Any individual or company that manages business information for a Business Profile that they don’t own is considered an authorized representative. Examples: a third-party SEO/SEM company; a friend of the business owner; an online ordering, scheduling, or booking provider; and an affiliate network provider.

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Authorized representatives must:

  • Never claim a Business Profile without express consent from the business owner.
  • Never make false, misleading, or unrealistic claims.
  • Never use harassing, abusive, or untrustworthy tactics with potential or existing customers.
  • Always work directly with the business owner to complete verification. Learn more about verification.
  • Always ensure that the business owner understands what a Business Profile on Google is and where Business Profile data is used. Authorized representatives should share the following resources with the business’s owner:
  • Always keep the business owner informed about which actions the authorized representative will take on the Business Profile.
  • Always follow the Guidelines for representing your business on Google. Note that the phone number and website for a Business Profile should always be the single, authoritative phone number and website for the business and be verifiable by the business owner. Website content must be owned and managed by the business owner.
  • Always respond to manage access requests promptly, and always transfer Business Profile ownership to the business owner immediately upon request. Authorized representatives must, whenever possible, encourage the business owner to create an account, own the Business Profile, and add authorized representatives as managers. Learn how to transfer ownership.