How to Request Access to a Client's Google Business Profile

To request access to a client’s Google Business Profile, ask the client to invite you or submit an access request.

• If you just want to manage a single profile, head to https://business.google.com/create, search for the business, and request access.

• If you’re an agency managing multiple Business Profiles, it’s best to request access through your agency’s organization account. You can do this from the Manage invitations tab in Business Profile Manager.  

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Alternatively, you can use a client onboarding tool like Leadsie to automate the access request process. We'll walk you through each method step by step.

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Ways to request Google Business Profile access

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Method 1: Ask your client to invite you as a Manager

Have your client or colleague go to their Google Business Profile > Settings > People and access > Click "Add".

You'll need to send them these two pieces of information:

1. Your Google account email address (if you’re a freelancer or small agency that doesn't have an organization account),
2. Or your business group ID (if you’re an agency using an organization account to manage multiple clients).

Then, have them add you as a Manager.

Note: Your client will remain the primary owner of the profile, while the Manager role lets you update business information, upload photos, publish posts, and respond to reviews.

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In the next two sections, we explain how you can request access to an existing Google Business Profile yourself without an invitation:

‍a) Through Google Search or Maps: Best if you only need access to one Business Profile.

b) Through your organization account: Best if you're managing multiple client profiles through a Google Business Profile organization account.

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Method 2: Send them a GBP access request through Search or Maps

Step 1: Search for your client's business

Go to business.google.com/create and sign into the Google account you want to use to manage your client’s profile.
Type your client’s business name and select the right option from the dropdown or results.

1. Go to business.google.com/create and sign into the Google account you want to use to manage your client’s profile.
2. Type your client’s business name and select the right option from the dropdown or results.

Note: You're not creating a new profile if you select one of the results or an existing business name.

Alternatively, find your client's business on Google Search or Maps and click Own this business? if the option appears.

Step 2: Click "Request Access"

If the profile is already managed by someone else, Google will show a message indicating that the business may be claimed. This does not affect your ability to send an access request.

Click the Request Access button to continue.

Step 3: Fill out and submit the access request form

Complete the form with the following details:

• Access level: Management (it gives you enough permissions without having admin access the account)
• Relationship to the business: Agency
• Contact details: Your name and phone number

Then, click Submit to send your request.

That's all. Your client will see the request in their dashboard and email.

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What happens after you request access?

Google will notify the current profile owner, who has three days to respond.

• If approved: You'll receive an email confirming that you can manage the profile.
• If denied: You'll receive an email with information about your options, which may include appealing the decision.

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Method 3: Request access using an organization account (agency account)

If you're an agency managing multiple clients' Google Business Profiles, you can request access through your Google Business Profile organization account.

An organization account lets you manage client profiles in one place without needing to request access through a personal Google account.

Step 1: Sign in to your Google Business Profile Agency Dashboard

Log in to your Business Profile Manager @ https://www.google.com/business.

If you don’t have one yet, go to business.google.com/agencysignup to set up a new Business Profile Manager account.

Step 2: Open the Manage invitations tab

In your Agency Dashboard, click on the Manage invitations tab, then select Request access in the top right corner.

Step 3: Select your organization and business group

Choose your Organization (your agency's name) and the Business Group where you want to manage the client's profile.

Business Groups are like folders that help you organize client profiles.

Step 4: Search for the client's business and request access

Type in your client's business name and select the correct profile from the search results.

Click Request access and follow any additional prompts to submit your request.

What happens after you request access?

Your client will receive a notification asking them to approve your agency's access request. Once they approve it, you'll receive a confirmation email and can manage their Business Profile through your selected Business Group.

You can see all your pending requests in your dashboard under Manage invitations > Requests sent.

Method 4: Request Google Business Profile access with Leadsie

Leadsie is a client onboarding tool that allows agencies request access to a client's Google Business Profile with a single link. This same Leadsie link can be used for multiple clients to give you access to various msocial media and marketing platforms in one go.

1. Send your client a Leadsie access link (fully customizable). 
2. Your client opens the link, signs in with their Google account, and follows the instructions on screen.
3. They confirm the request, and your agency gets access. 
4. No need to navigate settings and dashboards!

The same Leadsie link can also request access to Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Tag Manager and 14+ other marketing platforms.

🔗 Want to automate more time-consuming parts of client onboarding? Learn the best ways to automate your onboarding process.

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Troubleshooting: why can’t I request access?

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Issue 1: The business doesn't appear in search 

Service-area businesses with a hidden address often don't show up when you search for them to request access. 

In this case, ask the owner to invite you directly, or contact Google Business Profile support for help. 

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Issue 2: A previous agency owns the profile

Ask your client to get in touch with their previous agency and request that they transfer primary ownership back to the business owner.

If the agency refuses or doesn't respond, your client can start Google's ownership request process, following the steps in Method 2.

This happens more often than you might think. In an episode of Digital Marketing for Contractors, the hosts describe an agency that refused to share access to a client's profile, claiming it was against company policy.

As the hosts put it: “That is not a thing.”

Your client should always retain control of their Business Profile, no matter who manages their account.