Answers / Google Business Profile

Can I Have a Google Business Profile Without Showing My Address?

Yes — Google's service-area business setting exists specifically for businesses that travel to customers rather than serving them at a storefront. It hides the public address while still allowing an accurate service area to be shown.

Updated Oct 9, 2026 · by CitedLocal

Who this is actually for

The service-area setting is intended for businesses that don't have customers visiting a physical location — mobile trades, home services, and similar businesses that travel to the customer. It's not intended as a general privacy setting for a storefront business that simply prefers not to publish its address.

What changes when you use it

Your address stays private from public view, but you still define the geographic area you serve, and Google still needs an accurate address internally for verification and eligibility purposes — it isn't public, but it isn't optional either. Reviews, posts, and other profile features continue to work normally.

Where businesses get this wrong

1. Using it for a storefront business that does receive walk-in customers — this misrepresents the business and can create eligibility problems.
2. Setting an unrealistically large service area relative to how far the business genuinely travels, which can hurt relevance for the areas actually served.
3. Leaving the internal address outdated after a real move, on the assumption that because it isn't public, it doesn't need to stay accurate — it does, since Google still uses it.

Rather not keep up with this yourself? That is what our Google Business Profile management covers.

Can Two Businesses Share the Same Address on Google?

Yes, if they're genuinely separate businesses that each meet Google's rules: their own name, permanent signage and staff serving customers there. What you can't do is split one business into several profiles at the same address, or list a virtual office.

When two profiles at one address are fine

• Separate businesses that each operate there with their own signage, like a salon and a separately owned nail studio in the same building.
• Departments that operate as distinct entities, with a different name and category from the main business. Google's examples include "Walmart Vision Center."
• Co-located types Google lists: a restaurant inside a hotel, a pharmacy inside a grocery store.
• Two independently operated brands at one location may each have a profile.

When it's not allowed

• One business creating several profiles for the same location to cover different services or keywords.
• Combined brand names on one profile, like "KFC / Taco Bell."
• A virtual office: Google says a rented mailing address you don't operate from isn't eligible.
• A co-working desk, unless it has clear signage, receives customers during business hours and is staffed by your team.

Practitioners

Individual practitioners, such as doctors, lawyers and insurance agents, can have their own profiles at a shared office. The organization should have its own profile too.

Avoid looking like a duplicate

Use distinct names, categories and phone numbers, and make sure each business has its own entrance signage or suite number. Shared details are what make Google treat two profiles as one.

If you want this handled every month, see our Google Business Profile management.

How Do Home-Based Businesses Show Up on Google Maps?

Set up as a service-area business with your home address hidden, choose the areas you really serve, and get ready for video verification. You can still show up in local results without customers ever seeing your address.

Set it up correctly

Google's guidelines give this exact example: if you're a plumber running your business from your home, clear the address from your Business Profile. You still enter your address privately for verification, but customers see your service area instead.

If customers do come to your home

If you see clients at home, for example a home studio or salon, you can show the address. Google's guidelines expect permanent signage that matches your profile name for businesses that customers visit.

Verification

Home-based owners often get video verification. Plan to show:

1. A street sign or house number near where you work.
2. Your branded vehicle or tools, if you have them.
3. Branded items such as uniforms, cards or invoices.
4. A document with your business name, with any ID or account numbers covered.

After you're verified

• List each service separately.
• Add real photos of your work.
• Ask every happy customer for a review.
• Use the same business name and phone everywhere online.
• Build a simple website with a page per service.

Rather not keep up with this yourself? That is what our Google Business Profile management covers.

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