How to Add a Location in Google Maps (Places, Businesses, Home and Work)

“Adding a location” in Google Maps can mean four different things: adding a public place that’s missing from the map, adding your business, saving your home or work address, or fixing a pin that’s in the wrong spot. Each has its own route. Here is how to do each one on a phone and on a computer.

Add a missing place (park, landmark, shop you don’t own)

On Android or iPhone

1. Open the Google Maps app and tap Contribute at the bottom.
2. Tap Add place.
3. Enter the name, choose a category and add the address. Drag the map so the pin sits exactly on the right spot.
4. Add optional details, such as hours, phone or website, if you know them.
5. Tap Submit, or the send icon.

On a computer

1. Go to google.com/maps and sign in.
2. Open the menu (three lines, top left) and choose Add a missing place. Or right-click the spot on the map and choose to add a missing place.
3. Fill in the name, category and address, and adjust the pin.
4. Click Submit.

Google reviews every new place before it appears, and you’ll get an email with the result. Review can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days, and not every submission is approved, especially if details can’t be confirmed.

Add your own business

If you own or manage the business, use Google Business Profile instead of “Add a missing place”. You’ll be able to edit details, reply to reviews and post updates.

1. Go to business.google.com and sign in with the Google account you want to manage it with.
2. Search for your business name. If it already exists, claim it. If not, choose to add it.
3. Enter the business name, category, location or service area, phone number and website.
4. Verify the business. Google may offer verification by phone, text, email, video recording or postcard, depending on the business.
5. Once verified, complete the profile: hours, photos, services and description.

Service-area businesses, such as plumbers or cleaners who visit customers, can hide their street address and show a service area instead.

Save your home or work address

1. In the app, tap You (or Saved), then open Labeled.
2. Choose Home or Work and enter the address, or set the pin on the map.
3. On a computer, open the menu, choose Saved then Labeled, and do the same.

Saved home and work addresses are private to your account. They speed up directions and commute times, and don’t add anything to the public map.

Fix a wrong pin or address

1. Open the place in Google Maps.
2. Tap Suggest an edit, then Change name or other details.
3. Choose the address or location field, move the pin to the right spot, and submit.

If your own house or building is missing or misplaced, you can also use Contribute → Edit map in the app to add or fix an address.

Tips that get submissions approved

• Use the real name on the sign. Don’t add keywords to a business name.
• Place the pin precisely, on the entrance if you can.
• Pick the most specific category, such as “Bakery” rather than “Store”.
• Add a photo of the storefront or sign. It helps reviewers confirm the place exists.
• Don’t add private homes as public places, or places that are temporary or no longer exist.

For businesses: why it’s worth doing properly

A verified Business Profile is what appears in Google’s local “map pack” and on Maps searches. Complete, accurate details (category, hours, photos) and genuine customer reviews do the most for local visibility. Keep the name, address and phone number identical across your website and directories too.