What Should I Do If Google Can't Find My Business Address?

Published 2026-09-05 · Last reviewed 2026-09-05 · 16 min read · Google Business Profile

Why can’t Google recognise my address?

Avoid claiming one cause without evidence. Common situations include a newly named street, a new development, a rural location, a missing street number, a large property, or unit numbering that does not match how the form parsed the line.

Google’s address help says to enter a complete street address and, if the system cannot find it, you will get a warning. Re-enter parts highlighted in red. If it still cannot find the address, use Adjust to set a pin. Representation guidelines also say that if the address has no street number, or the system cannot find it, you can pin the business directly on the map. Sources: Manage your business address and Guidelines for representing your business on Google.

A move to a new street is a different project: Local SEO when a business moves.

Should I add landmarks into the address?

Only where current Google guidance permits: when the official street address does not accurately pinpoint the business.

Google currently says to include only information that is part of the official address, and to avoid showing the address as “Corner of Main St. and Broadway Ave.” or “Across from Central Park.” Cross-streets or landmarks are for regions where the official address is not accurate. Do not replace a usable street number with a landmark to force the form to accept the line.

What about suite, floor or building numbers?

Include them. Google currently says to include building, suite and floor numbers and other unit information.

Representation guidelines say suite numbers, floors and building numbers may be included. If you must specify a mailbox or suite number, put the physical address on Address line 1 and the mailbox or suite on Address line 2. Do not put keywords or URLs in address lines.

What if the address has no street number?

Google currently allows you to pin the location on the map when the address has no street number or the system cannot find a correct address.

Enter the official locality details you do have, then use Adjust. Do not borrow a numbered address from a neighbouring lot so the form looks “complete.”

How do I adjust the map pin?

Use Google’s current Location editor path: Edit profile, Location, edit Business location, then Adjust. Move the map so the pin points to the business, then save.

Google currently documents that sequence for cases with no street number or when the system cannot find the business at the address entered. Place the pin on the customer entrance or the real operating point, not on a landmark you hope will rank better. Changes usually appear in about 10 minutes and can take up to 30 days. Source: Manage your business address.

What if customers do not visit this address?

Hide the public address and set a service area. Do not fight the form to publish a pin customers cannot use.

Google currently says you should only choose not to show the address if you are a service-area business. That setup is Google Business Profile for service-area businesses.

Could address changes require verification?

They can. An address or location edit may be reviewed, and some businesses need to verify again after a location change.

Google’s address help notes pending review and that some edits take longer. If verification fails after you entered a real address, continue with what to do when Google Business Profile verification fails rather than inventing a different street.

What if Google finds the address but pins the wrong place?

That is a different problem. The system recognised the address; the marker is wrong.

Use Adjust to move the pin. Do not change a correct street number to “pull” the marker. The full diagnosis is what to do when the Google Maps pin is in the wrong place.

Should I invent a nearby address?

No. Use the official address and pin the real location.

A neighbouring number, a shopping-centre office you do not occupy, or a virtual office is not a workaround. Representation guidelines require a precise real-world location and reject virtual offices and remote mailboxes as storefront addresses.

Address Troubleshooting Flowchart

Official address Enter the complete street details, including unit, floor or building where they belong.

Google recognises it?

Yes — verify the pin Confirm Directions ends at the customer entrance. A recognised address with a wrong marker is a different diagnosis.

Google recognises it?

No — correct details, then Adjust Re-enter highlighted fields. Pin the real place if there is no street number or the system still cannot find it.

Then

Verification if Google asks Match the website to the same official address. Hide the address only if customers never visit.

• Write the official address, including unit or floor.
• Re-enter any field Google highlights in red.
• Use Adjust if the system still cannot find the place or there is no street number.
• Add a landmark only when the official address does not pinpoint the business.
• Hide the address if customers never visit.
• Complete verification if Google asks.
• Match the website to the same official address.

What not to assume

• That a red field means the business is ineligible.
• That a new street will never be recognised, so a fake number is required.
• That pinning a landmark is better than pinning the door.
• That this is the same job as a wrong pin on a recognised address.

What not to do

• Do not invent a nearby numbered address.
• Do not create a second profile to “get a pin that works.”
• Do not put “near the highway” in Address line 1 when a street number exists.
• Do not hide a shopfront address to avoid the recognition warning.

Practical options

1. Confirm the official address from council, landlord or postal sources.
2. Enter it completely, including unit details on the correct line.
3. If recognition fails, pin the real place and save.
4. If customers do not visit, switch to a hidden address and service area instead.
5. If the address was recognised and only the marker is wrong, follow the wrong-pin guide.

When professional help makes sense

Help is useful on a new estate, a large rural property, or a complex where unit numbering keeps failing recognition. Nobody can make Google invent a street that is not in its map data, and nobody should replace a real address with a convenient neighbour.

Sources and further reading

• Google Business Profile Help: Manage your business address
• Google Business Profile Help: Guidelines for representing your business on Google