As a business owner, managing your online presence is crucial in today’s digital age. One aspect of online management is ensuring that your personal and business contact information is accurate and up-to-date. However, there may come a time when you want to remove your phone number from Google Business.
Perhaps you’re receiving unwanted calls, or you’ve recently changed your business phone number. Whatever the reason, removing your phone number from Google Business can be a daunting task. Worry not, as this article will guide you through the process of removing your phone number from Google Business in a few easy steps.
Why Remove Your Phone Number from Google Business?
Before we dive into the process of removing your phone number, let’s explore why you might want to do so. There are several reasons why you might want to remove your phone number from Google Business:
Unwanted Calls and Messages
If you’re receiving an influx of unwanted calls or messages, removing your phone number from Google Business can help reduce the number of unnecessary communications. This can be especially beneficial for businesses that have recently changed their phone number or have had issues with telemarketers.
Privacy and Security
As a business owner, you may want to maintain some level of privacy and security. By removing your phone number from Google Business, you can limit the amount of personal information available online.
Business Changes
If your business has undergone changes, such as a change in phone number or business hours, removing your old phone number from Google Business can ensure that customers have access to the most up-to-date information.
Removing Your Phone Number from Google Business: A Step-by-Step Guide
Now that we’ve covered the reasons why you might want to remove your phone number from Google Business, let’s walk through the process of doing so. Please note that you will need to have access to your Google Business account and be logged in to make these changes.
Step 1: Sign in to Your Google Business Account
Begin by signing in to your Google Business account using your email and password. Once you’re logged in, you’ll be taken to the Google Business dashboard.
Step 2: Find Your Business Listing
In the Google Business dashboard, find your business listing by clicking on “All locations” in the top navigation bar. If you have multiple locations, select the one for which you want to remove the phone number.
Step 3: Click on “Info”
Once you’ve selected your business location, click on the “Info” tab on the left-hand side of the screen.
Step 4: Click on the Pencil Icon
Next, click on the pencil icon next to “Phone” to edit your business phone number.
Step 5: Remove Your Phone Number
In the “Edit phone number” window, delete your current phone number. You can do this by highlighting the entire number and pressing the “Delete” key on your keyboard. Alternatively, you can click on the “Clear” button.
Step 6: Click “Apply”
Once you’ve removed your phone number, click on the “Apply” button to save your changes.
Step 7: Verify Your Changes
After saving your changes, Google will send a verification email to the email address associated with your Google Business account. Click on the verification link to confirm that you’ve removed your phone number.
What Happens After You Remove Your Phone Number?
After you’ve removed your phone number from Google Business, you might be wondering what happens next. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Google Business Listing Update
Once you’ve removed your phone number, your Google Business listing will no longer display your phone number. This means that customers will not be able to see your phone number when searching for your business online.
Customer Impact
Removing your phone number from Google Business may impact how customers can contact you. If you’ve removed your phone number, customers may not be able to call you directly from your Google Business listing. However, customers can still contact you through other means, such as email or through your website.
SEO Implications
Removing your phone number from Google Business should not have a significant impact on your search engine optimization (SEO). However, it’s essential to ensure that your website and other online listings are up-to-date and consistent in terms of your business contact information.
Tips and Tricks
Here are a few additional tips and tricks to keep in mind when removing your phone number from Google Business:
Keep Your Website Up-to-Date
Make sure your website has the most up-to-date contact information, including your new phone number (if you have one). This will ensure that customers can still find a way to contact you.
Update Other Online Listings
In addition to updating your Google Business listing, make sure to update your other online listings, such as Yelp, Bing Places, and other directories.
Set Up a Contact Form
Consider setting up a contact form on your website to allow customers to reach out to you electronically. This can be especially useful if you’ve removed your phone number from Google Business.
Conclusion
Removing your phone number from Google Business is a relatively straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can remove your phone number from your Google Business listing and maintain control over your online presence. Remember to keep your website and other online listings up-to-date, and consider setting up a contact form on your website to allow customers to reach out to you electronically.
