A Call from the Google Maps Team: Confusing? Absolutely!
Updated April 2026
As a digital marketing agency that manages Google Business Profiles and local SEO campaigns for businesses across Canada, we see these calls come up regularly. Business owners forward us voicemails, screenshots, and “is this legit?” emails all the time.
If you’ve received an unexpected call about your Google Business Profile, you’re not alone. Sometimes Google contacts businesses to confirm public details like hours, location, or availability. But because scam calls are so common, many business owners are left wondering whether the call was real.
The confusion is understandable. Google does place automated calls in some situations. But there are also countless scam calls pretending to be Google. Knowing the difference is critical, especially if your local SEO visibility depends on a properly maintained Google Business Profile.
Here’s the reality:
- Yes, Google can call businesses in a few legit situations (often automated) to confirm business details like hours. That means a Google Maps verification phone call can sometimes be real.
- Also, yes, a massive number of “Google” calls are scams. And they’re getting better at sounding official.
In other words, a Google Maps verification phone call can sometimes be real, but it should still be treated carefully. So assume it’s suspicious until proven otherwise.
Why Is Google Maps Calling Me?
In legitimate cases, the call is usually about confirming information that appears publicly on your business listing, especially hours, address details, appointment availability, or other details customers may see in Search or Maps. In other cases, the caller may simply be pretending to represent Google. That is why businesses should verify independently before sharing anything.
Real call or scam?
Most business owners are really trying to figure out one thing: is this legitimate, or is it a scam?
It’s more likely legitimate if
- The call is only asking to confirm basic public info (hours, location, whether you’re open, appointment availability).
It’s almost certainly a scam if they
- Ask for payment, a “verification fee,” or credit card/banking info. Google explicitly says they won’t do that over the phone for these types of calls.
- Claim they can guarantee #1 rankings or a “special spot” on Google.
- Create urgency: “your listing will be removed/suspended today unless…”
- Ask for logins, verification codes, or remote access to your computer/account.
Why Google (actually) calls businesses
There are a few legitimate reasons Google may call a business, especially when trying to confirm public listing details or complete customer-requested actions.
1. Automated “info confirmation” calls
Google may place automated calls to confirm business information so Maps/Search details stay accurate (hours are the most common). This is one reason people ask whether Google Maps calls businesses to verify hours or whether Google may contact them to update business hours shown publicly.
They also note these calls can relate to real customer tasks, like bookings, checking wait times, and confirming pricing/availability.
This lines up with Google’s longer-running “Duplex” initiative using AI to handle real-world phone tasks like asking about holiday hours.
2. Calls from Google operators
Google says you might get calls from operators for things like Google Ads or other Google accounts, but they still won’t ask for payment info over the phone or guarantee special placement.
So yes, in limited situations, Google may call businesses directly, but that does not mean every caller claiming to be from Google is trustworthy.
Does Google Maps Call Businesses to Verify Hours?
Yes, Google may contact businesses to confirm public details such as operating hours. This is one reason searches for business-hours verification continue to rise. Still, because scams are so common, the safest move is to confirm or update your hours directly in your Google Business Profile instead of relying on the caller.
What to do when you get one of these calls (safe playbook)
- Don’t share anything sensitive.
No logins, no one-time codes, no credit card info, no “access to fix it for you.” - Ask one question: “What exactly are you trying to confirm?”
If it’s just hours or address formatting, fine. If it turns into selling, pressure, or payment, end it. - If it feels off, hang up. Don’t press buttons.
Google explicitly recommends hanging up and not pressing prompts if you suspect it’s fake. - Confirm and update your info yourself (best solution).
If the call was about hours/address, update it directly in your Google Business Profile. If your profile is accurate, those calls tend to become less frequent. - Report scams.
Google provides a reporting path and recommends reporting persistent suspicious callers.
Can you stop Google from calling?
Yes. Google states businesses can opt out of automated calls (either by telling them on the call, or via profile settings).
In your Business Profile settings, there are controls under “Google Assistant calls / automated calls” where you can toggle certain call types.
The original Adster story
A few months back, I received a phone call from the Google Maps team regarding our address, as it was listed in Google Maps. The funny thing is, we’ve had a few clients who have received similar phone calls, and even though I was aware of this, I was still a bit confused by who they were, and what exactly they wanted – apparently, I’m not the only one.
Amidst all the confusion, we were in the process of planning the Google Engage Event we were hosting back in March, so at first, I thought it was a call from Google regarding either the catering or schwag being sent out for our guests, as you can hear in the phone call. Turns out, Google was choosing to ‘hide’ our suite number even though we have a claimed Google Places and Google+ Local Page, and our map marker was located street level, on Jasper Ave, instead of Enterprise Square, where our office is located.
