To add a place that doesn’t show up on Google Maps, open the app, tap Contribute, then Add a missing place. On your computer, search for the address and click Add a missing place. If the problem is a wrong address or a misplaced pin, use Suggest an edit instead. And if the place is your business, there’s a different path: create a Google Business Profile, which is free and lets you manage your own information.
People come to this topic for different reasons. One person wants the local bakery to show up on the map. Another lives on a new street and delivery drivers can never find the house. A business owner wants customers to find the store. Each case has a different button in Maps, and using the wrong one is the most common reason a place doesn’t show up.
What’s your situation
| Situation | What to use |
|---|---|
| A public place missing from the map (a square, a store, a landmark) | Add a missing place |
| The address exists, but it’s wrong or the pin is in the wrong spot | Suggest an edit |
| The street or number doesn’t exist on the map yet | Edit the map, on your computer |
| Your home or work, just for you | Save with a private label |
| Your business | Google Business Profile |
How to add a missing place
Google lets anyone suggest missing places, like landmarks, coffee shops, and other local businesses. You can find the steps in Google Maps Help.
On your phone (Android or iPhone)
- Open the Google Maps app.
- Tap Contribute, at the bottom of the screen.
- Tap Add a missing place.
- Fill in the name, category, and address, then adjust the pin to the exact spot.
- Submit.
On your computer
- Open Google Maps in your browser.
- Search for the place’s address.
- Click Add a missing place.
- Fill in the details and submit.
The place goes public once it’s approved. Google doesn’t give a fixed timeline for this review, so it’s worth checking back in a few days to see if it shows up in search.
How to add or fix an address
When the problem isn’t the place but the address, the path is different. The help page on addresses covers two cases.
The address shows up, but it’s wrong. Search for the address, click Suggest an edit, and choose the option that says the address or pin location is incorrect. Enter the correct address, adjust the pin, and submit. On your phone, it’s the same path: Suggest an edit, then Fix an address.
The address doesn’t exist on the map. On your computer, open the Google Maps menu, click Edit the map, and choose the same option for an incorrect address or pin. Move the map to the right spot, enter the address, and submit.
These corrections also go public. This is what fixes the classic new-street problem, where a delivery app sends the driver to the wrong block.
How to save your address just for you
If you just want to find your home or work with one tap, there’s no need to add anything to the public map. In the app, open the You tab, go to Labeled, and save the address as Home or Work. This label is private, only you can see it.
What if the place is your business
This is the most common mistake. The owner adds the store through Add a missing place, the same way they would a neighborhood square. The place might even show up, but there’s no way to respond to reviews, post official photos, update hours, or see how many people requested directions.
For your business, the right path is a Google Business Profile, formerly known as Google My Business. Google Maps Help itself points business owners this way. Setup is free, and you’ll find the step-by-step guide in Google My Business: step-by-step setup. Next comes profile verification, which proves to Google that you run the business.
If someone already added your store to the map, don’t create another one. Search for your business in Maps and claim the profile that already exists. Two profiles for the same address confuse customers and can lead Google to suspend one of them.
Do you serve customers at their home or only online? You can have a profile without showing your address by setting a service area instead. See how in Google My Business without an address.
Why the place doesn’t show up
- It already existed under a different name. Search before you add it. Often the place is already there, listed under an old name or spelled differently.
- The pin landed in the wrong spot. A pin in the middle of the block, far from the entrance, makes Google treat the place as questionable.
- The name is stuffed with keywords. “Pão Quente Bakery, Best Bread in Pinheiros” isn’t a name, it’s an ad. Use the name that’s on the storefront.
- The place doesn’t serve walk-in customers. Virtual offices, PO boxes, and mail-only addresses don’t qualify as a business on the map.
- It’s still under review. New contributions can take a few days to show up.
Showing up on the map isn’t the same as showing up in search
Being on Google Maps is just the first step. Showing up when someone searches “bakery near me” depends on other factors: the right category, reviews, photos, and how close you are to the person searching. We cover what matters most in how to show up on Google Maps in your city and the full guide on how to add your business to Google Maps.
Frequently asked questions
Does adding a place to Google Maps cost anything? No. Adding a missing place, fixing an address, and creating a Google Business Profile are all free. Be wary of anyone who calls charging you to list your business on the map.
How long does it take for a place to show up? Google doesn’t publish a timeline. Check back a few days after submitting.
Can I add my home address? For personal use, save it as Home in your private labels, which no one else can see. Only use the public map if your address is missing or wrong and it’s causing problems with deliveries and visits.
I added my store as a place. Now what? Search for your store in Maps and claim the profile. That way you can manage the information yourself without creating a second listing.
Want to know if your profile is complete? Our free Google Business Profile audit shows you what’s missing, delivered through WhatsApp at no cost.