Phone Number Sharing on Google Business Profiles: What You Need to Know
Sharing phone numbers between businesses on Google Business Profile seems like a simple solution - but it's not. Google's guidelines make it clear: each business needs its own unique phone number.
The rules catch many business owners by surprise. Your Business Profile must have a phone number that connects customers directly to staff at your specific location. Businesses trying to share numbers often run into trouble - from verification problems to complete profile suspensions.
Multiple business scenarios face this challenge. Maybe you run several locations of the same company, or your business shares space with other owners. Whatever the situation, following Google's phone number guidelines keeps your business visible and active on Google Maps.
Ready to understand phone number requirements for your Google Business Profile? This guide breaks down what you can and can't do, potential risks to watch for, and practical solutions that work within Google's rules.
Google's Guidelines on Shared Phone Numbers
Phone numbers play a crucial role in Google Business Profile verification. Google sets specific rules for phone numbers to keep business listings accurate and prevent spam. Let's look at what Google expects from business owners.
What Google Says About Phone Numbers Your business location needs its own direct phone line - one you control completely. Google wants local phone numbers, not call center lines that serve multiple locations. Customers should reach your specific location when they call the number on your listing.
Some numbers won't work on Business Profiles:
Premium-rate numbers (regardless of caller charges)
Numbers redirecting to other pages or contact info
Where Rules Get Fuzzy Google's rules sound strict, but some situations fall into gray areas. Hotels from the same brand often use one phone line for nearby locations. Hotel restaurants typically share the main hotel number.
The guidelines use careful wording here. They say businesses should use location-specific numbers "whenever possible". This gives some wiggle room for legitimate business setups while keeping the system honest.
Latest Changes to Phone Requirements Google now looks more closely at phone number changes. Business owners must provide extra proof when updating phone numbers. Changes stay pending during review, and some numbers need manual approval.
Google Posts have new rules too. You can't put phone numbers directly in post content anymore. Google wants you to use their "Call now" button instead - it connects to your verified listing number.
Google watches for phone number changes through:
Business websites and social profiles
Third-party applications
Profile managers and owners
Public user suggestions
Suspicious patterns or unauthorized changes trigger penalties. Smart business owners check their profiles regularly and keep phone numbers consistent everywhere. They also review who has access to their profile, removing old employees or unknown users to prevent unwanted changes.
Common Scenarios Where Businesses Share Phone Numbers
Phone number sharing pops up more often than you might think. Let's look at real situations businesses face when managing their Google Business Profiles.
Multiple Locations of the Same Business Think you can use one phone number for all your business locations? Think again. Each spot needs its own local phone number. Here's why: local numbers build unique identities for each branch. Plus, customers love calling nearby locations - they respond better to local numbers.
Co-located Businesses with Different Owners Sharing space with other businesses? Your phone setup needs extra attention. Picture restaurants inside hotels or businesses in shared offices. Google wants each business to have:
Their own phone line with dedicated staff answering
Clear signs inside and outside
Separate ways to enter and exit
Their own distinct space
Home-based Businesses with Multiple Services Running multiple businesses from home? That's any business where your house serves as headquarters. You might offer:
Face-to-face services (think daycare or spa treatments)
Online help like therapy or web design
Handmade products - decorations or catering
Google says yes to separate listings for home businesses, but you need:
Different legal registrations
Separate tax IDs
Unique phone numbers for each business
Franchises and Their Unique Considerations Franchise owners face special challenges with phone numbers. Each location needs:
Brand consistency everywhere
Local phone numbers to build trust
Perfect match in business details
Smart franchise owners make sure to:
Keep business names consistent ("Starbucks Downtown")
Match address formats everywhere online
Use local numbers for each spot
Some franchises try sharing phone numbers between locations. Bad move - Google often suspends these listings right away. Instead, use Google's franchise tools to:
Control multiple locations from one place
Keep information matched across locations
Post updates for individual spots
Got multiple locations? Google Business Profile Manager helps you:
Group your businesses for easy management
Update multiple profiles at once
Share access with your team
Remember - good phone number management keeps your Google listings alive and well. Look at your situation, check Google's rules, and set up your numbers right. This keeps your listings working while you serve your customers.
Potential Risks of Using the Same Phone Number
Thinking about sharing phone numbers across multiple Google Business Profiles? Watch out. One wrong move could hurt your online visibility and make it harder for customers to find you. Let's look at what might go wrong.
Verification Headaches Google uses phone verification to make sure businesses are real. Sharing numbers creates problems like:
Google rejecting verification codes that were used before
VoIP systems failing to get automated verification calls
Business phone systems hitting restrictions
Multiple-use numbers getting flagged by Google
Suspensions and Penalties Google watches phone number patterns like a hawk. Your listing might get suspended for:
Same phone number across different locations
Multiple profiles for one home business
Trying to verify with numbers Google already flagged
Got suspended? You'll need Google's Business Profile appeals tool. The process looks like this:
Tell Google why the suspension was wrong
Show proof your business exists
Wait while Google reviews everything
Listings Getting Mixed Up Shared phone numbers often trick Google into merging listings. Problems pop up when:
Google spots shared details and combines listings automatically
Reviews and information jump between profiles
Old and new business details get tangled
These mergers mess with your visibility:
Two sets of reviews squished into one profile
Your business identity gets lost in search results
Wrong customer feedback shows up on your listing
Local Search Takes a Hit Phone numbers matter for local search success. Share numbers and you might see:
Your business dropping in local search results
Customers having trouble finding you online
Google's trust in your business dropping
Keep your local rankings strong:
Match your contact info everywhere online
Check your listings regularly
Fix changes fast when needed
Still need solutions? Try these:
Get unique local numbers for each spot
Use call forwarding to keep lines separate
Keep paperwork ready to prove your business setup
Smart phone number management keeps your Google Business Profile healthy and visible. Pay attention to these risks and protect your spot in local search results.
