How Dealerships Can Update Their Google Business Profile After a Rebrand or Acquisition

If you’ve recently acquired a dealership or rebranded your RV dealership, updating your Google Business Profile (GBP) is critical. Your GBP is one of your most valuable local SEO assets—it drives local visibility, Maps placement, and trust with searchers.

The good news? You don’t have to start from scratch. In most cases, you can keep the existing Google profile, retain all of the reviews, and simply update the details to match your new brand.

When Can a Dealership Keep Its Old Google Listing?

According to Google’s official guidelines, if your newly acquired or rebranded dealership:

Operates from the same physical location
Offers the same or similar types of inventory (e.g., RVs, trailers, cars, powersports)
Serves the same local market

…then you are allowed to update the name, website, and branding without needing to create a new listing.

Why It Matters for Local SEO

Google Business Profiles are a huge factor in local search visibility. Keeping the original listing ensures you:

Retain your local 3-pack rankings for searches like “RV dealer near me” or “used travel trailers in [city]”
Preserve all reviews and reputation earned over time
Avoid duplicate listing penalties or starting from zero

How to Update Your Dealership’s Google Business Profile

Log into your Google Business Profile at business.google.com.
Click to edit your profile and change the business name to your new dealership name.
Update the website URL to your new domain (e.g., from olddealer.com to newdealer.com).
Replace photos, logos, and branding with updated versions reflecting your new brand identity.
Add a business description that explains the transition (e.g., “Now operating as [New Dealer Name] under new ownership”).

What to Update Beyond the Basics

Dealerships rely heavily on visuals. Be sure to:

Upload photos of your new signage and branded storefront
Replace outdated images of your old logo, showroom, and inventory signage
Update your services if they’ve changed (e.g., new lines like Class A motorhomes, UTVs, etc.)

Will Google Suspend the Listing?

Possibly—but it’s usually temporary and part of the verification process. If your name and website change significantly, Google may flag the profile for review.

To speed up verification, have the following ready:

Utility bill or business license with the new name
Photo of the updated building signage
Proof of ownership or acquisition (optional)

What to Say in the Description

Here’s a sample you can adapt:

“Formerly known as [Old Dealer Name], we’re now proudly operating as [New Dealer Name]. Same location, same commitment to quality service—now with a new name and fresh inventory.”

What Not to Do

Don’t create a brand new Google profile unless you’re moving or changing industries completely.
Don’t leave outdated contact info or branding on the listing—it confuses customers and hurts SEO.
Don’t ignore existing reviews. Engage with past reviews to show consistency and responsiveness.

Final Tip: Leverage This for SEO

Once the profile is updated, revisit your local SEO strategy:

Update NAP (Name, Address, Phone) across all local citations and directories
Create new location pages or dealer service area pages on your website
Ask for fresh reviews under the new brand to build momentum

Need help updating your Google Business Profile or ensuring your dealership ranks high in your local market? Get in touch with our team — we specialize in local SEO for dealerships just like yours.