Note: The video is in French — a written summary in English is below. Managing a Google My Business (GMB) listing is vital for any local business in Canada. The video above demonstrates step-by-step how to grant access to a GMB account in 2025—essential for delegating management to a colleague, agency, or SEO consultant. This article goes further: it explains different access levels, security implications, and shares tips to avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re a business owner or marketing manager, this guide helps you delegate efficiently without risking your Google profile’s security.
Why Share Access to Google My Business?
Granting access to your GMB profile allows others to collaborate on your online presence: posting photos, responding to reviews, updating hours, and managing business info. For a small business or local shop, delegating these tasks to an SEO agency or internal manager can greatly improve local visibility and responsiveness to customers.
Important: Sharing your personal login details is risky and goes against Google’s best practices. Using the manager or secondary owner roles ensures your account’s security and makes it easy to revoke access if needed.
Understanding Google My Business Roles
Google My Business offers three access levels: Primary Owner, Owner, and Manager. The primary owner has full rights, including deleting the listing or transferring ownership. A secondary owner can manage the listing but can’t delete it or change the primary owner. A manager can edit info and respond to reviews but can’t manage users or delete the listing.
Before adding someone, decide what level of access they really need. For example, an SEO agency usually needs the manager role to optimize the listing, post updates, and respond to reviews, but rarely needs owner status.
Steps to Add a Manager on Google My Business (2025)
1. Log in to your Google account and go to Google Business Profile (https://business.google.com/). 2. Select the relevant listing. 3. Click 'Users' in the left menu. 4. Click the invite icon (+) and enter the manager’s Google email address. 5. Choose the role (Manager, Owner) and send the invite.
The invitee will get an email and must accept the invitation to access the listing. You can revoke or change access at any time. Pro tip: Keep a list of people with access and review it quarterly to remove unnecessary users.
Security and Access Management: Best Practices
Never share your Google password with anyone. Always use Google’s built-in user invitation features. Enable two-factor authentication on your Google account to protect against hacking attempts.
If working with an external agency, require them to use a professional Google Workspace address (e.g., name@agency.com) for better traceability. Document every user addition or removal, and update access lists whenever staff or suppliers change.
Complementary Tools and Platforms for GMB Management
Tools like Google Business Profile Manager, Local Viking, or BrightLocal allow you to centralize the management of multiple listings, automate post publishing, and analyze local performance. Some tools offer detailed reports on reviews, visibility, and user actions.
For agencies or franchises, these platforms make multi-location management and role assignment easier. However, initial access must always be granted through Google My Business, then linked to these tools via the official API to ensure security compliance.
What to Do in Case of Access Issues or Conflicts?
If an invitee doesn’t receive the invitation, check that their email is a Google address (Gmail or Google Workspace). In case of ownership conflicts (e.g., a former employee still controls the listing), use Google’s help form to claim the profile. Be prepared to provide proof of ownership (invoices, official website, etc.).
For complex situations, contact Google My Business support via the help center or Twitter (@GoogleMyBiz). Always keep documentation of access and communications to speed up resolution.