Google Maps Publishes an Authoritative Description on Duplicate Records Removal Process

It is very common for a business location to have multiple business listings in Google Maps. These records are provided by Google's many data providers, readers who create new records without checking existing records from the Local Business Center leads to confusion. Since, a wrong click could remove the business from Maps completely.

At times, you may think that you're removing duplicate records but actually you might be suspending all of your records. The process is a bit complicated that Google has had trouble describing the process of duplicate record removal.

Therefore, Google has now come out with an authoritative description of the duplicate removal process:

“Disclaimer: Before you get started, it’s important to remember that a listing contains information merged from multiple sources. Suspending a duplicate listing could cause the original listing to be removed from Maps, because all sources of information for both the original and the duplicate might be suppressed.

1. Choose the listing that you’d prefer to keep in your account. Make sure that you have all your enhanced content (photos, business hours, description) attached to this listing and this listing only.
2. For duplicates of this listing in your account (the ones you want to remove), remove all enhanced information. Keep only required information, like the business title, address, and onephone number.
3. Submit these changes and verify as necessary.
4. Now, sit tight for a couple of weeks – just for good measure.
5. Delete the duplicates from your account, choosing Remove this listing from my Local Business Center account.

That’s it! Now you should only have one entry to control the details of your business listing. Be patient with updating certain kinds of information, like pictures — they should eventually appear in Maps.”

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