request a merge instead of a removal. Google can combine the listings while preserving key information. Not all reviews will transfer, but many do.

17. Can a duplicate listing show up under a former business name?

Yes, especially after rebranding. These should be removed or merged to maintain consistent branding. Rebrands often trigger accidental duplicates.

18. How do I know which listing is the correct primary one?

Choose the listing with the most accurate and current information. Verified listings with established reviews should be kept. Outdated listings should be removed.

19. Can service-area businesses have duplicates?

Yes, especially if they previously listed a physical address. Service-area businesses should ensure only one listing remains active. Google does not allow multiple service-area listings.

20. What if someone else created the duplicate listing?

You can still request removal through “Suggest an edit.” If needed, open a support ticket with Google. Google will investigate and remove unauthorized duplicates.