Another Business Has the Same Name as Yours? Fixing Google Maps Confusion, Wrong Calls and Misplaced Reviews

Quick answer: Two genuine businesses can share a name, so Google won't remove either for that alone. Reduce confusion by making your listing distinctive: exact pin, your area in the address, unique photos and signage, accurate category, and — if it's on your signboard — a location descriptor like "Krishna Sweets, Satellite". Tell customers your full name and area, share your own review and Maps links directly so reviews land on the right listing, and check regularly that your phone and website haven't been merged into the other profile. If someone copied your registered brand deliberately, consider a trademark notice with legal advice.

Common names — Krishna, Shree Ganesh, Sai, New India, Royal, Raj — are used by many businesses in the same city. Confusion is common, but manageable.

Symptoms

• Customers call the other business, or theirs call you.
• Reviews meant for you appear on their listing, and vice versa (review on wrong branch).
• Google shows the other business when people search your name (competitor shows when searching my name).
• Details get mixed: your phone on their listing, their photos on yours.

Step 1: check both listings

Search your name on Maps and note every similar listing: names, addresses, phone numbers, websites and photos. Look for details that belong to you on their listing.

Step 2: fix mixed-up details

• If your phone or website appears on their listing, suggest an edit to remove it (suggest an edit).
• If their photos appear on yours, report them as "not relevant to this place" (remove photos).
• Keep your details consistent across directories (NAP citations).

Step 3: make your listing distinctive

• Exact pin and full address with your area.
• Specific category — if they're a sweet shop and you're a restaurant, categories already separate you (categories guide).
• Unique photos of your shopfront and signage (signboard and Street View).
• Description mentioning your area and specialities.
• Location descriptor — only if it's genuinely on your signage or branding (business name rules).

Step 4: guide customers to the right listing

• Share your Google Maps link and review link directly instead of asking people to "search us on Google" (review link).
• Put the QR code for your review link at the counter (review QR poster).
• On visiting cards and bills, print your full name plus area.

Step 5: handle misplaced reviews

You can't move a review. If a customer reviewed the wrong business, politely ask them to delete it there and post it on yours, using your direct link. On your own listing, if a review clearly describes the other business, reply politely and report it as not relevant.

Step 6: wrong calls

Answer politely and redirect: "You may be looking for Krishna Sweets in Navrangpura — we're Krishna Restaurant in Satellite." Note how many wrong calls you get; if it's a lot, strengthen your branding (wrong enquiries).

When the name was copied deliberately

If another business started using your brand name to benefit from your reputation:

• Collect evidence: dates, signage photos, ads, customer confusion.
• Check whether your name is a registered trademark.
• Consult a lawyer about passing off or trademark infringement.
• Report the listing if it violates Google's guidelines (fake address, misleading name).

Consider registering your trademark if your brand is valuable (GST and Udyam details).

Rebranding to stand out

If confusion is severe and constant, consider adding a distinctive element to your brand (e.g., "Krishna by Patel's") — on signage, bills and Google together. Change the name properly, so you don't lose reviews (change business name).

Example: two dental clinics

Two "Smile Dental Clinic" listings in one city kept receiving each other's calls. One clinic added its area to its signboard and Google name ("Smile Dental Clinic – Vastrapur"), shared its own review link and printed the area on prescriptions. Wrong calls dropped sharply.

Example: copied brand

A popular snacks brand found a new shop using the same name and similar logo in a nearby area. After a lawyer's notice citing its registered trademark, the new shop changed its name.

Checklist

• List all similar-name listings
• Remove your details from others' listings
• Distinctive pin, photos, category and description
• Share direct Maps and review links
• Redirect wrong calls politely
• Consider trademark for valuable brands

Key takeaways

• Same names are allowed; confusion is managed by distinctiveness.
• Direct links stop misplaced reviews.
• Deliberate copying is a legal issue, not a Google one.

Sources and further reading

• Google Business Profile Help — represent your business: support.google.com/business
• Intellectual Property India — trademarks: ipindia.gov.in

Talk to the other business

If both are genuine, the other owner probably finds the confusion as annoying as you do. A friendly conversation can help: agree to redirect each other's wrong calls, share correct numbers, and each use your area in your branding. Some businesses even keep each other's cards to hand to confused customers. Cooperation is faster than any report.

Monitor monthly

Search your name on Maps once a month and check the top results. Make sure your listing appears first for your exact name plus area, that your phone and website aren't shown on other listings, and that new reviews are landing on your profile.

Frequently asked questions

Can Google remove a business with the same name?

Not for the name alone, if it's a genuine business.

Can I add my area to my name?

Only if it's part of your real-world branding.

Can reviews be moved to my listing?

No — ask the customer to repost on the right listing.

How do I stop wrong calls?

Distinct branding, direct links and polite redirection.

Should I register a trademark?

If your brand is valuable or being copied.

What if they copied my name on purpose?

Collect evidence and consult a lawyer.