Lost Access to Your Google Business Profile After an Employee Left

Quick answer

Do not create a replacement profile or ask a former employee to share their Google password. First identify the Google Account that owns the profile and use Google's official access-request or account-recovery route. If another person still owns the listing, request access to the existing profile.

Identify the access problem

• You can sign in but cannot find the profile: check whether the business is managed by another account or whether you selected the wrong Google Account.
• A former employee or agency is still an owner: request access to the existing listing and document who currently controls it.
• You do not know the account login: use Google's account recovery process for the account, not a profile-creation workaround.
• The profile is accessible but no one internally has primary ownership: review the owner/manager list and arrange a proper ownership transfer when possible.

Request access to the existing profile

Use the official ownership request process for the profile you already found. Provide accurate business information and wait for the response. Google's documentation says the current owner has three days to respond to a request; outcomes can include approval, denial with an appeal option, or a possible claim option if there is no response. That claim option is not always available.

Reduce the risk next time

Give each authorised person access through their own Google Account. Keep at least two trusted internal people involved in business continuity where appropriate, and document who is primary owner. When an agency contract ends, remove or adjust its access only after confirming that the business retains control. Never share one password among staff or place recovery codes in a public spreadsheet.

If the former employee is unreachable

Keep a record of your role, business identity and attempts to contact the current owner. Use Google's supported access request and appeal paths rather than impersonating the former employee. Provide evidence only through the official channel if requested.

Handover checklist

• Correct existing profile identified.
• Owner account and access list reviewed.
• Access request or account recovery initiated.
• Primary ownership recorded after resolution.
• Former agency/staff access reviewed securely.
• Recovery email and phone maintained by the business.

Sources

• Resolve duplicate profiles & ownership issues — Google Business Profile Help
• Manage your Business Profile owners & managers — Google Business Profile Help
• Transfer primary ownership of a Business Profile — Google Business Profile Help
• Add or claim your Business Profile — Google Business Profile Help