In short. A service-area business should hide its address when it does not serve customers there; an eligible hybrid business can show both its address and service area.
Definition: A service-area business visits or delivers to customers without serving them at its own business address. Under Google's October 2026 guidance, it should hide that address on its Business Profile and display its service area, the geographic area it serves.
Key facts
- Google's service-area documentation directs businesses that do not serve customers at their address to remove the address and enter a service area.
- Google's business representation guidelines require permanent fixed business-name signage for businesses displaying an address.
- Google's address management documentation provides a setting named Show business address to customers. Turning it off hides the address and leaves the service area visible.
When can a business display its address?
A hybrid business serves customers at its address and also visits or delivers to them. Google's representation guidelines give the example of an auto repair shop with a garage and roadside service. Such a business can display its address and designate a service area when its own team staffs the location and can receive customers during its stated hours.
The same guidelines give a plumber working from a residential address as an example of a business that should clear its address from the profile. A rented mailing address where the business does not operate, described as a virtual office, is ineligible for a Business Profile.
How is the address hidden?
Google's address management instructions give this configuration path from the Business Profile:
Edit profile > Location > Business location > Edit
Show business address to customers: off
Save
The setting controls the public address display. The same documentation asks businesses to enter an address Google can locate for verification. When an address is hidden without a service area being entered, Google chooses a local area that can be edited later.
How is the service area configured?
Google's service-area management instructions give this path:
Edit profile > Location > Service area > Edit
The editor accepts suggested or entered areas, followed by Save. Areas are specified by city, postal code or another area type; a radius around the business is unavailable. Up to 20 service areas are allowed, and the overall boundary should generally remain within about 2 hours' driving time of the business base.
Related terms
- Google Business Profile
- Can a virtual office qualify for a Google Business Profile?
- How do I set a Google Business Profile service area?
FAQ
Should I hide my home address if I travel to customers?
Yes, if you do not serve customers there. Google's representation guidelines explicitly use a plumber operating from a residential address as an example requiring address removal.
Can I display both an address and a service area?
Yes, if you serve customers at your address and also visit or deliver to them. Google's service-area documentation allows this hybrid configuration and requires permanent on-site signage for storefront eligibility.
What happens if I hide the address without choosing an area?
Google's address management documentation says a local area is selected for you. You can edit it later.
Sources
- Google Business Profile Help, "Manage your service areas for service-area & hybrid businesses", undated
- Google Business Profile Help, "Guidelines for representing your business on Google", undated
- Google Business Profile Help, "Manage your business address", undated
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