How to Hide Your Address as a Service Area Business (SAB)
If your business travels to customers rather than having customers come to you, you are a Service Area Business (SAB). Google requires you to hide your physical address to prevent suspensions and maintain compliance.
When You Should Hide Your Address
Hide your address if you:
- Serve customers at their locations (plumbers, cleaners, electricians)
- Don't have a public-facing storefront or office
- Operate from a home office or non-commercial space
- Are a mobile service business
You should NOT hide your address if:
- Customers visit your location for services or retail
- You have a physical storefront with proper signage
- You operate from commercial space with public access
Step-by-Step Address Hiding Process
- Log into Google Business Profile Manager
- Click "Info" then "Edit profile"
- Find the "Address" section
- Click "Clear address" or toggle off address visibility
- Select "I deliver goods and services to my customers"
- Define your service areas (cities, ZIP codes, or radius)
- Click "Save" to apply changes
- Verify the address is hidden on your live profile (check within 24-48 hours)
Defining Service Areas Correctly
- Be specific and realistic about where you serve
- Don't exaggerate coverage areas
- List cities or ZIP codes you actually service
- Avoid claiming entire states unless you have the capacity
Common Address Hiding Mistakes
Even when set to hide, issues occur if:
- Address appears in business description
- Address visible in photos
- Website prominently displays the address
- Inconsistent address information across platforms
Verification After Hiding Address
You may need verification:
- Postcard mailed to physical address (you still need to receive mail)
- Phone/email verification if highly established
- Video verification for certain categories
FAQ
Q: Can I show my address on my website if hidden on GBP? A: For SABs, minimize address display everywhere. Focus on service areas and contact info.
Q: Will hiding my address hurt customer trust? A: No - customers expect SABs to have service areas, not physical storefronts.
Q: How do I verify if my address is hidden? A: Search your business name on Google and check if the address displays publicly.
Use our diagnostic tool to ensure your SAB profile is compliant.