Change your work address in Google Maps by editing your business profile or updating your home and work shortcuts
Google Maps stores your work location in two places: as a shortcut on your main map (the quick "Work" button), or as part of a business profile if you manage one. The method you use depends on which one you need to change. If you just want to update the address that appears when you tap "Work," you can do that in your Google Account settings in under a minute. If you manage a business listing on Google Maps, you'll edit it through Google Business Profile instead.
The difference matters because they're separate systems. Your personal work shortcut is private — only you see it, and it's used for your own directions and travel time. A business profile is public, and changing it affects what customers and search engines see about your company.
Key Takeaways
- Your personal work shortcut lives in Google Account settings under "Home and work" and takes 30 seconds to change.
- If you manage a business on Google Maps, you edit the address through Google Business Profile, not the Maps app itself.
- Changes to your personal work shortcut show up immediately on your phone and computer, but business profile changes can take a few days to appear.
- You can have only one work location saved as a shortcut, but you can manage multiple business locations if you have a Google Business Profile.
Update your personal work shortcut in Google Account settings
The fastest way to change where Google Maps thinks you work is through your Google Account. Open a web browser and go to myaccount.google.com, then sign in with the Google Account connected to your phone. Click "Personal info" in the left menu, then scroll down until you see "Home and work." Click on "Work" to open it.
A box will appear with your current work address. Click the pencil icon to edit it, then type in the new address. Google Maps will show you suggestions as you type — click the one that matches where you actually work. When you're done, click "Save." The change takes effect immediately on any device where you're signed into that Google Account.
If you don't see "Home and work" in your Personal info section, it means you haven't set a work location yet. Click "Add home and work" instead, then follow the same steps to add your new address. Once you save it, the "Work" shortcut will appear on your Google Maps home screen.
Change a business location through Google Business Profile
If you manage a business listing on Google Maps — meaning customers can find you through a business name and see your hours, phone number, and reviews — you'll change the address through Google Business Profile, not through your personal account settings. Go to business.google.com and sign in with the account that manages the business.
Click on the business name from your list of locations. On the left side, click "Info," then find the address field. Click the pencil icon next to the address, type the new one, and click "Apply." Google will ask you to confirm the change — this is a security step to prevent someone else from moving your business location without permission. You'll receive a confirmation code by mail or phone, depending on what you choose. Enter the code when it arrives, and your new address will be live on Google Maps.
Business address changes usually appear on Google Maps within a few days, though it can take up to a week in some cases. During that time, the old address may still show up in search results or on older cached versions of the page. If you're moving and want to keep your business visible during the transition, you can add a note to your business description mentioning the move date.
What happens when you change your work location
When you update your personal work shortcut, Google Maps uses the new address for directions and travel time estimates whenever you tap "Work." If you have location history turned on, Google will also use the new address to track when you arrive and leave work. The change doesn't affect anyone else — only you see your own work location.
If you change a business location, customers and search engines will see the new address. Google Maps will update the location on your business card, in search results, and on the map itself. If you moved to a different city or neighborhood, your business may appear in different local search results. Existing reviews and your business history stay attached to the listing, even after you move.
Troubleshooting: Your work location won't update
If you changed your work address but it's still showing the old one, try signing out of Google Maps and signing back in. On your phone, open the Google Maps app, tap your profile picture in the top right, tap "Settings," then "Sign out." Sign back in with your Google Account and wait a few seconds for the app to refresh.
For business listings, check that you're signed into the correct Google Account — the one that actually manages the business. If someone else set up the business profile, you won't be able to edit it unless they give you access. You can request access by going to business.google.com, clicking "Manage businesses," then "Request access" and entering the business name.
If you're still seeing the old address after a week, the change may not have saved properly. Go back through the steps and make sure you clicked "Save" or "Apply" at the end. If the address field won't let you type, try using a different web browser or clearing your browser's cache.
Moving your work location to a different country
If you're relocating to another country, the process is the same — just type the new address in your home country's format. Google Maps recognizes addresses in most countries, but the format matters. For example, in the UK you'd include the postcode, while in the US you'd include the state abbreviation. Type slowly and use the suggestions Google shows you to make sure you're entering the address correctly.
For business profiles, changing to an international address may affect your local search visibility. Your business will now appear in search results for your new country, but may drop out of results for your old location. If you have multiple locations, you can keep a separate business profile for each one instead of moving a single listing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one work location saved in Google Maps?
Your personal work shortcut allows only one address. However, if you manage multiple business locations through Google Business Profile, each location gets its own separate listing with its own address, hours, and reviews. You can switch between them in the Business Profile dashboard.
Will my coworkers see my work location if I change it?
No. Your personal work shortcut is private to your Google Account. Only you can see it. If you manage a business profile, customers and the public will see the business address, but they won't see your personal work location.
How long does it take for a business address change to show up on Google Maps?
Personal work shortcuts update instantly. Business profile changes usually appear within a few days, but can take up to a week. During the transition, some search results and cached pages may still show the old address.
What if I don't want Google Maps to know where I work?
You can delete your work shortcut by going to myaccount.google.com, clicking "Personal info," finding "Home and work," clicking on "Work," and then clicking the trash icon. Google Maps won't store a work location for you after that.
Do I need to change my work location if I'm just working from home temporarily?
No. Your work shortcut is meant to be your primary workplace. If you're working from home for a few weeks or months, you can leave your work address as your office and just ignore the shortcut when you're at home. Changing it back and forth each time isn't necessary.