How do I fix the “Located In” feature if Google says my business is inside the wrong building?

TL;DR

To fix an incorrect "Located In" feature on your Google Business Profile, sign into your GBP dashboard, navigate to your location settings, and edit the "Located In" field to reflect the correct parent business or building name. If direct editing doesn't work, you may need to adjust your map pin placement, submit feedback through Google Maps, or contact Google Business Profile support directly to request a manual correction.

Struggling to break into Google’s Maps 3-Pack? Download Your Free Guide 

"7 Steps to Getting Into the 3-Pack"

Discover the proven system LocalBizGuys uses to get small businesses ranking fast.

SUBMIT

What Is the "Located In" Feature on Google Business Profile?

If you run a business that operates inside another establishment: think a coffee kiosk inside a grocery store, a salon booth inside a larger salon suite, or a jewelry counter inside a department store: Google uses the "Located In" feature to show customers exactly where to find you.

When it works correctly, it's fantastic. Your profile displays something like:

"Located in: Westfield Shopping Center"

This helps customers understand that you're not a standalone storefront. They know to look for you inside the parent location.

But here's the problem: Google doesn't always get this right.

Sometimes Google will say your business is located inside the wrong building, a competitor's location, or a business that doesn't even exist anymore. And that's a serious issue because it confuses potential customers before they even walk through the door.

Let's fix it.

Why Does Google Get the "Located In" Information Wrong?

Before we dive into the fix, it helps to understand why this happens in the first place. Google pulls location data from multiple sources:

• User-submitted edits (anyone can suggest changes to your listing)
• Third-party data aggregators
• Historical business data from previous tenants
• Automated map algorithms that "guess" relationships between nearby businesses

So if your business moved, if the parent location rebranded, or if someone submitted incorrect information, Google might display the wrong "Located In" data.

"Google's algorithms are powerful, but they're not perfect. When it comes to nested business locations, human oversight is often required to get things right." : Local SEO industry insight

The good news? You have several options to correct this.

Step 1: Edit the "Located In" Field Directly in Your GBP Dashboard

This is your first and easiest option.

Here's how to do it:

1. Sign in to your Google Business Profile account
2. Select the business profile you want to edit
3. Click on "Edit profile"
4. Navigate to the "Location" section
5. Look for the "Located in" field
6. Update it with the correct parent business or building name
7. Click "Save"

Google may review your changes before publishing them. In most cases, edits go live within 24-72 hours, but some changes may require additional verification.

Pro tip: Make sure you're using the exact name of the parent business as it appears on their own Google Business Profile. Consistency matters here: if the mall is listed as "Riverside Mall" on Google and you type "Riverside Shopping Center," the system might reject your edit or create confusion.

Step 2: Adjust Your Map Pin Placement

Sometimes the "Located In" error happens because your map pin is placed incorrectly. If Google thinks your pin is inside Building A when you're actually in Building B, it might auto-assign the wrong parent location.

To fix your map pin:

1. Open your Google Business Profile dashboard
2. Go to the "Location" tab
3. Click the pencil icon next to your address
4. On the map interface, look for your location pin
5. Drag and drop the pin to the exact correct location within the building
6. Save your changes

This small adjustment can trigger Google's algorithm to reassess which building your business is associated with.

Step 3: Submit a Correction Through Google Maps

If you can't edit the "Located In" field directly from your dashboard (some business categories have limited editing options), you can try submitting a correction through Google Maps itself.

Here's the process:

1. Open Google Maps (desktop or mobile)
2. Search for your business name
3. Click on your business listing
4. Scroll down and click "Suggest an edit"
5. Select "Change name or other details"
6. Find the "Located In" field and submit the correct information
7. Add a brief note explaining the error

Google reviews these suggestions, so it may take a few days to see results. But this method often works when dashboard edits don't.

Step 4: Check for Duplicate or Outdated Listings

Here's something many business owners overlook: sometimes the "Located In" error is caused by duplicate listings or outdated profiles for the parent location.

For example:

• The mall you're inside might have two Google listings (one old, one current)
• A previous tenant at your address might still have an active profile
• The parent business might have changed names without updating Google

Search Google Maps for the parent location and see what comes up. If you find duplicates or outdated listings, you can:

• Report them as duplicates through Google Maps
• Contact the parent business and ask them to clean up their listings
• Reach out to Google support with documentation

This won't directly fix your "Located In" field, but it removes conflicting data that might be causing the issue.

Step 5: Contact Google Business Profile Support

If none of the above methods work, it's time to escalate.

Google Business Profile support can manually review and correct "Located In" errors that can't be fixed through standard editing. Here's how to reach them:

1. Go to your Google Business Profile dashboard
2. Click the "Help" icon (question mark)
3. Select "Contact us"
4. Choose the issue category closest to "incorrect business information"
5. Request a callback, chat, or email support

When you contact support, be specific. Explain:

• What the current "Located In" field shows
• What it should show
• Any supporting documentation (lease agreement, photos, etc.)

Having documentation ready speeds up the process significantly.

How Long Does It Take to Fix the "Located In" Feature?

Here's a realistic timeline based on the method you use:

Patience is key. Google processes millions of edits daily, so even straightforward fixes can take time to propagate across all their platforms.

Tips to Prevent Future "Located In" Errors

Once you've fixed the issue, take these steps to prevent it from happening again:

1. Monitor your listing regularly : Check your GBP at least monthly to catch unauthorized changes early. Learn more about tracking your GBP activity.

2. Maintain NAP consistency : Your Name, Address, and Phone number should be identical everywhere online.

3. Coordinate with your landlord : If you're inside a larger building, make sure the parent business keeps their Google listing accurate too.

4. Respond to Google notifications : If Google asks you to verify changes, do it promptly.

Why Accurate Location Data Matters for Local SEO

Getting your "Located In" feature right isn't just about avoiding customer confusion: it directly impacts your local search visibility.

Google's algorithm uses location accuracy as a trust signal. If your data is inconsistent or incorrect, Google may:

• Rank you lower in the Maps 3-Pack
• Show your listing less frequently for "near me" searches
• Display warnings or outdated information to potential customers

For businesses operating inside larger establishments, that "Located In" feature is prime real estate. When it's accurate, it builds trust and helps customers find you faster.

Need Help Managing Your Google Business Profile?

Fixing "Located In" errors is just one piece of the local SEO puzzle. If you're spending too much time troubleshooting Google issues instead of running your business, we can help.

At LocalBizGuys, we specialize in Google Business Profile optimization for small local businesses. From fixing listing errors to building a review strategy that actually works, we've got your back.

Ready to stop fighting with Google and start showing up where your customers are searching? Get in touch with us today and let's make your GBP work harder for you.