Why do I need to unlist my phone number from Google Business?
Removing your phone number from Google Business is essential if you want to maintain control over who can contact you and how. By unlisting your phone number, you can prevent unwanted calls, texts, and spam messages from telemarketers, scammers, and other unwanted solicitors. Additionally, unlisting your phone number can help you maintain privacy and reduce the risk of identity theft.
Moreover, unlisting your phone number from Google Business can also help you improve your online presence and reputation. By removing your phone number, you can prevent negative reviews or comments from being associated with your business. This can be especially important if you’re a small business owner or entrepreneur who wants to maintain a professional online image.
Will unlisting my phone number from Google Business affect my business’s online visibility?
Unlisting your phone number from Google Business will not directly affect your business’s online visibility. Your business will still appear in search results, and customers will still be able to find your business listing on Google. However, they will not be able to see or contact you through your phone number. This means that you’ll need to provide alternative contact methods, such as an email address or physical address, for customers to get in touch with you.
It’s worth noting that having a verified phone number on Google Business can actually improve your business’s online visibility. Verified phone numbers can increase the credibility and trustworthiness of your business, making it more likely to appear in search results. However, if you’re concerned about privacy or unwanted contacts, unlisting your phone number is still a viable option.
Can I remove my phone number from Google Business without affecting my business listing?
Yes, you can remove your phone number from Google Business without affecting your business listing. When you unlist your phone number, it will only remove the phone number from your business listing and prevent it from being displayed publicly. Your business listing will remain active, and all other information, such as your business hours, address, and reviews, will remain intact.
To remove your phone number without affecting your business listing, follow the step-by-step guide to unlisting your phone number from Google Business. This will ensure that your business listing remains active and accurate, while removing your phone number from public view.
How long does it take to unlist my phone number from Google Business?
The time it takes to unlist your phone number from Google Business can vary depending on the method you use. If you’re using the Google My Business dashboard, you can remove your phone number instantly. Simply log in to your Google My Business account, navigate to the “Info” tab, and delete the phone number from the “Contact information” section.
If you’re using a different method, such as submitting a request to Google Support, it may take longer to unlist your phone number. Google Support may require additional verification or information to process your request, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. In general, it’s recommended to use the Google My Business dashboard to remove your phone number, as it’s the fastest and most efficient method.
Will unlisting my phone number from Google Business affect my Google My Business account?
Unlisting your phone number from Google Business will not affect your Google My Business account. Your Google My Business account will remain active, and you’ll still be able to manage your business listing, respond to reviews, and access other features. The only change is that your phone number will no longer be displayed publicly on your business listing.
It’s worth noting that if you’re using your phone number to verify your business on Google My Business, unlisting it may affect your verification status. In this case, you may need to re-verify your business using an alternative method, such as a postcard or email verification.
Can I unlist my phone number from Google Business if I have multiple locations?
Yes, you can unlist your phone number from Google Business even if you have multiple locations. To do this, you’ll need to log in to your Google My Business account and navigate to the “Locations” tab. From there, select the location for which you want to remove the phone number, and follow the steps to delete the phone number from the “Contact information” section.
If you have multiple locations with different phone numbers, you’ll need to repeat this process for each location. Alternatively, you can use the Google My Business API to bulk update your business listings and remove phone numbers in bulk. This may require additional technical expertise and setup, however.
Is unlisting my phone number from Google Business permanent?
Unlisting your phone number from Google Business is permanent, but it’s not irreversible. If you remove your phone number from your business listing, it will be permanently removed from public view. However, if you need to add your phone number back to your business listing in the future, you can do so by following the same steps to add a new phone number.
It’s worth noting that if you’re using your phone number for verification purposes, you may not be able to reuse the same phone number if you re-add it to your business listing. In this case, you may need to use an alternative verification method or provide additional information to Google Support to re-verify your business.