What should you do when Google shows the wrong map pin or entrance?
The street address is correct.
Customers still call from the wrong side of the building.
Google Maps may place the pin at:
- the rear service entrance;
- a neighbouring unit;
- the middle of a large property;
- a road with no public access.
That does not automatically mean the business address should change.
The useful question is:
Is the address wrong, is the pin wrong, or is the navigation route wrong?
Short answer
Separate the problem before editing.
If the postal address is wrong
Correct the Business Profile address.
If the address is correct but the pin is wrong
Use Google Business Profile’s Adjust control and move the pin to the actual business location.
Google’s current instructions are:
- go to the Business Profile;
- select Edit profile and Location;
- edit Business location;
- select Adjust;
- move the map so the pin points to the business;
- select Done and Save.
If address and pin are correct but navigation still sends customers to the wrong road or entrance
Treat that as a Maps/navigation problem.
Do not change a correct business address merely to manipulate the route.
Why does the distinction matter?
A Business Profile address is a factual business field.
The map pin represents where the business is located on the map.
Navigation can depend on wider Maps road and access data.
Changing one to solve another can create a new error.
For example:
- the street address is correct;
- the building has two entrances;
- Google routes drivers to a locked rear gate.
Changing the street number would make the Business Profile inaccurate.
The problem is arrival routing, not business identity.
When should you adjust the pin?
Google says that if the system cannot find the correct address, or if the mapped location needs adjustment, the business can set or move the pin.
The pin should point to the actual business location.
For a large building or site, put it where it best represents the customer-facing business location.
Do not move the pin to a more commercially attractive street or neighbourhood.
Should the pin be on the entrance door?
Google’s Business Profile help says to move the pin so it points to the business location.
It does not publish a universal rule that every pin must sit on the exact doorway.
For a small storefront, the storefront location is straightforward.
For a large complex, mall, hospital or industrial property, the correct point may need practical judgement.
The goal is accurate location, not ranking manipulation.
What if the building has several entrances?
Document which entrance customers should use.
Useful website/profile information can include:
- entrance name;
- floor or suite;
- landmark;
- parking entrance;
- accessibility entrance;
- reception instructions.
Do not put non-address directions into the formal address field if they are not part of the official address.
Google’s address guidance says only official address information belongs in the address.
What if Street View shows the wrong side?
Google says editing the map pin can associate the Business Profile with more accurate Street View imagery.
The business can also add its own Street View imagery where appropriate.
That is separate from changing the postal address.
What if the address has no street number?
Google says that if an address has no street number or the system cannot find it, the business can pin the location directly on the map.
Use the real location.
Do not invent a street number.
What if the map pin keeps moving back?
Then document the repeated change.
Record:
- correct address;
- correct coordinates/pin;
- when you changed it;
- when it reverted;
- screenshots;
- customer impact.
A repeated reversion may require a broader Business Profile support investigation.
Do not repeatedly change unrelated fields.
What if customers are still routed incorrectly after the pin is fixed?
Confirm the pin first.
Then test directions from more than one realistic starting point.
If the pin is correct but Maps still directs customers through an inaccessible road or wrong entrance, use Google Maps feedback for the road/place/navigation issue.
Keep the Business Profile factual.
A routing issue should not be “fixed” by moving the business to a false address.
Should you add directions to the business description?
The Business Profile description is not a substitute for accurate map data.
You can publish useful arrival information on your website or location page.
For complex properties, that can help customers even while a Maps correction is being processed.
Does moving the pin affect ranking?
Do not move it for ranking.
Google’s local results use distance among several factors, but the pin must represent the real business location.
Moving it to target a neighbourhood would make the location inaccurate.
The objective is customer arrival accuracy.
What should a business owner check?
- Is the postal address correct?
- Is the pin on the real business location?
- Which entrance should customers use?
- Does Street View match the customer-facing side?
- Are route problems caused by road/access data rather than the profile?
- Are website arrival instructions clear?
- Is the issue repeated or one-time?
Fix the factual layer that is actually wrong.
FAQ
Can I move the Google Business Profile pin without changing the address?
Yes. Google provides an Adjust control for the map pin.
Should I change the address if the pin is wrong?
No, not if the postal address is already correct. Adjust the pin instead.
What if Google routes customers to the wrong entrance?
First verify the address and pin. If both are correct, treat the remaining issue as a Maps/navigation problem rather than falsifying the address.
Can I put landmarks into the address field?
Google says address fields should contain official address information. In some regions, nearby cross-streets or landmarks may be used where the official address does not accurately pinpoint the location, but do not add arbitrary directions or keywords.
Can changing the pin improve ranking?
Do not use the pin as a ranking tactic. It should represent the real business location.
How quickly will the edit show?
Google says profile changes often appear quickly but can sometimes take longer to review. Do not promise a fixed completion time.