How to Edit My Business Listing on Google When Changing Numbers
Ready to update your phone number on Google Business Profile? The process needs attention to detail. Let's walk through the steps to keep your listing visible and active.
Quick Steps to Update Your Phone Number
First things first - log into your Google account linked to your business profile. You've got two ways to make changes:
Google Search Method:
Type "My Business" in Google
Click "View Profile"
Hit "Edit Profile"
Find the phone number spot
Type your new number
Business Profile Manager Method:
Head to your dashboard
Look for "Information"
Click the pencil next to phone details
Put in the new number
Save your changes
What Happens After You Change Your Number
Google checks every phone number change carefully. Your verification options depend on your business type, location, and hours. You might get:
Phone calls or texts to verify
No luck with automated phone systems
Video calls during business hours
Mail verification for some businesses
Most verifications take up to five business days. Some businesses get faster approval if they:
Passed verification before
Keep their info matched everywhere
Show up consistently online
Handling the Switch to Your New Number
Keep these tasks in mind during the change:
Important Paperwork:
Write down when you made changes
Keep business ownership documents handy
Save those verification codes
Update Everything:
Fix your info in online directories
Change your website details
Update social media
Watch out - Google might change things automatically when:
You ignore suggested updates
Your info doesn't match across platforms
You don't respond to changes for too long
Pro tip: Don't make lots of changes at once. Big changes might mean going through verification again.
Running a business in India? You'll need extra steps:
More verification documents
Longer review times
Special regional rules
Stuck with verification? Google helps through:
Contact forms
Support team
Help center guides
Your changes might take three days to show up. Keep checking your profile to make sure everything looks right.
Best Practices for Managing Multiple Business Locations
Running several business locations on Google? Smart management keeps your listings strong and visible. Here's what works for multi-location businesses staying within Google's rules.
When to Use Unique Phone Numbers Growing businesses need separate phone numbers for each spot. Your staff at each location should answer their own dedicated line. This setup helps you:
Connect customers straight to local teams
Cut down call transfer hassles
Show up better in local searches
Money-Saving Options for Multiple Phone Lines Virtual phone systems won't break the bank. Starting at CAD 13.93 monthly, these systems let you:
Set up extensions for each location
Send calls where they need to go based on business hours
See how well each location handles calls
VoIP phone systems pack even more features. Modern systems help manage calls, block spam, and give you call summaries. Perfect for businesses wanting the whole package.
Paperwork That Proves Your Business Setup Good documentation backs up your multi-location listings. Keep these ready:
Business registration papers
Tax ID numbers
Permits for each location
Proof you're really there
Match your information across all locations. This means:
Business names and types
How you write addresses
When you're open
What services you offer
Updating Each Location's Google Listing Google Business Profile works best with organization. Business groups help manage multiple spots at once. The Profile Manager lets you:
Group different locations
Change multiple listings at once
Let team members help manage
Check your listings regularly. This keeps:
Business details current
Changes updated fast
Your brand looking professional
The Profile Manager makes everything easier. You can:
Move locations between groups
Watch how locations perform
Control who can make changes
Got ten or more locations? You qualify for bulk verification. This speeds up:
Getting locations verified
Updating information
Managing profiles
Stay on top of these practices and your locations will shine online. Mix regular checks with smart tools to keep everything running smooth and following Google's rules.
Conclusion
Phone numbers matter more than most business owners realize on Google Business Profile. Google wants each location running its own phone line - skip this rule and your listing might disappear.
Sharing phone numbers between locations looks tempting but creates headaches. Your listing might fail verification, vanish from search results, or lose touch with local customers. Smart move? Give each spot its own number and keep your paperwork matched across all platforms.
Good planning stops most problems before they start. Watch your profiles closely, update things quickly, and stick to Google's rules. This keeps your listings active and builds trust with both Google and your customers.
Success on Google Business Profile boils down to playing by the rules - especially with phone numbers. Match your documentation, manage everything carefully, and watch your business grow in local search results while serving your community.
FAQs
Q1. Can two businesses share the same phone number on Google Business Profile? No, Google requires each business location to have a unique phone number that connects directly to that specific location. Sharing phone numbers across multiple listings can lead to verification issues and potential penalties.
Q2. What are the risks of using the same phone number for multiple business listings? Using the same phone number for multiple listings can result in verification challenges, listing suspensions, merged or conflated listings, and negative impacts on local search rankings. It's best to use unique numbers for each business location.
Q3. How do I update my business phone number on Google? To update your phone number, log into your Google Business Profile, navigate to the "Info" section, click the pencil icon next to the phone number, enter the new number, and save changes. Be prepared for potential re-verification after making significant changes.
Q4. Can businesses at the same address have separate Google Business Profiles? Yes, businesses at the same address can have separate profiles if they are distinct entities. However, each business should have its own phone number, signage, staff, and preferably a unique entrance to comply with Google's guidelines.
Q5. What are best practices for managing multiple business locations on Google? For multiple locations, use unique phone numbers for each, consider cost-effective alternatives like virtual phone systems, maintain consistent and accurate information across all listings, and utilize Google's Business Profile Manager to efficiently manage multiple profiles simultaneously.