How Has Google Maps (Now Google My Business) Verification Changed from 2010 to Present?
| Year | Verification Process | Notable Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | – Basic postcard verification. – Phone verification was available for some businesses. – Manual data submission. |
– Limited business control over listings. – Delays in receiving postcards caused frustration. – Verification was more focused on physical addresses. |
| 2015 | – Google My Business (GMB) introduced. – Postcard verification remained primary. – Video and phone verification added for some industries. – Integration with Google Search and Maps improved. |
– Introduction of online management of business details. – Enhanced focus on ensuring business legitimacy. – Businesses began tracking verification status online. |
| 2020 | – Automated verification for select businesses based on Google’s data. – More industries gained access to phone and email verification. – Continued reliance on postcard verification for most small businesses. |
– Stronger reliance on automated data signals for instant verification. – Enhanced security to prevent fraudulent listings. – Increased focus on verifying service-based businesses without a physical location. |
| 2023 | – Google Business Profile replaced GMB. – Increased use of video call verification to ensure business authenticity. – Expanded verification via email for certain trusted businesses. – Postcards still in use, but declining. |
– Video verification becomes standard in specific industries. – Simplified process for multi-location businesses. – Continued improvements in detecting fraudulent listings. |
| 2025 (Projected) | – Full adoption of AI-based verification systems. – Phased-out postcard verification. – Stronger use of video and phone verification for all industries. |
– AI-driven verification expected to minimize fraud. – Real-time verification and instant approval for trusted businesses. – Increased reliance on digital identity verification. |
Check out the 3-minute phone chat here and let me know in the comments below if you or your clients have experienced this and what your opinions on it were:
Google Phone Call Transcription:
Andrew: Thanks for calling Adster. This is Andrew speaking.
Google: Hi Andrew, this is Nitsa. I’m calling you from Google Maps. Can you please help me out with the office address?
Andrew: Sure.
Google: What is it?
Andrew: What is our office address?
Google: Yes.
Andrew: Is this in regards to the Google Engage event that we’re hosting?
Google: No. I’m just trying to update the address for your business on the Google Maps so that nobody faces a problem reaching the business. That’s it.
Andrew: Okay. Well, our business address is Suite #4218, 10230 Jasper Ave.
Google: Okay. And what sort of business are you in?
Andrew: We do web design, internet marketing and search advertising.
Google: Internet marketing. Internet marketing. And what’s the other thing that you do?
Andrew: Web design. Google Adwords.
Google: Okay. And what exactly can I state your business as? Is it web services, internet marketing agency, search engine optimization company or social marketing agency? What exactly can I take it into?
Andrew: Well, we do all of that stuff.
Google: Okay. So can you just help me out with your website address?
Andrew: Yeah. It’s https://www.adster.ca is our website address.
Google: Okay. Can you please help out with the directions to reach the business? I’m actually able to this Manpower building.
Andrew: You want to go…
Google: Yes.
Andrew: Well, it depends on where you live. Sorry, just to clarify.
Google: Manpower building at Jasper Avenue.
Andrew: You want to see the which story? The map building?
Google: Yeah. If you could just help me out with the maps. I’m able to see the Jasper building at Jasper Avenue NW. Are you from anywhere to that?
Andrew: Sorry. Just to clarify, because I want to make sure that we’re on the same page. We have a claimed and verified Google Places page, as well as a Google Plus business page, so my only question to you and I’ll give you all of this information, that’s fine. What’s the purpose of this phone call? What are you trying to identify? Sorry.
Google: Okay. If can just open the maps and look at the maps, sir. The marker of the business is on the main road. It’s not on the building.
Andrew: Oh, okay. Hold on a sec.
Google: If you could please coming to your business there’s a stop nearby to the main road. They’ll not understand which building are you located inside?
Andrew: We’re located in the Enterprise Square building.
Google: Okay. Oh. The one exactly opposite of the Manpower one, right?
Andrew: I’m just going to zoom in here, sorry.
Google: Okay. One second. It’s at the intersection of 103 Street NW and Jasper Avenue NW, right?
Andrew: Yeah. So I’m looking at the pin marker there and it’s on the street, so yeah, we’re on the corner of 102nd Street and Jasper Avenue. We’re in the… if you’re looking at the map, you can see where is says Enterprise Square.
Google: You’re there in the same building?
Andrew: We’re in that building, yes.
Google: Oh, okay. That’s the reason I was asking because, this is the reason I was just trying to update the marker, because if somebody’s coming to your business, then they’ll be stopping by that main road it says. They’ll be in confusion as to where exactly is the business located.
Andrew: For sure, yeah. We’re inside that building and there’s a whole bunch of businesses inside there.
Google: Okay. Thank you so much for the information provided, sir. Have a great day. Bye.
Andrew: Okay. Bye.
FAQs In short:
- Is Google calling me for a legitimate reason?
Yes, sometimes. Google may contact businesses to confirm public details like hours, location, or appointment availability. But scam calls are also common, so it is important to verify independently. - Does Google call to update business hours?
Yes, it can. Google may call to confirm hours or other public listing details. Even so, the safest move is to update your Business Profile yourself rather than rely on the caller. - Does Google call people directly?
Yes, in limited cases. Some Google-related business calls may be automated or handled by operators. That said, many scam callers also use Google’s name, so caution is still necessary. - Is 650-417-9214 definitely Google?
No, not definitively. Even if a number appears connected to Google, the caller ID alone is not proof because numbers can be spoofed. Always verify the request independently before acting.
In the end, the best response is simple: pause, verify, and make any updates yourself. A legitimate call should never require urgency, payment, or access to your account, and a suspicious one is not worth the risk. When your business information is accurate and up to date, you are in a much better position, no matter who is calling.
Confusing? Absolutely! Has your business received any phone calls like this? I’d love to know in the comments below!