Why is there a problem with changing my phone number?

At first glance, this seems like a simple task: “This is my business, I own it, I do what I want” – you think. However, Google algorithms work on different principles. And your task is to understand how the algorithm works → make it like it and change the phone number.

How does the change verification system work?

The algorithm checks data from various sources:

  1. Information on your official website
  2. Data on social networks
  3. Photos in your profile showing the new phone number (signs, banners, flyers, business cards, etc.). You also need to delete old photos with the old number.
  4. Other online directories and catalogs. In particular, directories with a high level of trust are more important. For example, for hotels it will be the giant Booking.com, for services in the US it will be Yelp, for restaurants around the world it will be TripAdvisor, for example
  5. Other mapping services

The system scans information from all available sources on the Internet, after which your edits are accepted or rejected.

The correct algorithm for changing your phone number

  1. Change the number on the sign and other branded materials physically at the location
  2. Update the phone number on all other online resources:
    • Your website
    • Social networks and services where information about you is available
    • Directories, reference books, other maps
  3. Wait for these changes to be indexed by search engines (~ 2 weeks)
  4. Add a photo of the sign, banner, or business card with the new number (if available) to your profile
  5. Only then change the number in your Google business profile

Important: Make sure your business complies with Google’s recommendations for presenting your company

Who has the right to make changes to a company’s Google profile?

Only the business owner, not the manager, can change the phone number. This is how Google protects itself from malicious actions by potential attackers.

Following this algorithm minimizes your chances of being rejected and having to contact support.

What are the statuses of changes in the Company Profile and their explanations

If you started changing your phone number without prior preparation, the changes may receive the following statuses:

  1. Under review (the system searches for evidence of your new phone number on the network; if there is insufficient evidence, this status may remain unchanged)
  2. Not approved (the system has not found evidence that your new phone number actually belongs to your business, i.e., the required phone number is not listed on the website, social networks, or banner/sign)
  3. Partial update — the number has changed in the profile, but the old one is displayed on the map (i.e., there is not enough information on the network).

In all these cases, you need to contact support so that the new phone number starts showing up.

How do I contact support to change the phone number in my Google business profile?

You need to add Screenshots:

  • Notification of rejection or “pending” status, or incorrect display of the number on the card.

Photos/scans of official documents indicating the phone number:

Registration documents:

  • Company registration certificate
  • Commercial activity license
  • Other official documents indicating the owner’s name, company name, and phone number

Utility bills (no older than 3 months):

  • Electricity
  • Gas
  • Water supply
  • Landline phone
  • Postpaid mobile phone