Can I Use a Home Address on Google?

There’s much confusion among home business owners about whether they can – or should – use their home address for Google My Business (GMB) listings.

It all comes down to two simple questions:

  1. Do you meet with clients face-to-face?
  2. If yes, where do you meet with clients face-to-face?

When to Use Your Home Address

According to Google, Google My Business is only for “businesses that either have a physical location that customers can visit or that travel to visit customers where they are.”

The primary purposes of a GMB listing, are to give customers information about businesses and to help them find local businesses that serve their area.

If you only communicate with customers via phone, computer, or mail, then your home-based business isn’t eligible for a Google listing.

Now, if you meet with clients in your home (not recommended, but that’s your decision), then YES, YOU SHOULD use your home address for your GMB listing.

When Not to Use Your Home Address

If you prefer to protect your privacy and meet with clients outside your home (absolutely recommended), then NO, YOU SHOULD NOT use your home address for your GMB location. Instead, you will need to categorize your business as a service area business that serves specific cities, zip codes, etcetera.

Examples of places where you can meet local clients outside your home if you are a service area business:

  • Customer’s home
  • Customer’s place of business
  • Cafe or other public space
  • Rented conference room at a shared workspace/virtual office

And be careful about virtual offices! Although you can use them to conduct business and meet with clients, you absolutely cannot list them as your business address in your Google listing.