Google Business Profile vs Google Maps: What's the Difference?

For business owners, the way Google brands its local products is genuinely confusing. Google Business Profile, Google My Business, Google Maps, the knowledge panel, the local pack... they're all related but distinct.

Here's how it really works.

The short answer

• Google Business Profile (GBP) = the data about your business (name, address, hours, photos, reviews)
• Google Maps = the map app that displays GBPs as pins
• Google Search results = also displays GBPs in the local pack and knowledge panel
• Google My Business (GMB) = the old name for GBP (retired in 2022, but people still say it)

You don't have two separate listings. You have one business profile, and Google shows it in different surfaces (Maps, Search, etc.).

The full picture

Google Business Profile

This is the single source of truth about your business. It contains:

• Business name, address, phone (NAP)
• Hours including special hours
• Primary + secondary categories
• Description
• Services and products
• Photos and videos
• Reviews and ratings
• Posts and updates
• Q&A
• Attributes (wheelchair accessible, etc.)
• Service area (for service-area businesses)

You manage this through the GBP dashboard at business.google.com.

Google Maps

The Maps app reads your GBP and displays it as a pin on the map with an info card. When users:

• Search "coffee near me"
• Pan around looking at the map
• Click on your business

...they see your GBP data formatted for the Maps interface.

Google Search results

When users search in regular Google (not Maps), your GBP appears in three main places:

1. Knowledge panel — the box on the right side of search results for branded queries. Shows your photo, NAP, hours, reviews.

2. Local pack — the 3-business box with a map that appears for local-intent queries like "restaurants near me" or "dentist Dublin".

3. Business listing in regular results — sometimes your GBP appears as a standard result with the map snippet.

All three pull from the same GBP data. You can't make them different.

What changed when Google renamed GMB to GBP

In 2022, Google renamed "Google My Business" to "Google Business Profile" and made some structural changes:

• The dashboard moved into Google Search directly — you can manage your profile by searching your business name while signed in
• The standalone GMB mobile app was retired
• The web dashboard (business.google.com) still exists but is being phased out
• Many features (messaging, reviews, posts) now happen directly in Google Maps and Search

The functionality is the same. Only the name changed. If you see references to "Google My Business" online, treat them as referring to GBP.

Who can see what

Surface	Where it appears	When it shows
Knowledge panel	Right side of search	Branded searches
Local pack	Top of search	Local-intent searches
Maps pin	Google Maps	Any map view
Business profile on Maps	Click a pin	User taps your business
Standard listing	Mid/bottom of search	Sometimes for branded searches

Common confusions

"Why is my Maps listing different from my Google search listing?"

They're the same data. If they look different, it's likely:

• Different versions cached at different times — sometimes Maps updates faster, sometimes Search
• A/B tests — Google constantly tests new layouts
• Personalisation — what you see may differ from what others see

There's no separate "Maps listing" to edit. Edit your GBP and both will update.

"Why do my hours show different in Maps vs Search?"

Usually a caching delay. After updating, allow 24-72 hours for changes to propagate everywhere.

"Can I have two listings — one for Maps, one for Search?"

No, and you shouldn't try. Duplicate listings get merged by Google and often suspended. One business = one listing.

"I see my business on Maps but it says 'Unclaimed'"

Someone (probably Google's algorithms) created a listing based on signals — without you knowing. You need to claim it via the dashboard. See our verification guide.

"I deleted my GBP — is it really gone?"

Often no. Google retains business data because of public interest (search results, Maps users referencing addresses). Even after you "delete", the listing may persist as unclaimed. To fully remove, you usually need to:

1. Mark as "Permanently closed" first
2. Submit a removal request via Google support
3. Wait 30+ days

This is why monitoring your profile matters — your data exists in Google's ecosystem indefinitely.

Where you should focus

If you're a small business owner, here's the practical advice:

1. You have ONE Google Business Profile. That's the only thing you manage.
2. Optimise it thoroughly (see our complete checklist)
3. Your changes automatically appear in Maps, Search, and everywhere else
4. Monitor for unauthorised changes — anyone can suggest edits to your GBP, and you may not be notified

What about Google Maps reviews?

Reviews left "on Maps" or "on Search" are the same reviews. They appear in both places. There's no separate Maps review system.

To respond, you go to your GBP dashboard (or search your business while signed in and use the in-search management tools).

MyReputation.ie tracks every review across all surfaces in real time — see new reviews within minutes, respond fast, and never miss a single one.

TL;DR

• Google Business Profile = your business data
• Google Maps = displays GBPs as pins
• Google Search = displays GBPs in local pack and knowledge panel
• Google My Business = the old name for GBP

One profile. Many surfaces. One dashboard to manage them all.

Get your GBP monitored → — Free for one location. Pro from €12/year.