Short answer: Yes.
Your Google Business Profile (GBP), also known as your Google Maps or Google Business Listing, can absolutely be hijacked and the threat is growing. As digital scams surge during peak seasons, business owners are now targets, not just consumers. From fake Amazon texts to phishing bank alerts, scams are everywhere. But while there’s plenty of coverage about consumer risks, there’s far less attention to the dangers local businesses face especially when it comes to their online listings.
What Is a Google Business Listing Hijack?
A Google listing hijack occurs when someone gains unauthorized control over your verified business profile, often by manipulating the “Claim this business” feature or merging it with another listing. Once hijacked, scammers can change your website URL, reroute traffic, steal leads, or even trick users into clicking malicious links. Unethical local marketers are effectively phishing by triggering an ownership request on your listing. If you approve it by mistake, or ignore it, your business profile could fall into the wrong hands.
Other hijack methods include:
- Merging your verified listing with another to steal your map authority
- Replacing your business URL with malicious or competitor links
- Editing your category, name, or contact information to confuse or mislead users
Why Do Hackers Target Google Listings?
Because map listings convert.
Google Business Profiles drive more phone calls, website visits, and in-person visits than traditional organic listings. Especially for service-based or brick-and-mortar businesses, your map listing is a digital storefront.
A hijacked listing can:
- Trick users into clicking scam links
- Funnel traffic to a competitor’s site
- Spread malware or phishing schemes
- Collect user data under the guise of your brand
According to the FTC, identity theft cost Americans $47 billion in 2024 and hijacked local listings play a growing role in those breaches.
Why Map Listings Are a Goldmine
Map listings are geo-targeted, meaning they appear for people searching locally. Ranking in the top 3 can drive thousands of visits a month, especially for competitive industries like healthcare, restaurants, real estate, and automotive services.
Notice U Marketing clients often see thousands of monthly actions just from their verified map listing. When a scammer hijacks that listing, they’re not just stealing traffic; they’re stealing credibility and sales.
How to Prevent Google Listing Hijacking
Prevention is key. Here’s how to secure your Google Business Profile:
Claim and verify all your listings
Don’t assume a listing is secure just because it’s live. Make sure you’ve gone through Google’s full verification process.
Keep your listing updated
Activity = legitimacy. Post updates, respond to reviews, and upload new photos monthly.
Monitor ownership and user permissions
Limit admin access. If you’re working with an agency, ensure you retain “Primary Owner” status.
What To Do If Your Google Listing Is Hijacked
If you still have access:
- Remove all users except yourself
- Change your Google password
- Replace the listing’s website URL
- Audit all listing data for accuracy
- Contact Google Support for escalation
If you’ve lost access:
- Report the hijacked listing through Google’s business support
- Mark it as “Permanently Closed” or “Report as fraud” to prevent further misuse
- Work with professionals to recover your data and reviews
In many cases, Notice U Marketing has successfully recovered lost listings and restored all reviews, rankings, and visibility.
Let Notice U Marketing Secure Your Listing
Whether you’re protecting a high-traffic listing or trying to recover a hijacked one, we’re here to help. Our Local SEO services include:
- Weekly listing audits
- Authority-building strategies
- Reputation management
- Competitor monitoring
- Security monitoring
- Full-service recovery support
Call us today at (702) 472-8681 or send us an email at [email protected].
