Profile optimisation
Add a Manager or Owner to Google Business Profile — Roles, Permissions and Safe Access for Staff and Agencies
The difference between primary owner, owner and manager on Google Business Profile, how to add or remove people, how to transfer primary ownership, and how to give an agency access without losing control.
By Chamko Research Team Updated 3 min read
Quick answer
Google Business Profile has three roles: one Primary owner, any number of Owners, and Managers. Owners can add and remove users; Managers can edit the profile, post and reply to reviews but can't manage users or remove the profile. Give staff and agencies Manager access, keep your own Gmail as Primary owner, and review the user list every few months.
Quick answer: Google Business Profile has three roles: one Primary owner, any number of Owners, and Managers. Owners can add and remove users; Managers can edit the profile, post and reply to reviews but can't manage users or remove the profile. Give staff and agencies Manager access, keep your own Gmail as Primary owner, and review the user list every few months.
Many owners lose their profiles because an employee or agency created it on their own Gmail. Setting roles correctly from day one prevents that.
The three roles
| Can they… | Primary owner | Owner | Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edit name, hours, photos, posts | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Reply to reviews | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Add or remove users | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Remove the profile | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Be removed without transfer | ❌ (must transfer first) | ✅ | ✅ |
There is only one primary owner. Primary ownership can be transferred only to an existing owner, and a newly added owner must wait a set period (currently seven days) before becoming primary owner. The old "Site manager" role was retired; such users became managers.
How to add a person
- Open your profile → ⋮ (More) → Business Profile settings → Managers / People and access.
- Tap Add and enter their email.
- Choose Manager (recommended) or Owner.
- They accept the invitation from their email or Google account.
How to remove a person
Same screen → tap the person → Remove. They lose access immediately; their past posts and review replies remain.
How to transfer primary ownership
- Add the new person as Owner.
- After the waiting period, go to People and access → select them → Transfer ownership / Make primary owner.
- You become an owner; you can then remove yourself if needed.
Giving an agency access — the safe way
- Add the agency as Manager, not Owner.
- Never share your Gmail password or OTPs.
- Ask for a written list of what they'll do each month.
- When you stop working together, remove them the same day.
- If an agency already holds primary ownership, ask for a transfer in writing; if they don't respond, use Google's ownership request process.
Security checklist
- Primary owner is a Gmail you control (not a former employee's)
- 2-Step Verification on that account
- A second trusted family member as Owner (backup)
- Staff and agencies only as Managers
- User list reviewed every 3 months
Frequently asked questions
Can I have two primary owners?
No — one primary owner, but several owners.
My employee who managed the profile left. What should I do?
If they were a manager, remove them. If they were the primary owner, ask them to transfer it to you; otherwise request ownership from Google.
Does Chamko need owner access?
No. Chamko connects through Google's official sign-in with your permission, and you remain the owner. You can disconnect any time.
Can managers delete reviews?
Nobody can delete customer reviews; you can only report reviews that break policy.