Is Google Really Calling Your Business? Here’s the Truth Every Business Owner Needs to Know
If you own a local business, chances are you have received a call that sounds something like this:
“Hi, this is Google calling about your business listing. You are not showing up the way you should, and we recommend some updates to help strengthen your page.”
The caller sounds confident.
They sound official.
Sometimes they even know your business name and address.
And that is exactly why these calls work.
At GBC Digital Marketing, we hear about these calls every single week from clients. Some business owners ignore them. Others get worried. And unfortunately, some fall for them and end up paying for services they do not need, or worse, losing control of their Google Business Profile.
Let’s clear this up once and for all.
Google is not calling you.
Why These Calls Sound So Legit
These callers are not random scammers reading from a bad script. Many of them are trained salespeople working for SEO companies, lead generation firms, or ad resellers. Their job is to sound helpful and official.
They use language like:
- “Your listing is not appearing as expected”
- “Google recommends updates”
- “We help businesses improve visibility”
- “We work with Google”
None of that language is accidental.
They know most business owners:
- Do not stare at their Google Business Profile every day
- Do not fully understand how Google rankings work
- Do not want to fall behind competitors
So they create just enough doubt to start a conversation.
That doubt is the hook.
How These Companies Get Your Information
Business owners often ask us, “How did they even know about my business?”
The answer is simple.
Your business information is public.
Your name, phone number, address, and website are visible on:
- Your Google Business Profile
- Business directories
- Your website
- Data broker sites
These companies scrape that data and start dialing.
They do not have access to your account.
They do not see your real performance.
They are guessing.
How Real Google Actually Communicates
This part is important.
Google does not:
- Cold call businesses
- Warn you about rankings over the phone
- Suggest SEO updates by voice
- Ask who handles your marketing
- Pressure you to act quickly
Google communicates in two ways only:
- Messages inside your Google Business Profile dashboard
- Emails from an official @google.com address tied to your account
If it did not come from one of those two places, it is not Google.
The Real Danger: Google Business Profile Hijacking
Here is where things get serious.
We have seen business owners lose control of their Google Business Profile because of these calls.
It usually happens like this:
The caller claims to be from Google.
They say your listing has an issue.
They offer to “help fix it.”
They ask you to confirm login access or click a link.
Once access is granted, the damage can begin.
We have seen:
- Owners removed from their own listing
- Phone numbers changed
- Websites swapped out
- Fake reviews added
- Listings suspended
- Listings sold to competitors
In many cases, recovering a hijacked listing takes weeks or months.
And in some cases, it never fully recovers.
All because someone thought they were talking to Google.
Why Google Business Profiles Are a Prime Target
Your Google Business Profile is one of the most valuable digital assets your business has.
It controls:
- How you show up in Google Maps
- Where you appear in local search
- What customers see first
- Your reviews and reputation
- Your phone calls and directions
Bad actors know this.
That is why Google Business Profiles are targeted more than websites.
The Simple Rule to Remember
Google does not call you about SEO.
Ever.
Anyone who does is trying to sell you something.
Once you accept that rule, these calls lose all power.
What to Say When You Get One of These Calls
You do not need to argue.
You do not need to explain.
You do not need to prove anything.
Just say this:
“We already have SEO and Google Business Profile management in place.”
Then hang up.
That is it.
Why We Created a Google Call Reality Check Checklist
After seeing so many clients confused, worried, or pressured by these calls, we decided to create a simple one-page checklist.
It helps business owners quickly answer one question:
Is this Google, or is this a sales call?
The checklist walks through:
- Red flags to watch for
- How Google actually communicates
- What to say on these calls
- When to loop us in
It is designed to be saved, printed, or shared with office staff.
You can download the checklist here:
Download the Google Call Reality Check PDF
We recommend every business owner and office manager keep a copy.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
As local search gets more competitive, these types of calls are increasing.
Some are harmless sales pitches.
Others are aggressive.
Some are outright scams.
The risk is not just wasted money.
The real risk is losing control of your online presence.
Your Google Business Profile should be protected the same way you protect your bank account or your website hosting.
How GBC Digital Marketing Protects Clients
When we manage a client’s SEO and Google Business Profile, protection is part of the job.
That includes:
- Proper ownership and access control
- Ongoing monitoring
- Secure user permissions
- Recovery support if something goes wrong
- Educating clients so they do not get caught off guard
Our goal is simple.
We want our clients focused on running their business, not dodging fake Google calls.
Final Thought
If someone calls claiming to be Google and starts talking about SEO, rankings, or updates, you can be confident about one thing.
It is not Google.
If you ever feel unsure, forward the email or tell us about the call. We will confirm it for you.
And if you have not already, download the checklist and keep it handy.
It can save you time, money, and a major headache later.
