## **📌 Understand where hours are managed**

Google Business Profile (GBP) hours and external local citation hours are separate records. Updating hours in Search Atlas may update your connected GBP data or prepare citation changes, but it does not guarantee that every directory has changed.

Each citation publisher controls its own listing. Some publishers accept updates automatically, while others require verification, account access, or manual approval.

## **🔍 Update your Google Business Profile**

1. Sign in to the Google account that owns or manages the business profile.
2. Open the business profile in Google Search or Google Maps.
3. Select the option to edit your business information and update regular hours.
4. Update special hours separately for holidays, temporary closures, or unusual opening times.
5. Save the changes and allow Google time to review and publish them.

If the profile is locked, suspended, unverified, or managed by another account, manual edits may not apply. Confirm that you are using the correct owner or manager account and resolve any Google verification prompts before trying again.

## **⚙️ Update hours in Search Atlas**

1. In the left sidebar, go to **Local → GBP Projects**.
2. Open the relevant project with **View project**.
3. Review the business information and hours shown for the location.
4. Save the updated hours, including any special or holiday hours when available.

Use **Local → Overview** to review location data and refresh information when that option is available. Search Atlas may show the saved or imported value before Google or citation publishers finish processing it.

## **📚 Update external local citations**

For citation-specific corrections, update the listing on the directory where the incorrect information appears. Search for the business using its exact name, address, and phone number, then claim or verify the listing if required. Edit the regular and special hours, save the change, and follow the directory’s approval process.

Keep the business name, address, phone number, website, and hours consistent across GBP and all major directories. Do not create a second listing when an existing listing can be claimed or corrected.

## **⏳ Check changes and prevent conflicts**

- Allow time for Google and individual directories to review and publish changes.
- Refresh the location data in Search Atlas before checking the results again.
- Check the directory directly, because Search Atlas may display the last scanned value.
- Confirm that no duplicate listing, old business profile, or third-party data provider is overwriting the hours.
- Use one consistent schedule, including the correct format for split hours and holiday closures.

## **✅ When to escalate the issue**

Gather the business name, location, incorrect directory URL, expected hours, and a screenshot of the saved change. This information helps identify whether the issue is a Google restriction, a locked listing, a directory approval delay, or a data conflict.

If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type **human teammate** to be connected with a member of our team.